How they met:
This is the adorable story of how Kasey and Alycia came to be husband and wife, in their own words:
“Kasey and Alycia met while serving in the US Navy. Kasey was assigned to Helicopter Squadron 8 (HS-8) and was on his first deployment as a rescue swimmer aboard the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier. On February 7th, 2007, the Stennis picked up some extremely valuable cargo via helicopter – and her name was Alycia! Alycia was assigned to HS-8’s paraloft as an Aircrew Survival Equipment-woman.
Before and after every flight of Kasey’s, he was lucky enough to visit Alycia in the paraloft to pick up his flight gear, and flirt a little in the process! Kasey and Alycia immediately got along. Throughout the course of the 2007 deployment, Kasey and Alycia became great friends. Then deployment ended in August of 2007, and they continued their great friendship.
A few months later came Valentine’s Day, and as fate would have it, both Kasey and Alycia were dateless! Kasey decided to take a chance, and snuck Alycia into his favorite karaoke bar – JT’s! After repeatedly losing to Alycia in shuffleboard, Kasey knew it was meant to be and asked her to the movies (real original!). Their first, and official, first date included a day at San Diego Zoo, a Korean barbecue dinner, and the movie “Fool’s Gold.”
Kasey and Alycia continued to build their fabulous relationship, and spent their first holiday together that Thanksgiving. They hosted a dinner for their close friends, Cristal Haynes, Erica Klundt, and Spencer Frink. That night (after Kasey won a grueling foot-race against the infamous Erica Klundt), Alycia gave in and said those life changing three little words – “I Love You!”
Kasey and Alycia made it through one more ( and very LONG) deployment from January 2009 through August of 2009 and then moved into their first home – a small apartment in Spring Valley, California. In October of 2009, Kasey exited the military to begin his career and to go to school (Alycia still had to suck it up until July of 2010!). In April of 2010, Kasey and Alycia added Lola, their lovable chocolate lab, to their family.
Finally, in May of 2010, it was time to make a move. They bought their first house in Round Rock, Texas, packed up everything they owned, and shipped off to start their lives. After their first year in Texas, Kasey knew that he wanted to be with Alycia forever.”
How he proposed:
On March 19th of 2011, Kasey lured an unsuspecting Alycia to the Riverwalk in San Antonio. As they rested on a secluded, riverside bench, Kasey dropped to one knee…and didn’t say a word! He clumsily grinned from ear to ear and presented a solitaire diamond, to which Alycia replied “Well, you haven’t asked me yet!” Kasey manned up and finally asked, “Will you marry me?”
She said “Yes!”
The wedding:
Kasey and Alycia kept it classic, simple, and traditional. White and red bouquets. A sweet church with stained-glass windows on an unassuming street in Round Rock. A great reception with BBQ at a spacious community center in Georgetown with friends and family galore!
I think Alycia’s dress had the most beautiful “woman” shape of all the dresses I’ve ever seen and photographed. She was an absolutely gorgeous bride, don’t you think? She wore pearls and a very special bracelet that belonged to her late Aunt Freda, who passed away from breast cancer. Her bridal bouquet was adorned with Aunt Freda’s brooch as well, Alycia’s way of honoring her. Her talented aunt from New Mexico did her hair and makeup! Alycia’s shoes were pretty awesome, and her darling niece had the honor of helping slip one of the shoes onto Alycia’s foot 🙂
Alycia and Kasey are comfortable, adorable, and very kind to one another…minus some very playful teasing 🙂 Even when Kasey got the call that the bartenders hadn’t shown up at the reception, they stayed calm and were troopers while we produced some awesome couple photos despite this less-than-ideal situation. I was thoroughly impressed! Good news – they were able to call in reinforcements. I’m always reminded of how stressful this whole process is, and most of my brides have a brief moment where it all seems like it’s a bit too much, but you know what? They always reconnect with why they’re really doing this and what’s most important, and that’s what I love about my couples. Their priorities are the same as my priorities, and Alycia and Kasey were no exception.
A few sweet shots from their rehearsal:
Vendors:
- Ceremony: Texas Baptist Children’s Home Chapel
- Reception: Georgetown Community Center
- Makeup/Hair: Sheila Gomez
- Dress: David’s Bridal
- Bridesmaids’ dresses: Bill Levkoff
- Shoes: DSW
- Caterer: Pok-E-Joe’s
- Florist: Parkcrest Floral
- Cake: Flour Box Cakery
- Wedding bands: Jared
And now, the wedding photos!
Thanks to Anne Marie Carson Photography for her stellar job as my second shooter!