Intimate Blended Family Elopement at Hollis Garden

WEDDING DATE March 13, 2020. Four years ago on that date, he proposed to me. The number 3 and 13 have always been lucky for me and the numbers have followed us throughout the weekend as well!

THE PROPOSAL Yes I was surprised. I was working at the Farmers Market at Merrick Park, which has a beautiful courtyard with fountains in it. It's funny because he was trying to figure out the best way to propose with a fancy dinner or grand gesture without being obvious but realized the best way to surprise me would be to do it when I least expected it. A really drunk girl took a lovely video of it and we got her info.

WEDDING PLANNING MANTRA We just kept reminding ourselves that if we had had a big wedding, the stress would've been so much worse.

FAVORITE MOMENT I think the most memorable moment was when Lina, my daughter, broke down crying when it was time for Patrick to say his vows to her. We didn't expect it. She's a sweet empath but she also showed no signs of getting emotional up until that point.

THE DRESS I ordered one online for $25 and it was AWFUL as expected. It was absolutely huge. So I went to Macy's to try on prom dresses and my sister stayed on the phone with me from New York. My 9-yr-old helped me in and out of a few until we found the perfect one in the wrong size. We went to another location the next day to get it.

BEST ADVICE Keep it simple. It really made it about us. But don't do it alone! If I didn't have my girls with me it would've been hard to get in and out of the dress and out of all these clips I had in my hair.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR DAY Intimate. Sweet. Honest.

HE SAYS … She is the absolute love of my life. I practically fell in love with her the first moment I saw her. I promise to continue to grow into a better person through the guidance of her eternal wisdom.

SHE SAYS … His constant, everlasting love provides me with the backbone that I need to pursue my dreams, take risks, make plans, etc. I know that no matter what, he will always have my back and will always be faithful and true so I can worry about things like our kids or work instead of having to worry about our relationship. Ever.