How & when did you first meet? Describe your thoughts / how you felt about each other. Was it love at first sight?
Brooke: We met at work back in August 2014. I had just been hired as the receptionist for the Real Estate office where Alex was an agent (at the time). I will admit I was completely oblivious to the fact he was interested in me. I had multiple other agents in our office that kept telling me he was, and they would say “Brooke, he’s here ALL the time! He’s definitely interested” and my response would always be “But how do you know, YOU are here all the time too!” haha. In retrospect, I feel guilty that I was oblivious because I used to talk about guys I was talking to on dating apps. Interestingly enough – when I first was hired, our manager at the time told Alex that they “had just hired his future wife!”
Alex: As Brooke mentioned, we met in August 2014. She seemed nice and had little interest in any of my jokes. Clearly, my interest was piqued. I would often visit the office as an excuse to see her. It took 2 about months of persistence before she finally accepted a date to Disneyland. During those 2 months, my thoughts were always “hmmm… she’s pretty and not crazy…this is a keeper”. Happy to report we are less than 3 months away from our wedding.
What do you both do for work?
Brooke: I’m still with the same company we met at – First Team Real Estate, but now I’m working in the marketing department as a Regional Account Executive.
Alex: I am a Senior Associate in Grant Thornton Business Risk Services Practice. My primary focus is risk management for mid-large financial institutions and global e-commerce companies.
GROOM: What was it that made you first start liking your bride-to-be?
Her positive outlook on things. She always has a way of seeing a silver lining in all situations.
BRIDE: What was it that made you first start liking your groom to be?
For me, I liked that I felt like I was able to talk to him so easily and how he made me laugh. I liked that we were friends for a bit first and then it developed from there. He’s always been easy to talk to, and I know that he’ll support me no matter what – even if it’s the tough truth I don’t want to hear. It’s just incredibly easy to be with him, even when I know I can be a pain in the ass, especially when I haven’t eaten enough carbs that day! haha
Tell us about your first date. What was going through your mind? Where did you go, what did you do?
Brooke: I didn’t know our first date was actually our first date! I think it was a good thing though because I was already nervous. We had a power outage at our office and I had texted him saying that if I got to leave early, he should ditch whatever plans he had and we should go to Disneyland. Unfortunately, the power came back on and I had to stay, but we decided to go anyways after I was off work. I was nervous because I had never hung out with him before outside of the office, but it was truly a nice “getting to know you” evening. It wasn’t until he started paying for everything that I kind of caught on that this may be a date. It was actually later into our relationship that I finally figured out that he considered our first date! haha
Alex: Our first date was at Disneyland. I wasn’t really nervous but I was worried she would be different outside of work. Thankfully, she was just as awesome outside of work as she was at work. In retrospect, Disney was a great place where we both were able to let our guard down and get to know each other.
What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together. (example: pushing each other to new limits, love to travel, huge comic book fans, foodies, etc.) What makes your relationship unique?
Alex: We both enjoy movies/shows starring Tom Hardy. Brooke is willing to humor me and deal with my silliness and car obsession. We value the ability to hang out without an agenda. Brooke and I can literally eat and watch TV for hours. Our time together helps me reset and relax.
Brooke: Going off of what Alex said – and what I said in my answer for what made me first start liking Alex, he’s just easy to be with. I just enjoy being with him and like he said – we don’t even have to do anything extravagant. I also love the fact he enjoys going to Disneyland as much as I do. For me, it’s exciting to be able to go to our first date spot pretty much anytime we want. We’re very similar in some ways, and I think that helps with what makes this work! 🙂
Tell us about your proposal story! How / where did it all unfold? Who cried first? Were you surprised?
Alex: I proposed to Brooke during a little getaway to San Diego. I don’t remember acting different/weird. However, Brooke says otherwise. Right before we went back to our hotel at the end of the night, I mustered up some courage and got down on one knee. My delivery may have been off but the ring helped get my point across. SHE SAID YES (obviously).
Brooke: I had a gut feeling – it kind of started when I had dropped his mom off one night, and he came out to say hi and talk, but it was weird – I felt like he didn’t know what to say to me, and that it was like we were in that awkward beginning stages of the relationship. I found out later that he was just trying to choose his words wisely, as he had picked up the ring that day! We also don’t really take getaways together because of our schedules, so the fact he was so adamant about going away… two days before Christmas, was another sign. That being said – even when I thought I knew, I was still in shock when it actually happened! He was smart though – he kept me waiting. We went out to dinner, nothing. We went out for drinks, nothing. It wasn’t until we were walking along the water by our hotel… after midnight, might I add, that he popped the question!
What is one piece of advice you have for couples just beginning the wedding planning process? What have you enjoyed most about planning your wedding?
Brooke: It’s cliche, but definitely try to enjoy the whole process. I can’t stress enough – give yourself enough time to plan! When we get married in June, we will have been engaged for a year and a half, and so far (granted it is only the end of March) I haven’t felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff to do. I’ve been able to enjoy our engagement! Also, if it’s in your budget – get yourself a wedding coordinator. They’ll help keep the stress levels down and ensure everything goes smoothly!
Alex: Enjoy the process. Don’t let outside distractions (work, stress) distract you from the journey of wedding planning. You can’t go back in time, so be in the moment.
Describe each other in one word!
Alex about Brooke: Encouraging. Brooke has always been proud of all of my accomplishments and has motivated me to excel in my career and personal development.
Brooke about Alex: Hilarious. Anyone who has met Alex would immediately understand why I would choose that word. He’s always making people laugh and smile by cracking jokes. Dinners with the families are fun because he’s always making everyone laugh. There is never a dull moment when Alex is around.
Check out another one of our San Juan Capistrano Engagement Photography Sessions here! And get some wedding inspiration from this gorgeous outdoor wedding at Serra Plaza in San Juan Capistrano as well!
