Molly & Brian || Garment Factory Wedding

The Proposal of

Molly & Brian

we found each other via the good fortune of downloading the same dating app (Bumble) and swiping right on the picture of a person who we thought just might change our life for the better. And boy, were we both right.
From the very first messages, it was apparent that we had a lot in common and many of the same dreams. We met for the first time later that week at Function Brewing and talked for hours (long past the time Molly was supposed to check in with her friends and tell them she was okay…whoops). We both felt a pretty immediate connection, and in the next few weeks, we bonded over sushi, pizza, and euchre tournaments while learning more about each other’s interests and families. One common interest, long hikes (and talks) in the many beautiful parks around Bloomington, became a frequently shared activity that kept our feet and our relationship moving along.

Eventually, Molly found out just how seriously Brian and his friends took trivia nights. Brian found out just how competitive Molly and her friends could be in rec league volleyball. Next came the tests of meeting the families. Luckily, both sets of parents were equally thrilled that their child had finally found the perfect match for them. Our siblings also gave their approval, and our nieces and nephews (maybe the most nerve-wracking judges of them all) quickly warmed up after each introduction.
Around this same time, some of our discussions about places we hoped to travel someday started to transform from dreams into concrete plans. We spent a week exploring every lovely neighborhood of Seattle, climbing Mt. Rainier, and biking and kayaking around Vancouver. It was an incredible trip and the surest sign yet that if we could travel together and enjoy every minute of it, this relationship was built for the long haul. By the time last fall rolled around, Brian was convinced it was time to shop for a ring and make it official. Months of planning special dates that could end in a proposal fell apart time after time, though, as the engagement ring kept getting delayed in shipping. In the end, it finally arrived just before the New Year, and Brian went with a simple proposal from one knee in Molly’s kitchen because he couldn’t wait any longer.
Shortly after moving in together, the world dealt us one more test in the form of a pandemic that kept us at home and isolated together more than ever before. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as we only fell more deeply in love as we got to know each and every quirk about our partner. We’ve grown even closer while cooking together most nights, going on long bike rides, and completing every puzzle we can get our hands-on. We know that, together, we can face anything the world throws at us.

The Wedding

of

Molly & Brian

Our wedding day was so unique and personal to us. I started the day getting ready with my bridesmaids, flower girls, and mother/mother-in-law at a VRBO near our wedding venue. It was such a fun morning getting ready with my friends and family. My aunt and cousins dropped by with lots of food for us to enjoy. Meanwhile, the guys went bowling and out to lunch before getting ready for the wedding. Brian and I did a first look before the ceremony, and it was nice to have that time together. The ceremony was my favorite part – it felt very “us.” We used some of our favorite books for the ring bearers to carry our rings down the aisle – we hollowed out a hole in the middle of them! We wrote and read out own vows, and one of my friends, who is also a pastor, officiated our wedding, which made it extra unique to us. We had my oldest niece and a good friend also do some readings during the ceremony. While our guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in the lounge, we took some family photos and took some photos outside, even though it was raining (some of my favorite pictures). The reception was so fun – the food and the cake were phenomenal, and we had a late-night snack of mac and cheese. We are foodies, so that was important to us. We had local honey as our favor since we met on Bumble J. We used my parents’ champagne coupes from their wedding as well. The rest of the night was a fun celebration with our friends and family, especially after not seeing people due to the pandemic. We had a sparkler send-off at the end of the night!

Molly’s

Bridal & Formal

Experience

I went to Bridal and Formal with two of my bridesmaids, my mother, and my sister, my Honor Matron. The service was good. This was during the pandemic, so everything felt safe, clean, and we were spaced from other groups. They have an extensive selection of dresses, and I was able to browse the dresses myself. All of the people that we interacted with were very friendly and helpful.
Sandra was very helpful in picking out my wedding dress. This was my first stop on a weekend where I had three appointments scheduled. She quickly let me try on many different silhouettes and styles to narrow down what I liked. She worked quickly so that I could try on lots of things. I hadn’t decided at the end of my appointment time, so she wrote down the information and informed me how to come back later that day or another time. I came back that afternoon, and she met with me to try on the dress again and try on veils with it. That time felt more relaxed, which I appreciated.