For a while, Bettina Looney and Carlos Segovia lived parallel lives.
Theyre both from Floridashes from Ocala, hes from Miamiand attended the same university.
They shared many mutual friends, but never crossed paths.
Photo:Hannah Beth
We even said so out loud to each other when we met, Bettina admits.
I thought it was just a friendly encounter, but Carlos definitely had other plans in mind!
That was actually when I figured out he was the one, Bettina shares.
So half a decade later, Carlos planned a trip back to Babingtonsupposedly with his cousins and their kids.
I didnt suspect a thingno manicure, no expectations, Bettina remembers.
But he had it all planned out!
Fake WhatsApp chats, fabricated flight details, the perfect cover.
When they arrived, he casually mentioned his cousins flight had been delayed.
We were seated at the same table where wed taken that photo years ago, Bettina explains.
Feeling nostalgic, I joked about flipping tradition and proposing to him.
He dodged the question.
South Africa has always been a very special place for the couple.
Carlos went there for the first time for an internship while attending university and fell in love with it.
Five years later, they turned to Anne Mann again to orchestrate their vow renewal at the same location.
It felt like the perfect time to do it, especially with our babies there with us!
I couldnt believe it, but it was free for two nights, and we immediately said yes!
It felt like the perfect way to mark this new chapter of our lives.
Cue the madness, calls, fittings, and scrambling to make it all happen.
I had my eye on an incredible designer, Ellie Misner.
I reached out hoping we could make something work, and we did.
The next morning, we were up at 6 a.m., packed, and on our way.
