We are so pleased to announce that one lucky bride will be the winner of our Makeup Giveaway!
Want to WIN? Voting is now open until July 20th!
Let everyone know how to vote for you!
1. Head over to www.facebook.com/udosforidos
2. "LIKE" UpDo's For I Do's Facebook Page
3. "LIKE" your favorite couple's photo
You can also get more votes on Instagram!
1. Go to www.instagram.com/updosforidos
2. Follow @UpDosForIDos
3. "Like" your favorite couple's entry photo
The couple with the most votes (not comments) will receive Bridal Makeup for their big day! Any negative comments will be removed.
Good Luck!
Rachel and Scott
We met at York College of Pennsylvania and started dating on January 23, 2007. He has been my rock since day one and my number one supporter through the good, bad and ugly.
On our 6th year anniversary and Scott got down on one knee he asked me to marry him in our living room. It was perfect in every single way!
On our 6th year anniversary and Scott got down on one knee he asked me to marry him in our living room. It was perfect in every single way!
Ashley and Maurice
Our wedding will take place on May 2nd, 2014 at the Sunset Room by Wolf Gang Puck located at the National Harbor. On May 24th, 2013 Moe (as everyone calls him) made me the happiest woman alive by asking me to spend my life with him. My best friend planned for her and I to take pictures at the National Harbor for her website launch on that Friday, so unbeknown to me I proceeded to the Harbor to take pics. Once I arrived, we met for a quick bite to eat and then headed out to find the perfect picture location. It was a VERY cold day for May so instead of taking pics outside like we wanted Ash'Leigh's husband (the photographer) suggested that we headed over to the Aloft hotel to snap pics inside the hotel, and a few on their beautiful outside terrace. He snapped a couple pics and then on to the terrace we went! Once we got to the terrace I was in shock by how warm and cozy the atmosphere was, there was a fire pit, comfy lounge furniture and an overall great place for pics. I proceeded to walk around the terrace and as I pointed out different spots for pictures, BAM Moe comes from around the corner carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers....and it was all bliss from there ! The tears started rolling (I even walked in the opposite direction lol) and I couldn't stop shaking. Once I pulled myself together, I said YES !
Cassie and Jay
Jay popped the question on January 9, 2013, their four-year anniversary, in Washington, DC. Although Cassie had a slight suspicion the proposal may happen (Jay had never been so excited to go on a date!), she was shocked to find out Jay had been planning the perfect proposal and hiding the ring in their shared apartment for nearly 9 months! Jay and Cassie are truly perfect for each other, and you should vote for them because they are awesome and Cassie is awful at make-up. Seriously.
Lyndsay and Justin
Our story may not be as romantic as some. It was in fact a love that blossomed over time and was an emotional roller coaster that I would still ride to this day to end up with the man of my dreams. Everything does happen for a reason. You may not know the reason sometimes, but in this case I do.
We knew each other since 2004 due to having mutual friends. I was actually dating Justin's at the time friend when we met, and honestly I thought Justin was kind of annoying and never looked him that way! In which this seems to be how it goes sometimes.
A couple years later I was finally single, got out of 2 bad relationships back to back. Soon everyone found out that I was single, and I had several guys ask me out. One day out of the blue Justin asked me to go to a concert with him. He knew I liked the same music as him and had an extra ticket so he figured he'd ask me. That is when all the sparks began to fly. After that, he asked me out on several dates and we started spending a lot of time together. We discovered we had so much in common, a scary amount of things, and I had begun to see him in a different light than before. I then started falling in love with him. He treated me the best out of any man that I had dated, like a human being for once. Then on Halloween of 2009 (our favorite holiday) he officially asked me to be his girlfriend by handing me a rose made out of copper that he had his friend make for me. It was the sweetest thing ever and I was very happy.
