Oak Grove and Vinegar Hill are two of Indiana, Pennsylvania’s small town staples! Oak Grove is also where they first met and have a lot of “dating memories” so of course we had to go there for some of the photos. We also ventured to Vinegar Hill and photographed them with the 1966 Mustang…basically it was a perfect evening- I mean have a look-see for yourself!
Tanner made plans with me to go to a Christmas light show in Butler. We were supposed to go with the two of our friends who originally introduced us. While we were on our way, Tanner said that he needed to stop at one of our other friends house to pick up something that he forgot the weekend before. When we got to the house, he had me go in with him… he told me no one would be home. When I opened the door, many of our friends were sitting at the top of the steps. One had a camera, they were playing music and throwing confetti/balloons at me. I was so confused at first! I actually said “stop, what are you doing?” I turned around and Tanner is in the doorway on his knee holding my engagement ring. It was such a sweet moment. Our friends threw us an engagement party right after with cupcakes that our friend made cake toppers for saying “Finally Engaged”, “She Said Yes”, and “Future Mrs Gilliland”, champagne, an engagement balloon sign, and shirts saying “Finally Engaged” and “Finally Proposed”. It was definitely one of the nicest things anyone has done for Tanner and I. It was amazing!!
Indiana, Pennsylvania Engagement Photographer
We met at IUP through mutual friends. My best friend is dating one of Tanners good friends and old hockey teammates. They introduced us.
Tanner said “you’re flawless eyes”… lol
Alyssa first noticed how Tanner was very outgoing and funny
We didn’t really have a special first “I love you” moment… we were sitting on the front porch of Tanners house in college. It was just the two of us talking and I blurted it out lol
We enjoy to go to Penguin games and Pirate games, going on trips, and trying new things. We also love to hang out with our friends and those closest to us.
One of our favorite places to hang out is “Tom’s Bar” and test mixing up some new drinks.
Tanner’s favorite hobbies are golfing, hunting and coaching hockey.
Alyssa’s favorite hobbies are kayaking, traveling and making art.
Tanner describing Alyssa: caring, creative, humorous
Alyssa describing Tanner: hilarious, kindhearted, easy-going
Tanner: has a massive obsession with Luke Bryan, oldest of 4 boys, played travel hockey all over the country growing up
Alyssa: has family all over the US; currently a long term substitute at the same elementary school I went to as a child; I love to test out different mediums to make art. I’ve tried wood burning, glass work, jewelry making, etc.
The first kind of funny thing was that we really didn’t care for each other the first time we met. I thought that Tanner was a player and didn’t want anything to do with him… Tanner thought I was mean! This didn’t last for long though and once we actually got to know each other, we knew that we had something special.
This story is a little funnier. We have been dating for about 3 months when Tanner met my parents for the first time at one of my brothers baseball games. We stood with my mom at the fence and my dad was one of the coaches. Tanner did not know yet which coach was my dad. At the end of the game, my dad was not pleased with the umpire…. He’s running across the baseball field, past us standing there, calling for the umpire to talk! All Tanner says is “umm is that your dad?”. Yep. That’s him. We still laugh about it with my family
We both feel like we couldn’t live without each other and family. Tanner also says that he can’t live without hockey and Alyssa says she can’t live without her pets
I’m not sure what I love more….them or that 66 Mustang! haha!
“We bring out the best in each other. We are always happy to be around one another… we feel like we aren’t just a couple but best friends.”- Alyssa
