Catherine and Sean Lowe’s love story played out in front of millions of people as they met, dated, and fell in love on the 17th season of The Bachelor. Sean, an Irving native, fell for Catherine, a graphic designer from Washington. In the most romantic season of The Bachelor yet, Sean proposed. They went on to marry publicly, as well. ABC broadcast the over-the-top nuptials in Santa Barbara planned by celebrity favorite Mindy Weiss. The famous duo settled in Dallas where Catherine runs her stationery business LoweCo. Now, just months after their fourth anniversary, Catherine shares behind-the-scenes photos and details from her big day.
We all watched when Catherine and Sean first met, but what you may not know is that there were major butterflies and a twinge of doubt on Catherine’s part. “The first time I met Sean I was suuuper awkward because I was thinking, ‘The hottest guy in the entire world won’t be into me, there’s no way,’ she says. “Since seeing him on his debut season of The Bachelorette, I knew he was way out of my league but I thought he was such a nice, family guy. Blonde, blue-eyed, beefy, genuinely kind with strong values? Diamond in the rough, if you ask me!” Then, there was the public proposal: “Right after we got engaged and the cameras stopped rolling, we both looked around and were like ‘Okay, what now? We get to like just be together now?’ It was then that we got to exchange phone numbers in the same conversation as talking about our future children. So strange,” she says.
Celebrity planner Mindy Weiss executed the details of the day. “Mindy Weiss is so wonderful to work with,” Catherine says. “Not only does she execute stunning events, but she really listens to what the bride envisions. I was never a girl who thought too much about her wedding, more so about her future husband, but once the process started it was really exciting. Mindy and her team were true professionals that turned my tiny dreams into a huge reality.”
Six million wedding guests watched on national television as they said their vows. And planning it was no small feat. “I had so much say in the feel of the wedding: design, colors, look, flowers, everything that mattered to me,” she explained. “But a lot of the day was a surprise to me because I gave a lot of responsibility over to their team since I wasn’t an expert and everything had to be a little more extravagant since it was going to be on TV. What a production!” And the dress? “Monique Lhuillier herself was there for my first fitting, helping me choose the perfect dress. I wanted my wedding dress to be feminine and fitted without being too floofy. I went with a strapless, fitted bodice and a trumpet skirt. Nothing too out there, but the craftmanship was impeccable and my veil was stunning. Monique Lhuillier designs for women, and I was so grateful to rock her beautiful garment on my big day,” she says.
“I was just so elated to finally be Sean’s wife. The moment I walked down the (super long) aisle all I could think about was ‘I get to hold hands with this man for eternity,'” she says.”We got the immeasurable advice from Keltie Knight a couple days before our wedding to never let go of each other’s hands once we got them and that made everything even more special. Sean and I were never taken away from each other and we got to experience every moment together,” she says.
“The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara was the most amazing wedding venue with the absolute best backdrop and service. Sean and I came back for our first wedding anniversary and they treated us like we had gotten married the day before. Class acts,” Catherine says.
“During our wedding run through the night before, 2Cellos played ‘Human Nature’ by Michael Jackson, and we thought that was really cool. Super unexpected, but we thought it was just for the rehearsal. Sean and I didn’t realize we never picked the song I walked down the aisle to and that’s what 2Cellos decided for us! It was really a fun surprise that felt meant just for us,” she says.
Now that Catherine and Sean have entered their fourth year of marriage with a toddler son and baby on the way, she has some expert advice to share with future brides. “Put the reason you’re getting married above anything else on the day of the wedding. Everything is icing on the cake when the cake is being united with your partner for life,” she says.
