The story of Amanda & TJ…

How did you meet?
TJ’s co-worker, Phil dragged him to a Lexington Young Professionals meeting to get ideas for their company’s YP group. He was struck by the beautiful woman who chaired the Community Service committee (Amanda) and made a point to introduce himself – and to get more involved in community service.

Describe your first date…
We met at Common Grounds Coffeehouse for drinks. The conversation flowed effortlessly and we each learned more about the other’s family and interests. After talking for an hour, (which according to TJ’s research was the perfect amount of time for a first date) the date came to an end and Amanda knew she wanted a second date. (Good research skills, TJ!)

Share your proposal story…
While Amanda was hard at work, TJ prepared to ask the most important question of his life. He decorated Amanda’s condo with balloons that spelled “Will You Marry Me,” set the mood with flower petals and candles, and cooked her favorite meal. When Amanda opened the door and saw the balloons, TJ got on one knee. He cried and couldn’t quite get all the words out, but she still said, “YES!”

How did you know you had found “the one”?
Groom: I knew after a conversation with my Dad at a Starbucks. We talked about how much commitment marriage takes and answering his questions about what it would mean for me personally, I didn’t feel pressure or unease in the slightest. I felt confident about taking our relationship to the next level and knew then that I’d found the one.

Bride: I am really introverted and it can take me awhile to be comfortable with people, but I always felt a comfort and unconditional love with TJ that I have only ever experienced with family I’ve known my whole life.  From very early on in our relationship, he just “fit” into my life as if there had always been a spot just waiting on him to come along.

More of Amanda & TJ’s story continued below…

 

Describe who you are as a couple…
Despite not knowing each other long before officially dating, our relationship is still deeply rooted in being best friends. We are old souls who can sometimes take ourselves too seriously, but the other is always there to bring levity to the relationship with a good pun or funny rap.

How do you like to spend time together?
Watching Jeopardy, working out, TJ cooking/Amanda taste testing, playing cards, traveling to new places, snuggling, spending time with family… as long as we’re together, we’ll do just about anything and have a good time.

Describe your ideal date night…
Our ideal date night if we are staying in would be ordering Chinese takeout and playing board/card games. If we are heading out, dinner and drinks at OBC Kitchen is our go-to. Adding Graeter’s or Baskin Robbin’s ice cream to either of those makes for a slam dunk.

What do you love most about the other?
Bride: What I love most about TJ is his kind heart. He always defends the person not in the room and has a strong appreciation for all forms of life (even spiders.)

Groom: What I love most about Amanda is her strong willed nature and her ability to accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

More of Amanda & TJ’s story continued below…

Describe your wedding day vision and the details/decor you are most excited about…
Our wedding vision was for a classic, Kentucky wedding.  In terms of specific details, Amanda is most excited about her wedding band. The band was her grandmother’s wedding ring and she was very close to her grandparents. Both are deceased so it’s a special way of  incorporating them into the big day. Similarly, TJ is looking forward to using his grandfather’s pocket square. He was someone TJ always looked up to and TJ wanted to honor him in this moment as well.

What moment(s) are you most excited about for your wedding day? 

Bride: The first look and the Father/Daughter dance. I think both of those moments will be real heartwarming lifelong memories to cherish.

Groom: Saying “I do” and spending the day with those closest to us.

What advice or encouragement would you like to share with planning brides?
My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you step back from the event portion of wedding planning and reflect on the commitment you are embarking on with your partner. A lot goes into a wedding for one day of celebrating, but to me it was important to spend as much (or more) effort into what type of marriage we want to nurture from this day forward.

What are you most excited about for marriage?
Bride: Finally getting to spend Christmas morning together! In a more general sense, getting to establish our own family and  traditions. 

Groom: Sharing all the little moments together that make life worth living, and knowing I’ll always have the strongest supporter.

A huge thanks to the vendors who made this wedding day beautiful…

Christina Burton Events https://christinaburtonevents.com

Spindletop Hall https://www.spindletophall.org

Complete Weddings + Events https://completewedo.com

David’s Bridal http://davidsbridal.com

Men’s Wearhouse https://www.menswearhouse.com

Blooms N Blossoms http://www.bloomsnblossomsky.com

Mondelli’s Bake Shop https://www.bakerylexington.com

Caroline Lee Makeup https://carolineleemakeup.com

Clear Choice Photo Booth https://clearchoicephotobooth.com