We wanted to know all about how Morgan and Dustin met, they shared their sweet stories with us below!
Morgan's Version: They were set up on a blind date by Morgan's boss and Dustin's parents' good friend, Mrs. Jan Dalby. The two met at a small brewery in Hilcrest because there was no way Morgan was giving her address to a stranger, then he would know where she lived! She was willing to meet him in a public place because Jan knew him and Morgan loves and trusts Jan. Morgan had to call and ask to move the date to a later time, so she could race home and change out of her elf costume, which she wears to work every year at Christmas time. Dustin was confused as to why in the world she did not want to meet in her elf costume (Now Morgan knows he would have loved it!). Needless to say, they spent the entire evening discussing Harry Potter and the small-ish farms they grew up on as children. Dustin did not find out until almost a year later at a dinner party that Morgan's small-ish farm consisted of 100 animals; he had about 15 at the most. The evening ended on a great note! Dustin called Morgan the very next evening to see if she wanted to go on a hike before she headed out to Louisiana to spend the holiday with her family and southern friends. Morgan accepted as long as they could go right after her yoga class, and she had to be back in time to celebrate Christmas with her cousin. She was not very accommodating in the beginning. Dustin, on the other hand, picked her up on time in his truck! She was beyond surprised and thrilled to see him in a truck because it just reminded her of home. She does not know very many Californians who drive trucks and she does not know very many southerners who do not. Not only did he drive a truck, he had packed her a bottle of water, extra sunscreen, and snacks. Now Morgan was paying very close attention-who was this guy? She talked probably 90% of the hiking trip and told him all about EVERYTHING, but mainly focused on her upcoming trip home to Louisiana, with a road trip to Oklahoma to visit friends, and a quick trip to Boston to visit another friend. She tried very hard to remember to ask him some questions and let him talk, too. Morgan left the very next day. Dustin texted throughout her trip and he remembered and asked about small details she had mentioned about where she was going and who she was going to see. Morgan always knew it was going to take someone persistent, kind, and caring and that is exactly what Dustin was turning out to be! Dustin asked her on a date as soon as she got back. Now, this was a big deal for Morgan who rarely goes on dates and friend zones every boy she meets almost immediately. She went on that third date and every one after that! They met in December, Dustin told Morgan he loved her in February, it is fairly certain Morgan told him she was going to marry him after a drink or two that March. He went home to meet her parents in April, where she definitely told her mom she was going to marry him over a cup of coffee. That November he asked her parents for Morgan's hand in marriage because when you know you know!
Dustin's Version: The part about the blind date and Harry Potter and the small-ish farms is true. I did not find out about her 100 animals compared to my 15 until months later. Morgan showed up to our first date on time. It would take her a while before she got comfortable and showed her "Morgan-time." She did go on that trip and I checked in and said hi. She would respond....eventually. I could not tell if she was being nice, or if I was something more in her eyes. The first time I saw "Morgan-time" was on that trip. She texted me telling me that she had missed her flight, but it was no big deal "she had only missed two flights in her life." I did not know anyone else who had missed a single flight because they were late.
Include a little bit about yourselves. What do you do?
Morgan is a speech-language pathologist and Dustin is an aerospace engineer. We love being outside and active, but also we LOVE movies!!!
what is your favorite thing about each other?
I love Dustin's communication style. If something is bothering him (very rare), he talks about it directltly and works it out with no emotional outbursts. If something is bothering me (slightly more common), he asks me about it until I answer two hours later and calmly walks me through it.
Dustin loves Morgan's two different colored eyes.
How did the proposal go? Who proposed to who, were you surprised?
Dustin asked me to marry him and did all the surprising on a pier in Pacific Beach. He had a nice little rug laid out so that I would not drop the ring through the cracks in the pier in all of my excitement. He also had really good friends hiding on the pier to take pictures. I refused to stand on the rug and look out at the water with Dustin because I was sure it was someone's prayer rug. He got down on one knee anyway, and now I know why he had that rug. I was so excited and I basically just jumped right on him before he could finish the question. He had our friends and family meet us at a nearby favorite restaurant. He even had my mom secretly fly out for the occasion. As soon as I saw her, I started crying. Dustin commented how he couldn't believe I didn't cry during the proposal, but cried when I saw my mom. Welcome to the South, Dustin, remarked my aunt hearing the engagement story.
Where was your ceremony held and why did you pick this site?
We had our ceremony at Felicity Church in New Orleans. We both love New Orleans and it is central for family and friends traveling from the East coast, West coast and South. We looked at many places in New Orleans, but Felicity was just stunning with a great energy. We loved working with Chris Jones at Felicity!
Where was your Reception held and why did you pick this site?
