Wedding Magazine: Samantha & Ryan

for time and all eternity september nineteenth, two thousand f ifteen

Ryan & Samantha

IN S IDE : Th e pro p o s a l s t o r y

#thedoppwedding • 1

meet the newlyweds

Tr ue lo ve bloo m s w hen w e c ar e mor e abou t an ot he r pe r s o n tha n w e c ar e abou t ou rsel ve s.

JEFFREY R. HOLLAND

Samantha Nishell Birthday: July 23 Hometown: Layton, Utah Family: 2 brothers, 1 sister Education: Public Relations Dream Vacation: European tour Loves: Ryan, blankets, chocolate, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, playing the piano, spending time with family and friends, big cities, traveling, technology, Kit-Kats, Luke Bryan Hates: spiders, heights, vegetables, needles, doctors, seafood, public speaking

Ryan Judd Birthday: April 7 Hometown: Layton, Utah Family: 4 brothers, 1 sister Education: Diesel Mechanic Dream Vacation: Wherever Sam wants to go Loves: Sam, snow and water sports, ice cream, salty popcorn, movies, going on drives, lasagna, bright colors, camping, kissing, broccoli, socks, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hates: peas, sushi, large crowds, confrontation, cats #thedoppwedding • 3

the interview

graduation, I moved to Logan to go to school at Utah State and he started working before he left on his mission in Uganda. He got back from his mission a few days after I graduated college and we started talking again. A few weeks later we started going on dates. We dated on and off before we started dating seriously a year later.

Him: I first noticed her in junior high at a summer camp and thought she was really pretty but never got up the courage to talk to her and was pleasantly surprised to see her in high school on the ballroom team that a friend asked me to try out for. And then I did everything I could to be her dance partner and practice with her.

What was your first impression?

Her: Honestly, I first noticed his height because my dance partners were limited because I am so tall. But after that I noticed his eyes and loved how blue they can be.

Him: I thought she was really pretty and I wanted to get to know her. I first noticed her eyes and her smile.

Who initiated the first kiss?

Her: It was definitely him. I was way too nervous to make a move. It was poor timing though because he left the next day for Florida for three weeks.

Him: Me, of course.

Interview

with the newlyweds How did you two meet?

Her: In high school we were both on the ballroom dance team. We were assigned to be dance partners because he was one of the few guys on the team taller than me. Because of that we became good friends and would spend a lot of time together throughout high school. After

4 • Mr & Mrs Dopp

What did you do on your first date?

Her: He took me to Boondocks and I remember we won a lot of tickets from the arcade and he picked out this giant, cheap, plastic ring for me from prize shop. I still have it. Later we went for a walk and talked. That was my favorite part of the night. I loved how easily I could talk to him.

Him: We went to Boondocks and played some games. After, we went on a walk and just talked and got to know each other better. I shared some personal stuff and let her into my life a little bit more. That's really where our relationship began. Yeah we were friends already and we had that friendship but it was never more than

the theinterview interview

that. It had always been surface stuff and that was the first time I really let her in.

What is the most interesting or surprising thing you've learned about each other since you've been together?

Her: I was surprised at how little he was afraid of. Nothing ever scares him and he can take control of a situation in crisis instead of freaking out.

Him: I was surprised at how slow she moves in relationships and how long it took her to say she loved me.

What do you love most about each other?

Her: I love how hard working he is and his

sense of adventure. Everything is always exciting when I'm with him.

Him: I love how much she cares about other people and how much she tries to help other people. I still really love her eyes and her smile and the things that make her smile. I love it when we got to see Christmas lights or fireworks and she is all giggly and excited because I know she is happy and I can see it on her face.

When did you know you were meant for each other?

Her: It was some time in March of 2015.

He had been bringing up marriage a lot and I kept telling him I wasn't ready. One day

I was just thinking about him and my future and I kept trying to picture my future without him and I just couldn't do it. I didn't like that idea and it kind of scared me to be honest. That's when I knew that he was the person I would marry.

Him: I remember we went to the temple last fall and we were waiting to do baptisms. I looked over at her and and thought that I am going to marry this girl and that I was going to do everything I could to make her fall in love with me.

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the proposal story

First met: Sept ember 2007

6 • Mr & Mrs Dopp

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First date: early June 2013

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First kiss: June 9, 2013

the proposal story

Re lationship status: May 11, 2014

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Proposal: April 12, 2015

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Wedding: September 19, 2015

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the proposal story

the proposal story

How he asked as told by Mrs. Samantha Dopp

W

e had started looking at rings a few weeks before and so I sort of knew it was coming. I was suspicious of everything up until the proposal. Ryan did a pretty good job at keeping it a surprise. I did wonder what he was up to but for the most part I had no idea!

