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
Samantha and Devin both live on Long Island, New York, and work from there as well. Samantha is the owner of So Bridal Social, a wedding content creation company, and Devin is a software engineer. Despite working in a fast-paced industry, Samantha is actually a bit of a homebody and loves a cozy day at home, but together, the couple also loves traveling (especially to Italy), exploring new places, and trying new experiences. They balance each other well. Devin is always building or learning something new, and Samantha is usually dreaming up the next creative idea or adventure for them.
How did you meet?
We actually met in ninth grade on Halloween. A mutual friend of ours ended up ditching me and my girlfriends at my house with him and all of his guy friends, and Devin was one of them. What started as a slightly awkward situation quickly turned into us talking for most of the night. We were both 15 at the time, and somehow that moment turned into us becoming high school sweethearts. We’ve essentially been together ever since, even navigating long distance while we were away at different colleges. Looking back now, it’s funny how something so random ended up becoming such a big part of both of our lives.
The Proposal
Devin proposed in December during a trip to Florence at Villa Cora. Florence has always been incredibly special to me. I studied abroad there in college and have tried to go back every year since, so it has become a place that holds a lot of memories for us. He made the moment even more meaningful by secretly flying in one of my best friends, Trisha from Trisha Jay Photography, to photograph the proposal, and my close friend and coworker at So Bridal Social, Sam P., to capture the content. My parents were also there to celebrate with us, which made it feel even more intimate and special.
The Wedding Vision
1. When and where is your wedding taking place?
We just finalized our venue for a late spring 2027 wedding in Umbria, Italy!
2. Describe your wedding in 3 words.
Refined, Immersive & Unforgettable
3. What are three non-negotiable elements for your big day?
An incredible guest experience, a beautiful outdoor dinner under the Umbrian sky, and a weekend that feels immersive and relaxed rather than overly structured.
4. Do you have a moodboard or a reference image you keep going back to?
My moodboard has honestly evolved a lot, but it always comes back to the Italian countryside itself. The stone villas, olive trees, warm candlelight, and that relaxed Italian-dinner-party feeling. I want the setting and the experience to really guide the aesthetic.
Photo:
Planning Process
1. What’s been the highlight of your planning process so far?
Realizing that this will essentially be the best vacation of our lives. Getting to travel to Umbria and spend several days celebrating with all of our closest friends and family in one place feels incredibly special. Thinking about those shared moments together has been one of the most exciting parts of the planning process.
2. What’s surprised you most about wedding planning?
Even working in weddings, I was surprised by how overwhelming planning can feel at times. It really made me appreciate how important it is to have the right team supporting you. Our planner, Gabrielle from The Wedding Connection, has been incredible in helping us navigate decisions and keep everything organized so we can actually enjoy the process.
3. Is there an Instagram account, TikTok trend, or aesthetic you & secretly loving right now?
A bit of a shameless plug, but I’ve actually been looking back at a lot of our own content at So Bridal Social for inspiration and thinking about how to personalize some of those ideas for our own wedding. Beyond that, there are so many incredibly creative brides sharing their planning journeys on TikTok, and I love seeing how people are making their celebrations feel unique to them. At the end of the day, our goal is to make the entire weekend feel as personal to Devin and me as possible.
4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their planning journey?
Focus on how you want the day to feel rather than just how it looks. The atmosphere, the people, and the moments shared are what truly make a wedding memorable.
Photo:
