Rachel + Johnson
How did you meet?
My husband, Johnson, and I met on a completely unrelated, uncoordinated bachelor/bachelorette party! Johnson and his friends were celebrating at a bar in Charlotte and so were me and my girls. My girlfriend who was getting married and his friend actually were getting married on the same day which made things even more serendipitous!
When did you know they were the one?
I knew that Johnson was the one after the first time he came to visit me for the first time. I lived 4 hours away from him, so one weekend he came to see me and he hit it off with all of my friends right away. Before that weekend, we had only communicated through texting – but the day he left he FaceTimed me that night for the first time. Every night after that we FaceTimed and I went to visit Johnson at least once a month until I moved in with him a year later!
What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?
Johnson is extremely hard working and driven in his career which are things I really love about him. We have moved to three new cities together since we started dating for his job as a college football coach. He is always open to new opportunities but also is very considerate of the quality of life that I would have in a new town. Johnson loves his family and loves to spend time with them, and also loves my family which is huge since I’m so close to my family!
Who proposed and how?Â
Johnson proposed to me in our favourite place, the beach at Kiawah Island in South Carolina. This was where we had our first vacation together, only two months after we met! That weekend was when we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend, so Johnson wanted to propose in the place where it all began 🙂 Johnson’s family has a home on the beach there, so his mom, sisters and brother-in-law were all there that night! We had spent some time playing bocce ball on the beach when it started getting cold and cloudy. I decided I was ready to go inside, but Johnson insisted we should take a walk on the beach. I was super confused because he knows how much I hate being cold…but his siblings all insisted we take the walk. When we came back to our chairs, we started to pack them up and Johnson pointed out a little red circle in the sand and told me to pick it up. When I did, it was a mason jar with a note inside that said, “Rachel, will you marry me?” and Johnson was on one knee with the ring of my dreams!!
Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?
I visited the Lovely Bride salon in Charleston, South Carolina a few months after Johnson and I got engaged. My mom, sister and my brother’s fiance were all with me that day! After trying a few different styles of dresses on, my stylist pulled the Elly dress made exclusively by Made With Love for Lovely Bride. As soon as I walked out and looked in the mirror, I knew it was the one and the tears started flowing!! I could immediately picture myself walking down the aisle to Johnson in this dress and could see his face filled with love and surprise!
What was the best moment for you at the wedding?
Man, SO many amazing moments!! One of my favourites would be doing the first look with my dad and my brother. And then of course, the moment the doors to the ceremony opened and I saw Johnson’s face. All of my nerves just went away when I saw him and I couldn’t stop smiling!
What were your favourite details?
Some of my favourite details were absolutely my dress, veil, earrings and hair and makeup. The look that my hair and makeup team were able to create for me was exactly what I had envisioned but couldn’t put in to words! They knew exactly what to do. My bouquet was absolutely exquisite – containing all of my favourite flowers and the perfect amount of bohemian vibe. The piece de resistance of the entire day would have to be our reception tent. I wanted it to be relaxed and textural with rich layers of colour and tons of flowers. My wedding planner absolutely NAILED it!!!
What advice would you tell other brides?
My advice to other brides is to not worry about the small stuff. I know this is very common advice, but all of the things I worried about up to the day ended up being things I never ever thought about on the day. Also, don’t worry about a little rain!! We got married in South Carolina, where in June it rains just about every day. I knew there was going to be at least one point where it would rain. During our dinner service we had a mini monsoon come through that started leaking in to the tent! The team of vendors handled it so perfectly, continuing to serve dinner and clean up so that by the time dinner was over, everything was back to normal and we kept partying!
Any standout vendors?
Our wedding planner was the ultimate wedding planner. She sourced everything I could have possibly wanted and pulled everything together perfectly. My florist was amazing – taking the florals to another level with her creativity! Our band had everyone dancing from the time dinner was over until they were kicking us out. I can’t say enough good about all of our vendors!!
MWL DESIGN:
Elly
VENUE:
FLORIST:
BRIDESMAIDS OUTFITS:
MAKEUP ARTIST:
LookLook Beauty
PHOTOGRAPHER:
SUITS:
RINGS/JEWELRY:
Diamonds Direct, Untamed Petals
