I have a confession I have to make before I get into this any further, I was married before. It was really the age-old story, getting engaged a) too fast and b) too young usually is just not a good idea for a lifelong marriage. Sometimes it works but usually, as in my case, it doesn’t. I was engaged after 1 month of dating my ex, I as 19 and we were married when I was 21. I learned a lot of life lessons though so I can’t say that I regret it but it is something you should know before reading any more about planning my wedding. I was completely like Charlotte in Sex and the City was with her second marriage, caught between the fact that this ISN’T my first marriage but also wanting to celebrate it because this marriage was the right one. Eventually I found the perfect balance so I say to all of you second marriage bride and grooms, you will too.
Moving forward!
Chris and I had been dating for about 2 years when people naturally started asking if/when we are getting married. It’s an awkward question to be asked! However one day we were at dinner with my adopted family (long story) and Chris starts talking about our wedding and how we’ll probably be getting married on the beach. Problem was, he hadn’t asked me yet! This was the first time I’d even heard this spoke about! We then started talking more seriously about it and after a few attempts of picking a ring out for me, Chris got fed up and took me with him. My tastes are varied and it’s next to impossible for anyone to choose what I’d like! Eventually we ended up at Sam’s Emporium in Akron after someone recommended it to us and found the perfect ring. The one I liked ironically wasn’t what we got, it was a setting the jeweler had picked out with a stone that we picked out. A few people were SHOCKED when we told them where we got our rings but it’s NOT just a pawn shop, they also have new jewelry there and the cost savings from going there vs. a mall jewelry store is absurd. I cannot love enough on my engagement ring, it is absolutely perfect. I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend any and all couples looking to get engaged to stop by Sam’s. Don’t buy if you don’t want to but at least compare the ring you’re looking at at Jared’s or something similar to a ring of similar style and design at Sam’s (they also custom create rings, like we did). I think you’ll be very shocked and impressed like we were!
Although I had my ring, I still insisted on a proper proposal. What I got was my ring in a Cracker Jack box with the proposal in the baggie. No bended knee but at least I got half the war! 🙂 We went over to his parents house afterwards and didn’t make the big announcement as I knew that Chris’s niece was ironically getting engaged too and I didn’t want to steal her thunder. Eventually everyone noticed and made a fuss and it was nice. Then started the all important questions…. when are you getting married? where are you getting married? It’s funny how things progress from when are you getting engaged to when are you getting married to when are you having kids isn’t it?
Next up: choosing the date and location!
- Emerald Event Center Wedding with Haley and Nick - October 10, 2025
- Tudor House on Portage Lakes wedding with Megan and Ethan - September 12, 2025
- Gather at the Lakes Wedding with Megan and Landon - August 18, 2025
I’m excited to see the details from your wedding!
LOOOOOOOOOOVE the new blog look Corey! Love it. And what a fun article today. Getting engaged is so the fun part of everything!!