Give us the proposal details! When? Where? How?
Four months prior I was invited to a gala by our good friend (and my bridesmaid), Chesley, on Saturday, July 14th. The rouse was that her cousin knew the benefactors of the event and had extra tickets for Chesley to invite a few friends, but we had to RSVP right away. Ches sent over the (entirely fake) invitation, made up a dress code (“Manhattan chic”), and I said I’d, of course, be there. A month and a half prior, my oldest best friend, Emma, called to surprise me on my birthday with a trip planned to visit New York City. This was another ploy by Kevin to make sure I didn’t accept any other plans ou
tside the city that weekend (as if a fabulous gala wasn’t enough!). I told Emma that was amazing, except I had the gala Saturday night, to which she made up a convincing lie about having to see her college friend’s art show opening in the city that same night, so it worked out perfectly. A week before Chelsey planted the seed asking me if we should get our hair done together before the gala, and I have the idea to book Glamsquad at our apartment instead. (Note: thinking this is all my doing.)
Kathryn Sheldon
The day before, I took the day off work to spend time visiting with Emma in town. I even casually mentioned that, “I shouldn’t even verbalize this because it’s so irrational, but my brain has begun to betray me with crazy thoughts, like how it would have been a convenient time for Kevin to propose, since we’d be all dressed up for a gala and you’re in town…except that you wouldn’t be there because of the art show, and I feel like I would have had some inkling that it was close to happening.” And talked me right down. The day of, while Chesley, our friend Linzey, and I were getting ready, Daniel (a groomsman and Chesley’s boyfriend, who had also been holding the ring for safekeeping) saved Kevin and the guys grabbed a beer to take the edge off. Once everyone was ready, we popped some champagne and headed to the gala, being held at the Ink 48 Hotel on the West Side.
Kathryn Sheldon
Five minutes before in the lobby, Chesley checked in the group at the front desk then took us aside and said that she had a surprise for us from her parents. (This felt accurate because we had just visited them the week before in Alabama.) We got in the elevator, headed up to the roof, and she had us all close our eyes when we walked out. I’m the only one who closed my eyes! As I was being led out of the elevator, the last thought I had was “this is a cruel level of surprise to be doing to someone who could be getting engaged this year,” then Chesley let go of my hand, I opened my eyes, and Kevin was down on one knee. In full body shock, I looked over my shoulder and saw my family and friends who had flown in from Hawaii, London, Seattle, Denver, and up and down the East Coast to be there for the surprise of my life. I could barely register, but over the other shoulder was the most stunning view of the midtown skyline, and in front of me was the most perfect ring I’d ever seen.
Kathryn Sheldon
I said, “Yes!” and the night ensued with food, drinks, and dancing on the private rooftop until the party headed home and Kevin and I had the night to ourselves in the adjoining penthouse suite overlooking the Hudson River. We didn’t talk about the wedding at all, we just let the lightness and the gravity of the moment all sink in.
Kathryn Sheldon
What has been your favorite experience planning the wedding?
Racing up to New Hampshire from Manhattan (7 hours!) on a Sunday morning to get to cake tasting before the bakery closed. Then, eating three pieces of cake before we even saw our wedding venue.
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
So many spreadsheets. They make us feel calm, organized and thoughtful!
Kathryn Sheldon
What is your favorite part of using Joy for your wedding?
Putting pen to paper on our love! Reliving our story and the proposal, as well as getting to make solid plans for the wedding weekend.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?
The live chat is super helpful, as well as the paper invitation coordination with our website design!
Kathryn Sheldon
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy lasts forever. What does that mean to you?
Joy is finding your soul’s counterpart in another.
