Amanda & Brad married! Goleta, CA

From the bride Amanda: "Brad and I met about 6 years ago in a bowling alley in Santa Barbara, Zodos. I was in Santa Barbara for an architectural drafting and art class and he was there for an internship as an engineer. Ironically we both hate bowling but were there because our friends brought us there. We were in lanes next to each other and every time we would bowl we’d be up at the same time. We’re both a bit competitive so we tried to out bowl each other every time we went up; I ended up winning by the way. After our “bowl off” we started talking to each other and realized we were going to the same concert a few days later. He got my number and we hung out every day up until the then. Brad was such a sweet, and fun southern gentleman and had a southern accent to go along with it. He was adorable and I just felt so drawn to him from the moment I glanced over at him. He also felt a very strong connection and he knew I was exactly his type. It was sort of bitter sweet to meet this awesome guy but know we both had to leave Santa Barbara within the next few days. I had to pack up the day after the concert and head back for my cross country practices at the University of Nevada and he had to go back to school in Louisiana. We didn’t see each other for a year but kept in touch over the phone and became really good friends. A year later Brad moved to Santa Barbara after accepting a job offer from the company he was interning with and we started dating shortly after while I was still in school at Nevada. A year later I decided to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for school, running, and of course, Brad."

"It was a Thursday. Just like every other Thursday. Brad wanted to go out for a walk with April (our dog) on the Ellwood Bluffs which is my favorite place to run and probably my favorite place ever. So after my run I met up with him after work and we walked out to the bluffs. On the way out to the point where we usually sit I thought for about 2 seconds that he might propose. I wasn't sure why, I've never had that thought before. I brushed it off very quickly because I've learned not to expect things. Expectations usually lead to disappointment. And it was a Thursday so I thought, it's just a Thursday why would he do it on a Thursday after work? Probably not. I erased it from my mind within a second and happily carried on. We sat on the bluff and we talked about how awesome our lives were and how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful place. We want to live here (in Santa Barbara) the rest of our lives so we talked about that. Then he said I have a question to ask you. And I saw him reach for a pocket and I was shocked. He asked me to marry him and I was completely dumbfounded that I said, "Are you serious?" about 10 times. I just couldn't believe that I thought it and it happened. Eventually I said, "YES!" We've known each other for 5 years so it shouldn't have been that much of a shock but it was. It was absolutely perfect. It was at my favorite place and it was just us and our dog. I couldn't have asked for anything better. We called our family and friends that live far away. Then we called all of our friends in Santa Barbara and they met up with us at Zodos Bowling and Beyond where it all started back in 2007."

Vendors: Davia Lee Events // El Capitan State Beach // La Tavola Linen // Ventura Party Rental // The Hidden Dolphin // Fernando's Churros // McConnell's Ice Cream //