Jess + Ryan

How did you two meet/How long have you been together?

Ryan and I met in early 2013 through a mutual friend, and my former neighbor, who introduced us at a crawfish boil. I have a thing about touching anything with a pincher and Ryan was kind enough to peel all my crawfish for me, even though I’d just met him. Our first “official” date was at a local dog park, given our mutual love of dogs. We talked and threw the ball for the dogs for most of the night. Almost 5 years later, we have a dog park of sorts at our own home with three dogs and two cats.

How did you or your partner pop the question?

Ryan created the perfect ruse, capitalizing on my love of penguins and covering it as a work trip! He arranged for a one­on­one experience at a local zoo that has a large penguin exhibit. Unbeknownst to me, it was all a ploy… When the penguin, a cute but tenacious Rock Hopper penguin named Hendrix, finished painting his masterpiece with his feet, I was told to look at the back of the painting which read, “Will You Marry Me?” I was so taken with Hendrix, I didn’t actually bother to read what it said. Once Ryan suggested I read it again, it hit me… He was proposing!

What was your favorite moment(s) from the wedding?

Ryan having pants! Also the gorgeous scenery ­ we’re National Park Junkies and love to hike and visit all the best America has to offer! Getting to be married in nature and among the mountains was somewhat magical.

Did you see each other before the wedding? If not, did you like waiting or would you rather have done it differently? Tell me why or why not!

We did ­ I had planned to wear the hotel robe to hide my dress from Ryan until we arrived at the Canyon, but when Ryan found himself with no pants, I rushed right out in my dress and helped him in the quest for a fresh new pair!

Tell me about your dress. Where did you find it, how did you choose it, how did you know it was the one?

I actually found what I believed to be THE dress on the BHLDN website. Unfortunately, it was sold out in every size but a 0. I then spent the next week scouring the internet for the same dress from another store/website. I can’t believe my luck, but I managed to find the same dress, new with tags, on a used wedding dress website in my size! I had it overnighted and loved it just as much as I had hoped I would!

I love to hear about vendors you love! Please list any vendors here and your experience with them!

I absolutely loved my bouquet from Gaia Florals! Not only was it beautiful and colorful, but after a rough experience with TSA, I was able to get it home to Texas and replant the succulents from my bouquet. Assuming at least one can survive my black thumb, we’ll have a memory of our wedding that can last for years!

Did you find a store/site that had everything you were looking for?

I bought my earrings from Kendra Scott. I was looking for something kind of “bohemian” to offset my traditional dress. Their Fall collection was based on the desert, so I felt like something from that season would be appropriate and I fell in love with my feather earrings!

What’s one piece of advice you would give to other couples planning their own wedding?

Always check for your pants after having anything pressed/dry cleaned! Ryan had his suit pressed on the morning of our wedding at the hotel. When they brought it back a few hours later, he just hung it back up in the closet without looking at what was on the hanger. About 45 minutes before our wedding, he made the unfortunate discovery that the hotel had lost his pants and he was left with only a jacket and shirt. After a quick trip to Men’s Warehouse and having to frantically get dressed in the Red Rock Canyon parking lot, he was ready for I Do’s… On a serious note, just do what makes you happy!

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