Meet Sarah, our newest member of our Real Bride Series!
How did you and your groom meet?
We always ask people, do you want to know how I met him or how he met me. Yes… there is a difference. So here’s the full story.
It was my freshman year of college. It was the end of August and I was riding my bike to a chemistry study group in the library. I heard a girls voice above the crowd say “Do you want to come to Bible Study tonight?” I stopped my bike, I had been looking for a Christian club on campus so I went up to the table. I made eye contact with a boy, I felt sparks run down my spine. I definitely believe in love at first sight now. He introduced himself to me as Lucas and I met everyone else at the table. I went to Christian Challenge that night, Lucas and I started talking about why I cam to ASU and what I was studying. He was on the leadership team so he did what he was supposed to do, he introduced me to a girl that had stuff in common with me. He wasn’t at challenge the next two weeks. I looked though, I wanted to see him again.
The third week I looked back to where he helped out at the soundboard in the back and he was there! Turns out he was a sun devil rep at ASU where he helped get freshman connected at ASU. So as a part of that he had been taking them to the Thursday night football games. Well, that night he ended up in my small group. Most of the people in my group were new so he was introducing himself to them. Then he looked across the circle at me and went “Hi I’m Lucas, what’s your name?” my heart sank a little bit but I smiled and said “My name is Sarah, it’s nice to meet you.”. We spoke that night about how I had been home schooled for 10 years and how I had a Texas accent. We talked for about 45 minutes that night.
I signed up for the fall retreat with Christian Challenge. I had to go up a day late due to homework, but I walked into the NAU Christian Challenge a little after 9am at the end of October. The boys were up and waiting for the girls to come over from the building they were staying in. I sat down on the couch and a few minutes late Lucas sat down on the couch across from the one I was on. He leaned over and put out his hand “Hi i’m Lucas.” I smiled again and shook his hand “Hi, I am Sarah. It’s nice to meet you.”
Somehow we started talking about how I had lived in Japan. He got excited because he was half Japanese and his mom was from Japan. We spent the rest of the weekend together. He said he knew he liked me when that night we were playing capture the flag and my competitive side came out.
Nowadays he says that he was trying not to focus on girls that weekend. He was really trying to focus on his relationship with God, but I broke through that apparently… oops. Apparently third times the charm when it came to us meeting.
We are dying to know, how did he propose?!
Lucas picked me up on Saturday at 9:30 am with a peppermint mocha in one hand and a dozen red roses in the other. I had a little pink suitcase packed with two change of clothes, but I had no idea what was going on. He walked me out to the car, but before he let me in he took a video of me. He was asking what we were doing today and what I thought was going on and how I was feeling. He let me into the car and pulled out the camera again because in the back seat there was a picnic basket, a picnic blanket and his memory box. He took another short video of me and then we were on our way! We went to a beautiful park where we sat underneath a tree that had fall colored leaves and there was a river running past us. It was so peaceful and nice out.
We went on our first picnic before we were dating. It was on our first spring break together. He brought fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sparkling cider, which of course was drank out of plastic Disney cups, and red Twizzlers. Which is what he packed for our very first picnic together too. We went through his memory box which holds stuff I have given him plus anything from things we have done together. It was so nice to spend time reminiscing on our relationship.
When we left we went back to his apartment where I put on the dress I wore to formal last year and he put on a suit and tie. We headed to phoenix which of course he took another video of me. We walked up to the Orpheum Theater and Broadway Show Beauty and the Beast was showing there. We went to see beauty and the beast at Gammage for our first date. We sat row 2 and it was absolutely amazing! He had apparently bought tickets for row 27 because those were the best seats he could get because he wasn’t a member but later he saw that a member was selling their tickets so he bought theirs for row 2! It was absolutely magnificent! I loved every part of it. After that he took another video and I guessed we were doing dinner at the compass room since it was nearby and I was right! We had reservations for sunset at the compass room, just like our one year anniversary. It was so romantic and thought out. I loved it all and just couldn’t picture the day getting any better. But it did!
We went back to his place and changed again. More casual this time. We took another video but he had wanted to pray together so we did and then we headed out. I guessed zoo lights and he tried to take a roundabout way to confuse me but then he got lost so I got us unlost. We went to zoo lights for the first time just 2 months after we met. He had just met my family for the first time and it was something for us to do, but we called it an outing not a date. While we were walking through we ran into another couple from church. We talked for a little while but then Lucas asked if they would be willing to take our pictures underneath the trees that were covered in white lights with red lights hanging from them.
Joe had a new camera (or so they told me) so he was taking some with his to try to adjust the settings. Well when Joe had figured out his setting he wanted to take one more of us so Lucas turned to face me but instead of posing he started talking. It was so sweet what he was saying but it was a little broken and he look kind of scared. I was confused as to why he was talking so romantically in front of so many people. But before I knew it he said we were living a fairytale and he couldn’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives together. He said he wanted me to be his Ezer Kenegdo, God’s word for woman which means reveler of the enemy. (Because God designed women to help show men where they aren’t being Christ like.) He said he wanted me to be his help meet. Then from his jacket pocket he pulled out this hand carved wooden box that looks like a book that he got while we were in Prescott 2 weeks before. He got down on one knee and said… “Sarah, Will you marry me?” I could barely breathe and was in so much shock that I could barely remember what I was supposed to say. I didn’t even say yes I said “YEAH!” while doubling over in giggles and squealing. I didn’t even cry because I was so taken aback. The ring is so gorgeous, my hands were shaking from excitement, I guess.
