Sari and Michael met me out in the heart of downtown Winter Park at the beautiful campus of Rollins College for their elegant engagement session.
My sweethearts story began by way of a mutual friend Casey that was Michael’s roommate. At the time, Michael was living in Melbourne and attending the Florida Institute of Technology, while Sari was living in Tampa attending the University of South Florida. During a FaceTime meeting between Sari’s roommate and Michael’s roommate Casey, Michael said hi on the camera. The two added one another on Facebook and connected over playing trivia. Inadvertently talking from time to time while they played against one another, they ended up starting to text, which led to phone conversations and finally a meetup for Michael to teach Sari how to ice skate. Thinking Michael was joking due to the two and a half hour drive, he truly surprised Sari when he showed up for their impromptu ice skating session. While the rink ended up being closed that day, they switched activities to grabbing a movie and sharing a slice of pie at the local Perkins. Just like their connection online, the two also had a connection offline in person. While many hours were spent driving back and forth to see one another, it was completely worth it!
The way that Sari’s eyes and smile and can light up a room is what Michael loves most. Every time he sees her, his heart melts realizing he had found his best friend and partner in life. For Sari, Michael’s kindness and compassion in putting her first and being her rock is what she loves most. As Sari explains it, Michael “truly has changed my life for the better.”
During a fun getaway to Vegas, Michael planned out a special dinner at Prime Steakhouse located next to the beautiful fountains at the Bellagio. Sari, hoping for an engagement ring to come soon, was very excited for the surprise dinner that Michael planned. Enjoying dinner and watching the fountain show every 15 minutes, she was surprised when the check came and went as they got up to leave. No proposal, Sari was a little bummed. Before walking out, the two passed by large bay windows and Michael asked to take a picture with Sari so they could remember the moment. As the fountain show began, Michael said to Sari, “I just want to tell you that you make me the happiest man in the world and I love you more than anything.” Right there in front of the beautiful fountain show during their Vegas getaway, Michael knelt to one knee and asked for Sari’s hand in marriage. She of course said “yes!” Well more of a scream, jump in his arms, and kiss him type of “yes” and was so excited that the engagement did indeed happen on such a special getaway.
Let me just tell you, Sari is literally my soul sister when it comes to being a type A as far as organization goes. Binder in hand and notes ready when we first met, she was prepared and on top of her wedding planning, which totally took the stress and pressure off of her. Of course, when asking Sari about the best advice she would have for other couples would be to keep track of everything in a wedding book, whether a freebie online or one you create yourself. Keeping organized has kept her on track and made for a smooth wedding planning flow.
Venue: Rollins College & Winter Park Farmers Market
