This Port Orchard wedding was incredible – and we are so excited for round 2 soon, in Hawaii!
How did the two of you meet?
We met on the Saturday before our freshman year started at the University of Portland. We met at the forced-fun activity they had all the freshman do. For me, it was what I would consider love at first site: he was handsome, funny, and kind. It wasn’t love at first site for Koby, but over time and talking we finally became a couple after Christmas break.
And the proposal details?
During our junior year of college, I really wanted a simple ring to represent our relationship, not a promise ring (he made that clear) but something to represent the time we had spent together. Koby had come home to Hawaii with me during a vacation. Before we had left, Koby had told me that if I found a Japanese glass float while we were there, he would buy me that ring (not a ring pop).
While on vacation, Koby and I were taking a walk on Chinaman’s hat beach. We were enjoying the sunshine and the little waves walking down the beach, I spotted something rolling in the surf. Before Koby could say what he thought it was, I just started running towards it. I got to it first, and low and behold: it was a Japanese glass float! I was so excited to find it, and Koby was in disbelief that I had actually found one. I got my simple ring.
Fast forward a few years, and Koby told me he would propose to me sometime in 2019. Little did I know, he was scheming other plans, when we were making a trip to Hawaii in November of 2018.
Previously, Koby and I had designed a ring together, little pieces of us melded together in one ring. When he went to pick the center stone, the design wasn’t as dynamic in real life compared to what he had hoped. Luckily, with support, Koby was convinced to look at other settings. The first one the jeweler pulled out of the case is the one I have on my hand now: Koby saw it and immediately knew that was the one. Koby bought the ring in utter terror knowing it was not the one we had designed together. He went home freaking out he had a bad decision.
Koby purchased the ring a month before we were going to Hawaii to visit my family. The ring had a 3 week lead time (gulp). About halfway through the month, Koby received a text from the jeweler telling him to call. I was distracted and didn’t see. Koby decided to take the take trash out as a cover and call the jeweler. The jeweler had good news and bad news. The bad news: the center stone broke as the team was trying to place the diamond into the setting. The good news: the company was going to replace the diamond … with a diamond of better quality which wound greatly increase the value of the ring. The jeweler said Koby had won the lottery.
Finally, the ring was finished a few days before we were to leave to Hawaii. The ring was graciously smuggled from the jeweler to our place by his family. Koby saw it for about four seconds before he shoved it deep into his carry-on bag while I was distracted. We left for Hawaii the next day.
The night we arrived in Hawaii, I had gone to bed early because I didn’t feel well (watch out for airline food). Once I was safely in bed, Koby pulled my parents aside and asked them the big scary question: “Do I have your permission to marry your daughter?” Both my parents agreed. After Koby proposed, my parents shared that Koby had good timing because my parents had planned when the time came for him to ask, they wanted to give him a hard time. When he pulled them aside they were too tired to fight.
Koby had secretly arranged with my maid of honor, Katie, how he was going to propose. Koby and Katie shared satellite images and maps in order to get the exact location of his plan. Koby had also sent Katie a float for her to plant for me to find, he didn’t want to risk that I wouldn’t find one. Katie would be near the location to take pictures of the moment. The trap was set.
Friday night there was a huge storm: lots of rain and wind. All night, Koby woke up every hour sweating and checking the weather, hoping his plan had not been foiled. In the morning, Koby saw there was only a 50% chance of rain, and he told Katie the operation was a go.
As we left for the beach that morning (in the rain), my mom told us “don’t do anything stupid”. I thought very little of this at the time. We loaded into my brother’s car and headed out. Once we got to the park, there was a security guard there saying the park had been flooded and we entered at our own risk. This felt like the “stupid” think my mom was talking about. I told Koby to turn around but Koby didn’t listen and drove right through the huge puddles.
