HOW DID YOU MEET?

Judson & I met on September 12, 2015 at a bar in the Arena District in Downtown Columbus. The only reason I know the exact date is because I had signed up for EHarmony the night before, not anticipating that I’d meet someone the next night at the bar. My group of friends wanted to sit around the fire pit outside and that is where Judson & his roommate were sitting. All my friends sat down except me, and being the gentleman his mother raised him to be, Judson noticed I couldn’t sit and offered his seat, which I declined. After some time, a seat became available and I sat down and Judson started up a conversation with me. When it was time to go, he whipped out his phone and handed it to me without saying a word with the phone pad up, and I put in my phone number and next thing I know, he started to call the number and there he was with his number popping up on my phone. The rest is history. 

DESCRIBE THE GROOM’S LOOK:

Judson wanted a sophisticated, classic, and clean look. We knew we wanted his suit to be different than the groomsmen, so we decided to make him stand out in a darker charcoal grey with a crisp white shirt and black tie. Judson loves his crazy patterned socks, and because we got married on September 11th, which is also Patriot’s Day, what better idea than to wear red, white & blue.

TELL US ABOUT THE WEDDING DRESS:

I’ve always dreamed about having that bridal princess dress since I was a little girl, and in college, I knew I wanted to be a bridal consultant. Two years after I graduated college, I finally was able to work my dream job. Working at White of Dublin (located in the suburbs of Columbus),  you see a lot of gowns, whether through pictures, videos or in person. We had gowns sent in for a trunk show for the Ian Stuart Runway Rebel Collection, and I randomly decided to try on gowns to see how they fit and get ideas for future appointments that following weekend. Little did I know, I fell in love with two gowns, but I knew for me, I could only have one. So randomly one night talking with Judson about the ceremony site and whether to have it inside or outside, he told me to close my eyes and envision the scenery around me and to picture myself in the perfect ceremony location. Next thing I know, instead of envisioning the ceremony, I’m seeing myself in my dream dress and I opened my eyes and looked at Judson and smiling eye to eye told him he helped me pick my wedding gown! He was so thrown off by what I said that we both completely forgot about what we were deciding and I was so excited to finalize my decision. My gown was made of duchesse satin & alencon lace in a champagne color with rose petals scattering down my dress with a couple tiers with lace & beading. It was so romantic and so me and it made me feel like a bride!

ANY INSIDER TIPS FOR PLANNING A WEDDING?

If you want to make sure that you make the right decisions, give yourself PLENTY of time to plan out your wedding. We planned our wedding in a 5 month span, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. One good tip is to communicate often and with everyone. I had a check list from a wedding planning book and I loved it. I would check off things one by one. Keep rough drafts of ideas you have like music, flowers and guest list. Really stay true to the number of guests you’re inviting(and be realistic on how many people your venue can house!!) And by all means, when you’re sitting at dinner eating, take a moment to sit and listen to the music. Take a sip of champagne and look around you, look at all your wedding planning together at once. That is one memory I have cherished away in my heart; it showcased my dream coming true! And don’t forget to not make the wedding bigger than the marriage. Judson & I constantly reminded ourselves of this because the real purpose of the day, the reason why we are all there is to enjoy each other’s love.