Meredith + Christopher

How did you meet?

Chris moved to my hometown of Rochester, NY from Edison, New Jersey in 2013. He befriended my guy friends from High School. Whenever I would meet up with them, Chris was there – looking like a tall, handsome Elvis (his hair was a lot taller back then). Life happened, time passed, but I eventually got the guts to ask for his phone number. The story fell into place from that moment on.

When did you know they were the one?

The moment he screamed the lyrics to the song “Brat Pack” by The Rocket Summer in unison with me. It’s not a popular song. The fact that he knew it, and loved it on the same level as me blew my mind. I knew I wanted to scream those lyrics with him, forever.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

He always thinks of me, without question or effort.

He makes me laugh, uncontrollably, with his quick wit and same-weird-brain humor.

He is the most determined, talented human I have ever met. He says he is going to do something, and he actually does it, no matter the task at hand.

Who proposed and how?

It was Black Friday, November 2020. We had just closed on our new home and went to Best Buy to purchase our stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. Walking out of the store, sweating with anxiety from this giant life purchase, Chris looked at me and said “I’ve been texting our car guy and he said they have great Black Friday deals, and I think I should get a truck.” WHY DID HE NEED A TRUCK, YOU ASK? He was on a local top Country music radio station and “it would help him look and feel the part.” We went and leased said truck. The anxiety sweat still pouring, we updated my parents on our big-spend day. They gasped at all we had accomplished. I was hangry at this point and we agreed to go to lunch. After a day full of big purchases, Chris looked at me and said “What a day. Wouldn’t it be funny if we just got engaged to top it off?” Fast forward 3-4 hours later, we had a ring and Chris proposed to me in front of my parents in their driveway.

Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?

I had an account on the local Lovely Bride website. I had “hearted” so many gowns, the bulk of which were designed by Made With Love. When I went it for my first (and only!) dress appointment, my helper pulled a bunch of dresses I “hearted,” but also pulled Darcy, which I hadn’t seen before. I was a little hesitant when I saw it on the hanger, but I put her on and that was it. SOLD. How does this dress exist?! It represented everything I dreamed of. It’s romantic, non-traditional, sexy, elegant, timeless and show-stopping

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

Everyone tells you it goes by in the blink of an eye and to try to take a step back and soak it all in. It’s true, and I did. I literally said the words “This is my best life moment” out loud as my mom and dad walked me down the aisle to my soon-to-be-husband. The words just poured out of my mouth, uncontrollably, tears in my eyes, because it was the truth. I walked through a tunnel of humans that have been a part of so many moments, the best moments, that led us to that place and time.

What were your favorite details?

We had a very low-key wedding and reception that was true to our hearts: no bridal party, no DJ – we made a Spotify playlist – drinks, amazing food, and laughs had between our two worlds colliding. We had an after-party right across the street at our favorite dive bar. We had pizza and wings for everyone and I graced the room with some Celine Dion karaoke.

What advice would you tell other brides?

Do you. When planning, try your best to respectively accept the outside noise of opinions, but take them as just that, outside noise. Do what makes you happy (and what you can afford!).