Photos // Morgan Archer – Mr & Mrs Archer

Megan + Rico

For the Love of Skee Ball!

Megan and Rico’s first date (that wasn’t supposed to be a date) ended up at Barcadia off Knox-Henderson. The thought going through Rico’s head was, “I’m going to kiss this girl, but I want to make it fun.” They were about to play each other in Skee Ball, and Rico said, “We should make a bet.” Megan of course was game and asked what he had in mind. His response was, “How about, the loser has to kiss the winner?” They can’t agree on who actually won the skee ball game that night, but what they can agree on is that they both found their person that day. Nearly two years later, when Rico proposed to Megan, he gave her a skee ball with the engagement ring inside of it.

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Photos // Emily Catherine Photography

Kyndal + Kyran

Vegas surprise!

What I thought was a 25th birthday trip to Vegas turned out to be a surprise proposal! Here’s how it happened…

We celebrated my birthday, on August 14th the night before at Mi Cocina with friends and family. When I returned home later that night, I Facetimed my mom before going to bed to tell her about the birthday dinner and how excited I was for Vegas the next day. While we were chatting I noticed how close the phone was to her face, but I didn’t think anything of it at the time. She and the rest of my family were actually preparing to go to Vegas and she didn’t want me to see all their suitcases in the background.

The next morning, I drove over to meet Kyran so that we could go to the airport. When I got to his house, Kyran was not there and said that he had to go “get his car fixed, because something was wrong with it.” I was freaking out because I thought we were going to miss our flight! I remember being SO ANXIOUS and worried just sitting there waiting for him so that we could call the Uber. What I didn’t know, is that his mom and sisters were all packing their bags to head to Vegas too! It’s so crazy to think that I had absolutely no clue.

When he got back, we called the Uber to come pick us up to take us to the airport, and Kyran’s mom waved goodbye and told us to have fun.

Off to Vegas we went! When we had gotten on the plane, Kyran noticed a man sitting next him that had the same backpack as him. Well, I didn’t know it then, but Kyran had the ring in his bag, and at that moment he realized that he better keep an eye on his bag so that he and the man sitting next him didn’t accidentally get their backpacks mixed up!

We arrived in Vegas and got to our hotel. We found out that our room wasn’t going to be ready for another three hours! There was an option to expedite the wait time and our room would be ready immediately by paying a certain amount. Kyran chose to pay because he didn’t want to accidentally run into both of our families somewhere in the lobby or casino where we would have been waiting.

After we dropped off our luggage in our hotel room, we went downstairs to eat because we were starving. Kyran’s phone kept blowing up with multiple text alerts, and he told me that it was “work” when in reality, he was communicating with the families to make sure we didn’t run into them.

After we finished eating, Kyran wanted to take a nap – can you blame him?! All the planning had wore him out! I couldn’t sleep because we were in Vegas! I wanted to get out on the strip and start having fun! So while he was napping, I booked two tickets to the Titanic exhibition experience. When he woke up, we got our bags and left for the strip!

We walked all the way down the strip and arrived at the Titanic exhibition, and I was excited to go in but it was about to be 7:30pm. Kyran told me that we had to wait and come back to do the Titanic exhibition tomorrow because he had reserved us tickets to watch the fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel at 8pm. At this point I was frustrated and confused because I knew that the fountain show happened every night so I was trying to talk him out of seeing it that night. Then he explained that the tickets were $65 each and we were going to watch the fountain show from some tall tower in the sky. I was upset that he “paid $130” to watch a fountain show, but I went with it after I argued him to death.

On our way back down the strip toward the Bellagio Hotel, we made a few stops for fun.

As we made our way toward the Bellagio, it was about 7:58pm and Kyran told me that we had to hurry so that the concierge could take us up to the tower to see the fountain show. When he told me this, I started running when we got a little closer, and then… I ran into both of my sisters. I stopped and stared at them for what must’ve been 45 long seconds. I was probably the MOST confused I had ever been in my life because I couldn’t process that the two girls that were standing in front of me were actually my sisters! My mind was racing with so many questions I couldn’t even process my emotions correctly. Was I happy? Confused? Mad? I didn’t know!

I kept walking and turned around to see my dad, my mom, Kyran’s mom, his sisters and his cousin. I was SO SURPRISED to see everyone. So many emotions!

I honestly think I was a little scared for a moment because I was just THAT SURPRISED AND SHOCKED. I saw my mom and instantly started crying! I don’t really know why exactly I was crying. I think I was just excited to see them.

As I’m standing there looking around, Kyran’s mom yells out, “Happy Birthday Kyndal!” So, I thought everyone was there for my birthday. I even thanked them for coming. Then I turned around and saw Kyran drop to one knee…

I was STUNNED! I always said that didn’t think I would cry when he proposed to me, but man, I UGLY cried! I was balling because I was not only so surprised but I was so excited and happy. I’ve never experienced a happier moment. I still think of this day in detail and how I felt. It was like a dream and still feels that way because I get to marry my Prince Charming!

