Quincy Area Bridal Magazine January 2020 Issue 22 | Page 37

LOCAL LOVE: Stacey and Matt
from Stacey
On May 11th, 2017, Matt and I, together with
two other friends, went to visit Yosemite Nation-
al Park while on vacation in California. Before
reaching the heart of the park, we stopped at
different scenic views in the area. Our first stop
was at the Bridalveil Fall and all of us walked up
to reach the bottom of this spectacular fall. We all
decided to get closer to the waterfall, but I ini-
tially stayed behind because of the freezing cold
water I was going to have to walk in. Matt and
our two other friends decided to brave the cold
water to get the full experience. I followed after a
few minutes after seeing how much fun they were
having! I asked for a picture right in front of the
waterfalls and I thought that Matt was approach-
ing me to be a part of the picture. I recall feeling
like my entire surrounding was in slow motion as
I saw Matt get down on one knee.
We had a two year long engagement - as we
wanted to give enough time for my family to
make arrangements for visa applications to come
to the wedding. It was a struggle as we were back
and forth on where to have the wedding at first.
We decided to have it in Quincy where we met
because this is where we met the people that
witnessed our story from the beginning and sup-
ported us along the way. Although it was hard for
me to accept that some family members wouldn’t
be able to come, I knew that they would be there
if they could and that they would be celebrating
our marriage thousands of miles away.
A small family reception will be held in the Phil-
ippines in January 2020 when we fly back to my
hometown in order to celebrate with my grand-
parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
local experts: CATERING: Market Grille Hy-vee Broadway, Quincy, IL; DONUTS/ DONUT WALL: Hy-vee Bakery Broadway,
Quincy, IL; CAKE AND CUPCAKES: The Yum Factory, Quincy, IL; CEREMONY: St. Francis Solanus Church, Quincy, IL;
DJ ENTERTAINMENT AND PHOTOBOOTH: Mike Howerton, Quincy, IL; EVENT PLANNER/ DESIGNER: Events Luxe,
St. Louis, MO; FLORIST: Lavish Floral Design, Quincy, IL; RECEPTION VENUE: Town & Country Inn & Suites, Quincy, IL
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