Simply Engaged: Reby and Chase!

I'd love to introduce another LOVELY

Simply by Tamara Nicole couple . . .

as part of our series

Simply Engaged

Here's a glimpse into the sweet couple that is

{Reby & Chase}

Wedding Date: October 14th 2016

Wedding Location: Axis Pioneer Square Seattle, WA

Photographer: Jordan Quinn Photography

. . . 

How did you two love birds meet?

In the beginning, Chase and Reby were an unlikely couple.  

They met at their local teacher’s union building, both serving as building representatives for their respective schools.  At the time, relationship prospects for the pair were slim: Reby was teaching 5^th grade highly capable students at Lake Youngs Elementary, and Chase was teaching Social Studies at Kentlake High School, both differed in their political beliefs, and Reby was married while Chase was still “playing the field”.  

The first time Chase and Reby hung out was at a political gathering in September 2012.  Reby was only slightly interested in the political guest, but both Reby and Chase recall being interested in each other!  Chase even jotted down “Reh-bee” (the bee being a sketch of a bumblebee) in order to remember how to say Reby’s sometimes confusingly pronounced name. 

Then, in July of 2013, Chase and Reby both attended a political organizing training and had the opportunity to stay at the Tulalip Casino.  On the first night, they ran into each other on the casino floor and the sparks really flew!  For nearly three hours Reby and Chase sat at the bar.  They became immediate friends, laughed constantly, and talked about everything under the sun.  When it was time to go they shared an elevator ride, which was recalled by the future couple as filled with an awkward, chemistry-filled tension.  After the conference, their friendship grew and they began chatting at future union meetings.

The next big step for Chase and Reby was at another conference – this time in Spokane at the 2014 Washington Education Association Representative Assembly. After the first day of business, the Kent delegation met at their hotel lounge, and the sparks flew even hotter this time!  All of the Kent educators had a wonderful time and Chase and Reby were the last ones to leave in the early hours of the morning.  Again, they had a chemistry-filled moment in an elevator and 

began to take note of all these moments in elevators!

Despite the chemistry, Reby and Chase at the time were mutually unavailable.  Nevertheless they stayed friends and had fun sitting next to each other at union meetings.  They occasionally met up for a drink or a bite to eat just to have a laugh and talk about life.

Eventually, things came to a head in Spring of 2015.  

Reby and Chase were at the annual WEA Representative Assembly, this time in Bellevue.  They sat next to each other and, although they voted and paid enough attention, 

they probably also deserved the “most flirtatious” award 

out of the 1,000 representatives present. As the first day of business wrapped up, a fellow teacher gave Chase a quick pep talk, convincing Chase into asking Reby to hang out that evening.  It was excellent advice as Chase called Reby on his drive home.  The two excited delegates set up a meeting at Joey’s in Bellevue and Chase whipped his car around halfway home on the freeway.  Chase and Reby hung out that night and the next, and, since both were now single, the two decided to spend more time together. Eventually, their relationship became solidified when Chase suggested that they be an official couple in early July.

How did he pop the big question?

In December 2015, 

Chase decided to make his bold move. 

One evening, Chase coaxed an unsuspecting Reby into their apartment building’s freight elevator...a continuation of the reoccurring elevator theme in their relationship.  Chase dropped down on one knee after the elevator started towards the basement, and proposed. Reby said YES and shook with excitement. And, in a faux pas, Chase did not put the ring on Reby’s finger! Luckily, the ring fit perfectly and the couple became engaged on February 3, 2016.  

What is your fave date spot/activity?

Chase and Reby have fun anywhere they go, but one thing they love to do is to attend Seattle Mariners games! 

(Go M's!) 

Chase, a sports enthusiast but more of a bandwagon Mariners fan, was not sufficiently prepared to go to the first Mariners game with Reby. In contrast to the bandwagon approach, Reby is a committed Mariners fan. She keeps score at every game,  tracks of every pitch, and is a card-carrying season ticket holder in the "All Star Club" section of the ballpark.  Reby's love for the Mariners and all things baseball is slowly transforming Chase into a real fan.:)

What is your fave part about the wedding planning process?

Our favorite part of wedding planning was hiring Tamara!  Tamara has taken so much stress and pressure off with all things wedding related. Without her, Chase and Reby agree they would be lost in the process!

(I legit did NOT expect this while reading through the answers, SO so sweet!!! I adore working with you guys too Reby!!!)

What first caught your eye?

{Her}

 The first thing that caught my eye about Chase was his wonderful smile and his confidence. A few years ago I was able to go into his classroom and see him teach a history lesson. His passion of teaching and the subject of history definitely stole my heart!

{Him}

 I remember Reby's confidence, the way she carried herself, and her intelligence. She always dresses well, is fit, and is extremely sharp. She is a beautiful woman inside and out!