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Photos // Jacob Alves

Kylee + Jake

“What do you say we make this a lifetime, baby?”

A proposal six years in the making, and also the best day of my life (until the wedding of course!), Jake and I had a friendship for five years before we started dating. I, to no surprise, had a crush on him most of that time, and he had no idea. From the moment he started pursuing my heart, it was nothing but intentional.

The night of the proposal we were planning to attend Jake’s work Christmas party at Paradiso in Bishop Arts. When he showed up to my apartment to pick me up, I was planning to surprise him with the news of accepting a new job! So I had two glasses of champagne ready for us. At first, he was very confused, and as I eased the glass into his hand, I said “this is a special day because…. I accepted a job!” He laughed a little, took a sip with me, and nervously shuffled us out the door. Though it seemed off, I really didn’t think anything of it. On arrival to Bishop Arts District, Jake started looking for a parking spot. I suggested we go to the parking lot that we always park in because there were spots there. But he continued looking for a spot in this one small area, and I continued to ask why he wouldn’t park in the other lot  (haha!). Eventually we found a spot where he was looking. As we started walking to Paradiso, we took this pretty little alleyway with Christmas lights and blue chiffon fabrics hanging from above. Though I couldn’t tell you the conversation, I know I said, “Well this is your night, so I’ll let you have that one,” to which he responded “Well, funny you say that because this is about to be your night too!” He looked at me, started getting down on one knee, and I (of course) in shock, started burying my head in my hands. “What do you say we make this a lifetime, baby?” came from his lips, and I said YES (still crying). Then from across the street I heard cheering and yelling from our friends running over to us! We spent the next hour taking engagement photos with our photographer. Afterward, Jake said he wanted to take me to his parents’ for a small dinner with the family. When we got there, it was an entire engagement party with our friends and family! Though we never actually got to eat dinner, the entire night was such a surprise, and the best day of my life!

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Photos // Emily Nicole Photo

Evie + Drew

‘Steal Things’ was on her Bucket List

Drew and I met in Jamaica and started dating long distance from Atlanta to Houston. During this time, wishing we were together, we started creating a bucket list – things we wanted to do together, places we wanted to go, accomplishments we wanted to have. Jokingly, I added “Steal Things” to our list one night, meaning “steal his last name.” Fast forward to November 2019, we were finally both living in Atlanta and our families were in town for Thanksgiving. We decided to do one final group dinner on November 29th. Drew went ahead with his parents to grab a drink, and I waited back with my mom and brother. When we got to the restaurant, Drew was nowhere in sight! His mom directed me outside, where Drew was waiting with a gorgeous leather-bound book. Inside, he’d transcribed every item from our bucket list with corresponding photos of us checking off the items we’ve completed. Finally, I flipped to the page that said “Steal Things,” and Drew was down on one knee. I was so shocked I forgot to even look at the ring! It was the perfect proposal for us, and we got to celebrate with both families in town after. Soon after, we moved to Dallas to start our lives together.

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Photos // Opal and Onyx Photography

Emily + Dustin

“I found the perfect rock!”

It all started in junior high where we dated for a whopping two weeks! (as much as junior high dating can be) Throughout our schooling we would have classes together here and there, but the one constant that remained the same was marching band. Although life took us in different directions and our paths crossed less frequently than before, we would always have that one period (and a lot of after school rehearsal) together. As time went on, we grew closer and closer together, and then one day during our senior year of high school, what do you know? We are dating again! This time it was much more official than our two weeks in junior high as we can all tell. We joke together about all the time that we missed out on between those two weeks in junior high to our senior year of high school, but deep down we know that the time apart made us realize what we truly wanted in life, and life brought us back together again.

After I graduated college, Dustin and I planned a trip to Denver to celebrate. We decided to go hiking one day despite it being 50 degrees and raining! Dustin loves to collect rocks from all of the places he visits, so the entire time we were trying to find a rock for him to take home. Every rock I pointed out had some reason why he did not want to take that one home all the while we kept hiking up to a lookout point up top. Once we finally got to the top, Dustin announced, “I found the perfect rock!” As I turned around he got down on one knee. I screamed, “YES,” and we were engaged.

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Photos // Heather Thompson

Asantra + Steven

They surprised each other with the same party!

For Steven’s 30 birthday, I asked him to take off for the weekend because I had plans for him. That Friday night I took him to a Mavs vs. Lakers game to see LeBron James, his favorite player and team. It was amazing. That Saturday night, I planned a surprise birthday party for him. Saturday morning Steven woke up not feeling well (possibly because we got splashed with water from a by passing car walking to the game the night before). I pumped him full of fluids and meds that whole day, thinking you can not be sick on this day of all days! I asked him close to the time we needed to get ready if he felt better, and he stated that he did, so I told him we were going to dinner and to get dressed but that I had to blindfold him for the ride. When we got to our destination, he was surprised that it was actually a party for him! Halfway through the party his sister took me upstairs to talk, and when we went back down everyone was gone. We walked outside, and there was a whole set up with balloons and our friends, and there Steven proposed to me! It was so sweet and the surprise party turned out to be a surprise proposal and engagement party!

