How they met…

They met playing Volleyball. In the sand, sun and breezy salty air of San Diego, California. A connection was there between them and it pulled them in deep. They started a life together in the Golden State, spending all of their time with each other, but eventually Shawn’s work moved him back to his home town of Phoenix, AZ where his family (sister, Katie, is one of our gorgeous former brides!). Kash made the move with him, trading in the Cali vibes for the Arizona heat. Because home is where the heart is, right? We think so.

How he asked…

After their move from California, Shawn wanted to show Kashaunda every inch of the beauty that is Arizona. So they planned a trip with some friends to travel the state and experience new adventures so Kash could come to know her new home. The first stop on the list was Sedona, the beautiful red rock city of the desert. Shawn knew that this would be the perfect place to propose.

They packed the car for the trip north with their friends, but before they left, Shawn’s mother made a comment to him, unknowingly in the earshot of Kash, asking him if he was going to propose. Quickly, Shawn denied it, worrying that the surprise of it all was ruined, and they left for Sedona.

Later, as they hiked along a Sedona trail, they joked with their friends about Shawn’s mother suspecting he would be proposing. They stopped multiple times to gawk at nature’s beauty and take pictures, each time Shawn’s friend, who was well aware of Shawn’s plans, would hold the camera and give him the look. You know… the “Is this the moment?” look. With each stop Shawn waited for that perfect-moment feeling, but each time he found himself shaking his head.

When they came to the river, surrounded by the gorgeous hues of red and orange, they all agreed it was a good place to stop and take another photo. That’s when Kash brought up the idea to take a picture of Shawn pretending to propose and send it to his mother as a joke. They all thought it would be funny, but without Kash seeing, Shawn shot his friend the look followed by a grin. A look that said… “This is definitely the moment.”

That’s when the butterflies began, his heart pounding in his chest, the ring box burning a hole in his pocket. They stood next to the rushing water with a gorgeous backdrop of Sedona’s many shades of red. Kash posed for silly photos, unsuspecting of the moment that was already underway. Not until she saw the box in Shawn’s hand did she realize what was happening. Shawn on one knee, a glistening ring held up for her to see. And with every word Shawn spoke in a blur she said yes to the one whom her heart longed to spend forever with.

Doug and I could not be happier to witness their nuptials this November! So follow along for the next chapter of their story! :)