Give us the proposal details! When? Where? How?
My friend Kari flew into town for a concert that we attended. Little did I know, she was in on the proposed plan. Taylor suggested a couple months before that we go on a scavenger hunt while Kari was in town to help her see Baltimore, and I thought it was a great idea! He said the winner would pay for dinner because we were “supposed” to head into DC to meet up with friends. If anyone knows me, they know I am highly competitive and did not want to lose. So on the morning of the 11th, Kari and I set out on this scavenger hunt, or so I thought. Taylor had masterminded this whole day down to the minute and involved all of our close friends and family. At this time we had been together for nine years, so there were nine stops along the way. Each being a significant moment in our relationship or with important people in our lives. Each time we stopped, I told Kari about the stop still not understanding what was going on. I was too determined to win to figure it out! We arrived at the last stop and we had another clue. This was a new place I have never been, Kilgore Falls, which is a beautiful park with a waterfall. We arrived and I saw my dad, this was the moment when I knew! He walked me down to the waterfall where Taylor was standing, he had our song playing, and I was blown away. He was leaving in a couple months for Grad school and had been telling me that when he was done, we would start the next chapter in our lives. (Now I know that was just to throw me off the trail!) That is why this 10th spot was something new for us. A new place, a new memory, and a new chapter. In front of our family and closest friends, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. At first, I said “I hate you!” but then I said, “Yes!” It was perfect. Little did I know, the day was not over, we headed to a family member’s house to celebrate. I thought it was just going to be who was at the proposal site but when I opened the door, I walked into a surprise engagement party. More of our family and friends from out of state were there to share this moment with us. It was absolutely perfect! Family is very important to both of us and to have everyone there to share in that moment, was all that I could ask for. I can’t wait to marry him on our 11th anniversary!
Emily Huss, EEG Photography
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
My favorite experience has been just thinking about our wedding day. That sounds crazy, but the thought of having everyone back in one place to celebrate us and enjoy being in the moment is what has been my favorite thing.
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
We’ve had a long, two-year engagement which has helped! Each month I tackle a project for the wedding. This month has been the website. I research, shop around, and find what best fits us and then finalize that detail. It helps me to not be overwhelmed because it is one task at a time. It also allows me to enjoy this process and really create a day that is everything that we want! I feel as though there is pressure for weddings to be perfect and to look perfect. Nothing is perfect! We are a simple couple and just enjoy being around family and friends. The day is going to be simple, we don’t need much. I also have a great team around me that is there to help out when I need it!
Emily Huss, EEG Photography
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
I love that everything is in one place, especially because we have a lot of out of town guests. Joy allows our guests to find everything they need from hotel information, shuttle schedule, airport information, etc in one place. I also love that you can find everything on the app as well. Everyone is on their phones and this allows easy access.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?
Share it with your family and friends, on more than one occasion! I have had friends create a website and I only see that information once with the formal invitation and then the site is forgotten. Continue to let them know that this site is there for them to use! With registries, schedules, shuttle information and more, this is the information your guests need (and ask about constantly if they don’t have). I suggest letting them know about your Joy site more than once.
Emily Huss, EEG Photography
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
Taylor and I have been together for 10 years. We’ve grown up together and most of that has been long distance. Communication, trust, and respect have been a huge part of our relationship! I know that he will be there even when we are states apart. That, to me, is joy.
