Andrea + David (Ox) have the kind of love story that you read about in fairy tales.
They met in college while studying abroad in Berlin. David is from Boston and was attending college in Maine; while Andrea is from Oregon and was attending college in Los Angeles. …talk about the stars aligning. Upon returning to the states they each finished their programs while dating long distance. After graduation they both moved to the Bay Area before heading east for NYC – can you image planning a wedding in Oregon when you live in New York?!?! David proposed on a Friday at the park near their apartment before embarking on a dinner and city strolling filled evening.
When you’re planning a wedding 3,000 miles away from where you live it’s important to work closely with those that live near your wedding location. Andrea’s mom assembled a family work party to get Flinn Block Hall ready the day before and morning of the wedding. I was amazed at how seamlessly everything came together and impressed by how elegant and pacific northwest inspired everything looked. The decorative sprigs on each napkin were my favorite – bay leaf and rosemary. Everything had purpose and meaning like the table filled with portraits of couples from both of their families. The day was sunny, but cold… like 15 degrees kind of cold. Despite the occasional freezing gust of wind Andrea, David, and their wedding party were troopers enough to agree to outdoor photography. Hey, at least the ground was frozen solid and not muddy…
As is my new-ish habit I asked Andrea + David for their perspectives on their wedding day with a few questions:
What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
David: My favorite part of the wedding day was seeing Andrea come down the aisle with her parents. When everybody stood up and turned to look at her, it was a really special moment and one that I’m glad to take with me.
Andrea: Of course it’s so hard to break down such an intense and emotional and beautiful day and say what my favorite parts were. I think my top three moments, where I felt the most overwhelming love and emotion, were: 1) The first look! It was SO exciting and joyful to finally reconnect with David again after a morning apart, and to see how amazing he looked in his suit 😉 2) Walking into the ceremony with my parents. The moment we walked into the room, I knew it was going to be such an emotionally intense experience, and it just got more so the closer we got to all our friends and family. Seeing the love on everyone’s faces as we walked down the aisle, and being supported on either side by my wonderful parents was overwhelmingly beautiful. 3) The toasts! Each of them was so heartfelt, and being able to sit next to my new husband while we laughed and cried (happy tears) together was pure joy.
What are you most looking forward to in married life?
David: I’m most excited to have a partner in crime that I can always to to lean on, and celebrate the ups and downs for life with. Sounds corny but it’s true. Also, in the more near-term, we’re going to take our first world voyage together to Europe — to England to see my relatives who couldn’t make it to Oregon, Berlin because that’s where we met, and Paris (because we’re married and it’s romantic, duh).
Andrea: I am looking forward to continuing to make a beautiful life, home, and partnership together. I am so excited for the tangible and intangible ways that our love and relationship will deepen and expand now that we have made this formal, public commitment to one another. I look forward to continuing to learn about David, about myself, and about love through our years together, and to be able to share those years with our family and friends.
What advice to do you have for others?
David: My advice for others on their wedding day: let go of the stress! There’s so much that goes into planning your wedding day and you always want to be perfect. But letting go of the stress of having *everything* happening really lets you enjoy your big day. It’s amazing to realize the room is full of people that are rooting for you and are so happy to be there, so just open up and enjoy the day as it comes.
Andrea: Enjoy the wedding planning process! The wedding day is beautiful and joyful, but it is only one day, and it goes by quickly. So be intentional and present in the months, weeks, and days leading up to the wedding, as those are very much a part of the event as well. Be grateful for the opportunity to take on such a fun and fulfilling project with your dearest loved ones (fiancé, parents, in-laws, grandparents, friends, etc.), and cherish the quality time that it brings to you. Yes, there are stressful moments, but if you keep the big picture in mind, I think it can be such a rewarding experience, and one to look back on fondly.
Aren’t these two seriously the most adorable flower girls ever?!?! Flower Grandmas for the win!
#1 Grandson!!
Bridesmaid, Amy, saw one of her idols at the wedding Harley Jane Kozak (Andrea’s aunt) and made sure to have me on standby when she went up to say hello.
Venue // Flinn Block Hall Decor // MoB – DIY Catering // Valley Catering Cake // Andrea – THE BRIDE! Dress // BHLDN Bridesmaid’s Shalls // Downtown Austin Suit // Suit Supply Groom + Groomsmen’s Ties // Hobo Ties Rings // Brilliant Earth & Blue Nile Flowers // Market of Choice Invitations // Etsy Programs // Ari Vance-Borland