May 20, 2023
Photos by AL Weddings
HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?
Walt and I met through my sweet dad a few years ago. Walt worked for the same company as my dad, and eventually, he started working for my dad’s personal business on the side. I was the office manager for my dad’s company, so we would talk regularly about work. My dad and Walt became close over the years, and I heard about him a lot at dinner time. Walt asked me out a couple of times, but I was hesitant, not because I wasn’t interested, but because he and my dad either worked together or talked every single day. On Feb. 4, 2021, my father passed away. Walt checked on my family and me every day in the weeks that followed. He asked me out several weeks later, and I decided it would be good to get out of the house. We had a wonderful time together, and we became inseparable!
THE PROPOSAL
We closed on our first home together on Jan. 25, 2022, and I knew the proposal wouldn’t be long after. Walt had one of my best friends ask me if we wanted to go to dinner with her and her husband, which was not unusual for us to do. My mom scheduled a nail appointment for us that morning. Walt had been at our house all day “working on a few projects” and asked me to meet him there before going to dinner. I showed up to the house, not suspecting anything. Walt greeted me, and walked me to the deck. Walt, my sister and my mom decorated our back porch with flowers and candles. He arranged for a family friend to take pictures of the proposal before we left to get dinner, and we enjoyed the rest of the evening as a newly engaged couple.
WEDDING DRESS DETAILS
I have always loved open-back dresses, so that was the one thing I knew I wanted, heading into dress shopping. I had a picture on my phone of a few dresses that I liked. The stylist had the dress in stock from the first picture I showed her, so I tried it on. I just kept coming back to the same dress, and it was the one.
WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE
My advice to future brides would be to make your day true to you and your future husband. There will be so many opinions thrown at you, so be sure to put your wishes ahead of others’ desires. Just remember some things may inevitably “go wrong” on your big day, but be sure to enjoy every second as it flies by. At the end of the day, you are marrying the love of your life–the main reason for celebrating.
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Thomas Jefferson Tower Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Threefold Events Florist: White Willow Events Caterer: Home Plate Cooking Cake: The P’Pool’s Bakehouse Wedding Dress: McClendon Bridals Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair/Makeup: Maggie Hodges Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Fine Paperwork Videographer: Omari Hood DJ/Wedding Band: Tasteful Tea Band Wedding Transportation: Struggle Bus Bham
