How did the two of you meet?
We met about 10 years ago, near the end of our senior year of high school. We had mutual friends and it’s surprising it took us so long to meet! When we finally did, it was at a friends party. We spent the next few weeks bumping into each other every weekend at parties, hanging out with friends, and when I would go to rugby games to watch Mike play. We had our first date which was coffee and a movie. Less than a month later, on the night of graduation, Mike officially asked me to be his girlfriend.
Jenn Kavanagh Photography
Give us the proposal details! When? Where? How?
We got engaged on the last night of an amazing trip to Bali, Indonesia. The night we got engaged, we spent the day riding bikes through the rice fields and villages of beautiful Ubud, Bali. It was a perfect day. We wanted our last night in Bali to be special, so we made a reservation at Swept Away in Ubud, a beautiful restaurant along the Ayung River. When we arrived, I was so confused when the host began to lead us away from the restaurant and down a private walkway down to the river. I was stunned. There were a hundred candles, rose petals everywhere, a table set for two, and a loveseat further down the river. I had celebrated my birthday earlier in the week, and I assumed that this was something special Mike had planned for the occasion.
After having a few drinks by the river, Mike asked me to take a look at the table the staff had set up for us and take some pictures (he knows I never turn down an opportunity for a selfie!). I walked over and we began to take a few pictures. To my surprise, my boyfriend’s usually steady hand was very shaky, and as I walked back towards our table, I began to comment on how blurry all of the pictures were! That’s when he said my name, “Anna..” When I turned around he was down on one knee, with the most beautiful ring, and the biggest smile I had ever seen. When he asked, all I could repeat was, “Oh my gosh!” in shock. He asked again, “Anna Victoria Sowinski, will you marry me?” and I said, “Yes!” right away. We spent the next few hours having dinner and wine, loving that we were the only ones in the world that knew what had just happened. I have never been so happy in my life as I was at that very moment. I truly feel like the most blessed, luckiest girl in the world to be marrying the most amazing man I have ever known!
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
Having the best partner who shares the same vision and cares enough to always share his opinion.
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
Friends, family, and a lot of wine!
Jenn Kavanagh Photography
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
I love the website layout and customizable options.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?
Make it a reflection of your love story, and of the big day you are planning together.
Jenn Kavanagh Photography
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
While a wedding is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate our love and union with our closest family and friends, the most important part of a wedding is the marriage. Two people that love each other unconditionally, are committing themselves and their whole hearts to one another. That is the biggest joy of all.
Jenn Kavanagh Photography