Then tragedy struck. On November 15, 2009 about 30 minutes after I left from seeing him I got a call from a cop saying he was in a motorcycle accident. Someone cut him off and he lost control hitting the curb, flew off, and hit a sign. They couldn't get a hold of his parents so they saw my number and called me. The only thing I could get out of my mouth was "Is he ok?" and was confirmed that he was. He was complaining of stomach pain and they were flying him to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. I was very much in shock, it's one of the worst feelings you will feel. I couldn't even drive so I had my Mom drive me to his parent's to give them the unsettling news. I then rode with them there. It was so hard for me because in January of 2009 I lost my Dad from a brain stem stroke. He actually passed away at John Hopkins in Baltimore so it was like re-living the nightmare. To sum it up, Justin suffered a lot of serious bad injuries, mainly to his abdomen from hitting the sign. He actually was close to dying from rupturing a main artery and losing almost all his blood. He ended up losing a lot of his intestines, had to get a plate in his shoulder, and was very very sick. They put him in the ICU in a forced coma for about 3 weeks. I was there every day for the first week, then almost every day after that. I honestly don't even know how I stayed so strong and could be there for that. It was like re-living my Dad's death because he was in a coma and we had to let him go. Many people tell me to this day they couldn't of did what I did, stay so strong and stay for a man who they were only officially dating for 2 weeks. In all honesty, I was in love with Justin... and I felt like he would of did the same for me. I thought of all those sweet things he did for me, like bring me homemade chicken noodle soup when I was sick one time. Maybe I'm just a strong person, but I knew I had to stay with him. I would play music he liked, I would even sing to him, I knew he could hear me. They finally took him out of his coma one day, and to make all my assumptions come true, he said he knew I was there. He would see me in his mind and that I was the one getting him through all this.
He ended up being in the hospital for 2 months and was finally released on Christmas Eve 2009. He was still very sick and had a colonoscopy which he had to go back for in a couple months. It was tough, but I helped take care of him with his Mom. Then in April 2010, he went back and had it reversed. It was only supposed to be a week thing, but it ended up being about another month of him in the hospital due to complications. FINALLY after all that thing's started getting back to normal slowly.
In June 2010 Justin and I moved into a house he bought and had built in Kearneysville, WV. We went to the shelter and got 2 kittens, and it started to feel like our own family.
Then on Christmas Eve 2011 Justin and I went out to dinner with his parents at the Shab Row Bistrow in Downtown Frederick. I was very clueless as to what was to come. We had a wonderful dinner and wine, and then Justin's Mom Pam and himself went to the bathroom, which I was still clueless about (she was holding the ring box.) Once they came back, about 10 minutes later, Justin told me he had an early Christmas present for me and to close my eyes. He then proceeded to blindfold me with a napkin. He took it off and I saw him down on one knee with a beautiful 3 stoned 2 1/2 karat ring in his hands asking "Will you marry me?" It took about a minute to settle in. I don't even know if I got the words "yes" out as I was seriously in shock because I didn't see it coming all night. I think I got something that meant "yes" out, haha, and he put the ring on me.His parents took some pictures, which I found out that was why they came in the first place. Justin is very sneaky!
This past May 2012 Justin went back to what I am still hoping for is his last surgery. Either way, I will be there for him every time.
After all this, I still love Justin more and more each day. I believe our relationship has survived the test, it's made our love stronger, and proved the fact that we can get through anything. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him! :)
A couple years later I was finally single, got out of 2 bad relationships back to back. Soon everyone found out that I was single, and I had several guys ask me out. One day out of the blue Justin asked me to go to a concert with him. He knew I liked the same music as him and had an extra ticket so he figured he'd ask me. That is when all the sparks began to fly. After that, he asked me out on several dates and we started spending a lot of time together. We discovered we had so much in common, a scary amount of things, and I had begun to see him in a different light than before. I then started falling in love with him. He treated me the best out of any man that I had dated, like a human being for once. Then on Halloween of 2009 (our favorite holiday) he officially asked me to be his girlfriend by handing me a rose made out of copper that he had his friend make for me. It was the sweetest thing ever and I was very happy.
