From a star-studded proposal with a custom Padparadscha sapphire to a vibrant wedding ceremony resplendent in crystals, flowers, and every color of the rainbow. Katherine and Chuck have proved that they know how to party.

We spoke to Katherine to hear all about their stunning wedding and how her Olivia Ewing Engagement Ring was the perfect compliment to a friend-filled and love-abundant festival of celebrations. Read on to learn all about it in Katherine’s own words!

HOW DID YOU MEET?

So, Chuck and I are actually a Tinder couple, we came across each other’s profiles one night at the exact same time. I had just finished swiping right on his profile when I got a notification saying, "You have a new super-like".

Since it was an instant match, I sent him a message saying "Oh Heyy" [insert sunglasses emoji here] LOL. We would go on to spend the next 3 days texting non-stop until we decided to meet up for drinks one day after work.

On our first date, we went to a local brewery in Jacksonville Beach and stayed up talking all night. I think we both knew at that point we wouldn't be using Tinder anymore! While we were hanging out a few days later we swapped phones, deleted the app together, and made it "Facebook Official".

HOW DID HE PROPOSE?

We started going to music festivals as a couple not long after we met. Our first festival together was the Okeechobee Music Festival in March of 2016. After that, we went to Bonnaroo & Hulaween. We went back to the Okeechobeein 2017 and when we returned for our third year Chuck figured out a way to get us backstage and meet our favorite artist, Illenium!

Somehow, someway, Nick Miller ( Illenium) came across a post that Chuck had made on Reddit asking if anyone knew someone who worked at the festival to help him orchestrate a really special proposal and he ended up reaching out to help him plan the whole thing. We were watching the show from the front row with all our family and friends when Chuck grabs my hand and says, "Come on, we're going backstage!"

We watched Illenium play a couple of songs before Chuck turned to me and asked, "Well, you know why I brought you up here now, don't you?" I just smiled and shook my head as he got down on his knee and proposed. It was completely surreal!

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO WITH AN OLIVIA EWING JEWELRY RING?

I remember discovering your Etsy shop not long after Chuck moved into my old apartment. I found your Instagram account and followed your posts and new designs; constantly trying to decide which one I liked the best.

I think my original favorite was the  Solitaire Garland Ring. But I also remember obsessing endlessly over the rough-cut Montana sapphires. (Ok, who am I kidding, I still do!) Eventually, I decided the Verona design was the setting for me!

IS THERE ANY SPECIAL MEANING BEHIND YOUR GEMSTONE CHOICE?

Yes! I don't even recall how I discovered the Padparadscha  sapphire, but upon discovery, I read the most beautiful description of the stone's energies and properties and immediately knew I had to have this precious gem as the solitaire stone on my engagement ring.

"Padparadscha" is  Sanskrit for lotus blossom and with the Verona setting in rose gold, my ring actually looks like a pale pink lotus blossom! It serves not only as a symbol of my promise and commitment to Chuck but also a lovely reminder of a Buddhist mantra -"om mani padme hum" which translates to "the jewel in the lotus".

WAS THE RING A COMPLETE SURPRISE OR DID YOU CHOOSE IT TOGETHER?

The proposal was the best and biggest surprise ever! When I saw the ring, I believe my exact words (after 'yes’) were, "Baby! It's exactly what I wanted!"

I messaged Olivia after I got the ring to tell her how amazing the energy of it was! I really, truly could feel every bit of love and passion she poured into my ring, making it that much more special.

Olivia and Chuck worked together with a clear vision in mind to make my dream ring a reality. Anyone who owns one of her pieces is a very lucky lady! Or gentleman! Chuck couldn't wait to get a ring of his own.

WHEN WAS YOUR WEDDING?

March 2nd, 2019

WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?

The most memorable part of our wedding definitely had to be seeing everyone we love get together to make it happen for us. Our wedding was completely DIY... I even cooked a lot of the food we served our wedding guests on the big day. Several other members of the bridal party helped prepare the food for the reception.

My orange bridesmaid, Catherine baked and designed our gorgeous, amethyst geode wedding cake, and the day before the wedding, my maid of honor, Callie, and I spent the afternoon putting together bouquets and centerpieces for the tables.

Chuck's best man, Marcus, and his wife Maddy (also my yellow bridesmaid) owned a photo booth and work as wedding DJs full time. So, it goes without saying our wedding reception was in great hands!

Chuck and I spent the whole morning together in our tree house before the ceremony getting ready and listening to the sound of rain which is our favorite thing to do at home together. Our dear friend and hairdresser, Christine came by to help us get ready. While Maddy did my makeup and helped me write out my vows because even though they were on my phone my hands wouldn't stop shaking. The other members of our bridal party helped set up the ceremony and reception space, including hauling about 8 picnic tables across a gigantic field and decorating the altar with a beautiful peace sign made of sunflowers.

My brother is a musician and played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the guitar for everyone to walk down the aisle. When I walked in and saw the space for the first time it was truly unbelievable, and I was so incredibly happy with just how beautiful everything came together on our special day.

