Their story began at Miami University of Ohio, where they lived across from one another during college. On the weekend before their senior year, she decided she had to introduce herself to Jared on his walk home from class. That conversation led to their first date, and the beginning of a relationship that would eventually take them halfway around the world.

Knowing she wasn’t a fan of surprises, Jared planned a proposal that struck the perfect balance. She knew an engagement was coming, but not where. At the airport, he revealed they were headed to Portugal, a destination that had long been at the top of her travel list. After exploring Lisbon, he proposed at sunset overlooking Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe. The trip continued through Porto and the Douro Valley, where they explored, sampled
plenty of local wine, and even got matching tattoos. By the time they returned home, Portugal had become such a meaningful part of their story that choosing it as their wedding destination felt only natural.

That same sense of authenticity carried into every wedding decision, including her dress. Having never pictured herself in white, she spent months searching for a gown that reflected her personal style before finding Mira Couture. Her consultant, Donnie, embraced the search from the very beginning, helping her explore unexpected colors until she found a gown reminiscent of the evening sky over their Portuguese venue.

Set within the historic Pousada Mosteiro de Amares, their wedding weekend blended old-world architecture with thoughtful personal touches. From a welcome barbecue and ceremony beneath orange trees to a lively afterparty lasting until 3 a.m., it was a celebration that felt uniquely theirs from beginning to end. Every detail reflected their special memories, with tattoo artists creating keepsakes for guests and their rescue cat they later named Martini after the bride’s wedding-day tattoo.