Taylor and Cory met at a party by Lake Merritt in Oakland, California in the fall of 2017. Although neither of them actually planned on attending the party, they would end up spending their first 12 hours of forever together that day. Thank goodness they both went. It was love at first site over a game of Hit 'em up (if you can imagine a more heavily beer focused game than beer pong and rage cage combined you'd be on the right track). Cory had spotted Taylor, fresh from her first go at sky-diving, and was immediately interested. Taylor had seen Cory, dragged to the party by a more extroverted friend, and was quickly plotting a way to end up on the same team. After a few batted eyelashes and how-do-you-dos, they quickly realized the connection they felt was deeper than either could have expected. The rest of the day saw them telling childhood stories, confessing ambitions, connecting over shared fears, and shaking their fists at their mutual friends for not introducing them sooner. They shared a sneaky kiss when nobody was looking on the way to late-night tacos, and without even needing to ask, knew they would be seeing each other again soon. By Thanksgiving, they were sneaking away from their families like teenagers for late-night beach walks with a too-soon-to-be-disclosed love interest. Time felt so precious and the future so boundless all at the same time. By December they had made it official. How soon can you tell your brand new boyfriend you love him and think this might be it? Even Cory knew the answer wasn't long. Since then, they have grown close with each other's families, supported each other through career changes, raised a delightfully chaotic dog named Huey, moved across the country, endured heartbreak and triumph, and fallen in love with the person who somehow understood them the moment they set eyes on each other. Cory and Taylor are delighted to share in the celebration of their love story with those who mean the most to them, and can't wait to kick off marriage with you in Rome!

Five years, four jobs, two coasts, and one fur baby later, Cory bought a ring from Julia the Jeweler in New York City. He knew what Taylor liked because he had asked her on his birthday the previous year after a long day of bottomless mimosas. Because he is a responsible guy who knew he didn't have his full wits about him, he made sure she texted him her answer so he'd never forget. Unsuspecting and legally single, Taylor went to target on a brisk October day after work. She knew there were dinner plans later, but that was normal, and she had hours until then. Cory waited at their apartment on the Upper East Side with three different types of flowers, pink champagne, and nervous sweats to fill a swimming pool. Taylor stayed a bit longer than she planned. When she got home, Huey and Taylor Swift greeted her and led her to the backyard where her best friend waited with the promise of a lifetime and a very important question to ask. Obviously she said yes.