“Shay and Abby’s love story began in North Carolina, where they met through mutual friends while Shay was serving in the Marines. Both of them often say they knew almost immediately that they would end up married. In fact, Abby had never had a boyfriend before meeting Shay, making their relationship feel like something straight out of a real-life fairy tale. Just one year after meeting, Shay proposed to Abby during a vacation in Mallorca. The proposal was a complete surprise and took place in one of the most stunning settings overlooking the Mediterranean. When it came time to plan their wedding, the couple chose Utah: a place that represents the adventurous life they’ve built together. Only four months after meeting, Abby and Shay moved across the country together to Park City completely sight unseen. Neither of them had ever been before, but they felt strongly that it was where God was calling Shay, so they took a leap of faith and started their life together in the mountains. As a fashion designer, Abby approached the wedding with a thoughtful, design-driven perspective, blending timeless details with deeply personal touches that she created herself. She reimagined her mother’s wedding dress into one of her bridal looks, completely reconstructed her own wedding dress just weeks before the wedding, and also designed both of the individual’s wedding bands. The weekend was designed with multiple distinct aesthetics, including a romantic and slightly sultry rehearsal dinner two nights before the ceremony, followed by two very different wedding-day atmospheres for the ceremony and reception. The couple began the day with a traditional Catholic mass in the morning. Abby wore a full-lace bridal look, while Shay wore a cream tuxedo, and guests were encouraged to dress in their ‘Sunday best.’ The ceremony palette featured soft pink and green tones accented with gold details. For the evening reception, the entire aesthetic shifted to timeless elegance. Guests changed into formal black-tie attire, embracing a classic black-and-white theme that created a dramatic contrast to the romantic ceremony earlier in the day. More than anything, Shay and Abby wanted their wedding to feel joyful, meaningful, and reflective of the journey that brought them together. Their advice to other couples is simple: trust God with the timing of your story. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself in your faith, health, and character, and never forget how to have fun together or humbly admit when you’re wrong. When the right love comes along, it will feel unmistakable.”
– Abigail & Shay, the newly weds
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