Local on 2’s Laura Schweizer’s Engagement to Jeff Ponchillia

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Finding your soulmate isn’t always easy, but for Local on 2’s Laura Schweizer and her fiancé Jeff Panchilia, fate had a quirky plan. Their story, a true Nashville fairytale, began with a news segment and blossomed into a beautiful, life-changing romance. We sat down with the couple to get all the details on their meet-cute, their hilarious proposal, and their unique wedding plans.

Laura, the host of Local on 2, was assigned a “Give Back” series to feature local nonprofits. A friend told her about Jeff’s organization, Change the Stars, a non-profit dedicated to providing medical supplies, scholarships, and support to children in Haiti. Though Laura wasn’t looking to date, her first impression of Jeff was anything but ordinary.

“I was late and got lost, so that was his first taste of me,” Laura laughs. “I walked in, and I’m just like, ‘Oh, wow, okay.’ I couldn’t focus at all. The cameraman had to interrupt us because we were just talking nonstop.”

It turns out they had a surprising connection: they both spent time in the tiny mountain town of Durango, Colorado. “We had some point,” Jeff says, “there’s no way there’s like one main street.” Their mutual past, paired with an undeniable spark, set the stage for a whirlwind romance.

After their first date (a three-hour chat that closed down the restaurant), the couple was inseparable. When it came time to propose, Jeff knew Laura—a reporter who “knows when something’s up”—was going to figure it out.

“My parents came into town and Jeff’s acting weird,” Laura recalls. “He’s outside with my dad for 30 minutes helping him close the garage door. I’m like, ‘Okay, I know it.’”

Her suspicions were confirmed when she “accidentally” checked his phone location and saw he was at King Jewelers. The proposal took place on a trip to the Bahamas with close friends. After a day of playful torment, where he made her wait and even got into a mock fight, he finally popped the question. It didn’t go as planned, and that’s what made it so perfect.

“He turns around, he gets down on one knee… but he didn’t ask me,” Laura laughs. “He just said, ‘Neither of us is coming,’ and shoved the ring. It couldn’t have been any better for who we are personality-wise.”

Laura and Jeff are taking their time with wedding planning, and for good reason—they’re doing it their way! They plan to get married in the Bahamas, the site of their engagement, and then host a large “send-off” party in Nashville for all their family and friends.

“I love the idea of a send-off because it’s just unique,” Laura says. “I would rather just get the big one out of the way. And then the Bahamas is just going to be the fun celebration.”

As for the Nashville reception, they’re leaning towards a casual, laid-back vibe with passed appetizers, a dance floor, and a rooftop venue. They’ve already checked off a major item on the to-do list: the dress. Laura found her perfect custom dress at Nashville’s very own Olia Zavazina.