Then tragedy struck. On November 15, 2009 about 30 minutes after I left from seeing him I got a call from a cop saying he was in a motorcycle accident. Someone cut him off and he lost control hitting the curb, flew off, and hit a sign. They couldn't get a hold of his parents so they saw my number and called me. The only thing I could get out of my mouth was "Is he ok?" and was confirmed that he was. He was complaining of stomach pain and they were flying him to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. I was very much in shock, it's one of the worst feelings you will feel. I couldn't even drive so I had my Mom drive me to his parent's to give them the unsettling news. I then rode with them there. It was so hard for me because in January of 2009 I lost my Dad from a brain stem stroke. He actually passed away at John Hopkins in Baltimore so it was like re-living the nightmare. To sum it up, Justin suffered a lot of serious bad injuries, mainly to his abdomen from hitting the sign. He actually was close to dying from rupturing a main artery and losing almost all his blood. He ended up losing a lot of his intestines, had to get a plate in his shoulder, and was very very sick. They put him in the ICU in a forced coma for about 3 weeks. I was there every day for the first week, then almost every day after that. I honestly don't even know how I stayed so strong and could be there for that. It was like re-living my Dad's death because he was in a coma and we had to let him go. Many people tell me to this day they couldn't of did what I did, stay so strong and stay for a man who they were only officially dating for 2 weeks. In all honesty, I was in love with Justin... and I felt like he would of did the same for me. I thought of all those sweet things he did for me, like bring me homemade chicken noodle soup when I was sick one time. Maybe I'm just a strong person, but I knew I had to stay with him. I would play music he liked, I would even sing to him, I knew he could hear me. They finally took him out of his coma one day, and to make all my assumptions come true, he said he knew I was there. He would see me in his mind and that I was the one getting him through all this.
He ended up being in the hospital for 2 months and was finally released on Christmas Eve 2009. He was still very sick and had a colonoscopy which he had to go back for in a couple months. It was tough, but I helped take care of him with his Mom. Then in April 2010, he went back and had it reversed. It was only supposed to be a week thing, but it ended up being about another month of him in the hospital due to complications. FINALLY after all that thing's started getting back to normal slowly.
In June 2010 Justin and I moved into a house he bought and had built in Kearneysville, WV. We went to the shelter and got 2 kittens, and it started to feel like our own family.
Then on Christmas Eve 2011 Justin and I went out to dinner with his parents at the Shab Row Bistrow in Downtown Frederick. I was very clueless as to what was to come. We had a wonderful dinner and wine, and then Justin's Mom Pam and himself went to the bathroom, which I was still clueless about (she was holding the ring box.) Once they came back, about 10 minutes later, Justin told me he had an early Christmas present for me and to close my eyes. He then proceeded to blindfold me with a napkin. He took it off and I saw him down on one knee with a beautiful 3 stoned 2 1/2 karat ring in his hands asking "Will you marry me?" It took about a minute to settle in. I don't even know if I got the words "yes" out as I was seriously in shock because I didn't see it coming all night. I think I got something that meant "yes" out, haha, and he put the ring on me.His parents took some pictures, which I found out that was why they came in the first place. Justin is very sneaky!
This past May 2012 Justin went back to what I am still hoping for is his last surgery. Either way, I will be there for him every time.
After all this, I still love Justin more and more each day. I believe our relationship has survived the test, it's made our love stronger, and proved the fact that we can get through anything. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him! :)
Angel and Chris
Chris and I met in late 2007, and clicked instantly. If there are such things as soulmates, he's definitely mine. We are what best friends should be - understanding, patient, loving, and always there for one another. We've been engaged since 2009, and after quite a few family and financial bumps in the road, we are getting married on November 1st, 2014. Aside the day that our beautiful son was born, I know this day will be the best day of our lives.
Sydney and Greg
It all started St. Patrick's Day 2012 when we took a road trip to Boston to visit some friends. On the long drive we decided to play the license plate game (where you have to find a license plate from every state). We didn't find all the states during the trip so we decided to keep playing until we finished the game.
A couple months later while driving and still playing the game Greg asked when I wanted to get married, I jokingly responded "whenever we finish this game!". As the Super Bowl approached in February 2013, almost a year after we started the game, we only had 2 states left- Montana and Hawaii. While grocery shopping for our Super Bowl party, we noticed there was a Montana license plate in the Giant parking lot- only 1 state left!
