This simple, albeit beautiful and romantic, outdoor sunset engagement session, has an accompanying amazing love story that you ought to read. Long story short, mother truly knows best. After being setup by their moms and finally meeting up, things went smoothly for Jeff & Tawny. Their distance problems were vanished and their similarities to the things they were passionate about paved the way to their happily ever after. They really were a match made and arranged in heaven! Belated congratulations to this couple who was just married August of last year!
Bride
What is your story as a couple, how did you meet & fall in love?
“Is this Tawny? This is Jeff. I received your email from your mom and thought I would say hi.” A simple message started our dream romance. On March 14, 2013, Jeff emailed me for the first time. But in all reality, our love story happened before we were even dreamed about. Jeff’s mother, Terri, and Tawny’s mother, Vicki, went to middle school together in North Dakota. Vicki’s family moved to a different town and eventually they lost touch until several years ago when they reconnected via social media. They talked for a while when they found out they had single kids about the same age. Eventually, after getting Tawny’s permission, Vicki gave Terri my phone number and email. We emailed and chatted for a while when I was living in Missouri and he was in North Dakota. In mid April I received an out-of-the-blue job offer that I couldn’t turn down; a job in North Dakota. My first thought, “No way! I’m not living in North Dakota!!” However, the more I prayed about it, the more I realized this was the best step for me, personally and professionally. June 1st, we met the first time when he came to help unload the U-Haul truck and get settled, 100 miles from where he lives. The first face-to-face interaction he had with a Gibson was when my dad opened the door, with wonderfully dry humor, “Who are you?” Thankfully that didn’t scare him away!
Living close enough that we could see each other on weekends was an amazing thing. We found ourselves walking the River Walk by the Missouri River, going to the zoo, spending time at local coffee shops, and hanging
out with Jeff’s family. During the time they dated I fell in love with Jeff’s love for Jesus, sweet nature, amazing cooking, love for the people around him, the ability to grow an amazing beard and soooo much more!! He fell in love with my thoughtfulness, loyalty, sarcastic humor, and goofiness.
What makes the two of you a perfect match?
Everything!! We seem to have been made for each other! We have the same goals and visions in life and for our future family.
How did he (or you) propose?
We both worked in hospitality so we had to work on Valentines day of this last year, so we went out on February 15th instead. We went to a local, unique restaurant where they had paper over the table cloths and had a very nice romantic dinner. I was kind of expecting Jeff’s proposal, however during dinner there was a bit of a distraction when a guy across the restaurant stood up, clanked his glass in order to get the attention of the entire restaurant. At that point, I looked at Jeff and noticed how his countenance just fell. We made it thought 3 courses of dinner and Jeff hadn’t proposed yet. I was starting to rethink her “knowing” he was going to propose. The check came and still nothing. It was much to my surprise when I thought Jeff was signing the receipt at the end of the night, he was actually writing, upside down, on the paper table cloth “Will you marry me?” After reality set in, all I could say was, “Heck yes!”
How long was the planning process? Did you think it was enough time?
We got engaged on February 15, 2014 and we were married on August 8, 2014. A little under 6 months of planning was enough time for the wedding planning, which is shocking since I was 600+ miles away until about two weeks before the wedding. It was a simple but elegant wedding and reception and we did a lot of things ourselves with the help of the brides maids and both mothers.
What was the best advice you received when you were planning your wedding?
The best piece of advice I received was, “it is your wedding, don’t let other people push you into their ideas.” The other piece of advice I have shared before and after our wedding was, don’t stress! It one day, just roll with whatever happens.
What tips & tricks (can we use “hacks”?) can you share future brides that you yourself have learned during and after your wedding?
Don’t reinvent a wheel that has already been created! Pinterest is really the best tool in wedding planning, and there is SO much out there. Look there to get ideas and tools before you do a lot of work that has already been done.
What were some challenges you faced while planning your wedding & what did you do to address them?
Being over 600 miles away from my wedding venue was the biggest challenge. However, it was in my home town, so my mom, sister-in-law and many friends were there to help me out when I couldn’t be there to do the hands-on stuff.
Do you have advice for couples still in the planning process?
Don’t stress! SERIOUSLY! It will all turn out just the right way. Spend money on what matters most, if you are on a budget then it is important to prioritize.
Vendors
Photographer: HNH Photography
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