Southern Weddings

Elizabeth + Ryan grew up together in Sebree, Kentucky.  The two met in Junior High School but the relationship didn’t get off the ground till years later when the two ran into one another at a social gathering.  Their relationship eventually took them to New York and it was there that Ryan asked Elizabeth to be his.  The two wed at Elizabeth’s family home in Kentucky on a unseasonably warm November day.  Floral design by Jayme Floyd of J’Petals.  Bridal jewelry by {Catherine Canon}.  Photography by {Bella Grace Studios}.

How did the two of you meet? We met in junior high when we were just thirteen and fourteen years old. We love that we were “boyfriend and girlfriend” that long ago; it is so funny to reminisce. We remained friends in High School but went our separate ways after graduation, Ryan headed to the University of Kentucky in Lexington and I went to The Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Five years later we ran into one another at a hometown hangout over the Thanksgiving holiday. We spoke for hours as though we were the only two people there, exchanged numbers and left, neither one of us making good on our promise to reconnect. We often joke that despite such a great evening of laughter and conversation, it’s as if we walked away from one another and both tossed our numbers out the window. One year later to the date, we ran into each other again at the same place, same time and have been together ever since. Seventeen years after our first introduction we were married.
Describe the proposal: Being raised in Kentucky, Thoroughbred racing is one thing we both have a passion for and The Kentucky Derby is an annual event we look forward to each spring. This year the possibility of a Triple Crown winner, for the first time in 30 years, drew us to the great city of New York and to Belmont Racetrack. Due to separate travel plans we met one another in Manhattan for the weekend. We arrived at the Mandarin Oriental and began preparing for a night on the town with our friends and family. Ryan distracted me by calling me over to him to look out over the city and the Hudson River ; he anxiously presented me with the most striking ring I have ever seen and asked if we could spend our lives together.
What attracted me to my husband was: I was drawn to his charisma, his infectious personality, his drive to succeed, his ability to make me laugh, and his playful yet steady demeanor. I am so thankful that we finally took advantage of our reconnection opportunities. We are very fortunate to have one another.
What attracted me to my wife was: I was attracted to my wife 17 years ago. Her beautiful laugh, smile and personality always kept me intrigued. We are best friends and I consider myself to be a very lucky husband.

More to come from Elizabeth + Ryan!