For those that think nothing good can come from a “set-up/blind date”, then we have a story for you. Andrea + Mark were set up by friends and although it took two months to get both of them to actually finally met it turned out to be the best decision that either one of them could make. For the two of them it became a courtship, then an engagement and now marriage. The two were married at {Second Presbyterian Church} and held a fantastic reception at the {Hyatt Regency Greenville, South Carolina}. The reception dinner was catered by {Ellen’s Delicatessen}. The flower arrangement and personal flowers by {Expressions Unlimited}. The bridesmaids wore dresses by {Mori Lee} and Andrea wore a gown from {David’s Bridal}. This wedding was submitted by {Olivia Griffin Photography} check out all the gorgeous shots on her {Blog}.
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story: Andrea’s friend from {Wofford}, Jenni, was getting ready to leave BMW and return to the Terriers. Mylene (from Mark’s department at BMW) was training with Jenni for her position. The three of them went to lunch one day. They got on the subject of dating, and Jenni asked Mark, “So, why aren’t you dating anyone?” Mark simply replied that he had just not found anyone he was really interested in pursuing. To which Jenni asked, “Well, what are you looking for?” Mark kindly and patiently gave Jenni the list of character traits and characteristics that he was looking for in young lady. “Wow. I am sorry, Mark, but she doesn’t exist. Sounds great though.” So they continued eating and chatting, but then about 15 minutes later, Jenni stood up, put her hands on the table and said, “Mark, I know the perfect girl for you!” By the end of the day, Jenni had left two voicemails, a text message and an email with Andrea. When they finally spoke, it was just to clarify that Andrea was indeed open to being set-up. Flash forward two months. The date, time, and location were set. January 9, 5:30pm, {City Range} in Spartanburg. Mylene, Jenni, Mark and Andrea arrived and conversation ensued. [Although we really appreciate that Mylene and Jenni came as buffers (in case it was a disaster), we owe them a big apology. After the initial hello, we really did not say a word to either one of them all night!] As the group left City Range, Mark walked Andrea to her car, commenting that he truly enjoyed meeting her, and asked if she would be interested in going out again. She agreed quickly (it was very cold, and she only had a light weight
dress coat on), giving him her number, and then the first of countless goodbye hugs.
Describe the proposal: On August 10, Mark surprised me with a fun, exciting all day adventure at the {Biltmore Estate} in Asheville, North Carolina. This was both fun, and out of the ordinary for us, since we have yet to miss a day of church together, and so I decided to trust that what we were up to was important for our future. After we left the estate, we went for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the third “scenic
overlook” we found a trail and took a short walk to a secluded bench with a fabulous view. We sat down, and started chatting about the day, and just silly stuff. After awhile, Mark asked me if it had been a good day. I replied yes, then explained how much I appreciated the time, planning and leadership he took to make our adventure happen. Then he asked, what would make the day better, to which I replied, “Not having to drive a half hour home from Greenville tonight.” We both laughed and smiled. “Well, would it make the day better if I told you it was time for us to stop talking hypothetically about our relationship?” At this point, I went speechless, and Mark started talking. He told me wonderful things about me, and why he loved me, and that he did want to live the rest of his life with me. Before I realized it, he was down on the ground, on one knee asking, “Andrea Stehman, will you marry me?” I replied, “Yes! Of course!”
What attracts me to my husband is… his kind, caring and quirky personality. He captivates my heart and mind as he is constantly pursing ways to lead me in the path laid out for us. He believes in consistency. I found a man who lives out what he believes, not just when it is convenient, but every moment, even when no one is looking.
Why do you love your husband? Love is not just emotion. I made a vow, a commitment, a choice. With all that is in me, all that I have, all with which I have been blessed, and all the grace and mercy from God, I will love him, always.
What attracted me to my wife was? (Of course) the fact she is beautiful. However from the get go, I recognized that she is interesting, fun, smart and has a sparkling personality. I loved, and still do, talking to her as well as hearing her opinions on matters and the way she sometimes challenges me with her thoughts, views and perspective. Besides all that, she has a wonderful giving attitude that I recognized as being unique, and especially these days hard to find…put all that together and you have the reasons why I kept going back, and now love waking up to her!
A date we went on that we’ll always remember… is Valentine’s Day 2007. Mark planned this incredible evening that started with sending me shopping (with cash!), continued with a delicious intimate dinner, and finished when I arrived home at my house that night. As I walked in the door, there was a trail of Hershey Hugs and cut-out red hearts which ended in my bedroom with a bouquet of roses and more than 20 cut-out hearts with a reason why he liked me on each one.
The weather on our wedding day? It was cold in South Carolina! My younger sister was married in Indianapolis December 29, 2007 and it was 55 degrees. So we thought that a January wedding in the South would be at least 50. It turned out fabulous, though, as our getaway car was super toasty, and my mom brought one of my grandmothers fur jackets to keep me warm.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Timeless grace, like the movies from the early 20th century. The classic look of Grace Kelly and unfading beauty of the cut of Andrea’s diamond.
