Lauren and Carson met while playing on a summer kickball league. After discovering that they were both from Florida and had graduated from Florida State University, they became fast friends! They bonded over something that brings a lot of Floridians together: college football! After many months of friendship that were spent getting to know each other deeply, Lauren and Carson realized that the friendship meant much more. The rest is history!

Carson knew he wanted to ask Lauren to marry him in Vail - a place that had lots to do with their love story. Lauren and Carson first kissed in Vail, and it was a backdrop to so many of their fun memories during their dating season. Carson planned a weekend trip to Vail, and him and Lauren headed there the morning of April 5th to do a little Friday skiing. Carson took Lauren up Gondola One in Vail Village, where they skiied through Mid Vail and down the Avanti run. This run opens up to a scenic area where you can stop for photos. Carson stopped suddenly and asked a couple to take a picture of him and Lauren. After that it all happened so fast - before Lauren could grasp what was happening Carson was down on one knee asking her to be his wife! Filled completely with joy, the newly engaged couple headed back down to Vail Village, where they grabbed a bite to eat at the Red Lion, a popular spot in “The Village”. Little did Lauren realize that this incredible surprise was only the beginning! Over a dozen of the couple’s closest friends were headed to Vail to keep the celebration going all weekend long! With friends and family coming as far away as Florida and Ohio, it was so special for Lauren and Carson to be able to share this time with so many who have encouraged and loved them as their love story took shape. The hashtag came to Carson quickly and it stuck! #GoingGeber became the tagline for the journey ahead!

Lauren and Carson knew they wanted to celebrate their nuptials in Colorado, the place they fell in love. Still, it was a tough decision considering most of their families and friends are all in Florida. For this reason as well as other financial-related reasons, they ultimately made the decision to elope, just the two of them, in a place that was so dear to the both of them. They hired a photographer that specializes in outdoor elopements, and with the help of their pastor James Rathmann, Lauren and Carson had a beautifully intimate wedding day. They met their pastor and photographer near Loveland Pass, Colorado around 4:30 pm Mountain Time. The weather was overcast and chilly for mid-to-late September, but the lighting cast just the perfect colors over the vast mountain landscape. Their photographer found an alpine lake to be the perfect spot for the ceremony, and Lauren and Carson exchanged vows around 5:00 that evening. In the hours following, the weather continued to move unexpectedly, a usual characteristic for the Rocky Mountains, but it made for absolutely breathtaking photos. It was cold however, and a couple of snow flurries even made their way through! Lauren and Carson could not have asked for a more perfect and beautiful day, and give all the glory to God for making it happen. The intimacy of the ceremony allowed them to be completely in the moment with each other, and for that they are greatly thankful. After the ceremony, the newlyweds drove to (surprise, surprise) Vail, where they ate at one of their favorite restaurants and stayed at a beautiful resort. The next day, the two headed to Telluride, CO where they spent the rest of their “mini”-moon surrounded by more alpine beauty.