Engaged 2020 | Page 134

April 13, 2019 | Michelle Miale Photography Lindsey & Paul The Meet Cute: Paul and Lindsey initially met when they became coworkers at Outback Steakhouse in 2012. At first, it was all work and no play; it would be a whole year before Lindsey was even open to the idea of dating her future fiance. “It took a lot of hard work to convince her, but it was worth it,” Paul says. Lindsey is also grateful for the experience, adding, “If not for Outback, we would have never met, as I grew up in Cranston and Paul is from East Providence.” The Engagement: When a couple’s ski trip to New Hampshire made its way onto their winter calendar, Paul knew it would be the perfect setting for a proposal. “January was the month we started dating, New Hampshire is special to Lindsey and we were going with special people in our lives,” he explains. Paul ended up carrying the ring everywhere on the trip, but the timing only felt right on the last night when everyone broke out the board games (one of his and Lindsey’s favorite pastimes). “I turned to her and asked, ‘Do you want to be my partner?’ She said, ‘Sure,’” Paul recalls. “Then I got down on one knee and said, ‘No, will you be my partner in life?’” Once Lindsey recovered from the shock, Paul got his (much more enthusiastic) “yes.” The Planning: Throughout the whole engagement, people kept asking Lindsey what her theme would be. “We really didn’t have one, and a part of me felt as though I wasn’t doing a good job planning because I didn’t care about defining a theme!” she says. In the end, she and Paul just wanted the aesthetic to be elegant and classy and, with the help of their DJ’s uplighting abilities, they were able to achieve that soft, romantic feeling. The Aisle Thoughts: “I was thinking about how beautiful she looked and was hoping I wasn’t going to pass out!” — Paul 132 | ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2020 “I was just trying to hold it together and make it down the aisle without crying! I thought he looked very handsome.” — Lindsey The Cake: The cake was the epitome of compromise, according to the bride. “I wanted traditional white and Paul wanted the whole cake to be superhero-themed, or something else out of the ordinary,” she explains. “So, we did the front half traditional and the back half with superhero logos. Jen at Scrumptions did an amazing job executing our vision. We got so many compliments on the cake and still do.” The Entrance: The couple wanted to incorporate something different with their reception arrival, and Paul, a longtime wrestling fan, knew just what to do. “Stone Cold Steve Austin’s theme song was playing and Paul’s best man, Joe Brennan, in the moment, asked Paul if he wanted to ‘stun’ him,” Lindsey recalls. “Nobody was expecting it.” The Highlights: “I loved dancing all night and seeing all of our friends and family celebrating together.” — Lindsey “I loved hanging out with everyone on the party bus to the statehouse and the reception. Also, the entrances were really fun and seeing everyone together was awesome.” — Paul The Advice: “Planning a wedding is hard work!” Lindsey warns. “Try to enjoy the little moments and celebrate crossing items off the never-ending to-do list. Make sure you do everything you want to do for your wedding.”