Jessica met her husband-to-be while she was a grad student interning in Oregon. "I was looking to have fun for the summer since I didn't know anyone else there," she says. Although she wasn't looking for love at the time, when a friend introduced her to Alex, he swept her off her feet.
Jessica says she and Alex's most romantic date was the day he proposed. "We went to beach, had a spa day, ate a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant, then went to a basketball game after. He had everything planned out and that was so sweet," she says.
"We had talked about it happening sometime in the future but I didn't know it would happen that specific day," Jessica says of the day Alex proposed. "That was the element of surprise."
Jessica said she was completely shocked the day Alexander popped the question. "I was thinking, Is this really happening? Right now? Today? It seemed like a dream, and I was on could nine," she says.
"I was very nervous about proposing! I had to keep the ring hidden for a couple of days in Miami until I actually popped the question," Alex says. "Plus, Jessica doesn’t like surprises so I had a feeling she was snooping around trying to ruin my plans."
Jessica says her parents love Alex because they see how he takes care of her. "They know he is the one," she says. "Our parents are actually really similar, both are sweet and welcoming. It was an easy transition for both of us."
Jessica says one of the sweetest things Alex has ever done for her was fly from Oregon to Georgia for her mom's birthday party. "It was a lot to ask of him, and he did it to make me happy," she says.
"I am genuinely excited about the next chapter of our lives and starting a family together," Alex says of his life with his bride-to-be. "And, more importantly, helping each other be the best we can be as individuals and as a couple."
"We like to work out, cook or go out to eat, play board games and do extreme things! Within the first two months of knowing each other, we went bungee jumping," Jessica says. "We have been zip lining, ice skating, horseback riding, parasailing and white water rafting. We have so much more to explore. We try to make everything we do fun."
Alex says he loves that his bride-to-be is comfortable in her skin and knows what she wants in life. "The thing that stood out the most was her down-to-earth nature, and she was open to experience new things with me," he says.
Jessica says her friends love her husband-to-be, too. "They say he is such a sweet guy, and he is the best guy I've ever been with. He is a good catch," she says.
"We are having a classic, elegant affair. Colors are blush, champagne, ivory, white, and pearl. It will be very sophisticated, intimate and romantic," Jessica says of her wedding decorations. "Candles will be everywhere, along with dim lighting. We are having a live band to get everyone excited and dancing, as well as a harp player to soften the mood."
Jessica says three things you will definitely find in her honeymoon suitcase are a bathing suit, lingerie and hair products.
"When we’re finally husband and wife, I can’t wait to stop worrying about our wedding day and relax," Jessica says, "and wear my wedding band and be completely off the market."
Jessica says the best gift Alexander has ever got her is her engagement ring. "I have a three carat pear-shaped yellow diamond in a micro pave setting. It's my dream ring. We went out looking beforehand but I wasn't sure which ring he would actually get. I found rings that I liked but nothing was quite right. He ended up going to a private jeweler and pulled together every aspect I liked from each ring. It's perfectly crafted and one of a kind!" she says. "Nothing can compare to it."
"If you’re spying on us on a Friday night, you’ll probably catch us watching a movie while eating take out," Jessica says.
"We are getting married on March 30, 2013 on the 49th floor of the Commerce Club in Atlanta, Georgia. It has a great view of the whole city," Jessica says. If you are inspired by Jessica and Alexander's love story please leave a message for the happy couple below! Want to see your engagement photos featured in Just Engaged? Email us sample images and your story now.