The next week Greg and I went down to Federal Hill, where we first met, to have lunch with some friends. We received a text while on the way that we needed to make a pit stop at Federal Hill Park because there was a car with a Hawaii license plate parked on the side of the road. We hurried down to take pictures with the final license plate of the game. After the celebrations we decided to see the view from the top of the hill. Once we got up there, Greg proposed. I, of course, said yes!
Then more surprises: there was a photographer hiding taking pictures of the whole thing, as well as a friend filming video of the proposal. Greg had even bought the Montana license plate, put it on a friend's car and parked it at Giant that day before the Super Bowl (a week before the proposal!). And it is really unbelievable he rented a car and put a Hawaii tag on the back and parked it where we first met. It was perfect and unforgettable.
And now we are getting married September 13, 2014 at the Evergreen Museum in Baltimore!
A couple months later while driving and still playing the game Greg asked when I wanted to get married, I jokingly responded "whenever we finish this game!". As the Super Bowl approached in February 2013, almost a year after we started the game, we only had 2 states left- Montana and Hawaii. While grocery shopping for our Super Bowl party, we noticed there was a Montana license plate in the Giant parking lot- only 1 state left!
The next week Greg and I went down to Federal Hill, where we first met, to have lunch with some friends. We received a text while on the way that we needed to make a pit stop at Federal Hill Park because there was a car with a Hawaii license plate parked on the side of the road. We hurried down to take pictures with the final license plate of the game. After the celebrations we decided to see the view from the top of the hill. Once we got up there, Greg proposed. I, of course, said yes!
Then more surprises: there was a photographer hiding taking pictures of the whole thing, as well as a friend filming video of the proposal. Greg had even bought the Montana license plate, put it on a friend's car and parked it at Giant that day before the Super Bowl (a week before the proposal!). And it is really unbelievable he rented a car and put a Hawaii tag on the back and parked it where we first met. It was perfect and unforgettable.
And now we are getting married September 13, 2014 at the Evergreen Museum in Baltimore!
Alla and Matt
*How we met: After several years of shutting the bars down with his Navy buddies, Matt decided it was time to try something new and a little desperate. While stationed in San Diego, CA, he joined Match.com in the hopes of finding that special one. After a few weeks, Alla popped up in his inbox. After a few emails back and forth, Matt finally asked her out on a date. Starting off at Cafe Sole Luna in downtown, San Diego things quickly escalated when Matt decided to test just how Russian Alla was, suggesting they go to local Tipsy Crow bar for a little after dinner vodka shots. Not expecting to get a positive response, surprisingly, Alla took up his challenge and agreed to join him. A bottle of Russian Standard later, they ended up in the karaoke bar at Whiskey Girl, where Matt serenaded her with that classic redneck love song, "Alcohol" by Brad Paisley. The next months were filled with date nights and the first Valentine's Day where Matt didn't dread the day by watching cheesy hallmark commercials. In March, the Navy orders came in that sent Matt to Norfolk, Virginia. After months of long distance phone calls and traveling from coast to coast, Matt finally got his act together and decided to pop the question when Alla was visiting in Spring 2012.
*Our Engagement: While Alla was visiting Matt over her Spring Break in March of 2012, Matt decided to pop the question. Problem was, he's not very creative, so he asked family and friends for advice on how to do it. After consulting everyone, he figured out what to do. Over his birthday weekend, the couple went up to Annapolis, Maryland to show Alla around for the first time. After visiting Matt's old stomping grounds and checking out the USNA including the famous academy chapel (the site of our ceremony), we went to dinner at the Chart House ( our rehearsal dinner site). Matt knows that Alla hates it when he doesn't look his best to go out on the town, so he intentionally dressed in a plain t-shirt and jeans to annoy her on the way to the restaurant. However, Matt had already called ahead to the restaurant and told them about his big plan, he instructed the hostess to make a scene and suggest to change in accordance to the dress code. As soon as they walked in, he was promptly told to leave. Matt had Alla sit at their reserved table and wait while he made his "costume change". Instead of driving back to the hotel, Matt opened the trunk of his car and changed into his prepared Dress Blues, Alla's favorite uniform. It was not easy changing in a parking lot between two cars with people walking by, but Matt got it done. He then snuck back into the restaurant and surprised Alla by getting down on one knee and proposing to the love of his life. Alla was so charmed by the her officer and gentleman, of course she replied with a cheerful "Yes!"
