To Have and to Holden is our series where we interview real couples about their romance, weddings, and whatever else comes up along the way. Enjoy!
After a truly titanic engagement, Kobie and Joseph were planning a nautical themed wedding, but due to COVID-19 and a move, they had to pivot their plans. With the help of a mom swooping in to save the day, they were still able to have the perfect wedding. Joseph chose The Domed in rose gold for his wedding band - read on for their story.
How did you two meet and start dating?
We swiped right on Tinder and had a long conversation for a few days before going on a date. Our first date lasted about 14 hours and respectively ended in a hand shake. While on the first date, Joseph forgot Kobie’s name and had to look up his Tinder profile to remember it.
How did you get engaged?
We got engaged in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in May of 2019 at the Titanic Museum. Joseph planned a trip for our two year anniversary. Kobie is OBSESSED with the Titanic (like the actual ship, not just the movie), so Joseph planned a trip to the museum without telling Kobie where we were going or what we were doing. Joseph blindfolded Kobie about a block away from the location and escorted him up towards the building. Joseph was so nervous that he forgot to warn Kobie of the curb, and Kobie tripped pretty hard. Joseph got Kobie into position and whispered in his ear, “Remember the first time you knew you loved when I took you to the Titanic Museum in Las Vegas? Will you love me a little longer?” Kobie took his blindfold off and was so amazed at the building that he didn’t realize that Joseph was on one knee. Joseph had to actually tap his knee and ask the questions again. To which Kobie responded with “Yes, uh huh, that’s a thing I will do, yes.” Joseph jumped up to hug and kiss him, and all Kobie could do was wrap one arm around Joseph and just point at the building. The rest is history.
Tell us a bit about your wedding! How was your planning impacted by COVID, and how did you pivot?
We had a gorgeous nautical-themed wedding planned in Las Vegas for November 22, 2020 (Joseph’s Grandpa’s 100th birthday). Then out of nowhere, the world broke out in a global pandemic and Joseph lost his job. After several months of looking for a job without any prospects, we were forced to cancel our Vegas wedding and opted to elope on Joseph’s mom’s front porch in Laredo, Texas to adhere to COVID protocols. While planning the new - and much smaller - wedding, Joseph was able to find a full time job, however it was located in Cherokee, North Carolina. So as we were planning a wedding, we moved across the country.
As the date got closer and COVID, unfortunately, got worse for the country, our wedding became the wedding that almost didn’t happen. Kobie’s family couldn’t fly from Las Vegas for health concerns, and Joseph and Kobie were in a tight spot financially after moving and almost couldn’t travel. However, in the way that moms have done since the dawn of time, Joseph’s mom stepped in to save the day and arranged for a venue (the back of a bougie pizzeria), food, decor, a DJ, and asked Joseph’s best friend if she would officiate the wedding. The wedding still almost didn’t happen, right up until the day Joseph and Kobie left for the wedding. Luckily, we were able to keep November 22, which was a very special date for Joseph, and Kobie’s family was also able to attend.
What’s a moment from your wedding day that you’ll remember forever?
There’s a few, Joseph having to change on the side of the road outside the venue five minutes after the start time of the wedding into his wedding clothes. Kobie having to go get more condiments for the food 30 minutes before the wedding. But we would have to go with Kobie, in his vows, vowing that he promises to take Joseph’s nephews – Aiden and William – in as his own nephews and loving them just as much as Joseph does. As Kobie said the boys’ names, Joseph, his mom, and his sister all three in tandem audibly sniffled back tears of love.
What’s some advice you have for couples planning a wedding right now?
Do what YOU want as a couple. Big or small. If there’s a will, there’s a way. After the whirlwind that was our wedding, we want everyone to be able to do what they want when they want.
What was important to you in choosing a ring? What made you choose Holden?
Joseph is the one who has the Holden ring. What was important to him was aligning his wedding ring with a brand that stood up and showed up for the LGBTQIA+ community. In the beginning of the buying process, Joseph had a call with a member of the Holden team to learn more about his needs and wants. Joseph talked about his concerns and how hard it was to find a venue and vendors willing to do business with a gay couple. He was floored and said “you’d be shocked with how often we hear that.” Joseph knew then and there that not only was he heard, he was seen in a very real way, and he knew that he wanted Holden on his ring finger forever!
What does love mean to you?
Depending on who you ask, Joseph or Kobie, love means being able to harass your significant other at all hours of the day and night, but also showing up for them with acts of service and trust. Also, depending on who you ask, love means holding your partner every night and providing for their needs both emotionally and physically and just being there to listen as they ramble their day back to you.
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