It’s not often that falling in love with the girl next door can lead to a wedding story, but for Shannon and Kenny, that’s exactly what happened. It all started when Kenny moved into a new home and introduced himself to his new neighbors. A picture on their mantle of a beautiful blonde caught his eye. “I think I even said something like, ‘Wow, she’s really beautiful.’ Kind of weird to say that to someone you just met about their daughter, but it just came out,” Kenny recalls.
With Kenny still settling into his new home and Shannon busy as a student, it took a few months for their paths to cross. But when Shannon returned from a ski trip, she and Kenny struck up a conversation and soon discovered that they had a lot in common. But despite an attraction and a passion in common, neither made a move. So, Shannon’s mom stepped in. “I was talking with her one day and she mentioned that Shannon would love someone to go skiing with, and that I should give her a call,” says Kenny.
Soon, they arranged a casual ski trip to Lake Tahoe. “We had a great time,” Shannon remembers. “We were just hanging out as friends and getting to know each other, but it was so much fun.”
After the ski trip, the chemistry between the two was obvious. So, when Kenny called to ask Shannon for a dinner date, she happily accepted. Over dinner and drinks, the two chatted, and laughed. Then came a moment where Kenny’s warm sense of humor won Shannon over. “It was silly really,” she recalls. “He was just joking around with the sugar container – lifting up the lid and making these funny voices and impressions…but it made me giggle.” To Shannon, it was more than a simple comedic performance; it was an example of Kenny’s genuine personality and his confidence in himself. “Here he was, joking like this in front of someone he just met; he’s not putting on an act,” says Shannon. “There are so many people out there who are fake, guys who just use pickup lines. But Kenny didn’t have to do that. He was just himself.” And the feeling was mutual. “Now, clearly I’m funny,” Kenny jokes. “But seriously, not every girl would have laughed at my silly impressions. I could tell she was down to earth and real.”
While their affection was strong, the couple took their time to get to know one another and let things develop. They had much in common, from a love of skiing and outdoor sports, to a passion for cooking, and an appreciation for travel. But what they enjoyed most was learning from one another. Despite a multitude of commonalities, Shannon and Kenny were at very different points in their lives. She was a young, ambitious student who was working diligently to launch her career. Kenny, who was eight years older, was well established in his career, with a firm sense of what he wanted out of life.
Still, they never viewed their age difference as an obstacle – just an opportunity. “Kenny was like a mentor to me in some ways…he supported and encouraged me with my goals,” says Shannon. “There were some growing pains, but it was just a matter of learning how to come together and grow together.”
So the couple continued to build a solid friendship as the basis for their romance. After Shannon moved in with Kenny, their relationship grew even stronger. They knew they were headed toward marriage, but neither wanted to rush it. “There was never any pressure, no big talk,” explains Kenny. So, when Kenny popped the question during a beach getaway, Shannon was shocked. “I had no idea it was coming!” she laughs. “I was totally surprised.”
While the proposal appeared spontaneous, Kenny had been planning it for some time. He bought a beautiful engagement ring and ordered it. With the vacation booked and the ring in hand, Kenny shared his plans with both his and Shannon’s family and asked her mother for her blessing, which she happily gave. Through it all, Kenny never said a word to Shannon – keeping his intentions a secret. But as the vacation approached, Kenny realized that pulling off his surprise proposal would be more difficult than he’d expected.
“I knew if she saw the ring box, she’d know,” Kenny recalls. “So I hid it in my backpack – inside of a black sock…I was just hoping security at the airport didn’t go through my backpack and open that sock.”
Finally, after a few days of hauling his backpack – and the ring – around Cancun, Kenny decided the time was right. On a beautiful beach overlooking a pier, Kenny dropped to one knee and produced the ring. Shannon started crying and immediately accepted his proposal.
The newly engaged couple quickly called their family and friends to share the good news. Then, once word spread at the hotel, an impromptu engagement celebration broke out among the guests. “Everyone started buying us drinks at the pool and celebrating; it was really fun,” Shannon says.
Even though they hadn’t talked weddings before Kenny’s surprise proposal, Shannon didn’t waste any time jumping into planning. In fact, she picked up a bridal magazine at the airport on the way home!
At first, the couple wanted a beach wedding – inspired by their proposal and their mutual love for the outdoors. But as they began to research it, they decided that “Keeping it local just made more sense for what we wanted,” Shannon explains. “We knew we wanted a smaller, outdoor wedding, with a beautiful location, dancing, and excellent food.” At the recommendation of a friend, Shannon and Kenny went to visit Serrano Country Club and instantly fell in love. “It was everything we were looking for,” Shannon says. “It was formal without being stuffy, pretty and elegant, but also comfortable.”
With their location selected, Shannon continued to work on details for her spring wedding. She selected a color palette inspired by the beach – ocean blue, charcoal, and white. As an added touch, the couple named their reception tables after beaches that they’d visited together.
For decorations, they chose options that reflected a sophisticated elegance. All-white floral arrangements spilled out of tall, shining mercury glass vases surrounded by candlelight. For a pop of color, ocean blue linens topped the guest tables.
When the big day came, Shannon and Kenny exchanged vows in a simple outdoor ceremony with a small group of friends and family members looking on. Once pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds took sunset photos while guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the patio. Then, at the reception, everyone dined on a gourmet meal while listening to wedding toasts.
After dancing the night away, Shannon and Kenny bid their guests goodbye. But, they weren’t ready to call it a night just yet. They caravanned to the home of one the groomsmen, where an after party awaited – complete with catering, DJ, and drinks. “That was very fun,” Shannon recalls. “We wanted the wedding to be fun, but also elegant…But afterward we got to shift gears and let loose; we had a blast.”
Finally, with their all-night celebration behind them, the newlyweds headed to their honeymoon destination, which was – of course – a beach. It was a fitting ending to their dating life, and the perfect beginning for their new life together as husband and wife. But, for a couple so connected, getting married wasn’t as much about transitioning from one life to the next, as it was simply taking what comes naturally.
“When you take things like we did, you get to know each other really well. We lived together for a long time; we knew what we were getting into,” Kenny says.
“And I’m so glad we did things that way,” Shannon adds. “There was a time when we were first dating and it felt like we knew each other so well – I said, ‘I could marry you right now.’ I remember him saying to me, ‘No, it takes time.’ And he was right.”
For Shannon and Kenny, that time built a sense of trust and shared purpose that gives their romance a depth about which some couples only dream. But their sense of solidarity is what they treasure most.
“I know no matter what’s thrown at us, we’ll work together as a team,” Shannon explains. “We’ll figure it out; we’ll get through this life together. I trust him, and us, completely.”
Photos: CinZo Photography
