The Meet Cute : They met as freshmen in math class , though they sure had chemistry . Thanks to their observant math teacher at Tolman High School in Pawtucket , Luisa ’ s assigned seat was changed to bring the soon-to-be lovebirds together . “ The teacher noticed that Austin would stare at me a lot , so the teacher decided to sit me in front of him ,” Luisa says . Every year , their friendship — and feelings for each other — bloomed until Austin asked Luisa to be his girlfriend their junior year in 2015 .
The Engagement : In January 2022 , Luisa was in her element : shopping for books at Trident Booksellers & Cafe in Boston alongside Austin . While thumbing through the selections , Austin blurted out to her , “ Luisa , I want to marry you .” While Luisa was ecstatic about the news , she told him they were going to do this proposal the right way . That May , Luisa graduated from the University of Rhode Island , and her parents held a graduation party for her on June 11 . With all her loved ones in one setting , a lightbulb lit up inside of Austin . Not only was it a beautiful sunny day filled with love , “ It was also the only way he could make sure my nails were done and I wouldn ’ t be suspicious about all the photographers ,” Luisa says about the day he officially popped the question .
The Venue : Luisa went straight into wedding-planning mode . Pawtucket Country Club was one of the first venues they visited , and it checked all their boxes . What truly sealed the deal was the available date . “ It was exactly one year of planning ,” she says . “ When Jackie the event coordinator listed the available dates , June 11 , 2023 was one of them , so that was our sign .”
June 11 , 2023
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The Ceremony : Having her mother and father by her side as Luisa walked down the aisle was an emotional moment . Growing up , her parents displayed the perfect example of what a successful marriage looks like , so it felt right to honor them that day . Another moment that lives rent-free in Luisa ’ s mind is when the officiant encouraged her and Austin to take a deep breath and look at everyone around them . It might ’ ve lasted just a couple seconds , but the pair will always remember that beautiful part of their day . “ We looked back at them , and my heart skipped a beat seeing everybody there smiling at us and crying . It was such a special moment to look at everybody there ,” Luisa says .
The Advice : “ Take it all in ,” says Luisa . “ The wedding goes by fast , but it ’ s also an accumulation of everything happening throughout the planning process . Make sure you romanticize planning the wedding , whether it ’ s designing the invitations , testing out cakes — give it everything you ’ ve got because those are moments you ’ re going to think back to , not just the wedding . Don ’ t see it as another chore , see it as another date .”
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