{SBB Bride of the Week} Crysta
C R Y S T A
+
C H A R L E S
{September 23rd, 2023}
{Photos by: Focus Outward Photography}
Introducing our stunning bride, Crysta!
For her September wedding, Crysta looked so beautiful in a soft tulle A-line gown by Stella York!
She made it all her own by having sleeves added in alterations!
Crysta topped the look off with a cathedral length veil by Bel Aire!
{Photos by: Focus Outward Photography}
Crysta married her husband, Charles, in an outdoor ceremony at Red Tail Farm in Goshen, Indiana!
The ceremony brought one of Crysta’s favorite memories from her big day!
“Hearing Charles’ vows. He is not a very emotional man so when he said, ”I’ve always had friends, and family around, but since I’ve met you I finally know what it feels like to feel alone. I know that sounds bad but what I mean is, when you’re out hanging with your friends or when I go out with the boys, I feel alone. Whenever you’re not with me I feel like I am missing something, a piece of me.”’
{Photos by: Focus Outward Photography}
After the ceremony, it was time for everyone to head inside for the reception!
Crysta made all of the florals and decor herself! So pretty!
{Photos by: Focus Outward Photography}
How did Crysta first meet her hubby?
“We matched on Tinder and started holding conversations through the app to get to know each other. We talked for a couple of months getting to know each others likes and dislikes before making a decision to finally meet in person. Our work schedules made it hard for us to meet as I worked days and he worked nights. He asked me to join him on a service call for his job one weekend so that we could get the chance to talk and get to know each other in person. I decided to join him and it was the best decision I have ever made. I got to experience every quality of him, a silly jokester who can make your stomach hurt from laughing so hard and then completely switches gear when he is working with a client, to professional and serious.”
How did Charles pop the question?
“We took a family vacation with my daughter to Disney World during Christmas and New Year. I had planned the trip so that on New Year we would be at Epcot to see their incredible display of fireworks. Charles had picked a little bench for us to sit at in the Germany area to wait for the fireworks show to begin. The view from the bench over looked the center pond and was lit so beautifully with Christmas lights. Charles and I both have a love for Germany, the language, the culture, and even WWII memorabilia. Our great ancestors also lived in the same German state, so this was the perfect place for him to propose. Shortly before the New year count down in perfect Charles fashion (quietly and not to draw a large amount of attention) He asked me if I would marry him.”
Was it a surprise or did she know it was coming?
“It was definitely a surprise, we had discussed months prior the thought of marriage and he just wasn’t ready yet and so I had let the idea go. He is also not the kind of guy to plan things or be romantic so I figured if he were to ever propose this trip would be the last place he would propose.”
How was Crysta’s gown shopping experience?
“It was wonderful, my mother, my best friend of 20+ years and my cousin whom I grew up with and is like a sister to me were all there to provide support. Something Blue was the first boutique we had gone to. I explained to my stylist that I was wanting something with lace sleeves, something that hugged at my sides and then flowed out at the hips, I had told her I wanted something like Essense of Australia because I had fallen in love with the designer’s looks. She was able to point us in the right direction and knew exactly what I was trying to describe. She kept me with in my budget too which was extremely important since my fiancé was paying for my dress. Having my girls pick out dresses for me to try on was an absolute blast and they had picked some wonderful dresses.”
How did she know her dress was "the one"?
“It had come down to two dresses that I had fallen in love with, one that I loved its look on me and made me feel breathtaking but concerned me because it made me look extremely busty and I wouldn’t be able to add lace sleeves like I had dreamed of. And one the also made me feel absolutely gorgeous, that I could add sleeves to and didn’t make look as busty, but I was still stuck between the two. That’s when my stylist pulled me into the main room with better lighting and had me stand in front of the mirror with a beautiful long veil on. Seeing it all together and looking like a bride had not only me crying but everyone in my group as well. What really won me over was the little girl who was with her family while they tried on dresses. She whispered to her mother “she looks beautiful”. Having a stranger see what I saw and what my loved ones saw, really made me feel special in that dress.”
So sweet! What was Crysta’s favorite part of the planning process?
“I planned the wedding with out a wedding planner, with the assistance of my matron of honor, we had hand made almost all of the decorations at the wedding! I think seeing it all come together and looking exactly how you’ve dreamed your wedding to be was my favorite part.”
What about her least favorite part?
“Spending late hours hot gluing flowers and ribbons. Not having a wedding planner to make sure I wasn’t missing anything major. Like the makeup artist I ended up booking last minute.”
Does Crysta have any advice for brides-to-be who are currently planning their big day?
“If you can afford a wedding planner do it! They can take a lot of the stress off your shoulders so that planning is fun. If a planner in not in your budget I strongly suggest buying a wedding planner book off of Amazon. It helped me stay organized and made sure I didn’t forget anything, using a planning app as well really helps you get started, gives you ideas, and lists of everything you may need for your big day. I think the best advice I can give is to take the time to plan the wedding of both of your dreams, incorporate colors, patterns, food, flowers etc. that represent the both of you even if your fiancé says he doesn’t have opinions or doesn’t care, HE DOES!”
Congratulations, Crysta and Charles!!
Check out more of their beautiful wedding photos by Focus Outward Photography in the gallery below!