Favorite design element of your big day: The diamond and purple motifs, some of which we did not even plan!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: After the first 15 mile run our training group did, my roommate Katie, my sister Eileen and my friend Kristin and I all embarked on a 5 hour shopping trip. Although, I found a few dresses I liked, none said, “buy me, now!” So when I traveled home to Indianapolis in order to shop with my mother, we took my oldest sister’s advice. “Shop at David’s Bridal. Even with all the stigmas attached, you never know, you could find a dress that you love for a lot less. What is the point of spending thousands of dollars on dress, when you LOVE one for less?” So, we walked into the store, and I told the associate what I was looking for, and she immediately opened the catalog to the dress. It screamed, “buy me now.” So, I did, and spent less on my dress so I could spend more on other aspects of the day.
Describe your wedding flowers: Perfect. We wanted whites and purples, that is what Jolene gave us. We asked for “bling” and she found some to add. I mentioned the ground cover that was in full bloom at the Biltmore Estate the day we got engaged, and she found it and added it as the base of my bouquet. Having just a few ideas and a florist with great vision makes it very easy.
Describe your wedding cake: A delicious edible version of my wedding dress! The cake topper was sweet gum paste flowers-that mirrored my bouquet. Each layer had a band at the bottom-like the bands of satin on my dress. Even the sash that flowed down the side of the cake was like the bow on the back of my dress.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: (in unison) The airplane cuff-links, I gave to Mark to wear that day. He loves airplanes, flying, traveling, all of it. I wanted him to have a reminder that our marriage was going to be just like all those, another great adventure.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Bringing our two families together, while respecting the views and values of each side.
Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding? The Sellinger family (my mom’s side) always get a big family picture at the weddings of the cous
ins (there are more than 40 of us). Mark and I added this to the Stehman and Saunders sides: family pictures of everyone who could attend the celebration. Also, it has become tradition for the Stehman daughters (I am one of four) to wear our mother’s headpiece, which is now 37.5 years old. It has now been part of four successful weddings and marriages, with one more to come (fingers crossed).
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Being pronounced man and wife, the exciting and heartwarming reality of that.
Scariest moment? The unity candle was moved, and was hiding behind our pastor. We had no clue where to go or what to do until he moved to the side at the beginning of the song.
Funniest moment? Thanks to my wife, I smiled the whole ceremony. She made funny faces to lighten me up, she got her bouquet caught in her veil, and then she dropped her diamond as she tried to switch it back to her left hand. I love my wife.
Hardest decision you made in planning? Finalizing the date of our wedding. (Mark’s father was terminally ill. Andrea’s oldest sister was deployed to Afghanistan.) We were facing the possibility of one, two or both people physically missing the day. We had to hope for the best, while expecting the worst. We missed both of them deeply, however, they were both there in spirit and joined
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Joyful, sentimental, exhilarating.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/or line? Yes…”divinely appointed helper” and “divinely appointed husband.”
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Keep in mind that your wedding is an event that you will celebrate with many friends and family members, but first and foremost about you and your spouse becoming one. So ultimately it should reflect who and what you are as individuals but even more so as a couple.
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration was… the comment that ours was “the sweetest wedding I’d ever been to,” and all the compliments on how honest our vows were.
Who was your most honored guest at the wedding? All the family that came from far away, as well as friends and mentors from college.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We think we are headed towards some new career possibilities. Through that, we hope to continue to establish a life together in which we can (and do) honor our vows while building a family.
Any DIY items? If you enjoy doing something or have a talent for, go for it, but only if it will decrease the stress in your planning. When I got my Macbook, I was so excited because it meant I could design the programs, the menus, the save the dates. I also borrowed all our vases for centerpieces, finding silver and purple floating candles, which decreased our cost and made continued the timeless and simple aspects of our day (and who we are).
Congratulations to Andrea + Mark. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and love!
Where are the bride and groom metal place card holders from?
Hi Melissa, we like these place card holders, too! Beau Coup has them. Here’s the link- http://www.beau-coup.com/matrimony_placecard_table_decorations.htm. I hope this helps!MarisaSouthern Weddings magazine
Oh my goodness, those shoes are perfect! Do you know where they’re from?
Place Card Holder, my mom found it at a fabulous stationary store in Indianapolis, and says you can find similar ones as fine staionary stores elsewhere (she works at a Crown Gold Hallmark, so she should know!)…The Shoes were my "something borrowed" and a few seasons back from Bakers….BUT check out Olivia’s new blog (oliviagriffin.com) and her most recent bride has a pair VERY similar.
My mom, Bride’s mom as well, got the place card holders at Pier 1. The shoes are from Target….they were functional, comfortable, and reasonably priced.