Samantha and Matthew

The first time Matt and I met was in April 2015 in Louisville, KY at a local brewery. We had chatted on a social media app for a few weeks before and decided to grab a drink after work one day (we learned that we had been working downtown a block apart for 2 years, but somehow, we had never crossed paths). We hit it off great – we had some beers and an awkward hug and the rest was history! We discovered that we both shared a love for hiking, our dogs, and adventures. Both of us each remember thinking, “how did I get so lucky?!”

Matt proposed on June 12, 2016 during a trip to Hawaii with my family. I chose which hike we were going to do that morning – the Diamond Head Crater trail – and after about a 45 min hike to the top of the crater’s summit, Matt popped the question! I had no clue – and was so excited to say “yes”!

About a month after our proposal, Matt, myself, and our two dogs moved across the country to San Diego, California. It was a big move for us, and once we arrived, we knew that we wanted to have our wedding in California. We jumped into wedding planning soon after, and I began the dress search with my mom and two sisters. After trying on dozens of dresses, I finally fell in love with the quality and elegance of Mikaella Bridal, in particular the signature lace. My dress was everything I dreamed of and more. I especially loved the versatility of the dress – the removable tulle overlay was perfect for the ceremony and the beach and was a nice surprise for Matt, who did not see the dress with the overlay until the ceremony! It added a whimsical touch to my style that day that I absolutely loved, and I know I will cherish the dress for years to come. Thank you Mikaella Bridal for being a part of our day!

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