After we took more pictures and parted ways with Regina and Joe I was said “I HAVE TO CALL MY MAMA!” I start calling her and he hangs up the phone and was like let’s go outside that way maybe this could sink in a little more. I was all worried we wouldn’t be able to get back in because we hadn’t got to walk around it all yet, but he was very adamant. We walk outside and there’s my mama, my daddy, my brother and his mom, dad and sister all there waiting for us to congratulate us! We went to coffee bean with them to just talk and so they could all meet. It was so sweet and I was so happy to have my mama there! After we left them we went back to his place and he took one more video where we both talked about what we were feeling and what happened. It was amazing. Every last detail was perfect. It still has yet to sink in.
On top of all that, even though we had our last chapter meeting for my sorority the week before he was talking with Analysia about how badly I had been wanting to do a candle pass ceremony when I got engaged. So Analysia talked with Ashley our President and she posted to the page earlier saying to come for an announcement on Monday. So on Monday I did my very first Candle Pass Ceremony and got to announce to my sisters in a special way that I was getting married.The amount of thought, care, and love he put into our proposal still amazes me. What amazes me more is that I know he will never stop doing things like this for me.
What were your wedding colors and why did you choose them?
I chose blush and navy blue. I always knew that I wanted a light tone of pink at my wedding but I was trying to find a color that everyone would look good in so I decided on navy. Classic and timeless.
Where did you find your dress? Would you say that finding your dress was relatively easy or difficult?
I found my dress at Brilliant Bridal. My mama found it during a google search. They sell last seasons designer and couture gowns. Well I had tons of appointments set for the day we were shopping but Brilliant Bridal was first. I tried on 4 dresses, but I went with the first one. I knew what I wanted, my mama knew what I wanted and that first dress had everything. It was really easy and plus Brandie, the girl who was helping me around the store, was absolutely phenomenal she made the whole experience so much fun! I felt like I was on say yes to the dress.
Where did your ceremony and reception take place? Was there any special meaning behind the choice of the venue(s)?
I chose Val Vista Lakes. It was simply gorgeous and a huge plus was that it was affordable and didn’t need much decorating.
What kind of flowers did you have in your bouquet and at the ceremony/reception?
I had a silk flower bouquet that I had custom made for me on Etsy. It was blush roses and white lilies and it was cascading. My girls had single roses with babies breath wrapped in lace and ribbon and Safeway actually made them!
What was the flavor of your wedding cake?
Chocolate with buttercream frosting. Why mess with a classic??
Did you provide favors to your guests? If so, what were they?
We had a dessert buffet with to-go bags
What details from your wedding that made it unique to you?
It was beauty and the beast themed, but it was subtle. My center pieces were supposed to be like enchanted roses. Our first dance was to Tale as Old as Time and I wore a beautiful tiara. I was raised being told that I was a princess and Lucas always treats me like a princess so my wedding day was going to be nothing less than a royal affair.
Other than marrying your husband, what was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?
Lucas’s best man hid in the trunk of our car! As we were approaching the exit of the parking lot we heard banging on the trunk. Lucas opened it and out popped Nate. He said he had to be the last one to tell us goodbye. It made the night!
Did you take a honeymoon? If so, where did you go?
We took a cruise through Carnival to Catalina island and Ensenada Mexico
What is one piece of wisdom you learned from your planning experience that you would like to share with future brides?
Give yourself plenty of time for photos. I didn’t give us enough time and it has kept me up at night, thinking about the photos that I wanted and didn’t get. Also, it is your day. If someone starts pushing you around put your foot down. You and your hubby know what y’all want and if someone is getting in the way of that remind them that this is not their moment.
Who were some of the other vendors a part of your dream team?
EffJay photography, Cassie is amazing. She makes me and Lucas feel so comfortable in front of the camera. We have so much fun shooting with her and she does such a great job capturing the emotion in the moment. She did our engagement photos, wedding photos, my families family photos, and my senior photos. She always does a perfect job.
M&M Photography, Molly was my second photographer and she did a great job capturing all of the little moments. Plus she saved me from embarrassment when my veil was caught on a tree while I was walking down the aisle, she managed to get it undone and I never had to miss a step.
Dave Kless did my wedding video. He worked so hard to make sure that I got everything I wanted in my video. He did such a beautiful job capturing the feel of the day.
Brilliant Bridal, beautiful gown, great price!
Gemma’s Fashion and Sewing, she took my dress from a size 10 to a size 4. She basically worked magic! She found me the most perfect tiara and she was as dedicated to making sure my dress was as perfect as I wanted it.
Urban Couture on Etsy made my veil, she did fabulous work and it was everything I wanted.
Zappones Italian Bistro, Dina did an amazing job helping me have a buffet for all my guest for a price that fit my limited budget. I didn’t think I would be able to have dinner at our reception before I talked with her.
Thank you so much for sharing your special day with us Amanda!
We loved every minute of getting you and your maids ready!!