Orlando Engagement Story | Planner to Planning
The Just Marry! family is so excited to share the engagement story of one of our own, Jessica, to the love of her life, Alex! This post, featuring engagement photos by the talented Sydney Morman, will kick off a new Planner to Planning series that will follow Jessica as she transitions from wedding planner to wedding planning. Be sure to watch for updates between now and the big day next October!
Take it away, Jessica!
OUR ENGAGEMENT STORY: HOW WE MET
Sometimes, life has a funny way of turning distaste into fondness and eventually, into love. Alex and I met through some mutual friends a year before we started dating, and my opinions of him then were quite the opposite of what they are now. I thought he was this arrogant, know-it-all frat guy who would never be one of my close friends.
We saw each other often through group outings, our annual Friendsgiving celebration, and out and about in downtown Orlando since we lived in the same apartment complex. At some point he started to come around more and more with our friends in smaller groups. We were able to spend some time chatting one-on-one, and eventually he gave me his phone number. To this day, he insists he never made the first move!
WHEN THINGS CHANGED
I lived in an apartment that didn’t have a washer and dryer, and wasted a lot of time (and quarters) in the laundromat. I complained about this time and time again, until Alex kindly offered his washer and dryer to me.
For months, I would haul my Ikea bags of laundry and my 10-pound ferocious Jack Russel pup across the complex to his apartment and we would order pizza, watch Community, and do laundry. I politely asked every time if I could bring my dog over, and finally he said, “You never have to ask…she can always come with you.” I’m pretty sure that was the moment I knew he was special because while she is cute, she is a LOT to handle!
OUR FIRST DATE
It took us several months to actually go out on our first date. At the time, neither of us even considered it a date until a friend of ours pointed it out to us! We went to Earl’s Kitchen at the Millenia Mall on July 15th, and we revisit it every year on that same day.
WHEN I KNEW HE WAS THE ONE
About a month later, Alex’s parents were coming into town to take him to brunch for this birthday. I knew about this for weeks, of course, but he asked me the night before if I’d like to join them. Naturally, he texted his mom this information while they were already on their way to Orlando. Despite this, brunch went very well, and it was so endearing to see this tough, super-smart, cool frat guy be sweet and kind with me and his parents. That was the day I thought to myself, I’ve found the man I’m going to marry.
THE PROPOSAL
For us, 2018 was the year of weddings. Both of our very best friends got married, as well as some family members and other friends. Of course, that induced some pretty constant nagging about a potential proposal and a future wedding. Alex firmly insisted that there would be no proposal until I graduated in 2019, but I hoped he’d change his mind before that happened.
Going to Costco was never as simple as you’d think. I’d stroll by the jewelry section and point out all of my favorite rings every single time. Little did I know that he had already purchased one long before I started doing this!
It was hard not to get myself excited and then extremely disappointed during every major event in 2019. We went on several trips throughout this year where I thought it would happen, and it didn’t. He was firmly standing by the “no engagement until diploma” thing.
So naturally, when graduation loomed, all of our friends had a lot of speculation about a proposal. After all, they watched us go from hating each other to falling in love over the past few years! I convinced myself it wasn’t going to happen that day because it just seemed too easy. I’d been so excited so many other times and I didn’t want any disappointment to take away from such a special day.
My graduation ceremony was first thing in the morning, so by mid-afternoon everyone was ready for a nap—Alex included. When he causally laid down for a snooze, I was convinced he wasn’t going to propose that day. How could he be so relaxed if he was about to ask such an important question?
I didn’t nap, of course, because I was getting ready for the party we were hosting. We ordered the food to arrive an hour early and invited our closest friends and both of our parents over to relax and celebrate before everyone else arrived. Shortly after that, Alex asked me if I wanted to take some photos before everyone got there. I love a good photo shoot, and had a backdrop set up complete with props, a balloon arch, and my Polaroid camera. I handed my phone off to my best friend and we took some photos. At the end, Alex asked if I wanted to grab a prop, which definitely threw me off a bit because he hates them!
When I was looking for one, I glanced over at him and he grabbed a ring out of his pocket. I was truly shocked! No one who was there (not even his parents!) knew this was going to happen. To this day, neither of us can remember exactly what he said, but eventually he managed, “Will you marry me?” Of course I said yes, with the biggest smile on my face! It was truly a perfect moment surrounded by all of our closest loved ones. Champagne was promptly popped, and the party was that much more amazing!
TIPS FOR THE NEWLY ENGAGED
Be sure to follow the rest of Jessica and Alex’s wedding planning stories, especially if you’re a couple who is just beginning your own planning! Are you newly engaged (or suspect you might be soon)? Don’t miss these helpful posts to help get your wedding planning off to the best start:
Planning the Perfect Engagement Announcements Wording
7 Annoying Questions for the Newly Engaged
Wedding Goals All Engaged Couples Should Make
JOIN THE JUST MARRY! FAMILY
We’d love to welcome you to the Just Marry! family! If you’ve just gotten engaged and would like to speak with one of our planners, simply complete the form below and we’ll get back to you right away. We’d be happy to customize a planning option that will allow you to enjoy every moment of your planning and your wedding day!
Orlando Engagement Story | Planner to Planning
