HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR FIANCÉ?

We worked together, on a single team, for nearly three years before we started dating. I can distinctly remember announcing to the team that I would marry Dan eventually as a joke. It was mostly while he cooks and I didn't enjoy it at that time. As I began to move to another position, all of us stayed friends, after which eventually we continued a date.

TELL US ABOUT THE PROPOSAL!

It was late August in 2014. We were making dinner in your own home which is very "us," once we love to cook. We had a great deal on the horizon. I was racing inside a half marathon the following day. Dan was competing in the first Ironman not much later.

Dan placed on one of our favorite music as the food was cooking and inquired about dancing with him within our living room. This is not the norm once we occasionally dance around our home. While I was dancing, we discussed all the things we'd done that year and also the adventures which were still in the future. As the song ended, he held onto my hand, got recorded on one knee, and asked a large question. I was shocked, surprised, and didn't expect this was coming. And, much like that, I did what everyone does. I broke right into a full-blown, shirt-drenching, panic sweat. Some people cry, I sweat. I said "Yes!" soon after.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE LOCATION FOR YOUR WEDDING? WHAT TYPE OF VENUE WERE YOU LOOKING FOR?

We knew we desired to have a wedding which was a mixture of both people. I'm from Nashville. He's from Chicago. So we wanted a combination of sophisticated southern charm and urban industrial. The Cordelle in Nashville was ideal for that. It has reclaimed barn wood flooring and a beautiful porch, but additionally has gritty exposed brick and steel beams. Also, it felt just like a house and that we wanted our wedding to become intimate and also to feel like we'd invited all of our closest friends and family over for any dinner party.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES? TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT FEELTIMES!

I was a great deal indecisive if this came towards the bridesmaid dresses. I never thought about this but it’s tough to pick out clothing for some individuals, particularly when they come in sizes. So, similar to the bridal gown, I did a great deal of research, pulled a lot of inspiration making a Pinterest board.

FeelTimes was an ideal location to shop. Our appointment is in April and that we worked with FeelTimes. During the visit, I was the only person shopping which allowed us to possess fun, feel comfortable, and try on a lot of options. FeelTimes was very detailed concerning the ordering process, sent emails on time, and was clear in her communications. And the dresses were beautiful. All the girls looked amazing in them that is ultimately all I wanted.

WHO DESIGNED YOUR wedding dresses? WHERE DID YOU GET IT?

Dress shopping was very difficult for me. I wasn't that girl who had dreamt about my wedding dress since I would be a kid. I needed to become educated on everything – in the different styles towards the many color options so I obsessively pulled images from magazines, scoured the web, and watched multiple instances of "Say Yes towards the Dress." The first time I went dress shopping, I had an entourage – my mom, bridesmaids, and friends. It was a massive experience that caused me to interrupt out in another cold sweat. For the second trip, it had been just me, my mom, and my future mother-in-law to have an all-day marathon on the cold January day in Chicago. I thought I is in love with an outfit at the first store we visited. I almost chose it. Then I view FeelTimes. From the moment that I take their a line wedding dresses on, I am in love. It was an ideal fit. It helped me feel elegant and sophisticated…it helped me feel just like a bride. Honestly, I wish I could find another excuse to put on it. I also had jewelry bits of my grandmothers' sewn in so that they could be there beside me as I walked on the aisle.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?

I don't think I had one specific moment which was my favorite. I honestly loved everything concerning the day. I loved seeing everything get together as you never really have that sense before the day of. I loved spending time with my friends/my bridesmaids once we got ready. I loved my dress. I loved their dresses. I loved the venue and seeing the transformation during the day. I loved the "first look" with my now-husband. I loved his vows and I loved finally dealing with reading mine. I loved our ceremony was led by friends - a buddy was the officiant, our mother's read a poem and another friend read a blessing – it managed to get feel intimate and unique to us. I loved taking shots following the ceremony – my father was the instigator on that. I loved our first dance. I loved dancing with my father. I loved our food and I loved our sparkler exit. But most of all, I loved being encompassed by our friends and family and marrying the love of my entire life.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER BRIDES?

My advice for future brides:

Get a Wedding Planner. It could just be for that day off but they're extremely helpful making the day stress-free and smooth for you as the bride.

Align on the budget and be sure you have about 10-20% inside your back pocket for contingency and unknown incidentals. We had about 25% for contingency which allowed us to become able to adjust if needed without stressing out.

Get a photographer along with a videographer. They will capture those moments that you might not remember later. Take a second to take the day and also the night and embrace all of the feelings that are going through you. You'll wish to cherish that forever.