“Andrew and I met in college while volunteering as leaders for a Christian ministry called YoungLife at The University of Texas! After developing a friendship over a few years, Andrew finally asked me to be his girlfriend! During our time dating in Austin, we did all of our favorite things together: we rock climbed, tried local restaurants, went on lots of walks and runs, got hooked on Grey’s Anatomy, cooked new recipes, and dreamed of what our future would look like. On July 12th, 2020 Andrew asked me to be his wife! Because I love surprises, Andrew wanted to make sure his proposal was biggest surprise I’d ever experience. Andrew had spent two years planning a month-long backpacking trip in California for the summer of 2020. Because it had been planned for so long, I knew it couldn’t be moved. It was July 10th, we weren’t engaged yet, and Andrew was off on his summer adventure. Little did I know, Andrew was able to push back his trip by a few days in order to plot the biggest surprise proposal ever. Andrew convinced me that he and his buddy drove all the way to California by figuring out how to change his Find My Friends location and plotting points along a route from Austin, TX to Yosemite National Park over a 24 hour period. On the morning of July 12th, I arrived at the home of the family I babysat for not knowing in a few hours my life would change forever. I walked in the door and was surprised by my two best friends waiting for me with an outfit and all the things you could think of that a girl needs to get ready for a proposal. I have never been more confused than in that moment, knowing that Andrew’s location was in California! Despite my confusion, I trusted my friends, got ready, and was driven to a house where Andrew was waiting to propose to me on a dock overlooking Lake Austin. I said a resounding YES and the vision of our wedding began – we dreamt of a day full of whimsy, adventure, and beauty, much like the day Andrew asked me to be his wife.
We wanted our wedding day to reflect us as a couple and couldn’t think of a better place to do that than having an outdoor wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Andrew and I both love nature and how the beauty of God’s creation brings you that much closer with your Creator. We wanted nothing more than our wedding day to be centered on God’s love for us, as we committed to a lifetime of love for each other. We held the ceremony and reception in my family’s backyard and took the most amazing first look photos in Grand Teton National Park. Seriously, picking Jess Living Photo to be our wedding photographer was the BEST decision we made in the entire wedding planning process! The forever photos we have perfectly capture the joy and beauty of that day. My advice from that day would be to surround yourself with people who lift you up! We had the most incredible bridal party ever and the day would not have been possible without them!!! From re-arranging florals, to doing my hair and makeup, to helping make sure rentals got to the right place at the end of the night- they seriously were the biggest help. I felt so loved being surrounded with so many amazing friends, and it made Andrew and I’s day just that much more special.”
– Hannah, the bride
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