We are so excited to invite you to celebrate our love in San Diego on May 5th 2018. Please reference this website for all information about the wedding weekend and be sure to check back for updates as it gets closer!

Love Neva and Griffin

All photos provided by www.theyoungrens.com

Nevas story of the proposal

Last November, Griffin went to grab a drink with my dad at Shaw's Crab House in Chicago. Thinking it was a little out of the ordinary to ask for my dad's permission to move in together, I thought it was sweet of Griff and joined them for dinner later. Little did I know, Griff had just asked Tony to marry me.

A few weeks later, Griff came home with me for Christmas before we jetted off to New Mexico to go skiing with his family. It was the first time we were spending the holidays with both families and so it was already something special to us, but I had no idea what Griff had up his sleeve. On December 23, Griffin suggested we go out to dinner in my hometown of Westport, CT before having a few weeks of packed family time. We decided to try out a new restaurant in town.

Following a delicious dinner and wonderful conversation, Griffin suggested we walked by the river downtown, as we have on nearly every visit of his. Slightly cold and confused why Griff really wanted to walk over there in the dark, I agreed for old time's sake. When we got over to the water, Griff got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Thankfully, I was able to say YES! before having to sit down from nearly fainting of excitement and shock.

Following the proposal, we went back to my parents house for the most amazing surprise- hundreds (maybe not hundreds but it felt like it) of sunflowers all over the house and all of my closest hometown friends and families ready to celebrate! No night out in Westport would be complete without a trip to Viva's, so of course we had a celebratory tequila shot to end the amazing night!

Griffins story of the proposal

Neva always has been and always will be that one person I knew I'd share my life with.

The first time it really clicked we were delayed in the Austin airport and I immediately called my dad, I remember saying "Dad, I want to marry Neva one day." My goal during that talk wasn't to rush to ask anytime soon, it was to make sure I was thinking and doing all the right things conducive to a happy marriage and engagement. After that talk with my Dad that I'll always remember, months passed and I knew I wanted to find a special ring for Neva that she'll look at the same way for our entire lives. My mom and I went to a local jeweler in La Jolla and went through a crash course in diamonds and engagement rings. About 2 minutes into our time there, the ring I eventually gave Neva was sitting there jumping out at me. I went with my gut and knew this was the one, much like the day I knew I wanted to propose.

When this dream really became a reality, I went to get drinks with Neva's dad at Shaw's in Chicago to ask his opinion and ultimately approval of our engagement (There isn't a manlier place to do this in the city than the Oyster Bar at Shaw's). That conversation is another one that I will remember forever and ultimately made me realize an important thing, marrying Neva would bring another amazing family into my life, something I'll always be grateful for. Once I had the chance to let everyone in the family know, it was planning time. It was important to me that the friends and family of the Sanfilippo's in CT could be with us and the month of December just felt right.

My scheme was to go to dinner by the water and walk to one of our favorite spots in Westport. I was absolutely 100% composed and put together, like Harrison Ford or George Clooney. By composed and put together I mean I was beyond nervous until we finally got outside I'm not even sure what we ate for dinner.  Although It was chilly, Neva toughed it out until I got down on one knee. She was shocked, smiling, laughing, doing Neva things and with laughter said "I'm going to throw up on you." Honestly still not sure if she said yes but we're here! :) After that I knew the next step was to find as many sunflowers as possible in the house when we got back from one of our favorite spots in Westport (82 to be exact...they're Neva's favorite). Naturally, Brig took the festivities to another level from there and we celebrated one of the best days of our lives together