Nashville weddings

Congrats to Stephanie & Justin: Facebook Engagement Photo Contest, Winner

Friday, May 13, 2011

Drumroll....Stephanie and Justin's engagement pictures received the most votes in our Spring 2011 Facebook Engagement contest!  And based on the huge number of votes they received, it's no wonder they have a guest list of 330 people!   Thanks to their photographer, Sara E Rose Photography, the two were able to tell their beautiful love story via their engagement photos, which do an amazing job chronicling their history and is a great idea!  

Enjoy their sweet love story and the details of their quickly approaching wedding day.

Stephanie Lewis + Justin Hayden

Engagement date ~ February 12, 2010

Wedding date ~ June 18, 2011

How did you meet:

We met in the NICU at Baptist Hospital. I was a premature sick baby and he was a orange jaundice baby. We were there together even though I was born two months before him. Justin says this is where I fell in love with him. That I saw this tan hot baby with cool shades on and that I have been in love with him ever since. I don’t really remember it being like that but he swears by it. He says he had amazing “game” even then. We then happened to attend St. Edward’s together, K-8th grade. I don’t really remember him until the second grade. We were both in Mrs. Clinard’s class and I had a huge crush on him. In the third grade, he asked me to be his girlfriend and made me a valentine that said, “I love you and I hope you love me too”. Aww- so sweet! We were best friends all through grade school. We then attended high school together. We never dated, always dated other people but remained great friends. We always had a strong opinion on who the other one dated. People always told us that we would end up getting married but we never really believed them. It wasn’t until he went to Iraq that everything changed. Before Justin went to Iraq, he called my mother (which is like his second mother) and told her he thought he was in love with me and had to tell me before he went away. He did not get the chance to tell me before he left, but he let me know as soon as he got home. We wrote letters to one another and still stayed in close contact while he was away. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. I also realized while he was away that I loved him more than a friend. So, as soon as he got home from Iraq we started dating... and the rest is history! I feel like our whole lives have led up to this and that we are truly soulmates. He is my best friend, my past, my present, and will be my future.

This is the reason why I really love our engagement photos. They are not of us just standing by a random tree but they tell our love story. We went to our grade school and took photos. We took some by our lockers, in our 5th grade classroom, library, etc. He even sported his 8th grade football championship jersey- GO SAINTS!!! I would highly recommend to any engaged couple to let the photos tell your story! They are so much more meaningful and special. Sara Rose did an amazing job of capturing our story!

Tell me about your proposal:

Justin called me and told me that when I got home he had a small surprise to kick off my birthday weekend. He told me to come inside and sit on the couch, with my eyes closed. He then put in my lap the cutest yellow lab puppy (she is now the grown yellow lab in the pictures). I was so surprised and excited! Justin told me that the collar she had on belonged to his childhood family dog. I thought it was cool but didn't pay too much attention to the collar! He kept talking about the collar and finally he took the ring off the collar and got on one knee. I never even noticed the ring! I We named the puppy Lucy; we both love the Beatles and so we thought since she came with a beautiful diamond ring we would name her after the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".

Who have you hired for your wedding team?

Wedding venue I Church of the Assumption
Photographer I Sara E Rose Photography - I would recommend Sara Rose to anyone and everyone! Not only is her work beautiful but she is so wonderful to work with. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding she shot and I loved her from the start. I asked for her card and once I saw her work and price- it was a done deal! She is fun, prompt, genuinely cares, and most importantly wants you to LOVE your photos! I cannot wait for the wedding pictures!.
Bride’s Dress I The White Room Too 
Bridesmaids’ Dresses I The White Room Too 
Groom's Attire I Men's Warehouse
Floral Designer I Phillipe Chadwick of Chadwicks. Phillipe is friend of ours since kindergarten! He is just getting started in the wedding business and does beautiful work. We feel so fortunate to have him as a friend and florist! :)
Rentals I Classic Party Rentals
Invitations I Target and then got them printed at Quick Print.
Reception Venue I The Fleming Center at The Cathedral of the Incarnation
Lighting I Nashville Audio Visual
Caterer I Ribbons of Chocolate Catering - so yummy and amazing price! Pam Hogancamp (owner) is so sweet and helpful!
Cake I Sam's Confection Connection - We cannot wait to eat this cake!!! The wedding cake will be strawberry cake with cream cheese icing.
Groom's Cake I A surprise for the groom! :)
Videography I  Pureform Media, Brendan Donohue
Music / DJ I The Mad Dog Company. We are also having a friend, Shane McAnally, who is a very talented songwriter and singer perform a song.

I can honestly say, that all of my vendors have been so easy to work with and very helpful!

What's your wedding style? Traditional with a twist :)

What's your wedding budget? $20,000; We are inviting about 330 guests.

About the Author:

Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide

Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.

See more posts by Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide »

send   Posted on May 13, 2011 | Filed under: Engagements & Proposals, Real Nashville Brides