He kept me wondering by saying that he didn’t have the ring yet and that he was still trying to plan the proposal.

That Sunday we went to my ward for church and were having a lazy day at my house afterwards. Ryan conveniently forgot clothes to change into after church so he stayed dressed up while I went straight for the ratty old t-shirt and sweatpants.

We took a nap and watched a movie.

Then he suggested we go for a drive which is something we love to do so I didn’t think anything of it. I did get suspicious however when he said I couldn’t go dressed how I was and that I needed to change into something nicer like jeans. I protested because I was so comfy and jeans did not sound appealing. His reasoning was that there was this nature park he wanted to check out and he was worried there might be a lot of shrubbery that would rip the sweatpants. So I changed but in protest. Soon we were on our way. We took the back

roads through the canyons and listened to love songs and talked about our future together. It was the perfect Sunday afternoon drive.

We arrived at the nature park just after 6 and we started down a path around the pond.

I pointed out the lack of shrubbery and teased him about how I would have been just fine in my sweatpants. We continued on the path and turned around a bend and were suddenly in a clearing of trees with bridge over a little stream. There were candles and rose petals everywhere with some music playing in the background. Ryan took my hand and said a few wonder things about our future together before getting down on one knee. He pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him. I said yes!

After we hug and kiss, Ryan asks if I want to go say hi to everyone. I was like “there are people here?” My parents, his parents, my best friend and his best friend were all hiding in the trees taking pictures. I was so happy to see them all!

The most important people in my life were there to share that special moment with me.

After we visited our families and shared the news, we went back to my house to be alone and we just sat and talked about our future and how excited we were.

My parents, his parents, my best friend and his best friend were all hiding in the trees taking pictures.

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the proposal story

10 • Mr & Mrs Dopp

the proposal story

I f yo u wa n t s o m e t hi n g to l as t f o r e ve r, yo u t r eat i t d i ff e r entl y.

You shi eld i t a n d p r o te ct i t. Yo u ne ve r ab us e i t. Yo u d o n’t e x po s e i t to t he ele m e n t s . Yo u d o n’t m ake i t co m m o n o r o r d i nar y. I f i t e ve r be co me s ta r n i s he d, yo u l o vi ngl y pol i s h i t unti l i t gl eam s

l i k e n e w. It be c o me s spe c i al bec aus e yo u ha ve m a d e i t s o, and i t g r o ws m o r e p r e ci o us and beauti ful as ti m e goes by.

E L D E R F. B U R T O N H O W A R D

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the wedding party

hon

or

maid

of

the Bridesmaids

12 • Mr & Mrs Dopp

A s h l e y Be r re tt

Katelyn Hatch

Best friends since our first day at USU. She makes the best food, plays the ukulele and is obsessed with sloths.

My Canadian friend. Four years of friendship and we have only lived in the same country for one year.

Ma d d is o n G re g s on

Elis abeth Gee

My only and favorite sister. Fiercely loyal, witty and always has my back.

Friends since college and my fellow social media expert.

the wedding party

the Groomsmen the

st

be

man

Ch ris to p h e r Ha t ch

Taylo r Robbi ns

Friends since high school. Enjoys video games and Mountain Dew.

Best buds since elementary school.

He likes working on cars.

K yl e Do p p

Tyler Dopp

Brother number 1. He loves sports and is super competitive.

Brother number 2.

He loves Taylor Swift.

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newlywed trivia

Who said it?

Test your newlywed savvy with this quiz. Who said what?

1. I hat e spoons.

2. I al w ays need a blanket. Even in the summer.

3. My f eet are ver y t ic klish.

4. I l ove t he smell of fresh c ut grass.

5. When I w as a c hild I would f requently fall asleep on the toilet.

6. I shot my brother in t he head with an arrow.

7. Seaf ood is amazing!

newlywed trivia

8. I love TV c rime shows.

9 . I total l ed my parent s' vehic le when I was in high school.

10. I sing in t he shower.

11. I have had nine family pets.

12. I cut my Achilles' tendon when I was seven.

13. I used to teach g ymnastics.

Answers: 1. S 2. S 3. R 4. R 5. S 6. R 7. R 8. S 9. S 10. R 11. S 12. R 13. S

the proposal story

I could conque r the w or ld with one hand as long as you'r e holding the othe r.

MEGAN SMITH

16 • Mr & Mrs Dopp

Ph o t o g rap h y by Jen Hil l yard Ph oto Mag az i n e Design by Unl ik e Ju l iet