Sometimes plans don't work out for the better.
Bailey Zappe initially intended to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Hannah Lewis, at a Jason Aldean concert until he blew his own cover. With his college sweetheart catching on that she'd be engaged soon, Lewis made an appointment to try on dresses with family in Dallas, giving the New England Patriots quarterback the perfect idea to pivot to.
"I honestly had no idea it was happening. I wasn't expecting it," Lewis told The Knot in an interview published Monday while telling the story of how he proposed after she shopped for the dress she'd get married in.
"I did everything backward: I got the dress, and then I got engaged."
The change in plans set the tone for the rest of their engagement.
Initially, Zappe and Lewis bought into having a big barn wedding near his hometown in Texas. While exploring their options, the couple came to the realization that something much smaller was more their speed.
"We both have very small circles, and we aren't huge partiers," Lewis told The Knot. "It just didn't fit our style. We sat down and talked to each other and said, 'Let's just elope with our family.'"
Zappe and Lewis decided on Montana for their private nuptials, a nod to one of their favorite shows, Yellowstone. They narrowed the guest list to just 30 of their closest kin and hired Sydney Evans (Sydney Breann Photography) who specializes in planning and photographing elopements.
The vision was simple. No over-the-top frills to distract from the location or what was most important to them -- having an intimate wedding with everyone they loved that doubled as a big family vacation.
After arriving in Montana, the group explored on hikes and sightseeing activities in the lead-up to the wedding. Rented buses took guests the scenic route from their cabins to a stunning ceremony backdropped by a mountainside lake on July 3rd.
Zappe's college coach, Zach Kittleyy, officiated as they read their vows. Staying true to themselves, the newlyweds feasted on their favorite foods for dinner: his tomahawk steak and shrimp and her truffle mac and cheese. Even the two-tier cake combined his preference for vanilla with her love of lemon. The reception was decorated with baby's breath and white roses -- the bride's favorite flower.
The party back at the cabins lasted long after the sun set behind the mountain range turning the big sky black and their first full day as a married ended with Fourth of July fireworks.
And Bailey and Hannah lived Zappily ever after.
Check out the full story and see some of their wedding photos here.
