REAL BRIDE: Rebecca

Cole + Rebecca

11.23.19

Bomb dance parties, Town Topic + that iconic Kansas City skyline are a match made in dream wedding heaven. I mean, take a quick look below + you’ll know why. Jefferson May Photography captured Cole + Rebecca’s November wedding so well, I can smell the crisp fall air + the genuine excitement from everyone surrounding these love birds.

We are suckers for organza ballgowns + Rebecca’s Blue By Enzoani pick doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. From the illusion bodice to the horsehair hem, it’s a 10/10 + we think you’ll agree!

How did the two of you meet?

“We met when we were 14 the first week of high school. We didn't start dating though until we were 15, sophomore year of high school. We dated for all of high school, so 3.5 years total, before we broke up in college. We were apart for 3.5 years before we got back together. We started dating again on the night of my college graduation + have been together ever since!”

“Our story... where to begin. Let's go all the way back to August 2007…

First day of high school: I walked into the cafeteria at Shawnee Mission East High School + spotted my friend Micheala. I decided to sit down at a table of strangers, not knowing that these strangers would turn into life long best friends. I spotted this boy with super curly brown hair + blue eyes. "Damn, he's real cute..."
Fast forward a few days, Cole was walking out of his first ever high school pep assembly when he spotted me walking with his friend Micheala. My brown hair + green eyes caught his attention + he says he thought "wow, she's really cute... I wonder who she is."
A year long flirting game started, continuing even when I thought I should date a different guy. Until finally, November 24, 2008, while hanging out in Cole's driveway waiting for my parents to come pick me up, he asked me to officially be his girlfriend.
Three and a half years passed - filled with good times, hard times, challenges + love. We decided to give it our all for college, but distance + scheduling made it too difficult + we decided it would be best to take a break. Our break lasted the rest of our college days, but we never really stopped loving each other.
In October of 2014 - after running into each other + speaking for the first time in a year at the Royal's World Series game 7, we started talking a bit more frequently - maybe a bit too frequently. We stayed up late talking over breaks in Kansas City, talking about our families, our individual dreams + eventually how we still cared for one another. This all led up to May 9th, 2015. Cole + our friend Drake adventured up to Kirksville for my college graduation. That night, with a little help from friends + tequila, we decided we both wanted to try again.
Now, almost 4 years later, we have grown together + learned how to adult together. We have learned what it takes to support, communicate + love one another through any challenge. We got a dog [ the light of our lives ], moved in, traveled the world + said "I do" in front of all of our closest friends + family!”

What made you decide on November 23rd?

“We decided on November 23rd because our anniversary in high school was November 24th.”

Tell us about the proposal!

“Our proposal story is better told by my husband, but it was the greatest proposal in my opinion. My family always helps host a benefit concert to raise money for a family affected by cancer. We have been hosting this event for 11 years now - with last year being the 10th anniversary. My family is very musical, so my family + I always perform at the benefit concert. Two years ago, my husband + I performed together + last year, on the 10th anniversary of the benefit, after we performed again, Cole sat me down + surprised me with a special performance of Ed Sheeran's "How Would You Feel." After his performance, he proposed in front of all of our friends + family.”

What was one of your favorite moments from your day?

“Our entire day was so amazing that it is hard to pick out an exact favorite moment, but probably the time that lead up to walking down the aisle + then walking down the aisle. It was a surreal moment that I had dreamt about for years + I would do it over + over again if I could.”

How did you know your gown was the one?

“I had an idea of what I thought I might want, just based on what I know I'm usually comfortable in shape-wise - but finding the actual one was 100% just a feeling. I tried on a few that were somewhat similar but something just wasn't quite right. Then when I tried on my dress, I just didn't want to take it off. I tried on a few more, but kept looking at my dress. One of the greatest things that helped me was my consultant asked, "is it a pretty dress, or is it your wedding dress?" + after that, I just knew. All the other dresses were pretty, but they weren't my dress. I got back in my dress, put the veil on + walked back out to my friends + immediately started crying. I just knew that this was the dress I wanted to walk down the aisle in.”

Did you have a specific theme in mind while planning?

“We wanted a classic, elegant, fall theme. We used jewel toned fall colors [ gray, blue, plum, pink, green ] + used votives, painted wine bottles + floral for the center pieces.”

Where did you draw your inspiration + ideas from?

“Our venue had a very Gatsbyesque vibe to it with beautiful marble floors, so our hope was to continue with that.”

What advice would you give to other brides in regards to dress shopping?

“Just go in with an open mind + don't be too critical of yourself! You might not find your dress the first try + that's okay! Go with your gut! Also, don't bring too many people. Too many opinions can make it difficult. Be sure the people that you bring are going to be supportive of whatever you want. Most importantly though, be sure to have fun! It was one of my favorite days of the entire experience because I made a day out of it! All of my best friends + I went + got food, brought champagne + just had fun!”