Kendra knew Zack was the love of her life on their first date.
She shares, “This was the first time I ever laid eyes on that man and as we sat at the restaurant, talking for hours, I just knew. Every time I looked in his eyes, heard him talk about his dreams, and watched him listen intently as I talked about mine, I could feel it in my spirit that he was “the one”. The only thing that our time together over the last couple of years has done, is further solidify what I knew on that very first date.”
So romantic, and Zack’s proposal story is just as captivating. We won’t spoil all the details (which you can read below), but it was one of the most unique proposals we’ve ever read!
The couple decided to have their engagement session in their home town of Peoria, IL. The temperature was in the low 30s and winds were above 20mph. But you would never know it because they dominated their photos. They even bought props for their dogs to join in a few photographs.
See the sweet details below.
- Occupations: Zack is an IT sales recruiter and Kendra is a Licensed Professional Therapist.
- Wedding Date: May 29th, 2021
- Wedding Location: Ravina on the Lake in Peoria, IL
- Location of Engagement shoot: Downtown Peoria and Donovan Park
How did you meet?
Zack and I both grew up in Peoria, IL but never actually crossed paths. We have several mutual friends but I moved away for college in 2011 and only returned to Peoria for holiday’s so we just never had the opportunity to meet each other.
Zack and I first became acquainted through my mom doing some charity work for a local family in Peoria during Christmas of 2016. Zack wanted to make a donation (which he later told me was so he could get my attention) so he reached out to me and I put him in contact with my mom. We then became Facebook friends and interacted socially on Facebook for a few years. We would see each other post our accomplishments and I think we became drawn to each other’s drive for success. In 2018, Zack became persistent about us going on a date together and I happened to be in town for Thanksgiving, so after much persuasion from our mutual friends, I finally agreed. We officially met in person for our first date and it has been history ever since then.
The Proposal
The proposal was one of the hardest things I ever had to pull off. First, I had to figure out what type of ring she liked, which was pretty easy. Then it came time to find the venue I wanted to do it in, so I rented out an art gallery for the night. I then had a muralist paint a huge picture of what the proposal would look like down to even the smallest detail like the time on my watch. I sent her pictures of the clothes we were going to wear, and I even showed her a picture of what I felt Kendra’s reaction would be. She painted it all up and it came out great. Then I got about 60-70 of our friends and family to show up at the venue and Kendra thought we were just going to see some regular artwork. I blindfolded her, walked her into the gallery, positioned her so she was facing the painting, and took the blindfold off. When she finally turned around to look at me, I was behind her on one knee with the ring and the painting came to life right before our friends and family’s eyes. She was so surprised, and it was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done in my life but I’d do it all again to see the women I love agree to spend the rest of her life with me.
When did you know they were the one?
Honestly, I knew that Zack was my person on our first date. This was the first time I ever laid eyes on that man and as we sat at the restaurant, talking for hours, I just knew. Every time I looked in his eyes, heard him talk about his dreams, and watched him listen intently as I talked about mine, I could feel it in my spirit that he was “the one”. The only thing that our time together over the last couple of years has done, is further solidify what I knew on that very first date.
What did you do on your first date?
We went to an Italian restaurant in the Peoria Heights area for dinner and then went out for drinks with one of my closest friends.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Our favorite thing to do as a couple is travel and visit new places together. We are both so busy with work so traveling gives us the opportunity to unwind and spend intentional time together.
How has wedding planning been so far?
When we first started planning in 2019 and it was pretty exciting in the beginning to start seeing our vision come to light. Once COVID hit early this year, it has been difficult to stay motivated with planning because of the uncertainty. However, we have decided that no matter what happens in May of next year we are still going to get married on our date. Even if it’s just the two of us we want to start our lives as husband and wife and a party can happen anytime.
Tell us what you are looking forward to the most on the wedding day.
Zack is looking forward to spending the day with our closest friends and family and seeing me walk down the aisle. I think I’m more so looking forward to the end of the day. When I can finally just focus on my husband and not all of the guests and formalities of the day.
Vendors
- Photographer: Amy Mulder Photography @amymulderphotography
- Hair: https://naturalbrestylist.com/ @naturalbrestylist @boss_hair
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