How did you meet?
Three years ago, a move across the country and an internship brought us together in the Pacific Northwest. We went from strangers living in different cities, to falling in love one summer and deciding to spend the rest of their lives together, forever.
I (Katelin) grew up in Indiana, and John in the Pacific Northwest. Our lives crossed paths a few years ago, thanks to a few mutual friends, an internship and a whole lot of love. I met John while I was interning at YES! Magazine, on Bainbridge Island. We met through one of John’s best friends, and one of his roommates at that time, Harry. Harry had met me before, while visiting my college, Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana. While in Muncie, Harry promised that he would introduce me to some of his friends. He described one who played the tribal flute, and had an interest in dinosaurs.
Over the next few weeks we started seeing each other more and more. We went on walks together, a concert, watched fireworks together on the 4th of July, and spent a weekend together on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the summer, we decided that they were both in it for the long run, no matter how many miles separated them between Muncie, Indiana and Seattle, Washington.
How did he propose?
I moved back to Seattle after I graduated from Ball State, once we decided that living in the same zip code was way better than the long distance relationship. A year later, John took me to Ruby Beach, Washington. This was one of the spots in Washington I had traveled to with my Grandmother on my first trip to Washington before I had met John. We spent the day walking the coast and taking in the sweet beauty of it all. At the end of their walk, we sat on a pile of driftwood and John asked me to marry him. I said yes :)
Where did the wedding take place? What made you choose there?
The wedding took place on Bainbridge Island, an island just a 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle. It was a morning brunch wedding on a Sunday morning. We both love brunch so we decided that would be the way to go with our wedding!
John grew up on the island, and I lived there during my internship when we first met. We decided to have the wedding on Bainbridge, knowing it would be a destination wedding for almost everyone on my side of the family / friends. We wanted everyone to experience our favorite state, and see Seattle in the summer (thats when the weather is perfect here). We also secretly hope that everyone will move here now.
Our wedding day is just full of so many moments I will remember forever. From walking down the aisle and seeing so many family, friends and loved ones from all over the country in our favorite place was just something I’ll never forget. My father and I danced to a recording of a song my Grandmother sang, which was so so special. She had passed away a few years ago, but had the chance to meet John and give me her blessing for him. It was a wonderful moment, dancing with my Dad and hearing her voice pour over the speakers. It felt like she was there.
And of course, seeing John waiting for me as I walked down the aisle was the best moment of them all.
Everyone who played a role in our wedding- from our pastor at our church, our makeup artist and two super talented photographers-- they all played a significant role in our lives. Our photographers were two of my best friends from college and it was so special to have them there to document our day. My makeup artist Crystal, had been my small group at my church back in Indiana from when I was a little 6th grader to a senior in high school. We just were so glad to have all of these people who invested in our lives be there to witness the promise we made to each other.
Which of the photos is your favorite? Why?
Probably the photo of my father and I. I had no idea that Val, our photographer had captured that moment of him seeing me for the first time. He’s been such a big support throughout my life (along with my Mom) and has dealt with being the father of four girls, so well! He’s the best Dad.
Any other comments/details you want to share?
I’m a quadruplet and the second of all of us girls to get married. My parents rented a home on Bainbridge Island for two weeks during the time of the wedding and they all could be out here for the wedding, and get to really know our home! It’s hard some days living across the country from my family, but it was the best to see them going on hikes I love, eating at my favorite places and really enjoying the place I call home now.
Thank you to http://vallarinacreative.com/ for sharing these images !