WHAT WAS YOUR MOST SPECIAL MEMORY FROM THE DAY?

If there is one word to explain Alexis and Ryan’s love story it might be magical. The way Ryan proposed simplistically and romantically? Magical. The story of Alexis finding her wedding dresses? Magical. The way Alexis looked walking on the aisle in Martina Liana Style 1048? Magical. Their Valentines brunch themed wedding? Magical. Read along to see the magic on your own.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST SPECIAL MEMORY FROM THE DAY?

We were built with a blissful brunch wedding on Valentine’s Day. There are a lot of special moments that stuck with me. The sunlight drenching us, my hubby hugging my mom (who's my entire family), laughing the entire day with our intimate gathering of 50, everyone leaving as friends, my hubby chasing the children around the open field in which the ceremony happened, and even the children grabbing the soft flower petals and dumping them on me. It was a classic magical day full of so many happy tears and lasting impressions.

We have been hunting for an ideal house for more than a year and lastly found it in the summertime of 2020. We were closing around the house and leaving for that weekend to return home to Indiana to invest the 4th of July with this family. Ryan insisted that people needed to go beyond the house before we had to trap our flight. We walked into the backyard, consuming the peace and serenity that will soon be our backyard. We were waiting at the fountain, checking huge olive trees when Ryan offered me a hug and said “You know, I’ve been surfing for this my well-being.” I turned, smiling and thinking exactly the same thing. He slowly got recorded on one knee and popped the question in the most beautiful, simplistic way.

When I started dress shopping I thought I wanted something sleek, mermaid style by having an off-the-shoulder touch. I tried on dresses in San Diego, LA, and Phoenix, but I really felt empty doing the work without my mother there. So, I flew to Indiana and hang up two appointments at small, local shops for all of us to go to. My mom and I drove to Clay Terrace, a drive we’ve done often throughout becoming an adult. She insisted I try around the Martina Liana ballgown, and I didn’t fight her. I knew immediately when I walked into the store that the plus size wedding dresses was one I was likely to try on. I tried on the few other Martinas that I thought were more “my style,” but 1048 was the unanimous winner. I felt just like a princess. A young girl and her mom watched me try around the dress with the window, and also you could see the excitement within the little girl to 1 day wear an outfit like that. It was pure magic.

We were originally likely to get married in Italy around the Amalfi coast. We had everything planned out; the colors, the wedding cake, the gown, everything. The blues and yellows, the lemon trees, the heavenly coast, and also the beach clubs were all within the plan. It was likely to be the most breathtaking, classic Italian wedding. With COVID, we slowly threw in the towel that dream. We considered local, as postponing wasn’t an option for all of us. We found an attractive venue in Paradise Valley, Arizona. It was tucked right between your mountains and incredibly close to our new house. We remarked that our Italian wedding design no more fit the bill, so I pivoted to a more boho-desert-chic vibe that serves Arizona well. Long, white orchids, blushes and pinks (obviously, it had been Valentine’s Day), and pampas grass. We decided on the small, outdoor Sunday brunch wedding because although our venue was allowing more and more people, it had been very important to us to help keep our guests as safe as we possibly can. It was actually the way it had been always said to be. Perfect, small, intimate, and much more love in a single area than I’ve ever felt in my well-being. I really think it had been a blessing in disguise.