How did the two of you meet?
We met almost 10 years ago during our college years. Brian is my fraternity brother and was visiting California for a conference. Our first date was in Barcelona, Spain. After participating in the Tomato Throwing Festival (or La Tomatina) in Valencia, Brian traveled to meet with me in the small city of Montcada, Spain. More importantly, Brian arrived a day earlier than expected. We spent our first week as a couple in Spain and Italy, camping in Costa Brava, hiking along the Cinque Terre Mediterranean, and embarked on an antiquity treasure hunt in Rome. Our time in Europe was the first of many adventures to come. This is where our journey began.
Give us the proposal details! When? Where? How?
I was on my way to Thailand to meet with Brian, for my first experience in Southeast Asia. He had a package mailed to my address which was believed to be some private matters from a member of his NGO. Several days into the trip we journeyed to by bus and ferry to Koh Phangan island for the Full Moon party and decided to stay on the island and extra day. After brunch at our villa, we walked out to the beach and Brian stepped away to bring a few items from the villa. When he returned he had the unopened box that I traveled with in hand and a selfie stick. While standing on a large rock, Brian asked me to open the package that was addressed to him and within three different boxes was a leather ring box. I opened the box and saw the engagement ring that was on our vision board. On March 23, 2016, Brian took a knee, and I immediately started to cry. He filmed his own proposal while he asked me to be his wife. I had no idea that I traveled with the ring for his proposal. It was an amazing surprise.
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
The bond and teamwork I am gaining during the planning process with my immediate family. They have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters through it all.
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
Pace myself. Compartmentalize what needs to be done. Stay organized with a planning binder and label everything for easy use or discovery.
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
Joy gives clean and modern websites at no cost! It streamlines the effort to produce a beautiful website in the midst of all planning and stressful details.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?
Take advantage of building a site as early as you can to help generate ideas gradually. Early site set up allowed me to be thoughtful about the content. Use the chat feature if you notice anything that would improve your experience. Their team listens to feedback and reply or notify when there are platform updates. Also take advantage of the content provided on the site for planning, vendor communication, and DIY tips!
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
The wedding experience goes beyond the actual event itself. It really is just a moment in the lifetime you build with the one you love. The manifestation of joy in a marriage is unshakeable and everlasting.
