Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Alicia and I met in the summer of 2013 during a gathering of friends at one of our closest friend Alyssa´s house. When I saw Alicia assisting the host with greeting the people showing up to the party with gifts ( I cannot confirm nor deny that those gifts were Beer Bongs and Fire Ball Shots) I instantly knew that I was in trouble. I knew right then I met the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She was filled up with so much energy and excitement that I could not look away. By the end of the party I tried to find her but I could not. I met with Alyssa to exchange numbers and asked to be invited to the next party. Lucky for me the next party was the following weekend. I showed up and sure enough Alicia was there. I did the best that I could to get her to go on a date with me and she turned me down.... not once, but three times. On the fourth attempt 2 weeks later she finally agreed. It just so happened that our first real date was on my birthday, we were extremely fancy and went to Chili´s on base. I was so nervous I ordered enough food for 2 grown men and I did not even touch it. All we did was talk, by the end of the night she agreed to a second date.   - JD After the first date I knew I wanted to see JD more. He was was smart, funny, and sweet. I really just enjoyed hanging out with him. Of course the summer flew by, and before we knew it JD was leaving for California and I was moving to Northern Virginia. We made it a point to see each other. He came to see me for while I was in grad school that fall. The fall seemed to move so slowly, but before I knew it, it was Christmas. I knew I wanted to spend it with him, and it would be a great time for him to meet my family. So I called him and told him that I was going to buy him a ticket. He agreed to come and spend it with me in South Carolina. That Christmas was wonderful with him and my family and from there the rest is history.  - Alicia

Love at first sight?

As many of you know Alicia and I spent most of our relationship in Alexandria VA. It is one of the most beautiful cities we have ever lived in. We lived in an apartment that overlooked the Potomac River. On the other side of the Potomac was an extremely large Ferris Wheel that lit up the night sky&nbsp;and towered over all of the surrounding buildings.&nbsp;We always commented on how beautiful and majestic it was when we drove by it. This Ferris Wheel became a subtle staple in our relationship. On September 2nd 2017 our great friend Ashley and her Boyfriend Matt were visiting us and wanted to go out to explore National Harbor where the Ferris Wheel resides. Its a fun shopping area that I knew the girls would like and it would be easy to get them both to go there if I offered snacks and drinks. After I lured the girls to National Harbor I instantly turned into a nervous wreck trying to hide my emotions from both of them so that they would not&nbsp;be onto my plan. I made the recommendation after drinks that we should go take pictures in front of the Ferris Wheel ( I never want to take pictures..... Alicia should have seen something coming.. LOL). After about 5-6 photos I unzipped my jacket and asked for just one more... at that moment I dropped to my knee, looked at Alicia and asked her to be my Wife. She looked at me with such shock and excitement. I have never seen her look at me this way before. I do not think she said yes or no but she slid the ring that I&nbsp;was giving to her onto&nbsp; her finger and her eyes began to have tears in them. I took that as a YES.&nbsp; Now we are here,&nbsp;we are&nbsp;more than excited to start this journey with you all.&nbsp;- JD&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Proposal 

We are so excited to share our special day with our family and friends from all over. We know that you all will be coming from near and far

The Wedding

Our Story

Details

Photos

Natasha&nbsp;is&nbsp;my&nbsp;sister,&nbsp;as&nbsp;you&nbsp;all&nbsp;know.&nbsp;I am&nbsp;so&nbsp;lucky&nbsp;to&nbsp;have&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;sister,&nbsp;who&nbsp;is&nbsp;so&nbsp;amazing&nbsp;she&nbsp;is&nbsp;smart,&nbsp;and&nbsp;caring.&nbsp;She&nbsp;has&nbsp;grown&nbsp;up&nbsp;so&nbsp;much&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;last&nbsp;few&nbsp;years&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;have&nbsp;enjoyed&nbsp;spending&nbsp;time&nbsp;shopping,&nbsp;preparing&nbsp;family&nbsp;dinners,&nbsp;and&nbsp;now&nbsp;planning&nbsp;my&nbsp;wedding. Already&nbsp;she&nbsp;has&nbsp;helped&nbsp;me&nbsp;out&nbsp;so&nbsp;much&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;am&nbsp;so&nbsp;happy&nbsp;to&nbsp;have&nbsp;her&nbsp;as&nbsp;my&nbsp;Maid&nbsp;of&nbsp;Honor. 

