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Inspiration » sarah anne photography » Joy Proposal Story: Bethany & Abe

Joy Proposal Story: Bethany & Abe

by Cali Pitchel

How did the two of you meet?

We met while we were in college through mutual friends. We didn’t like each other at all when we met but after being around each other within that group so often, we started to warm up!

How long have you been together?

We’ve been together for 7.5 years!

K. Suzanne Photography

Give us the proposal details! When? Where? How?

Abe had asked my dad for his blessing in late July of 2016, but didn’t buy a ring until the Friday before my birthday in October. That day we drove back to my hometown with plans to attend our good friends’ wedding on Saturday, then to celebrate my birthday with my family on Sunday. We met my parents and grandmother for a late lunch at a Chinese Buffet, and at the end of our meal we read our fortunes to each other. Abe’s read, “Take a chance. You might get lucky.” Mine read, “A new relationship is about to blossom. You will be blessed.” We all chuckled about what our fortunes might mean, then Abe and I got back on the road to head home.

He dropped down to one knee and asked if I would make him the happiest man on Earth by being his wife.

We had just bought a new house together, and Abe was planning to propose on the first night we would spend there, the next week. Although after the fortunes we just got, he knew he couldn’t wait! During our ride home we were talking about the wedding we had just attended when a billboard for an engagement ring caught our eyes. We began joking about how that ring would probably be worth a million dollars, and I told Abe that I didn’t care what my engagement ring would be like if the day ever came, as long as it was a surprise. After changing into my pajamas when we got home, I came out into the dining room where Abe was standing. He reached into his duffel bag and asked, “What was it you said? It just has to be a surprise?” and in the middle of our packed up belongings on my 29th birthday, he dropped down to one knee and asked if I would make him the happiest man on Earth by being his wife. I said yes!

K. Suzanne Photography

What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?

My favorite experience while planning the wedding was driving with my mom up to the campground where my family stayed every summer when I was a child to decide if it would work as the wedding venue. It had been raining all day, but when we got there the sun began to shine and it just felt right. When we stepped onto the field were we will hold the ceremony, our ideas started flowing and that’s when the planning really went from dreams to realities!

How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?

I remind myself of two things. First- It’s about the end result. As long as we walk away married, we can consider the wedding day a win. Second- No one else can see the pictures of the wedding I have in my mind, so if things don’t go exactly as I had planned, they’ll never even know!

K. Suzanne Photography

What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?

I love that I have one place to share information and collect RSVPs from guests, but I think my favorite part of Joy is being able to integrate our engagement photos into the design to personalize the experience for our guests.

What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?

Begin working on the site early. I began drafting our site the week we were engaged, which allowed me to work on it in pieces, revisit it with fresh eyes, add things, change things around, and really perfect it before launching it for our guests 6 months later.

K. Suzanne Photography

At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?

Abe and I will be getting married in one month. Once that day comes and goes, I know the joy we bring each other and the joyful memories of celebrating our love with our family and friends, will stay with us forever.

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