If you’re anything like us over here at Grey Likes Weddings, you’re in the midst of a MAJOR city crush on Charleston. It’s basically the most adorable city ever—the water, the architecture, the cobblestone streets, and THE COLORS! It’s filled with buildings in the perfect palette of pastels—seriously, who does’t love a cotton candy pink building?? So, we were obviously thrilled when Decorus Photography sent us this super sweet Charleston engagement shoot. Katie and Jay could not be any cuter in the most photogenic city ever. You’re gonna love this one!
How we met:
Jay was working at the corporate office of a bank in Tampa FL and I was a receptionist at a law firm. One of his coworkers was my good friend and she happened to overhear him telling another coworker that he was recently single. She rushed back to her desk and messaged him that she knew someone perfect for him (spoiler alert: it was me). She started showing him photos of me and telling him about me which got him interested. She then began to text me with photos & facts about him. That day happened to be my 24th birthday so she gave Jay my number and the first thing he texted me was Happy Birthday with a bunch of cute emoticons. We met up a few days later in person and while I at first thought he didn’t like me after all, I later found out he was just super nervous around me! He started coming to my work every day for lunch & even sent me a bouquet of flowers one day when I was feeling down. We started dating about a month later on Friday, July 13th. We’ll have been together for 4 years this July.
How he proposed:
We’re wedding photographers in Charleston SC but we booked a wedding at Disney World and decided to spend a day at the parks with our friends since we hadn’t gone in over 2 years (we used to have annual passes when we lived in Tampa and went all the time). I was super excited for this trip because Disney is such a special place to me and I was really happy when it started to become a special place for Jay. We invited our friends Krissi & Toni to come, and Toni is a photographer too.
The day before the proposal, we pass by the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney and we go inside. Right in front of the doors are those matching “I’ll be your Mickey” “I’ll be your Minnie” couples shirts. I have to say, we are NOT the matchy-matchy same shirt wearing kind of couple, but Jay said “Oh these are cute. We should get them.” And I just looked at him like he had 7 heads and said “Uh, okay”. But we continued on. He found 2 more shirts he liked for himself and said “Gee which one should I get? One of these, or the couples shirts?” I told him, what ever you want! I’ll wear the couples shirt, but if you want one of these, that’s fine too!
He chose the couples shirt. This went over my head completely though I was confused by him wanting them.
Day of proposal: We are at my FAVORITE place on the planet – Disney! As soon as we walk through the turnstiles, Toni says “Lets get a photo in front of the train station!” And from there, we’re getting photos everywhere! Jay had told Toni to take tons of photos of us so I wouldn’t be suspicious at the location of choice where he was doing it. We had just ridden my favorite ride, the Haunted Mansion, which is located next to Rapunzel’s tower. Rapunzel is my FAVORITE princess. The second time I ever watched that movie, it changed my life. It’s a very special movie to me, and Jay knows this. He is the Eugene to my Rapunzel.
Toni asked if we wanted some photos in front of it and I said “hell yes!” because I only have an iPhone shot of me in front of it from 2 years ago, alone. That trip, Toni & Krissi were with us too!
So anyway, so we take some smiling at the camera shots, and then Toni instructs us to face each other and kiss. This was the sign for Jay to know that Toni was ready to get it.
Suddenly, Jay pushes me away and takes my hands and he says “You know I’ve been wanting to marry you for a long time now” and I see him get down on one knee…and I cover my face…and then I kind of blacked out I think! I know I cried. I remember him telling me that I was making HIM cry. I uncover my face and I don’t see the ring, but I take what ever is in his hand on impulse and I lean down and kiss him! That’s all I remember!! I didn’t even say Yes!
It wasn’t until after we moved from the tower that I finally looked at the ring – it was gold with a purple amethyst stone, Rapunzel’s colors!! It was perfect. Jay had to inform me that it was just a prop ring. He knew I wanted an art deco ring because he’s SNEAKY and a few months ago had our friend/former bride/fellow Disney nerd Lisa make a post about Disney engagement rings on Facebook and tagged me and a few others in it for opinions! I had said “While I love the Rapunzel ring and wouldn’t say no to it, I’ve had my heart set on an antique ring!” The next day, we popped into an estate store to get my ring size and Jay found this GORGEOUS 1920’s diamond & emerald ring! It’s so perfect for me.
Photography: Decorus Photography // Dress & Shoes // Hair & Makeup: Mirror Mirror