Doing what I do is all about seeing amazing images of gorgeous plus size and curvy brides and they are typically from the brides, brides to be or photographers. But this submission stopped me in my tracks because it was from the groom to be….I was ecstatic! I was so excited to see that a groom loved his fiance so much that he would take the initiative to submit their engagement pictures. It really made me think of this couple’s love and how deep it went. Then I saw the images from Lemons and Tea Photography , which I love that name by the way….so much, and it all made complete and utter sense, their love makes your speechless and it’s all evident through their images. Check them out and see exactly what I mean!
Emily & Ethan
February 22, 2014
Dallas, TX
Wedding Date: May 30, 2015
Tell us about your first meeting: Bride ~ We are high school sweethearts. We were both in choir together, and our very first encounter was when our choir went on a trip to NYC. We all piled in the same hotel room one night to watch SNL and he sat next to me and we talked throughout the whole show. He always jokingly tells people: “I met Emily in a hotel room in NYC”. He’s a punk. Groom ~ The first time I met Emily, aside from seeing her in passing during at school was when we went on our school’s choir trip to New York City. We had just finished spending a day with all of our friends– touring 30 Rock and spending time doing some shopping in Chinatown and exploring the city when a group of our mutual friends decided to watch watch a movie in their hotel room. Inevitably, it was the cinematic masterpiece, 17 Again. We all piled onto the two queen-sized mattresses and fate had placed me next to Emily for the evening. We watched the movie and that night’s episode of Saturday Night Live (being filmed in the very building we toured earlier in that day) and the rest was history. We always laugh when people ask where we met, as we tell them we met in a hotel bed in NYC.
Tell us about your First Date: Bride To Be ~ Oh man was I nervous. I was a sophomore, and he was a senior, so this was a big deal. I didn’t want it to be anything fancy, so I suggested we go to IHOP. I remember what we were wearing, what we ate, and what song was playing on the radio when he dropped me off at the end of the night. I knew he was the man I supposed to fall in love with. I don’t remember the exact day I said “I love you”, I just remember always loving him. Side note: We’re having pancakes served at our wedding to pay homage to that first date. Groom To Be ~ Our first date was a culinary delight of IHOP pancakes and chocolate milk. Emily and I had been getting to know each other throughout my senior year and I had already asked her to be my prom date, before we actually started dating. We had been spending more and more time together and I finally mustered the courage to ask her to share a meal and some conversation. We talked about whatever seems important to teenagers in high school and tried to avoid too much eye contact or any awkward gaps in conversation. She blew bubbles in her chocolate milk and I complimented her southern draw. It was a great evening and I had her back before curfew.
Tell us about your First Kiss: Bride To Be ~ We had been dating about 2 weeks when we had our first kiss. He walked me up to my front door to drop me off. It was the perfect Texas night. It was warm, the sun was setting, the porch light just came on, and the buzz of June bugs was everywhere. We kissed, and it was simple and perfect. Groom To Be ~ Oh gosh, first kiss? Let’s see… I don’t really recall the circumstances which surrounded our first kiss but I vividly remember the butterflies in my stomach as I gathered whatever confidence I could to lean in and kiss her in her front yard beneath the Crepe Myrtle tree that littered her drive way with flowers on windy days. She giggled, I smirked– I was definitely elated on the drive home, back to my house.
Tell us about the proposal: Bride To Be ~ It was a fairy tale. It was on the day of our 4 year anniversary. I was sitting in bed around 10AM when my best friend walked in with roses and a letter. The letter was long and romantic, but the last part read: “I look forward to loving you for the rest of my life. However, before we get to forever, there’s another question on the line. Treat yourself to a manicure and a new dress – or whatever else you might like for the occasion. Everything has been paid for and taken care of. Meet me at 6pm at our favorite restaurant.” So naturally, I bawled. Soon after my roommates all ran through the door telling me to get ready for the day. They took me to lunch, to get my nails done, and to get a new dress and jewelry. He had already paid for EVERYTHING. And throughout the day that my girls and I were together, his friends would show up giving me notes about how much loved me and how happy they were that Ethan and I were together. (I asked him later why he only sent his friends to give me notes, instead of my own friends. His response: “You already know how much your friends love you. I just wanted to show you everyone else loves you too.” Bawling again.” So after shopping we went back to my apartment and changed and they drove me to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas and that’s where he proposed. I was on Cloud 9 the whole time. I’ll be honest; I don’t remember a thing he said. I just remember never feeling so much joy and happiness than I did at that moment. Afterwards, everyone met us at our favorite restaurant in Dallas, Nick & Sams, for the celebration. It was absolutely perfect. Groom To Be ~ She always tells this story way better– so you should definitely skip ahead or go back and re-read her portion, because my nerves were way too wild for me to keep any sort of record of what actually happened that day but I’ll recount it to the best of my abilities. I had been in talks with her roommates and friends to plan a perfect day for Emily to lead into the proposal. She had been anticipating a proposal since at LEAST Christmas of the previous year, so it seemed every car-ride and every date she would try and read the room to decide if that night would be the night. It was the week after Valentine’s Day, (on the four-year anniversary of joining in coupledom) so I knew she’d be a little antsy and perhaps even a bit disappointed that another holiday had come and gone without the question being popped. Now, I had already decided that Emily would HAVE to be aware of the proposal before it actually happened, or else she would completely shut down with a whirling of emotions during the actual asking for her hand. So I went to work on my typewriter (which she had given me for Christmas, the year before) and I wrote her a note to accompany some flowers and spending money for the day that was ahead of her. The note said (and I’ll paraphrase, it’s below)
Bride To Be ~ My Dear,
I could fill this whole page telling you how deeply in love I am with you, but it still wouldn’t be enough. You’re the best part about my day, the best prayer, the best chicken nugget maker, and my best friend. WE’RE GETTING MARRIED, BABE! ~ Emily
Groom To Be ~ My Dear Emily,
your kindness and love has changed my life for the better and I will always treasure our time. I’m so excited to share our lives and author our story with you each and every day. I love you and I’m counting the days. Thank you for your heart. ~ Ethan
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