2011 February | A Brides Story by Imagery Concepts Photography

Mike & Jillian

1 February 2011

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Mike & Jillian,

Where do we start with our relationship with Mike & Jillian? We just love these guys! Jillian is probably our biggest fan on Facebook, taking the time to comment on everyone’s “teasers.” So if you don’t know Jillian yet, you probably will!

Their relationship all started because of Jillian’s friend, Steph. Steph invited them to her costume party and her husband introduced them to each other. Not a great start though because the moment was very awkward. Unfortunately, 4 months later, Steph passed away in an accident. Jillian became close friends with Steph’s sister, who also kept insisting that Jillian meet Mike as well. So, to make everyone happy, Jillian agreed. To Jillian’s great surprise, she really, really liked him. Funny thing is, Mike wasn’t looking to date anyone either, but he quickly discovered that he couldn’t live without Jillian!

On their first real date, Mike was a real gentleman, opening doors for her, offering his jacket when she was cold, dressing nice (even though they were actually his work clothes!). To all the grooms reading this–the little things do matter!

After two years of dating, Mike decided he wanted to propose at Disneyland, Jillian’s favorite place. He had it all planned out. She was to show up with her friend at the castle and he was going to surprise her by standing there like her prince waiting to take her hand. The trip to Disneyland didn’t happen, so Mike had to come up with a new plan. This time, he told Jillian that they had to take a drive to Vegas saying that his Grandma was helping his mom move and they needed help moving a sofa (Jillian complained the entire drive!). Of course, Mike had bigger, better plans! On one knee, he ended up proposing in front of the fountain at the Bellagio. They had a wonderful time together, and stayed in a beautiful room overlooking “their” fountain! I bet the drive home was much more fun!

They chose to get married at Kimberly Crest. Not only were the grounds amazing and perfect, but Katherine Blom, their wedding coordinator, was wonderful and made everything so easy. They were married on the front steps of the mansion and their ceremony concluded with a butterfly release (our very first butterfly release in 19 years!). One butterfly decided to hang out for a while and participated in a few romantic scenics! Even their cake, created by Michelle’s bakery, featured a cascade of edible butterflies!

Everything about planning their wedding was so much fun for Jillian. Her favorite part was trying on wedding dresses. They used a classic car that belonged to her Great Auntie Lea, who passed away earlier in the year (she wore her jewelry at the wedding). They chose a very unique song, Por Ti Volare by Andrea Bochelli, as their first dance song (it was playing at the Bellagio fountain when Mike proposed). Jillian’s most memorable experience during the wedding was when she first reached the top of the stairs to walk down the aisle…she was so scared she froze. It took her a minute to stop looking at all her guests and look at Mike. Once she saw him, she completely relaxed and “married the most amazing man in the world.”

To top everything off, Jillian’s best friend and maid-of-honor, was able to attend the wedding and be by Jillian’s side (she was diagnosed with a terminal illness just months before the wedding). We are very pleased to share that she continues to be with us today. Prayer works!

Jillian’s words of advise to future brides - “Don’t stress about the little things….if you forget to do them, they weren’t important anyway! The only important thing that matters, is getting down that aisle and to marry your man!”