Main Street Meet-Cute
Some love stories begin on dating apps. Others begin through friends.
Catie and Calvin's began when they bumped into each other on Main Street, U.S.A.
On August 9th, 2016, both were visiting Disneyland to celebrate a milestone anniversary of the Haunted Mansion, their favorite attraction.
Although they were there for the Haunted Mansion, they met when they bumped into each other while walking on Main Street. After meeting, they rode the Haunted Mansion together and by October, they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.
At their very first Disney Halloween Party, where Catie was dressed as Belle and Calvin went as Indiana Jones, they exchanged their first "I love you."
The Proposal that Came Full Circle
Nearly seven years later, Disneyland once again became the setting for one of the biggest moments of their lives.
A few days before proposing, Calvin secretly called Catie's parents while she was at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to ask for their blessing. Pulling off the surprise wasn't easy since Catie worked from home and was almost always nearby.
The day of the proposal came with one more challenge: getting through Disneyland security without revealing the engagement ring.
"My other favorite memory from the day is that Calvin had the ring with him, and didn't want me to see it going through security. He made it a "race" to get through security so we each picked different lines, just in case the box got pulled out. Our sense of humor is fun and goofy, so I didn't think anything unusual was happening." - Catie
Once inside the park, they stopped for photos near a brand-new Mickey statue celebrating Disneyland's 70th Anniversary. As the PhotoPass photographer wrapped up the session, Calvin asked for just one more picture.
Instead, he got down on one knee. Right there on Main Street, only steps away from where they first met, Catie said yes.
Completing the Trifecta
After meeting at Disneyland and getting engaged at Disneyland, there was really only one place that felt right for their wedding.
Both Catie and Calvin grew up visiting the parks, later worked at Disneyland while attending college, and built countless memories throughout the resort together.
Although they explored other venues hoping to save money, nothing felt quite right.
After meeting with Disney Weddings, they realized they could actually create the wedding they had envisioned while receiving far more than many traditional venues offered.
For Catie especially, it felt like a dream coming true. When she was just six years old, she watched a Disney wedding take place from her family's hotel room at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. Ever since that moment, she imagined one day becoming a Disney bride herself.
Years later, that childhood dream became reality.
An Autumn Wedding
From the very beginning, Catie and Calvin envisioned a wedding that embraced the magic of Disney while still feeling timeless, classic, and unmistakably their own. The Rose Court Garden had always been their dream ceremony location after years of visiting the Disneyland Resort together, making it the perfect place to begin married life.
Because fall has always been their favorite season, choosing an October wedding felt natural. Not only did it complement their love of Halloween, but it also allowed them to keep their wedding anniversary in the same month they first started dating.
Their design inspiration began even before selecting a venue.
Catie found her wedding dress first: a breathtaking gown covered in sparkling details that immediately reminded them of Cinderella's magical transformation.
From there, soft shades of blue became the foundation of the wedding's color palette, complemented by subtle nods to some of their favorite Disney stories. Their invitations invited guests to "Be Our Guest," inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Their guest book incorporated details from Sleeping Beauty.
Hidden Mickeys appeared throughout the day; from the groomsmen's ties to Mickey-shaped treats waiting for guests at the reception.
Even the pumpkins lining the ceremony aisle perfectly blended classic autumn elements with Disney charm.
Putting Their Loved Ones at the Heart of the Celebration
While every couple dreams of a beautiful wedding, Catie and Calvin had one priority above all else:
They wanted their guests to have as much fun as they did.
Instead of following every wedding tradition, they intentionally designed a celebration that reflected who they are as a couple.
Their brunch reception featured a Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere from the very beginning.
Instead of investing in a towering wedding cake, they chose something that felt much more like them. They had a dessert table complete with Mickey Bars, Mickey pretzels, and a small cake reserved just for the cake cutting.
Guests loved taking photos at the Magic Mirror Photo Booth, while FastPass-inspired escort cards guided everyone to their reception tables as a tribute to their favorite attraction, the Haunted Mansion.
Rather than simply attending a wedding, every guest became part of the story.
Forever Moments
For Catie, the morning spent getting ready with her bridesmaids became one of the most cherished parts of the day.
She also loved the first look, not because of dramatic reactions, but because Calvin's instant reaction was simply to wrap her in the best hug.
Walking down the aisle with her father became another emotional moment she never expected. As she looked ahead and saw Calvin waiting for her, surrounded by smiling family and friends, tears began to fall.
After officially becoming husband and wife, the two climbed into a horse-drawn carriage for one of the most iconic moments of the day.
For Catie, an equestrian and lifelong animal lover, getting to pet the horse afterward became one of her favorite memories.
Sometimes the smallest moments become the ones you'll treasure forever.
A Reception No One Wanted to End
When the final song of the evening began, no one expected what would happen next.
As "Closing Time" played through the reception, every guest made their way to the dance floor, forming one giant circle around the newlyweds.
Together, they swayed, sang, laughed, and celebrated the beginning of Catie and Calvin's new chapter.
"Our DJ said he has never seen anything like it before." - Catie
it's the little things
Among all the beautiful décor and Disney touches, some of the most meaningful details were deeply personal.
Catie carried a small elephant necklace inside her bouquet, a treasured keepsake inherited from her grandfather after he passed away when she was in eighth grade. Including it allowed him to be part of the day in a quiet but meaningful way.
Their Maid of Honor's service dog proudly served as the Dog of Honor, bringing smiles to everyone in attendance :)
Their officiant wasn't someone they hired, but a close family friend who had supported their relationship from the very beginning. Together, they wrote the ceremony script, making every word feel deeply personal.
Advice for Future Couples
- Communicate your vision clearly with your vendors, whether that's through inspiration photos or simply explaining what matters most to you, but then, trust the professionals you've chosen. They're experts for a reason.
- Book an engagement session.
"We got awesome photos, but also we got to know the incredible Lily and got a chance to feel comfortable in front of the camera and working with her."
- Surround yourself with supportive people who genuinely want to celebrate you, and don't be afraid to create a drama-free environment.
- Look for opportunities to spend intentional time together during the wedding. Those quiet moments often become your favorite memories.
"It can be overwhelming to be the center of attention. Find an opportunity to connect with your new wife/husband in the craziness of the day and just be together for a second. We had a sweetheart table and the carriage ride for this." - Catie
- And finally, don't overlook practical decisions. Catie wore sneakers underneath her wedding dress instead of heels. No one could see them under the dress anyway 🤭
Looking Back
If they could change one thing, Catie admits she would have added Disney's in-park portrait session. At the time, it felt like an extra expense, especially since they'd already taken engagement photos in the parks. Looking back, she knows those portraits would have been incredible keepsakes.
Still, when asked about their biggest investments, they wouldn't hesitate to recommend working with experienced Disney vendors like Fairytale Hair and Makeup, Floral and Decor team, DJ, and Blushing Bride. They also stayed on property the night before because they had an early getting ready time, and invested in beautiful floral and décor that their guests loved.
Happily Ever After!
This October, Catie and Calvin celebrate ten years together and two wonderful years of marriage!
They've recently purchased their very first home, beginning yet another exciting chapter of the story that started with an unexpected bump on Main Street.
