Conner & Allyssa: Engaged

So apparently… it’s my turn now! To have those bridal moments, put on my wedding dress, and see my groom as I walk down the aisle. Conner and I are less than a month away from tying the knot and it’s safe to say I’m pretty excited! Many of you know the proposal story and if not, you can read the details here and see amazing photography from my friend and bridesmaid Allison Slater!

If you want to know more about me personally and the love of my life, keep on reading! Also, Courtney Smith Photography took some amazing photos of us and being on the other end of her camera was surreal (after fan-girling for over 2 years now AND having to reschedule three times due to crazy circumstances). So at least keep scrolling just to see her beautiful work and talent at making us look good.

How did we meet?

Conner, his brother, and my sister all went to college together. Victoria had been telling me about this guy who was really cute and she was telling him that I was a good cook. So she and Cole decided that we should meet each other. On that warm fall day, I drove from Truman State University over to Quincy, Illinois where Conner was playing in a tennis tournament. Conner was so nervous and was trying to play really well. He ended up winning the match that I watched and he was really proud. I, knowing nothing of tennis, did not know he had won, nor had I been able to follow a single point of the match. I’m better now, but only slightly. After winning, he and I met, we started talking, and we haven’t stopped since.

How long have we been together?

We officially started dating on December 4, 2013. We navigated over two years of long distance, lots of miles driven to be together, graduations, careers, and my move back to St. Louis. We’ve lived around each other for over two years now and each day is better than the last.

Share one of your favorite dates.

Allyssa: I’ll say two of many. The first was doing an Escape Room with him. It was something that I had always wanted to do and surprised him with. We ended up doing three more within a few months! I love solving problems with him and he’s the person I want to be stuck in a room with, no doubt.

Another was when he took me out for my birthday. It was a big deal since I don’t typically do large celebrations, but he told me he had a few surprises for me. After church, he bought me tater tots at Sonic (my favorite) and started driving over the river into Illinois. He took me jet skiing and then later that night pulled one of my nice dresses out of his trunk and took me to Mamma Mia! at the Fox Theater. Spending the entire day with him was the real treat but all the surprises made it all the more fun!

Conner: I’ve got two also. For my 23rd birthday she bought us tickets to see Billy Joel in Memphis. We drove the four hours together and just got to spend some time exploring the city. We found a cheesecake place on a side street, got some amazing BBQ, walked on Beale Street.. and then saw the piano man himself. It was a great trip and we got to experience the freedom of being together in a new city and just improvising.

Another was more simple. We were waiting for one of our pre-marital classes to start and she went and picked up Domino’s. I pulled into the parking lot after getting off work to see two chairs outside and boxes of pizza in her open trunk. We just got to sit there, eat pizza, talk, and enjoy the rare warm weather in March. Tailgating at it’s finest.

When did you know he/she was the one?

Allyssa: I knew just a few months into dating him. I was at home talking to my mom about him, just doing my laundry, when I realized I already knew I wanted to spend forever with him.

Conner: I knew on a trip visiting her at Truman. She loves breakfast food and will eat it any time of the day. So we were making pancakes and I wanted to experiment by putting Swedish fish in the pancakes. She let me. And that’s when I knew. 

How did he pop the question?

Click this link for the amazing surprise proposal he planned for me! 

What is your favorite thing about your fiancé?

Allyssa: I love his ability to make any situation positive and his fun and easy-going energy. He always reminds me to let go of the little things and remember what life is all about. I need that reminder a lot and he’s patient in giving it to me over and over again.

Conner: Her humility. I love how Christ-like she is and that there’s never been a moment where I’ve felt like I couldn’t trust her to come through in every single way. She’s everything that I’m not and she completes me.

How do you envision your wedding day?

Allyssa: It’s hard to imagine a wedding day that is my own! I know that I’ll get butterflies and I want to enjoy the day just like I tell all of my clients and their families to.

Conner: Like one big family. Having the time of our lives surrounded by all the people we know and love.

How did you decide on your venue?

This is a long, boring story…but basically, being a wedding planner makes me very particular. I wanted a venue I had never coordinated at before and that really limited my options! We also wanted a place where there wouldn’t be a room flip (because I already do plenty of those in my line of work). I just wanted it to be easy for everyone and laid-back…a true reflection of our personalities. The Koken Art Factory provides that and the ability for me to go in and setup/decorate exactly how I want to.

What are you looking forward to most about your wedding day?

Allyssa: I’m really just looking forward to seeing Conner (all dressed up in a suit) and him waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I planned the day out so that we get to have special moments together and that’s what I’m really looking forward to. Our first look, private vows, and a private moment right after the ceremony. I see too many couples that barely get to spend the day together or are too busy being pulled in a thousand directions. I want a day that is centered around what it’s really about: Conner and I getting married.

Conner: Food. The personal cheesecake Allyssa is making for us. But I’m really looking forward to the first look. It was not originally in the plans but when I started thinking about seeing her and spending time together right before getting married, it sold me on it. To be able to see her but not actually be married yet…the anticipation of what is about to happen…I’m looking forward to that.

Stay tuned for August 4th and follow on Instagram #weddingtheplanner 

After the wedding, we will be jetting off to our dream location: Greece. So I will be out of the office for a bit… on a beach… with this handsome guy.