Today's blog post is a little bittersweet. You see, Sierra and Brad were supposed to get married on May 16, 2020. They had been planning this day for a long time, and I know how tough it was for them to make the decision to postpone their wedding due to COVID-19. But I believe there is a silver lining... Their wedding day will be that much sweeter next year because they will be able to have their family and friends supporting them as they say, "I do."
In celebration of their "should have been" wedding date, let's hear about their engagement from the future newlyweds!
Lacey Studios: Let's start at the beginning. How did you two first meet? Sierra: I was at this Halloween party with some friends from the marching band. I was just hanging out and my friend Adam comes in with this guy (Brad) and I just couldn’t take my eyes off him. I felt this instant weird connection to him and I knew I had to go talk to him! After a while, they walked outside and I followed to shoot my shot, to say the least haha. We all three talked for a while, and we were teasing each other then they ended up leaving shortly after. Before he left he gave me a big hug that I later named the Teddy Brad Hug. He added me on Facebook a few days later and messaged me to text him, and the rest is history!
Brad: We met at her friend’s Halloween party that my friend talked me into going to. My friend and I walked outside for a second and I saw this girl going to talk to Adam. It may have been night time but her eyes shined bright for me. I noticed her eyes and smile. I eventually added her on Facebook, I got her number, and I asked her out!
Lacey Studios: How did you know your partner was the one?
Sierra: Well, I don’t think there was a special moment where I knew I wanted to be with Bradley forever, but just looking at him makes me feel so safe and loved and at home. I don’t know how to explain it, really. I just knew he was right for me and I wanted to experience all of crazy life with him.
Brad: There wasn't a "moment" for me. As we grew together, I realized I can be my goofy self around her. She embraced my goofy personality, and she has helped me grow into the man I am and also made me a more adventurous person with wanting to travel to new places.
Lacey Studios: We’re all about the bling… Tell us all about that ring!
Sierra: Well, the few years before getting engaged, we would look around or I would always send him rings that I liked to drop hints, but that didn’t work for him! One day he randomly left but told me he was going to go look at rings! While he was shopping, he was texting and calling me asking if I liked a few different styles or cuts! I’m like, "I’ve sent you so many ideas, and I’m not supposed to know any of this!" He came home with the ring and hid it, but it was so hard knowing he finally had it but I was good and didn’t look for it to ruin my own surprise. Once he did pop the question (months later…), the ring was absolutely beautiful and everything I never knew I wanted just like Bradley himself!
Lacey Studios: Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?
Sierra: We were doing a fun Christmas photo shoot with my best friend Allison (she didn’t know he was going to propose!). We were at Oak Openings, and it was so much fun. We were having a blast, laughing, and doing silly poses. Near the end of the shoot (it was December and we were frozen) we walked down to the frozen lake to take a few more pictures. Brad said, “Why don’t we try a surprise reaction?” I, clueless and cold, was like, "Um okay?" He said, "Okay, open your eyes." And there he was down on one knee in the snow with the cutest face and a beautiful ring and asked if I would marry him!!! I instantly started crying and took a few steps back and said what?! I had a mini panic attack from crying, but I finally pulled myself together and told him yes! Since I knew he had the ring, I knew it would be happening, just never when! We even went to Niagara Falls a month before and thought for sure it would happen there, but it was perfect how he did it because he knew I wanted it to be simple, but also have pictures of it. Now there are some nice ugly crying pictures of me!
Brad: Sierra knew I had the ring. She didn't know when I was going to propose. I don't really plan things out. I just "go with the flow." I had to find a way to surprise her. A winter photo shoot was the perfect opportunity. We went down by the lake and I said, "Let's go for a surprise reaction!" She opened her eyes to me being down on one knee. I nervously asked her to marry me!
Lacey Studios: What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together. What makes your relationship unique?
Sierra: A little fun fact: We are each other’s first and only boyfriend and girlfriend! So we shared all the cute little firsts, like first kiss and first dates! Plus, we love to travel! We have been to Hocking Hills, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Traverse City, Niagara Falls on both sides, and Memphis, Tennessee! We plan to travel somewhere new every year.
Lacey Studios: What was your favorite part of your engagement session?
Sierra: It was a hot day and so it was hard to be all lovey-dovey and hang all over each other, but Alex and Tyler made it fun and comfortable for us! We loved just being awkward turtles together! The best was finally finding a big open area later on for our smoke bomb photos that turned out amazing!!
Brad: I loved the smoke bombs!!
Lacey Studios: Tell me what you're most excited about for your upcoming wedding!
Sierra: We have worked really hard on making this day so special and fun not just for us but everyone invited! We were so devastated when we had to cancel and postpone. The one thing I’m really looking forward to is just having a great time with my stud-muffin husband, friends, and family no matter when or how it happens. And most definitely a vacation after all the planning and craziness!
Brad: To actually have the wedding and get married, then go on a much-needed vacation!
We can't wait for your fabulous May 2021 wedding, Sierra and Brad!