Wedding Day

Ceremony

Bennett Farms

Reception

Children by invitation only 

Our Wedding

I thought it would be best for me and Stephen to share our different perspectives of the day we met since we both like to tell it differently... I came to church for the first time in months, I felt like I needed to go back to my home church and be with my family. I had just sworn off men/dating for good. I was fed up (my sister swears I had done this before, but this time I was actually serious.) As I was pulling into the parking lot, I saw a boy walking in with a family I grew up with and immediately texted my friend and said Whos that?? I spent the rest of the service asking her questions about him... Is he crazy? does he love Jesus? Does he have a criminal record? After the service I was talking to her trying to decide if I wanted to go talk to him because again, I had just sworn off dating. Eventually I walked up to him and the rest of the family and completely ignored him until we were introduced. He was leaning up against the pew, flexing his muscles and trying to play it cool haha. I ended up leaving and found him on facebook later that night and messaged him saying how nice it was to meet him. We exchanged numbers, texted for a few days. We ended up making plans to hang out later that week. We had an amazing time, lots of great conversation and have been inseparable ever since. I am so thankful God placed this sweet boy in my life. He is an answer to my prayers and he has made all the bad dates, horror stories, and heartbreak of dating worth it. We can not WAIT to celebrate with all of our friends and family!!!

Ali’s Perspective 

After finishing my time in the military, I was living in North Carolina with a good job—but my heart always knew I was meant to be in Northeast Georgia. When the opportunity finally came to move back in late 2024, I jumped on it. Though I initially landed in Canton, GA near one of my brothers, the dream of living in Northeast Georgia was still alive. Shortly after returning, I reconnected with Renee, a former math teacher of mine who had become like a second mother. She invited me to attend church with her one Sunday, and I said yes. On January 5th, 2025, we pulled into the parking lot, and that’s when things took an unexpected turn. Renee’s daughter, Lily, got a text that simply read: “Who’s that?” She turned to me with a smile and said, “You have a prospect here.” I laughed it off, not wanting to get my hopes up—I’d dated before, and nothing ever felt right. I was starting to believe it just might not happen for me. During the service, I was curiously scanning the room, trying to figure out who had sent that text. No luck—she stayed hidden, all while secretly texting Lily for details about me. After church, while we were standing near one of the pews chatting, this beautiful blonde came bounding over to join the conversation—and suddenly, I couldn’t think about anything else. I leaned against the pew, trying to play it cool (probably looking more like a deer in headlights), while she mirrored that same playful coolness back. That was the first sign she might be something really special. I didn’t ask for her number right away, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. As we walked out, I told Renee, “She is so beautiful.” And wouldn’t you know it—the very next day, I got a friend request on Facebook. We started talking, and from the beginning, everything felt easy and right. She was sweet, funny, intelligent, supportive—and she made it feel safe to open up again. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. Though I had some walls up at first, she saw right through them. After our first date a week or so later, we became inseparable. She quickly became everything to me—and I haven’t looked back since.

Stephen’s Perspective 

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

This does not include taxes or parking or breakfast. Located on the Gainesville Square.

Courtyard Gainesville 

Does not include taxes and fees. Includes breakfast buffet and parking.

Hilton Garden Inn

We have placed room blocks at two hotels here in Gainesville. Reservations need to be made before mid September in order to get the blocked rates!

Ali & Stephen

Ali & Stephen

A&S

Wedding Day

Reception

Children by invitation only