If you’ve ever had engagement pictures taken, you know the location is just as important as your outfit and making sure you didn’t forget to wear your ring. But what if your favorite location isn’t exactly the usual setting for romantic photos?
That didn’t matter to one couple who chose to do their photos where they wanted to, ignoring all the so-called rules when it comes to weddings. Their favorite spot? Their local Olive Garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Samantha Roberts and Jeff Gilleland’s love for the Italian-American restaurant began before their love for each other, with Gilleland heading there for dinners with his childhood sports teams and Roberts eating out there with her family. Since the beginning of their relationship, they turned their shared love for Olive Garden into date nights, as it was a comfortable spot for both of them to get to know each other.
So, naturally, when Gilleland heard about Olive Garden’s Pasta Passport to Italy from colleagues in 2017, he decided to try his luck and purchase the pass in hopes of winning the Pasta Passport giveaway. As fate would have it, he won and was able to surprise Roberts with the trip of a lifetime.
However, that wasn’t the only surprise Gilleland had planned for their vacation. He also had a proposal up his sleeve. Roberts said yes!
Following their return home, the soon-to-be newlyweds did what any couple with such strong ties to the restaurant chain would do — head to Olive Garden for their engagement photo shoot. Not only did their photos, by Jeanne Sherman Photography, turn out beyond adorable, but they’re bound to make anyone who looks at them crave some Olive Garden.
The happy couple’s wedding is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2019. Of course, Olive Garden will be catering the wedding with a full menu, and guests in need of a late-night snack will have a full spread to enjoy with a Breadstick Bar at the reception.
Take a look at more of their too-cute engagement photos:
With their love for pasta, they kind of had to do that “Lady and the Tramp” spaghetti move. And why wouldn’t the wedding ring appear among the breadsticks?
Gilleland and Roberts were clearly having a good time during the photo shoot.
Congratulations, Samantha and Jeff! We hope you have a wonderful pasta-filled wedding!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
