We love a great Atlanta proposal story, don’t you? When we read their submission and heard their story, we knew that we wanted to feature Lacy & Natalie’s Atlanta Botanical Garden marriage proposal story.
Share with us when and how you met each other.
Natalie and I actually met on a dating app (Hinge) on October 7th, of 2020 (my birthday). At this point in both of our lives, we weren’t trying too hard because love just didn’t seem to be in the cards for either of us.
After chatting on the app for roughly a week we decided to have our official first date. We chose to go to Yard House at Icon Park to have a quick bite, hop around to Tin Roof, and jump on the Star Flyer to add a little excitement and romance.
After spending a couple of hours together, I mentioned how I had a fondness of Latino dance music, and she mentioned that we should walk down to Point Orlando where there’s a nice club or bar that plays Latino music. We walked for what felt like five miles to Point Orlando, and everything was closed (haha), so we hopped on a pedicab and rode back to Icon Park.
I was NOT about to walk all the way back again! This was my favorite part of the night, as it was quiet, and the first time I held her hand. We wrapped up the night close to midnight, and we both went home but in hopes of there being a second date in the near future.
As it turns out, we had met the one, and one date turned into hundreds.
What are your favorite things to do together as a couple?
Natalie and I LOVE traveling, hiking, breweries and tapas. We have been to Arizona and Utah, and have many more places on our list to visit.
We thoroughly enjoy visiting any states that have RED rocks. It’s kind of our thing – whenever we go on adventures we find out the best places with red rocks because hiking through them is an unbelievable sight.
Engagement Picture by Sufia Huq Portraits
How long were you together before getting engaged?
We were together for one year and five months.
Engagement Picture by Sufia Huq Portraits
Did anyone help with the Atlanta Botanical Garden marriage proposal?
My sister, Shannon.
Share your marriage proposal story…
We actually had two proposals. First one being in March, and the second one (me asking Natalie) happened just recently.
On Sunday, July 31st Natalie and I went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with my family. I had been waiting for her custom engagement ring from Alexis Russell Jewelry for a few weeks and luckily it came just in time. Natalie LOVES nature, and being outdoors in general. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens was the perfect place to capture the moment. A special thanks to my sister, Shannon for carrying the ring for me and being our photographer/videographer.
Engagement Picture by Sufia Huq Portraits
Shortly after entering the gardens I found the perfect spot. A small gravel area that overlooked a beautiful, lush green garden. I snagged the ring from my sister and shoved it in my pocket, turned around and asked Natalie to take a photo with me. I’m surprised that she did not feel my heart beating out of my chest.
After the photo I turned to her and got down on one knee with the ring in hand. Her facial expression turned to joy just before the start of an ugly cry! I asked to hold her hand as I said “Natalie. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my best friend and I literally cannot imagine my life without you. Will you please marry me back?”
With tears in her eyes she says “Yes.”
Engagement Picture by Sufia Huq Portraits
As I stand, my family is congratulating us along with random people in the garden below us. We give each other a big hug, and enjoy the rest of our day as what my fiancee likes to call “a fully engaged” couple.
The ring was better than everything she imagined, and it pairs well with mine. Enjoy our photos of the proposal, and the big smiles that came after!
What was the best moment of the proposal?
The best moment was seeing the look on her face as she realized I was proposing. That was the moment she has always dreamt of.
Who did you tell that you were engaged first?
My sisters, who are the closest people in my life, and for Natalie, it was her best friend, and her parents.
Tell us about the ring!
It’s a custom pear shaped salt & pepper diamond from Alexis Russell Jewelry, a rose gold band with white diamonds.
Engagement Picture by Sufia Huq Portraits
The amount of work wedding planning is – luckily Natalie has taken the reigns on most of it.
I enjoy knowing that I have found the person that I get to share and experience all of the new opportunities and adventures with for the rest of my life. Knowing I will always have her.
What are you most excited about wedding planning?
I’m most excited about the venue itself. We are getting married at The Howey Mansion. It’s exactly what we both wanted.
We are working with Ocean Hawk for all of the decor, and I think that’s my favorite part. Taking a beautiful location and making it feel homey and even more complete with the decorations and furniture we are adding.
If you’ve already decided, when are you getting married and what is your venue?
Why did you choose that venue?
We had gone to only two other venues before The Howey Mansion, and people always told us that we would know when it was the right one. Just pulling up to the parking lot, we both knew that it was the space we wanted.
Between 80-100.
Natalie’s parents are actually covering majority of it – there’s a few small things that she and I will be taking care of.
100% boho
Make a list of everything you need to do, and handle one thing at a time. Also, create a spreadsheet with all of your vendors so you can keep track of your deposits and the dates the rest of the money is owed. LISTS LISTS LISTS! They help!
Engagement Picture by Sufia Huq Portraits
Check out the vendors Lacy & Natalie chose for their Central Florida wedding:
- Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venue 💚 The Howey Mansion
- Caterer 💚 Arthur’s Catering
- DJ 💚 Jazmin with Our DJ Rocks!
- Florist 💚 Events by In Bloom
- Wedding Coordinator: Blush by Brandee Gaar
- Engagement & Wedding Photographer: Sufia Huq Portraits
- Videographer: The Roots & Stones
- Decor: Ocean Hawk Rentals
💚 Our trusted Wedding Venue Map venue and vendors!
Congratulations Lacy & Natalie on your Atlanta Botanical Garden marriage proposal!
Want to feature your proposal? CLICK HERE to submit your story!
1 Comment
Martha Poe September 23, 2022
Beautiful story. So happy for both of you. Love you to the moon and back.
Love, Lacy’s mom.
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