{Her faves}

Mariners

playing piano

traveling

running

cooking

eating & sampling wine at new fun restaurants!

{His faves} 

weightlifting

reading history books

travel

 talking politics

watching movies

sports

bars

On my wedding day I am most excited about . . .

Chase and Reby are both most excited about seeing all of their friends and family. 

Fave meal your fiance makes for you?

Chase cooks a mean can of sardines.  

Chase's other specialties include dried seaweed and raw eggs.

(teee heee love this!)

Reby is great cook and Chase does the dishes more than cooking! Reby makes amazing dinners, Brussels sprouts, egg breakfasts, and lots more.  She loves hosting dinner parties at their home!

If we could travel anywhere for our honeymoon we would  . . .

Chase and Reby LOVE to travel.  For their honeymoon they hope to spend time in Punta del Este, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

(jealous!)

Punta del Este is a famous, world class beach resort area.  Playing in the ocean, speaking some Spanish, dancing the tango, eating gaucho steak and sipping on Argentinian wine sound fun!!!

. . .

I know this wedding is going to be SO gorgeous, and we have an AMAZING team lined up, not to mention some fabulous details :)

Thanks for sharing with me R & C!

SO happy for you both!

(and how cute is their rainy Seattle engagement, AND her shoes?!)

{Simply by Tamara Nicole}

{Simply Engaged: Chloe & Brandon}

OH I can't wait for this wedding . . . coming up on Saturday!

Another one of my sweet couples . . .

Simply Engaged

Here's a glimpse into the adorable soon to be newlyweds:

{Chloe & Brandon}

. . . 

Wedding Date: April 11th 2015

Wedding Location: St. James Cathedral & Washington Athletic Club

{How did you two love birds meet}

"When I first moved to Seattle I was out with a group of my girlfriends when I bumped into some guys I went to college with in Montana.  That following week they invited me to go to a BBQ which happened to be at Brandon’s apartment with his roommate, Brady.  The apartment was filled with people from Montana or small towns who were genuinely nice people and fun to be around.  From there, my friends began to meet up with the Montana contingent on the weekends and it wasn’t long before I was a regular fixture at Brandon and Brady’s apartment as a friend.  We dated other people but became good friends and about 7 months after we met, 

finally figured out we liked each other.  

It took another 6 months or so before we were officially dating but it was perfect because we were friends first so know we like to do much of the same things together (except shopping!).  Last September we will have been together for 4 years!"

{How did he pop the big question?}

"There's a long story to this but the short story is Brandon went to my hometown for a Fall fishing trip.  I wasn't there with him but my brother, Grandma, and parents were in town.  They all went out on the river for the day and on the way home, 

he asked all of their permission!  

He returned back to Seattle and 

officially asked me to marry him :)"

{What is your fave date spot/activity?}

We like to go out for dinner in our neighborhood and just talk about our days and what's coming up in our lives.  

Going 3-par golfing (with loser buying dinner) is always a favorite as well!

{What is your fave part about the wedding planning process?}

I think my favorite part so far has been the realization we will have two families, who love us both, coming together to celebrate us.  

It's really touching to know we are taking such a big step and have so many people who want to be there every step of the way.  

{Advice for planning a wedding to other couples?}

"I think my advice would be to take your time :)  We will be engaged for about a year and a half and I'm happy we didn't have to rush to make decisions for the wedding.  There's enough going on in life so I'm happy we haven't had added stress!"

{Her faves}

running

watching sports

shopping

reading magazines and daily blogs

spending time with family and friends

{His faves} 

relaxing

working on our cabin

watching sports

home improvement projects

spending time with family and friends

{What first caught your eye?}

Her:  "how genuinely nice he is to everyone, and perfectly confident in his skin"

Him:  "Her hair"

{On my wedding day I am most excited about  . . . }

"I am most excited about seeing all our favorite people and having a 

GREAT dance party!"  

{Fave meal your fiance makes for you? }

Her:  "His mom's lasagna"

Him:  "Apple pie"

{If we could travel anywhere for our honeymoon we would . . . }

We would go to Bora Bora (or anywhere tropical) to relax, lay on the beach, and swim in 

the ocean.  Emphasis on relaxing!

Chloe & Brandon: 

Thank you SO much for taking the time to do this. These photos by Ryan Flynn Photography are amazing!!!

Also thanks for being seriously fabulous to work with, I am ready to adopt Chloe's mom as my own:) This wedding is just going to be perfect, can't wait!

{Simply by Tamara Nicole}

{Simply Engaged: Jacqueline & Matt by Blue Rose Photography}

This here is another post in SBTN's series: 

Simply Engaged

Yet another sweet and adorable couple of mine . . . who are so in love!

Here's a little more about the lovely

{Jacqueline & Matt}

. . . 

Wedding Date: June 28th 2014

Wedding Location: Golden Gardens

Photographer: Blue Rose Photography

Hair and Makeup: Yessie Libby Makeup and Hair

{How did you two love birds meet?}

"The two of us met at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, WA. 

