I got engaged on September 23 to the best partner in life I could ever hope for.

It was a surprise. We’d talked about being together forever, and getting married and rings, etc. but Zach made me believe it’d be another year before he proposed. We did just move across the country together last year, and that was a big enough commitment for me.

He had been wanting to take photos for our Christmas card and led me to believe that he wanted to scout out the perfect location and try out his new tripod. We drove through Yosemite National Park and up to the 120, heading toward Tioga Pass. We stopped at Olmsted Point, just in time to catch the sunset over Half Dome. While we were futzing around testing the angle of the camera, the lighting and where to stand to get both us and the sunset on Half Dome, the wind picked up and it was COLD.

We took some “Christmas Card” photos, but Zach wouldn’t really snuggle in with me and was being weird about keeping his jacket on. I mean, yes it was cold, but typically he would not wear something that didn’t go with the outfit, especially for photos we planned on sending to all of our friends and family.

Eventually, as we were snapping photos, I felt him leaving my side and slowly lowering onto one knee. I think I went into shock. While I stared at him, he opened a ring box and said: “Will you marry me?”

There was no air in my lungs to speak but when I did, I think I said something along the lines of “Are you sure!??” “Yes, of course!”

Fast forward to today – We are “wedding planning.” While I thought that a courthouse elopement and reception sounded amazing, my mom ensured me that this option was not a good option. Personally, I’ve never thought about planning my own wedding, so these past few months have been confusing for me.

I like to do things the best way that I possibly can. I’m not a perfectionist, but I do love to host a good party. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right. But then I look at our bank accounts… Anyone else have this issue?

So essentially, we don’t know where, when or how we’re getting married. We have somethings decided upon: Simplicity, the guest list, and that fact that we’d like to host the bar.

I’d like to post here about the wedding planning process – for anyone else like me who has no idea what they’re doing. Do I use the Knot? Wedding Wire? Wedding Spot? Bride Magazine? Reddit? But also to help me work through this process.

Join me on this wedding adventure!