The reception followed the ceremony at the same site, they did a "flip." We loved this option with the ever present chance of rain in Louisiana. It was quite lovely not having to travel in between two places and we didn't even have to rent a tent. Plus we found a fabulous boutique hotel to stay in walking distance, the Henry Howard Hotel.
What unique or special things did you do at the reception?
We had our wedding the day before St. Patrick's Day, so that the non-New Orleanians could witness a real parade. Also it was basically an entire event already planned for guests and we didn't have to lift a finger to plan it. The idea of not planning something is really quite wonderful when you are in he middle of wedding planning. I highly recommend planning a wedding around an event you do not have to plan-it worked out spectacularly for all! Our "Patty" favors included green glow sticks, green beads, and green Brewe Krewe beer mugs to adequately prepare the guests for the parade. We had a second line with the Kinfolk Brass Band as well and I think it was a real crowd favorite for all of those not raised in the South (which was half of our Krewe). I also highly recommend this to anyone having a destination wedding in New Orleans. Many of our guests had never seen anything like it and they totally lost their marbles over it. It was fantastic! Kinfolk were absolutely amazing and incredibly kind.
Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
Well, it was several moments for me. I loved looking up and seeing faces I adore from all different times in my life from all different places walking down the streets of New Orleans, there to celebrate our marriage-be still my heart.
Did it really go by as quickly as everyone says?
Yes, it did got by faster than any other experience I've had to date, I do believe. Thank goodness, my good friend Jenny told me to pause and look up to see all the people there to celebrate our love. I did and it was magical. Having twenty minutes for just Dustin and I to eat together right after the ceremony also helped me to slow down and enjoy the moment with Dustin. And as I said before, planning a wedding around another big event made our wedding feel like three days. I recommend a Friday wedding with an event planned by someone else on Saturday (preferably the city)to really feel like you get to mingle with all of your guests somewhat substantially.
What was the inspiration behind picking the color palette and decor that you picked?
My best friend Jenny got married the year before and I basically did most of what she did because the girl had an epic wedding! I did know I wanted colors to go with succulents because Dustin and his dad love succulents and I wanted them incorporated everywhere!
From Morgan - When you first saw the groom, what were you thinking/feeling?
Wow, he is even cuter in person (I'd already stalked him on Facebook of course.)!
From Dustin - When you first saw the bride, what were you thinking/feeling?
She was very friendly and conversation flowed very easy the entire first date.
Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? Was it delicious?!
My mom baked our "topper." It was vanilla and delicious!!! We had mini buntinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes for guests which were also delicious.
Did you do a first look?
Yes, and loved it! So fun to have that moment with Dustin and those are some of my most favorite photos, actually. They are candid and we are laughing. I adore laughing with Dustin.
Did you have a coordinator or did you plan everything yourself?
We planned most everything and then came to our senses and hired a day-of-coordinator in January for our March wedding. Christie Chopin and her assistant Amanda from Mise En Place Events were the most fabulous women. Might we suggest to anyone on the fence about hiring one, as we were for a long time, go ahead and do it. 100% worth every penny. Listen, we had 17 spreadsheets and I felt that I was the most organized I'd ever been in my life (And I was compared to my usual state of affairs); however I still had holes. They have done at least 100 weddings and I'd never done a one. They were amazing!
What was your first dance song? Why this song?
We danced to Ray LaMontagne's You Are The Best Thing. I heard it on the radio and told Dustin if we have a wedding this is what I want us to dance to that night. It has the kindest words with the best beat, so we could really move our feet-how about that little rhyme there? It always has and always will make me so happy when I hear it.
Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
We had a band, GROOVY 7!!!! Did they rock it? Holy moly! Guests felt like it was a concert and they were invited to the front row. One guest said he forgot they were doing covers, they sounded so good. Then they brought Dustin and I on stage and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I LOVE to sing!! I thought Dustin may die of terror, but he did GREAT!!!! Groovy 7 was a highlight for us and our guests for sure!!
We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides.
I weaved it through each portion, but some quick tips:
Marry someone who is organized and excellent at Excel (rethink your partner choice if you or your partner do not fit this description). Just joking hire a wedding planner, at least a day of, they are total life savers. Make sure there is a 20-30 minute time period blocked to have a private moment with your new spouse, it's also an excellent time to eat! Even if you're a procrastinator start as early as possible-You can find sales and good deals on lot of little things (e.g. Party favors). Have your wedding around another event, so that there is an extra party you don't have to plan, you just attend it with all your people. Be kind to your mom and all those supporting you through the planning process. You are going to make it, planning is supposed to be fun! I would relive that weekend 100 times if I could!
Anything else you want to say?
We LOVE Studio Tran! Corine is a dream to work with throughout the entire process. Thank you so much for all your attention to detail!! It's been a blast!!
