While scrolling on Match.com, Mike was instantly drawn to Taylor. She liked anime, he was intrigued. During their first date, they talked for over 3 hours. Taylor describes it as “we made fools of ourselves”. I believe when you meet someone who instantly makes you feel comfortable enough to let that goofy side of yourself show, that’s priceless.
Exactly 2 years after that very first date, standing at the top of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Mike popped the question.
The Vegas lights and the strip twinkled in the backdrop. Mike’s family was there, and each was assigned a special job to make sure the moment went off without a hitch, and there would be plenty of video & photos to remember it. His family would later say this was the most that Mike had planned anything in his whole life.
“When we were on the outside observation deck on top of the Strat I was nervous, but it was the easiest decision I have ever made in my life.” – Mike
Taylor said yes, and they’ve been adventuring together ever since! In 2019, they took a trip to Ireland, and hope to live there together one day.
Taylor + Mike’s laid-back engagement session at Backpocket Brewing in Dubuque.
Plenty of beer, cuddles, & laughs helped the beginning of the engagement session to feel more like a date night. Next, we headed to the Mines of Spain to catch the Summer sunset.
3 words to describe Mike, by Taylor | goofy, reliable, selfless
3 words to describe Taylor, by Mike | beautiful, intelligent, strong
I knew I wanted to spend forever with my love when…
Taylor: “Looking back, I don’t know if there is an exact moment. Over time I grew to rely on him (which he had to desperately fight for), love grew deeper, and he became my best friend.”
Mike: “When I made her laugh so hard she farted on accident on the couch and said “I didn’t even know I had to fart” I knew then that this girl is fantastic and I can see myself spending the rest of my life with her.”
What is something you both have in common?
Taylor: “We enjoy video games, anime, and traveling.”
Mike: “We both love anime, video games, and dogs.”
What is something totally different between the two of you?
Taylor: “He controls his emotions way better and has more patience.”
Mike: “She is very clean and likes to maintain that cleanliness, I am pretty much a slob but I try and help sometimes.”
What is a fun fact/something people might not guess about your fiancé?
Taylor: “Mike’s first and only (so far) cosplay was as Glaceon (the ice evolution of Eevee, a pokemon) at his first anime convention with a group of friends. Anime Iowa 2018 (I helped make the costume).”
Mike: “She has never been to Harry Potter land in Universal Florida. She is such a big fan but has never made it down there. People probably wouldn’t guess that.”
These two are so fun! I can’t wait for their wedding this Saturday at River Music Experience in Davenport, Iowa!
If these photos resonated with you, & you’re getting married in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin click over to my contact form & drop me a line.
