Wedding Date: July 3, 2025
Venue Location: Cowlitz River Ranch in Onalaska, WA
Photographer: Sam Johnson from Sami J Photography
Florist: Self/Family!
Makeup/Hair Stylist: Nicole Tweet Sanders for Makeup, Sarah Mendez for Hair
Where did you two meet?
Chance and I met in high school through mutual friends in December 2017. He officially asked me to be his girlfriend on July 3, 2018 while at a 4th of July festival in our home town, it’s been my favorite holiday ever since!
Tell us about the proposal!
Chance had planned a day for us to go out to the Oregon Coast and visit one of my very good friends. I could tell SOMETHING was up and actually accused him of hiding a proposal but he quickly shut me down so I ignored it. We got to my friends house and she was asking when we were going to get get married already, I playfully told her we were never going to get married, that I just loved being his girlfriend and I was happy to take as much time as we needed. Little did I know, she was totally in on it! We saw a break in the rain and she asked if we could go outside and take some pictures, she specifically wanted us to recreate a silly photo we took in her backyard a couple years prior.
She was taking pictures and videos and as I was walking back to look at the pictures she took, she moved to the side and as I looked behind me, there he was. Down on one knee, professing his love for me while I stood there, sobbing and nodding my head ferociously! Waiting inside was a bottle of bubbly, a dozen roses, and a little cake! January 6, 2024 was the day I said YES to marrying my very best friend and the best part of me!
Tell us about your perfect day!
We were surrounded by so many of our wonderful family members and friends! My dear friend who helped coordinate our proposal was our officiant, she wrote the most incredible ceremony that so many people said was the best they’d ever witnessed. Our very best friends stood next to us as our bridal party and hyped us up all day from early morning glam to late late night dancing and hanging around the camp fire. We were married on a beautiful ranch with the cutest cows looking on and being the most respectful guests!
Our photographer was also a long time family friend who captured our day so beautifully and we are eternally grateful for her. We had the best brisket and pulled pork with homemade blueberry barbecue sauce for dinner and the tastiest cake- three tiers, chocolate and vanilla both with raspberry filling and white whipped cream/buttercream frosting, made by a woman who made cakes for my birthdays, graduations, and everything in between from the time I was a little girl.
Every part of our day was touched by our loved ones and they wove in the sweetest details that helped us feel so overwhelmed with care and love. We couldn’t have done it without their help and they made it the most special day!
What advice would you give future brides?
Enjoy every moment of being a bride. Surround yourself with people who want to be happy for you and lean on them when they offer help. Have someone coordinate for you the day of your wedding so you and your spouse aren’t doing it all morning. And take a deep breath. It’s a lot of work for one day but this is the season that will usher you into the rest of your life. Soak it in and enjoy that day and all events leading up to it, it’s such a special day that you’ll think about forever! Also, book the honeymoon as close to the wedding as possible (we got married on Thursday and left Sunday evening)! The instant break and relaxation is unmatched!
Why did you choose Crown Bridal?
I found them at a wedding expo and when my mom got married in 2024 we got her gown there. When it was time to shop for my wedding dress in 2025 the answer was simple, Crown Bridal was the boutique for me! The customer service was phenomenal and I loved being able to have my favorite gals with me to help me pick my dress. We also loved being able to come back to pick dresses for my mom, our officiant, and the bridesmaids! They helped us all feel amazing and I highly recommend them to all upcoming brides! Thank you Tiffany, Kynda, and the rest of the team!!