We didn't let the weather bother us at all. Obviously, there can't be a rainbow without a little rain. Everything cleared up right on time and I could not have dreamed of a more magical day.

Honestly, I don't think Chuck and I have ever felt more supported or loved by a community like this before. Our family really is one of a kind. We like to call them our "Swiss-army knife family" since everyone seems to have some special talent or tool they contribute to the group. Most of us go to music festivals together all the time. We even met our officiant camping next to him at Okeechobee Music Festival.

Getting everyone together for a wedding weekend camping in the woods was the best decision ever!

DID ANYTHING FUNNY, ROMANTIC, OR UNEXPECTED HAPPEN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Well, it was a Woodstock-themed wedding, and keeping true to Woodstock tradition, it rained! Luckily, we were able to make some last-minute adjustments and moved the ceremony to a covered area. However, this pushed back the starting time for the ceremony by exactly 20 minutes. I ended up walking down the aisle at 4:20!

We incorporated a hand-fasting ritual into our ceremony but never actually practiced how to "tie the knot". We laughed it off and definitely enjoyed the realness of the moment.

Our dogs love the outdoors, so of course, we brought them camping with us. They were hanging out across the field at the tree house while the ceremony was taking place and right after the officiant announced us as husband and wife, we kissed and our boys started barking in celebration with our friends and family.

We had these cute, little bride and groom foxes (Chuck's favorite animal) as the cake topper. Later that night some of the bridal party caught a glimpse of a red fox running in the woods while heading back to camp! I thought this was the coolest thing ever & definitely felt as though it was the "Spirit" of the Suwannee making an appearance for us on the big day!

WHAT WAS THE MOST STRESSFUL PART OF THE WEDDING PLANNING? DID IT TURN OUT OK IN THE END?

I really didn't stress too much about the big day. Everything fell into place so organically. The only major adjustments we had to make were our original wedding plans. Since we had created so many memories there already, Chuck & I wanted to get married at the next Okeechobee Music Festival, but,

When the festival was canceled in 2019, we decided to have our own music festival-themed wedding instead.

Since we have so many friends who work as professional musicians and DJs it all made perfect sense. After attending several festivals at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, we knew it was the perfect place for us to say, "I Do". The music park is open 365 days a year and functions as a campground. The property has beautiful cabins, breathtaking scenery, and the coolest treehouse ever! I think being surrounded by that much nature and beauty really helped ground everyone's energy on the big day.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT MARRIED LIFE?

You get to inspire one another, work together, and make decisions as a team while you watch your dreams manifest and crystallize into the most beautiful life you could ever dream of. It's magic. The best part about married life is having a teammate, a best friend, and a lover all wrapped up in one amazing human being. Nothing beats the feeling of coming home to the arms of the one you love.

WHAT’S MOST UNEXPECTED ABOUT MARRIED LIFE?

No big surprises just yet! Unless you count getting stranded in Colorado on our honeymoon! We were driving from Colorado Springs to Denver the day the Bomb Cyclone hit and we had to pull off the interstate somewhere in Castle Rock to wait out the storm at a gas station until the roads were clear to drive. Thankfully, there was a Mexican restaurant across the street that was actually open!

Over the years we have persevered through lots of different challenges and obstacles together - each and every one of them was preparing us for our future. I am so excited to see what the coming years have in store for us.

I think Chuck and I are starting our marriage out on a super strong foundation. Chuck moved in with me after only three months of dating, so it already feels like we've been married for a while. (Although, I will say there is nothing that can prepare you for how you will feel on your wedding day. It feels like a tidal wave of love and support from your community.) When a couple is truly celebrated for their union, that union feels so blessed!

WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE THE WEDDING? NEW KIDS? NEW PETS? NEW HOME?

I have a new job and we adopted two new kittens! We now have five fur babies.

Tux and Nala are the latest additions. They are the cutest couple ever... totally soul mates! Just like Chuck and I.

I wear it every day! Probably needs a little resizing but I can't imagine saying goodbye, even just for a few days!

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT COMES TO MIND THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

I'm happy we were so unconventional in our plans and didn't do things the traditional way.

Our wedding day had a personality all its own and it was packed full of symbolism and special meanings. I enjoyed finding original ways to incorporate aspects of nature into our big day, like making the bridesmaid's tiaras made out of rainbow aura crystals.

Our rings matched the outdoorsy vibe perfectly. Chuck and I even watered a tree together during the ceremony as a symbol of nurturing the grounded and rooted connection we share. After the ceremony, when we came home, we planted a tree in the backyard where we get to watch it grow over time, just like our relationship.

Thanks, Katherine and Chuck, It was an absolute joy and thrill to work with you! 

Looking for a unique sapphire engagement ring like Katherine's? Check out our selection of stunningly beautiful  sapphires or reach out to design a completely custom ring of your own. 

Photographers: Larkin Keys @larkin_luna & Natalia Rodriguez @intuitive_images

Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing