At WedVibes, we’re always drawn to the stories behind the aesthetics—the vision boards, voice notes, and late-night Pinterest scrolls that quietly shape iconic wedding moments. So, we did what we do best: reached out to real brides who are planning weddings their way. From spontaneous proposals to guest lists made on Google Docs, these brides are rewriting the rules and curating celebrations that feel less like tradition and more like self-expression.
In this series, they open up about the moodboards they can’t stop tweaking, the TikTok trends they’re into, and the vendors who just get it. Expect real love stories, real planning highs (and lows), and plenty of inspiration for your own “main character” moment.
Meet The Couple
Caitlyn, her fiancé Zach, and their dog Smokey live right in West Hollywood, LA. She works in events for a PR company, and Zach works in tech. They love walking their puppy, reading, cooking together, trying new restaurants in LA, and they really love vintage shopping and thrifting together.
How did you meet?
So crazy, but we met on TikTok! His cousin posted a video of him saying, “Who wants to date my cousin?” with a few fun facts about him (his job, that he liked surfing, that he had a dog, and how tall he was) and told girls to inquire. So this video quickly went viral, and by the time I saw it, I think it had over 300k views and thousands of comments – so I dm his cousin because I thought I might have a better chance if I went straight to the source, and she told me to dm him on Instagram! So I messaged him, and we went on our first date 3 days later. We were pretty much inseparable ever since!
The Proposal
Zach proposed in November in Laguna Beach at a hotel, 3 days before my birthday and Thanksgiving! We had plans to go and meet my parents, who were staying at the hotel, for an early birthday celebration, and my mom sort of distracted me all day with shopping, while Zach told me he was going to stay at the hotel and “work” and have lunch with my dad.
So after we were done shopping we drove to the hotel where Zach told me to meet him in my “parents room” to get ready for dinner – my mom walked me up to the room and I opened the door to a private suite full of candles, flowers, handwritten letters from Zach and a balcony opening up to see the ocean – where he got down on one knee and asked me. He also took a sneaky video with his phone (that he hid in a bucket), but we are keeping that little video to ourselves.
The Wedding Vision
1. When and where is your wedding taking place?
Right now that is the one thing we can’t answer, but sometime in early 2027 in California.
2. Describe your wedding in 3 words.
Timeless, Vintage, Chic.
3. What are three non-negotiable elements for your big day?
One is that our family is all there, two is that it’s on a Saturday so our party can enjoy the weekend with us, and three is Zach and I having the early morning of our wedding day together just the two of us – to read our vows in private.
Planning Process
1. What’s been the highlight of your planning process so far?
Honestly, hiring an incredible wedding planner, Mudari Creative, was the biggest highlight so far for Zach and me, but selfishly, for me, it’s been trying on dresses. I love clothes, so planning out all my outfits (and helping Zach find his) has been really exciting.
2. What’s surprised you most about wedding planning?
How far in advance venues are booking, it is so crazy! I mean, I had an idea it was going to be like this, but there are venues we liked that don’t have dates until 2028, haha! So start looking early!
3. Is there an Instagram account, TikTok trend, or aesthetic you’re secretly loving right now?
Well, your account, of course, has been a HUGE inspiration for me – seeing other people’s ideas and venues and color schemes has helped me find new venues and new ideas I never would have thought of! Oh, and honestly, looking at floral Instagram Brophy Blooms – who is a friend from LA is my number one floral inspo right now – she is a magician.
4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their planning journey?
Remember that you are engaged, savour this moment, and enjoy being in your bridal era! It feels like everything is flying by for us, and I want to soak everything up as much as I can.
Photo: Pinterest, Beyonce by Evan, Agostini, Pavel Golubnichy, Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest, Alek Wek at Balmain, Pinterest, Blaise Bell