We knew each other from middle school and high school orchestra, but it wasn’t until my senior year and Matt’s junior year that we started really getting to know each other (Matt: She was waaaaaay better than me)

I still remember the fateful day when we were both attending one of our high school’s football games and our eyes met from across a crowd of people 

(we are both rather tall). My best friend looked at me and said, “That Matt is kind of cute”. I agreed, and that evening I “friended” him on MySpace. He struck up a conversation with me, and from then on we wrote back and forth to each other every evening after school. I remember eagerly awaiting his responses in between homework and practicing violin 

(Matt: I always responded eagerly between homework and deciding if I was going to practice violin or not that night or just read a book instead. She was way better at violin).  

After a few weeks of this, and meeting with groups of friends at football games, 

he asked me on a date. Two days before we even had that date, he asked me to “go steady” with him. He utilized the help of my best friend to arrange a locker scavenger hunt, where the final locker held a tape recording of my favorite classical piece and him speaking over it, complete with a rose and chocolates. Two days later we went on our first date 

(Matt: Fifteen points to anyone who can guess which classic 2005 Nicolas Cage film we went to go see.  Hint – it was The Weather Man)

and have never been apart since."

{How did he pop the big question}

"In December 2012, Matt arranged for the two of us to take a trip to Victoria, B.C. to celebrate my 25^th birthday. Victoria is where we took our first trip together, so we have fond memories of being there for the holidays. Having already been together for 7 years and having been living together for a few years, it was very difficult for him to be secretive 

(Matt: It was the challenge of a lifetime). 

The holidays are such a busy time for us, when we’re traveling across the country trying to catch up with family and friends, and I had my doubts that we could find time amidst all of that. But he insisted (which was the first red flag). The day of my birthday we took the Victoria Clipper up from Seattle, and spent the day exploring. We’re photographers when we’re not doing graduate school work, so we enjoy seeing the sites and finding ways to creatively document our explorations 

(Matt: And keep in mind, I had a big ring box in my pocket through all of this.  So it was more than a little awkward, trying to hide an engagement ring sized lump in my coat pocket). 

As we went about our day, I could tell something was up since he was being a little bit quiet. He clearly was thinking hard about something, and I just had that feeling that this was the day! So all day long I kept trying to find ways where the two of us could be secluded from other people –trying to find any opportunity to help make it happen (Matt: Including one awkward moment where we walked into an alcove after I’d temporarily transferred it to a zipped pocket in my camera bag.  There’s no way I was going to wait that long and not be at least a little smoother than fumbling with a zipper). 

It wasn’t until the end of the day that we were walking around Buchart Gardens for their holiday lights festival. We stumbled across a cabin that overlooked the main display of lights and when I turned toward him, he was down on one knee."

{What is your fave date spot/activity?}

"Our favorite activity, by far, is photography. It’s just so fun for the both of us to go out and explore new areas. We could go for a hike and not make it very far because we both just start snapping away. I love that we both appreciate the beauty in nature and share a common passion in finding ways to share with others the way we see this beauty. When we’re not out shooting, we enjoy watching movies and shows and snuggling up with our two cats, Lorne and Cosmo. We try to find balance in all things we do, so we’re never bored and always loving life (Matt: Ditto)."

{What is your fave part about the wedding planning process?}

"My favorite part about the wedding planning process has been the inspiration and planning of small details that set the mood and feel of the wedding day, and make the whole day unique to us. I love daydreaming about the way things will all look when they come together, and I have trouble with having too many ideas (Matt: Fortunately I’m always there to offer a non-committal shrug, cause they all sound fine to me). 

Additionally, I have really enjoyed making connections with our vendors. We have such an awesome line-up of talented people!"

{Advice for planning a wedding to other couples?}

"I would say to start as early as possible. 

There are lots of things to do, and it’s really important if you want to find the right vendors and make sure they’re available for your day, to book them way in advance. And it’s never too early to look at all the vendor options that are out there and start getting an idea of ones that would work in your style/preference and budget. First up, is the venue. Once you have that and a date set, then everything else can fall into place. So research venues asap, especially if considering a popular time such as during the summer months (particularly August)."

{Her Faves} 

Loves photography

nature

lavender

cloudy days

tall pine trees

our two cats

a good pair of skinny jeans

vanilla lattes

rustic modern décor

{His Faves} 

Loves photography

chocolate chip cookies

role-playing games

fantasy novels and comics

warm summer nights

the cats

trying new things

Jackie ;)

I mean really could they be any cuter?! 

I am SO honored to be chosen as their wedding coordinator, and CAN'T WAIT to help with their big wedding day.  Oh and to work with an AMAZING team!

XOXO congrats again Jacqueline & Matt!!!

{Simply by Tamara Nicole}