Lauren and Jackson

Jackson and I met while we were in graduate school. Our first date was in Charlottesville, VA where we went rock climbing, walked through downtown and shared our first kiss as it started to snow (a total Lorelai Gilmore moment IYKYK!!). We then courageously dated long distance for 3 years while I stayed in Virginia and he moved to Georgia for a job. We spent holiday breaks and long weekends with each other as often as we could. In June 2022, he finally moved up to VA so we could be together and take those next steps. He proposed during a beautiful hike in October surrounded by the beauty of Shenandoah National Park. We got married almost exactly a year later with Virginia fall foliage on full display for all of our friends and family!
Finding my dress was honestly the part of wedding planning I was least excited about. Magically, a family friend owns her own bridal boutique so I was able to have a really intimate positive and comfortable dress buying experience. I had no idea what I was looking for or what I liked. I tried on several dresses. I left uncertain still but with a better idea of what I did and didn't like. I only tried on dresses at one other boutique and the whole time all I could think about was this dress. I compared everyone back to this one and that's how I knew it was the one for me. Because I lived in Virginia and Barefoot Bride was in NJ, I trusted Mayra the shop owner to help me choose the right size and she did AMAZING. My dress fit like a glove and needed very minimal alterations. I only had one fitting between it's arrival and the wedding day! My favorite part of my wedding day was when ALL of our guests gasped and laughed when I pulled my vows out of MY OWN POCKETS!!!!  favorite part of the dress hands down.