Taigen + Dan | September 29, 2018 | Muncy, Pennsylvania
This sweet love story is the perfect way to start your new year!
Taigen and Dan grew up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a small town in central Pennsylvania where everyone knows everyone. It’s the kind of town where everything shuts down for Friday Night Football, and the town’s only claim to fame is “the home of Little League Baseball”.
One year in high school, Taigen chose home economics for her last elective and was seated in alphabetical order next to a tall, blue-eyed farm boy named Dan. They became friends during that year and Dan often joked about her terrible cooking and how he felt bad for her future husband. He even jokingly wrote “Marry you later” in her yearbook.
When Taigen graduated, she moved with her sister for NYC, dating Dan long distance. Five years later, she was ready to move back home to be closer to him.
Fast forward to another fishing trip (one Dan insisted on even though they hadn’t done it in years). Within minutes of casting her line, Taigen caught a fish but her reel started to jam. Dan broke her line and told her to manually reel it while he fixed her pole. When he returned it, a shiny, rose gold engagement ring was on the end. He got down on a knee and asked her to be his wife.
On September 29th, Taigen and Dan said their vows at intimate wedding planned to perfection with a vintage elegance theme. The joyous occasion was the perfect start to their life as husband and wife.
Taigan’s Wedding Dress Search
I grew up always wanting a mermaid-style gown with a low back. When I first came across a photo of one of the Enzoani models wearing the Juri gown in front of an outdoor table setting with a husky, the dress immediately caught my eye. This dress was what I thought would be my dress. It had the perfect mix of materials, since I didn’t want a full-lace gown, it hugged the models body exactly how I envisioned I’d like my wedding gown to fit, and it had that cut low back that I wanted.
I live in central Pennsylvania, but resided in NYC for five years and still frequent the city to see my twin sister and friends. My next trip to NYC, I booked an appointment at several bridal shops that sold Enzoani, in hopes of finding my Juri dress and trying it on. Upon entering the Enzoani section, I frantically searched for the Juri dress, only to find the McKinley dress. After I was zipped up and ushered into the waiting area to show my mom and sister, my first dance song with my husband started to play. My family went crazy over the train, insisting that this was the dress for me, and I couldn’t have agreed more. I felt butterflies as I looked at myself in the mirror, envisioning walking down the aisle in this gown.
Why She’s Selling Her Wedding Gown
While I’d love to say I will pass my dress down to my daughter or frequent where it’s kept to admire its beauty, I know that’s not the case. My dress would end up sitting stagnant, in all its glory, cooped up in an attic somewhere collecting dust. I’d likely guilt trip my future daughters into trying it on and wearing it for their special day, but they’d respond the same way I did when my mom tried to sell me on her dress: It’s out of style. Right now, while this beautiful dress is still stylish, I’d rather share the beauty with a stranger who may not have been able to purchase the dress otherwise (helps to make some honeymoon cash back in the mean time!).
Taigen’s Advice to Other Brides
Be in the moment. I didn’t stress about a single thing the day of my wedding because I remembered all the other brides in my life telling me they wished they lived in the moment a bit more. One of my friends once told me that anything that seems like a big deal to me, is likely not even noticed by my guests. That saved me a lot throughout the day. I just kept thinking, “I’m starting my life as the bride of my best friend today, what can go wrong?”
