May 20, 2023

Photos by Brittany Sturdivant

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

Tom and I met in the young professionals group at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. We both went on a mission trip to Belize, where we formed a friendship that slowly turned into more. We had our first date on a hot day in July 2019, where Tom “affectionately” remembers I picked a table on the patio that allowed me sit in the shade and left him baking in the sun.

THE PROPOSAL

In college, Tom studied abroad for a semester in Vienna. When we started planning a trip to Europe for summer 2022, he wanted to make sure Vienna was one of our stops since I had never been. He proposed in front of the Schönbrunn Palace! I don’t remember a word he said, but I knew I it was the easiest “yes” of my life. Afterwards, we celebrated with a traditional Viennese dinner and champagne.

WEDDING DRESS DETAILS

I went to my wedding dress appointment unsure of what I wanted my dress to look like. When the owner of the shop pulled this dress for me to try on, I knew it was the perfect balance of traditional elegance and chic style suited to my personality. I fell in love with the incredibly detailed applique flowers at the top of the dress. When the talented Telia Johnson was making my cake, she handmade sugar flowers that were inspired by the flowers on my dress.

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE

Plan the big things first. Then, you can spend the rest of your engagement enjoying all of the celebrations and picking out all the details that will make your day special.

Ceremony Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church Reception Venue: The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Meghan Cease with M. Elizabeth Events Florist: Marigold Designs Caterer: The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook Cake: Telia Johnson Cakes Wedding Dress: Mandi Jackson Bridal Bridal Hair: Perfectly Undone Beauty Bridal Makeup: Gracefully Undone Beauty Bridesmaid Dresses: Dillard’s Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank Stationery: McKinley Rohrer, Sister of the Bride DJ/Wedding Band: One More Song Transportation: Action Limousines Wedding Night Accommodations: The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook