Meet Kaitie & Lourens
I will marry my best friend. The one i laugh with, live for, dream with, and love.
Our Story
Wedding Party
Kaitie: Our very first date was at Magnolias in Macomb, IL. I was still working on my degree at Western Illinois University and Lourens and I hadn't seen each other in months. He began texting me and telling me he wanted to go out on a date. I was surprised, but said yes. We went and it was fun but he wouldn't shut up! He talked my ear off and I was certain he didn't know a thing about me by the end of the date. After dinner, I wanted to relax and let him wind down. I asked, "Do you wanna go grab a beer across the street?". His reply was, "Phew! I thought you'd never ask!". And here we are...
Lourens: I took Kaitie to Magnolias in Macomb. I wanted to give it a shot and ask her on a date but I was nervous and excited. I asked her to a more formal dinner to get the "awkward" out of the way. I did not know what to expect because we had not seen each other in almost a year. I was worried I would run out of things to talk about but I am told I had plenty to talk about... It was the start of my forever.
First Date
Kaitie: The proposal was more than I could have ever asked for. We were in Iowa for his parents 40th anniversary weekend. The day started off normal except his sister kept telling me that I needed to get dressed up. I did not think anything of it and got dolled up. We arrived at the winery where we were having lunch for his parents anniversary and got a table. His father grabbed extras chairs for the table which I thought was weird but didn't ask about it any further. We went inside and started a tasting of wine and everyone started laughing at me. I didn't know why until I turned around and my mom, dad, and brother were standing behind me. I started screaming in the upscale winery like a crazy person saying, "Why are you in Iowa?!" We walked outside and moments later he was down on his knee. I simply started screaming, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" He asked me to marry him and the only response that came to my mind was "duh".
Lourens: Kaitie and I knew we wanted to get married after a month of dating. We have always been sure of that. However, I wanted to make it special for her. Since we didn't have a "spot" that was special and "our place" I decided that my parents anniversary weekend was perfect. It was more important who was there, not where we were. So I asked her cousin (now our matron of honor) first and then her parents and set the time and date. Kaitie was determined to make us late though cause her makeup was taking forever. We finally arrived and her parents surprised her. I went outside to my mom who was holding the ring and said, "I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it". My mom handed me the ring and I had to propose fast or else Kaitie would have figured it out. I got down on one knee and had my speech prepared but Kaitie had something else in mind. She just starting screaming at me so I finally gave up and just said what I could, "Kaitlin Brianna Marler, will you marry me?" She said duh...so I guess I am still waiting on my answer.
Proposal
The Bridal Party
Gallery
BEST MAN
Adam Valencia
Is actually 5'3" at heart
GROOMSMAN
Michiel de Beer
Looks amazing in a red dress
GROOMSMAN
Francois de Beer
Best dancer ever, seriously.
MATRON OF HONOR
Rachel Munger
Can't say the word "bagel"
BRIDESMAID
Danielle de Beer
Made of 87% chicken nugget
BRIDESMAID
Samantha Jensen
Hates to budget and eyebrows are life
July 25, 2020
