Real Brides: Shannon

Sean and I met in January 2019...well we both swiped right and matched on Bumble in January of 2019. Our dating story began shortly after I was forced to message Sean first, something about how I thought he had a nice smile in his profile picture, hoping I could get him to message me back. A few exchanges later, and next thing I knew we were exchanging phone numbers and texting every day. At the time, Sean was working nights and I was working days, both as nurses, but we didn't let that hinder us. Our first "meet up" was at our local Starbucks, where Sean pretty much talked the entire time, wearing his FSU shirt proudly, and I just sat there shyly and listened, hoping and praying he liked how I looked that day. Miraculously, he still was interested, and so was I, thank goodness for not being catfished! Our second date was at Disney, and I distinctly remember the night Sean told me he too had an annual pass. I told him in that moment, I was sold! Now this date still was not glamorous, it was a freezing cold day in February, and I was hangry, still acted shy, and we left after just an hour in the park, but something still thankfully drew us to each other. Now here we are, almost 4 years later, planning our wedding and future together. From the moment we matched, we both just had this feeling that this was going to be it. Well maybe not immediately considering we found each other on a dating app, but it didn't take long before we knew. Texting back and forth each day grew into seeing other as much as we could, which led to us moving into the same apartment building together, then came me moving into Sean's apartment, bringing our sweet puppy Finn into our lives, and finally building a house for us to call home, all while falling more and more in love with each other. Marriage has been the easiest step out of all of those major life decisions, and we cannot wait to vow to choose each other for the rest of our days in front of our friends and family. 

They say you’ll just “know” when the dress is THE dress…I didn’t believe it. My wedding dress was the 4th dress I tried on…now my mom was crying since dress #1…but I was still looking for that perfect dress that made me feel beautiful. When I put on my wedding dress in the fitting room, I was excited, but still didn’t know it would be the one. Then I stand on the pedestal, look at myself in the mirror as they fluff out the back…and tears flooded my eyes. My emotions came bursting out, and I realized that the moment every bride talks about truly does exist. I had found my dress, and I knew it in my heart. I even put on a 5th dress, but I just could not stop thinking about my dress. It made me feel so beautiful, and I just could not wait for my future husband to see me in it. The fact that I was getting married didn’t hit me until I had on that dress, and I’ll forever remember that moment.

Photo Credits: Sycamore And Cypress Photography