Jennifer and Justin
Justin and I met at a social event in Baltimore almost 3 years ago. Before I left for the night I gave him my cell phone number but, unbeknownst to me, I entered the wrong one. About a month later, I went to a baseball game with some colleagues of mine and saw one of Justin’s friends who was also at the bar that night. Several minutes later, she handed me her phone and the rest is history.
This past October Justin proposed to me on the pier of a small restaurant on Tilghman Island, however, it wasn’t supposed to happen there. Apparently he was going to propose in the vineyard of a local winery that we visited earlier that day, but it turned out that they didn’t grow their own grapes. When he asked me to go to a nice restaurant for dinner that evening, I was persistent that we just go to Subway and save our money. Luckily, I gave in and was able to avoid having been proposed to in a fast food restaurant!
Our wedding is set for Saturday, October 26th 2013 at St. Paul’s Church in Ellicott City, MD, while the reception will take place at The Other Barn in Columbia. We are paying for the wedding ourselves, but the fact that we each have [large] student loans and I just started my career makes things difficult. As a result, this prize would be absolutely amazing and truly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read this and for taking the time to us for this opportunity!
This past October Justin proposed to me on the pier of a small restaurant on Tilghman Island, however, it wasn’t supposed to happen there. Apparently he was going to propose in the vineyard of a local winery that we visited earlier that day, but it turned out that they didn’t grow their own grapes. When he asked me to go to a nice restaurant for dinner that evening, I was persistent that we just go to Subway and save our money. Luckily, I gave in and was able to avoid having been proposed to in a fast food restaurant!
Our wedding is set for Saturday, October 26th 2013 at St. Paul’s Church in Ellicott City, MD, while the reception will take place at The Other Barn in Columbia. We are paying for the wedding ourselves, but the fact that we each have [large] student loans and I just started my career makes things difficult. As a result, this prize would be absolutely amazing and truly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read this and for taking the time to us for this opportunity!
Jess and Chris
I met my fiance, Chris, at work in October 2010. We are both Midwestern transplants living in Baltimore - I'm originally from Michigan and Chris was born and raised in Wisconsin. My first question upon meeting Chris, a fellow Midwesterner, was, obviously, "Do you call it pop or soda?" Any true Midwesterner knows it is "pop," and to my everlasting disappointment, Chris answered that he calls it "soda." Nonetheless, I did not let my disappointment, which continues to this day, hinder the beginning of our relationship.
Chris and I had our first official date a couple of weeks later, on Halloween night, at a nice little restaurant in Little Italy in Baltimore. I was nervous because I thought Chris was cute, funny, and smart, but we ended up talking for a few hours over dinner and dessert. As our night was drawing to a close, Chris offered to drive me to my car, which was parked several blocks away. As we pulled up near my car, I leaned over and gave Chris a kiss on the cheek. Then, as I was getting out of Chris' car, in an automatic sort of reply, I said, "Bye! Love you!"
It took a few moments before what I said sank in and when it did, I was utterly mortified. Here I had just had a great date with a guy I really liked and now he probably thought I was certifiably crazy for saying I loved him after our first date. I ended up calling Chris later that evening, and, being the gentleman that he is, he did not mention my gaffe. Nevertheless, that "Bye! Love you!" replayed over in my mind. A few days later, on our second date, I had to address it. So, I inartfully told Chris something along the lines of: "I'm not sure if you noticed, but I said I loved you when you dropped me off at my car. It was an automatic sort of reply. I didn't mean it. Not that you aren't lovable, but I just don't know you well enough yet." Luckily, Chris was willing to chalk up my response to nerves and did not think anything of it.
Chris and I continued to date and, almost 2.5 years after our first date, he got down on one knee and proposed. Now, we are happily planning our wedding and looking forward to saying "Bye! Love you!" many more times!