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Photos // The Lockharts

Alishia + Antonio

Be Our Guest – the perfect proposal for Disney lovers!

Being a huge DisneyWorld and Universal Studios fan, my fiancé and I planned a trip with my parents to Orlando, Florida, in October of 2020. We managed to grab a reservation at my all-time favorite Disney restaurant, Be Our Guest. It was here that Antonio snuck up behind me and proposed to me in the middle of the Rose Gallery dining room. Being surrounded by my fiancé, my parents, and my fellow Disney lovers during the proposal made for such a magical moment. We will be getting married on our five year anniversary – September 18th,
2021!

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photo | Dyan Kethley Photography

SYDNEY + WELLS

Somehow, I was the only person in my life who had NO idea that Wells was proposing. After a little over a year of dating, Wells and I went to visit my Dad in New York. He was working there at the time and the rest of my family was already visiting. We were so excited to visit New York in December and really soak up the holidays! Most people would assume that their boyfriend would propose on a family vacation, but somehow this thought never crossed my mind! Wells said he wanted to get the full feeling of New York at Christmas time and suggested that he and I go ice skating in Central Park the morning after we arrived. We woke up pretty early, and Wells was dressed and ready to go. I thought he was acting a little eager, but I was thinking this was just the thrill of the season. We took the subway to Central Park, and Wells was acting a little funny but nothing that I thought too much about. Before we went “ice skating,” Wells wanted to go up to the scenic rock that overlooks the park. He ran up to the top of the rock, and I lagged behind a little. I protested because I was wearing new boots and was having a hard time getting up to the top (oops…) So, after Wells insisted I quit acting like a baby, I got to the top of the rock. I was snapping a photo of the scene as I felt his hand touch my shoulder. I turned around and he was down on one knee! I barely remember any of this moment. I couldn’t believe it! We asked some tourists to snap a pic of our happy moment! I spent the afternoon happy crying on a bench in Central Park, as Wells explained how excited he was that he was not mugged on the subway with an engagement ring in his pocket. We were married January 13th, and are LOVING our new life together!

photo | Allen Tsai Photography

MADISON + KYLE

I knew Kyle was the one for me from about our second date. We had been dating for about 2 years and I was getting anxious to marry him. We had a “DTR” where he told me he was ready to take the next step, so I knew it was coming. I, however, felt like there were no free weekends in our busy lives and was starting to go crazy waiting. We had been out of town for the weekend and Kyle forced us to come back early because he “couldn’t find a place to stay”. I woke up thinking it would be a normal Sunday afternoon. My two college roommates and I had plans to go to brunch and catch up. My best friend came to pick me up and had this elaborate excuse about how I needed to be dressed up for this brunch and went straight to my closet to get a dress. She picked the outfit I had secretly been hoping I would wear when I was proposed to (which of course Kyle had told her to get- like sent her pictures of the models wearing the dress from the website to make sure she got the right one!) I thought nothing of it and off we went. Brunch was totally normal for me (although my best friends swear they were acting crazy). After brunch, we walked outside and I found my sister, cousin, and another friend waiting for me. At this point, I knew something was up. They drove me to the park where Kyle had first told me his intentions of marrying me and there he was, waiting in front of the most beautiful life size flower wreath that he had built. I walked for what felt like miles to him where he was anxiously waiting. We have kept a journal that we have passed back and fourth writing letters to each other during our relationship. He read the first letter he ever wrote me and then had me read to him the letter where I told him he was the one (which was when I absolutely lost it). Then he read the final letter of the journal that he had written. In it, he told me he loved me for the first time and got down on one knee. I said YES, of course! (Actually, I said yeah… and our closest family and friends will never let me live it down… they were all hiding out watching the whole thing!) We then went to a surprise party where he had invited about 50 of our closet friends to celebrate. It is a day I will cherish forever.

photo | Kiss Me For Eternity Photography by Thisbe Grace & Co.

KRISTEN + JOSH

Josh told me that we were going to dinner at Eddie V’s to celebrate our “9 month anniversary,” which made me suspicious, because we usually didn’t celebrate monthly dating anniversaries. I worked all day that day, and when I woke up he had a sweet card on my windshield, and sent me cookies at work. When I got home from work, he had my living room decorated with pictures of us, a playlist going of songs from our relationship, champagne, and red roses. He came over and gave me a ring dish at first, saying this symbolized where we were in our relationship to try to throw me off! Then he got down on one knee and proposed. After, we met both of our families at Eddie V’s for dinner, which was a surprise to me!