By Chance, By Choice, By Love
By Chance, By Choice, By Love
Morgan & Connor
Connor and I met during a series of events that could only be described as “meant to be.” I needed work done on my car — the same car I had debated getting rid of several times. My dad recommended I take it to Connor’s shop, which is about 45 minutes from my home in Montpelier, Virginia. Where I’m from, we consider this “a drive across town,” and there were many auto shops in between, but my father knew Connor and trusted his work, so I knew I’d be in good hands.
I dropped off my car and returned a few days later to pick it up. After meeting Connor, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and it just happened that I needed to go back again the next day. Connor was out for lunch when I arrived, but I lingered a bit, chatting with his business partner while secretly hoping he’d return. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Connor pulled in, and we immediately struck up a conversation.
All I remember was being captivated by Connor’s calm demeanor and his bright blue-green eyes. That night, I went home and sent him a friend request on social media. He accepted and messaged me about my dog — who just happens to be my whole world — knowing it was the perfect way to get a response. We started talking that day, and never stopped.
Later, I learned that I was the topic of discussion between Connor and a mutual friend. My friend told him he’d never have a chance, but Connor replied, “Well, if she ever gave me one, she would change my whole life.”
From the very beginning, we both knew this relationship was different. It was easy and natural, in a way neither of us had ever experienced. We’d both been through relationships that left us hurt and guarded, each saying we’d rather be alone than risk being hurt again. And yet, when we found each other, all of that changed.
One of the wildest full-circle moments came from a trip I took in 2020. I was visiting Jackson Hole with my sister and picked up a copy of Grand Wedding magazine, even though I was single and convinced marriage wasn’t in the cards for me. Still, deep down, I held onto the quiet hope that maybe, someday, that dream would come true.
Fast forward four years — after meeting Connor, saying yes to his proposal, and deciding to get married in the Tetons — I came across that very same magazine. Holding it again felt surreal. In 2020, I picked it up feeling hopeless. In 2024, I was planning my wedding in the very place I’d dreamed about. It was as if God had been writing our story long before we met.
When our wedding day finally arrived, everything felt magical and divinely timed. While we were taking photos at Mormon Row, a herd of bison appeared in the distance, adding to the sense of wonder. Then, after a light drizzle, the most breathtaking rainbow stretched across the sky. That moment felt like a gentle “wink” from God, a tangible sign that He had fulfilled His promise to us: that love, in His timing, is always worth waiting for.
After the rainbow faded, we stopped by Jenny Lake. We were standing on a boulder overlooking the water, soaking in the beauty of the day, when I heard something nearby. I turned and saw a black bear making its way down to the water for a drink. It was just 15 feet away. We froze — part awe, part panic — and quietly took in the sight. Once the bear wandered off, we couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like nature was celebrating with us.
Our wedding day was everything we’d hoped for — adventurous, sacred, and filled with wonder. From the bison to the rainbow to the bear, every moment felt like a reflection of the journey that led us to each other: unexpected, beautiful, and absolutely meant to be.
Advice For Couples
Planning a wedding in such a grand, awe-inspiring place naturally comes with high expectations, but when the day finally arrives, pause and be present. Take in the sweeping views, the crisp air, and the people who came to celebrate with you. The beauty of the Tetons speaks for itself, but the most unforgettable part will always be the feeling of that moment — surrounded by love, in one of the most magnificent places on earth.
THE DETAILS
Wedding Date: October 3, 2025
Ceremony Location: Mormon Row – North Barn Officiant: Brian Bultema, Jackson Hole Officiant, LLC Photographer: West Wedding Co. Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Autym Florist: West Wedding Co.
Caterer: Chef Stacey Hughes Stationary Design: Merrymaker Fine Paper Dress: Ava Laurenne Bride (Fredericksburg, Virginia)
