A Solid Foundation

by Laura Vietmeyer

 

Andy and Robyn started dating after five years of friendship, forming a strong base for their future as husband and wife. The couple married following a nine-month engagement and an uncomplicated wedding planning experience. Andy and Robyn were so happy to have had all of their friends and family together to celebrate their marriage!
 

 

Q How did you meet? 

We met at work. We interned together after our second year of law school and worked for the same firm after we graduated. We were close friends and started dating about five years after we first met.

Q How did he propose? 

Andy proposed at the same hotel we stayed at during our first weekend away after we started dating. The hotel is in Chicago, which is one of our favorite places to visit. I thought Andy was going to propose earlier in the week when we were at one of our favorite spots in Milwaukee. As it turns out, Andy was planning to propose there, but sensed that I was on to him. He changed plans so I would be surprised.

Q Did he ask your parent(s) for permission before the proposal? 

No. Andy doesn’t understand this tradition. He believed that what mattered most was (and is) how we felt about each other and our relationship, not the opinions of others. It may be non-traditional, but he is absolutely right. And for the record, my parents were completely okay with this.

Q How did you announce your engagement to everyone else?

We called our families and friends. It was important for us to be able to share the news personally.

Q Who did you first tell? 

Daniel, our jeweler, who we went to see the morning after Andy proposed to make sure the engagement ring fit correctly. That probably sounds odd, but we chose to take the weekend together to celebrate our engagement privately. I highly recommend this—we knew we would have plenty of time to celebrate with others later.

Q What style was your wedding?

I’m not sure I could accurately describe our style, other than to say everything about the day was true to us. If I had to pick, I would say simple and classic, with a vintage feel.

Q What were the wedding colors? 

Blush, black, grey and ivory. The belt I wore with my dress inspired the rest of the colors.

Q What was the first detail you knew you absolutely had to have? 

From the very beginning, our goal was to throw an amazing party: excellent food and drinks with a band that would fill the dance floor.

Q If you had one thing to splurge on what would it have been? 

We were very fortunate and had everything we wanted for our wedding day. Looking back, Andy and I agree we wouldn’t change a thing, other than to make the day not go by so quickly!

Q What part of your wedding day was worth every penny? 

Everything about our wedding was worth it, but if we had to pick one we would say our band, The Triple D Band. Andy and I agree one of the best moments of the night was when the band started playing and the dance floor was immediately packed. It was exactly what we wanted.

Q Were there any aspects of DIY that you incorporated? 

With the help of my sister, we designed our own letterpress invitations. We made our own place cards for the reception. My mom and I also found most of the vases we used at the reception at local antique stores.

Q Did you do anything special during the ceremony?

The judge who married us is a friend and former colleague. Having someone who knew each of us perform the ceremony made the entire experience really personal and special.

Q What would be one piece of advice that you would offer to future brides?  

You can make the wedding planning experience as simple or as complicated as you want. Pick the two or three things that are most important to you and your fiancé, and focus your time, energy and resources on making sure those items turn out perfectly. The rest will fall into place.