Finally we got to the beach, and the rain stopped. There was lot of debris on the beach that had washed up in the storm. As we walked down the beach holding hands, I remember talking about the weather, and the now brown dirty water. Koby remembers being terrified of his plan not working. As we headed closer to the location, I noticed a woman taking pictures of the ocean (Katie). Koby thought I had recognized Katie (I thought this person came on the wrong day to take pictures here, this weather sucks), and immediately said, “Look there’s a float!”. I excitingly ran towards the float. It was huge! I was so excited to find it. Before I knew it, Koby was next to me, down on one knee. I immediately started balling. I have no idea what Koby said to me, but from what he says, “You found another float, so I owe you another ring …” (the rest is just for us). Katie took pictures of everything and I was so excited and confused she was there. I then finally looked at the ring and although it wasn’t what we planned together, I loved it.
Finally after lots of happy tears, we headed to the car to go back home. As we left, it started pouring raining again. It truly was the perfect day, and at least he got a little worried because he knows I would have said yes. He went through hell to make things perfect for me, and I love him forever for it.
Is there any reason you chose your Port Orchard wedding venue?
We were originally supposed to get married on Oahu in Hawaii. Due to COVID-19, we had to change our plans. We decided to get married next to Koby’s grandparents boat, the Gina C. at Port Orchard Yacht Club. Although it was not what we originally planned, it turned out to be perfect. We are able to honor Koby’s grandparents (who are thrilled to have the wedding there) and allow them to be a special piece of our day.
Are there any DIY decor or details we should know about?
We made the arch. The arch’s wood was taken out of Alder lake where Koby’s other set of grandparents had a lake house. This set of grandparents have passed away and we thought by making the arch from the driftwood from they lake house would be a way to represent them.
What inspired your clothing choices?
My dress is very Hawaiian bride – the lace is very tropical and the sequin detail reminded us of the waves. There is lace all around the bottom of the dress, which we felt like looked like a lei – just like my name. I bought a second dress to change into because I don’t want anything to happen to my ceremony dress as I’ll wear that in Hawaii. It is very different than my first dress, very bohemian and relaxed.
Koby’s wanted a 2nd suit (different than the one we had originally planned for Hawaii), so Koby will be wearing a custom burgundy suit for this Washington wedding and a different suit for when we get married in Hawaii. Koby has always wanted a burgundy suit and is so excited to wear his custom suit.
What kind of dessert will you have?
We decided to have pie since we are going to have cake in Hawaii. Our pies are from the Willamette Valley Pie Company in Oregon. We have spent so many wonderful nights eating their pies (they are heavenly). We will be baking the pies the night before/morning of the wedding to serve to our guests!
What are you most looking forward to?
Ash: Getting to see Koby during our first look and finally being Mrs. Craig!!!
Koby: Seeing Ash in the dress she bought 2 years ago, I can’t wait that long!!!
If we ran into you on a relaxed weekend, what would you be doing?
We would be out enjoying good food after a disc golf round. We love good food and being outside!
Port Orchard Wedding Vendor Team
Venue:
Port Orchard Yacht Club
Hair/Makeup:
MLW Makeup Artistry
Invitations:
Zazzle
Officiant:
Groom’s Brother
Floral:
Oak and Fig Floral
Bridal Gown:
For the Luv of Bridal
Groom’s Suit:
Hall Madden
Chair Rentals:
Olympic Farm Style Events
Catering:
Essence of Thymes
Pies:
Willamette Valley Pie Co
Kransekake:
Groom’s Grandmother
Photography:
GSquared Weddings Photography
Port Orchard Wedding Vendor Team
Venue:
Port Orchard Yacht Club
Hair/Makeup:
MLW Makeup Artistry
Invitations:
Zazzle
Officiant:
Groom’s Brother
Floral:
Oak and Fig Floral
Bridal Gown:
For the Luv of Bridal
Groom’s Suit:
Hall Madden
Chair Rentals:
Olympic Farm Style Events
Catering:
Essence of Thymes
Pies:
Willamette Valley Pie Co
Kransekake:
Groom’s Grandmother
Photography:
GSquared Weddings Photography
