REAL BRIDE: Joanne

George + Joanne

8.17.19

We’re hanging out in our neighborhood of downtown Kansas City for today’s featured wedding that is so good you’ll think you’re dreaming. Joanne + George tied the knot at Country Club Christian Church + celebrated at The Abbott for their special day. They transformed their downtown venue into a dreamy oasis filled with whites, navy blue + greenery. It’s a dreamboat of a color palette that will take your breath away. We love Joanne’s bridal look - it’s classic, simple + modern all at the same time + she pulled it off perfectly. Their big day was beautifully shot by Marissa Cribbs Photography + you might need to pinch yourself when you see the photography below + when you read how George + Joanne met!

How did the two of you meet?

“We both wish we could describe the moment we first met with more clarity since it almost seems like a dream. It’s tough to remember exactly how it happened but there are pictures to prove it. The reason it remains a blur is not because it was a magic + blissful moment… it is because we were four years old in preschool! We suppose you can say that is where it all began.

Fast forward to middle school. It was apparent we each had a giant crush on each other, but in true middle school fashion, we held hands once + nothing came of it.

In the years leading through high school + into college we maintained the same group of friends + saw each other frequently on weekends + at social events. Although nothing developed beyond friendship, our admiration for each other was quietly growing.

It wasn’t until we both came clean to one another one night our junior year of college that many secrets + memories kept over the years came to life. Things like George telling one of his pledge brothers, Bobby, if he could only find a girl, “just like Joanne” he would be happy forever; never thinking I was an option at the time. Or when I shared how I felt when I saw George wrote in my high school year book “If I am 30 + single, I’m looking for you!”, + always hoping that one day it might come true. Or laughing about when I brought George to a spring formal freshman year, as I always knew I would have the best time with him. While dancing that night, George asked if he could kiss me, + of course I said yes. George remembers telling his pledge brothers the following day that it was the best night of his life thinking nothing like it would ever happen again.

From then on, the relationship continued to grow. Through out-of-state internships, graduation from college, + starting our careers in Kansas City, we built the foundation of a lifelong love. After four + a half years of dating George planned a surprise engagement at his family’s Lake house at Lake Viking, Missouri. He made sure to include all our family + friends in a surprise party to follow that evening.

We feel so fortunate to have found each other + fallen in love.”

JOANNE GEORGE MARRIED - MARISSA CRIBBS PHOTOGRAPHY-58.jpg

What made you decide on August 17th?

“We knew we wanted to get married sometime in the summer. We originally wanted July 27th, as 27 is a special number for us [ our dating anniversary is December 27 ] + it was perfectly in-between both of our parent's wedding anniversaries. Unfortunately, The Abbott was already booked + the next available date was August 17th – so we went for it!”

JOANNE GEORGE MARRIED - MARISSA CRIBBS PHOTOGRAPHY-61.jpg

JOANNE GEORGE MARRIED - MARISSA CRIBBS PHOTOGRAPHY-189.jpg

What was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?

“My first look with George. Which is funny, because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a first look for a long time. But I am SO glad we did. I was SO excited to see him + it was the most perfect special moment – I will always remember it as one of my favorite moments ever. I also loved when George + I got to get a sneak peek at our beautiful venue all decorated. Marissa captured pictures of this moment + I love it so much! It was such a special moment and feeling – I remember thinking “this is all for us?!” + “Wow this is exactly how I pictured it…but better.””

Did you have a specific theme in mind while planning?

“I am a pretty simple, easygoing person. I knew I wanted it to be simple, but elegant + classic. Which is both George + I’s style. I knew I wanted a lot of greenery – + I love how navy + white + greenery looks together – so it was the perfect color combination!”

Tell us about the proposal!

“George’s family lake house has always been a place where we have gone with our friends over the years + then when we started dating spending many weekends there with George’s family. It was our place. If you asked me where I thought George was going to propose, I would have said the lake.

George knew he wanted both of our parents there when he proposed – so we got both our parents there for a fun “cocktail happy hour/dinner”. George + I went down to the dock to get the boat ready for a boat ride, which was not out of the ordinary. George + I took a quick selfie on the dock [ which is one of my favorite selfies now! ], + then George’s Dad was up on the deck taking a photo of us on his camera. We smiled for the picture + then George immediately grabbed my hands + went into a [ pretty lengthy ] proposal! It was amazing + better than I could have imagined. Then, all 6 of us went on a boat ride where they had packed champagne to celebrate. We were on the boat for quite sometime – probably 45 minutes to an hour. Little did I know what was going on back at the lake house. We were almost back at their dock + I turned around to look at the house. I saw their back deck FILLED with all of our closest friends + family from ALL over for an engagement party. I will forever remember that moment as well. I was so happily overwhelmed + extremely in shock still.”

Country Club Christian Church Kansas City

How did you know your gown was the one?

“It made me feel most like myself. I felt DANG confident in it. I felt like a bride. I didn’t want to take it off! I knew George would love it, too.”

What advice would you give to other brides in regard to dress shopping?

“Try on some dresses that you don’t think you like, because it might look different when you try it on! Be open-minded + be patient + most importantly, have fun! It is a very fun memory.”