Natasha Howard

Cameron is my cousin but&nbsp;was raised as a brother. He is a clear choice for the best man as he has known me my whole life and has always stuck by my side. Even though we spend months or even years apart we always pick up right where we left off.&nbsp;

Cameron Cronen 

Jake is my oldest and closest&nbsp;friend. We met at little league try outs at Babes Best in Rio Linda CA. During our High School years our lives revolved around Baseball, Cars, and the out doors. Jake followed one of my passions and became a United States Submarine Officer onboard the USS Nevada stationed in Bangor Washington. I could not be more proud of how far he has come.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jake Bogart

Allyson was one of my first friends in high school and to this day she is one of the most kind women I know. We spent time having fun sleepovers, driving out to VA&nbsp;beach, and decorating shirts for our senior year.&nbsp;We&nbsp;grown so much, but no matter what she has always encouraged me and stood by me.&nbsp;I am so grateful to have her in my life and to stand by me on my big day!&nbsp;

Allyson Hale

Josh and I met when Alicia stole me from California for our first Christmas together in 2013. We share many common interests such as sports and we both are General Managers for the Fastenal Company&nbsp;

Josh Howard

Becka is another dear friend of mine from high school - we became close when we worked at Chick fil a together. She has always been such a kind friend and going from crazy nights at a fast food restaurant to college, and then to marriage, and babies I have been so happy so&nbsp;be a part of her life and family.

Becka Lee

Eric is a great friend of mine and is possibly one of the funniest and most&nbsp;out spoken&nbsp;person I have had the great pleasure to meet. He gave me one of the best pieces of advice that I should have taken sooner, and that was to work for the Fastenal Company which has helped me get to where I am today.&nbsp;Älllrrigghttt Booooyysss" - Eric Ross

Eric Ross

Lauren and I&nbsp;met when she rushed Delta Zeta. I&nbsp;instantly knew we would be close and then a few months later I&nbsp;took her as my little! It started as me showing her around campus and introducing her to the sorority to standing next to each other on our big days.&nbsp;Through the years I&nbsp;have seen her grow so much and&nbsp;I&nbsp;have loved being apart of it.

Lauren Shepherd

Elliott, Like Jake, has been there from the beginning. He is a free-spirited and humble individual that always is willing to give the person next to him the shirt off of his back.&nbsp;

Elliott Bogart 

I met Ashley when we both became Resident Assistant´s my second year at ODU. She instantly became an amazing friend, and&nbsp;confidant. We have had so many adventures together - spring break she taught me how to drive a stick shift, wading through the flooded streets of Norfolk, and even exploring the Bahamas together.&nbsp;

Ashley Burns

Ryan is the type of guy that everyone likes. When we first met we instantly clicked and became best buds. What ever you do, do not tell him that Coke is better than Pepsi&nbsp;

Ryan Alden

Kaley and I&nbsp;also met through DZ at ODU. During her first few months we spent so much time together hanging out and making random trips. I&nbsp;also took her as my little and over the years we have enjoyed many fun times from simple&nbsp;movie dates, to traveling around the Grand Canyon and Sedona together!&nbsp;

Kaley Linton

Owyn Blakemore

Alyssa is a sister too. She joined DZ&nbsp;my second semester. While we were not close in the beginning - towards the end of college we began to hang out more and now she is one of my closest friends. From fancy parties after graduation, art projects in the summer heat, meeting the men of our dreams, and going off to grad school - I have been lucky to have her by my side.&nbsp;

Alyssa Narvell

Rutger was my first GM at Fastenal and has helped shape me Professionally within Fastenal and I was able to learn enough from him to take over my own store in Gaithersburg MD.&nbsp;-SREDLID

Rutger Floyd

Sara and I&nbsp;joined DZ&nbsp;together in the Fall of 2009. We lived only a few blocks away from each other in college and we spent many nights drinking cheap wine and watching cheesy movies while crafting or baking, spending spring break at the beach, and always taking pictures in our pose.&nbsp;Although she is across the world now, I&nbsp;have enjoyed&nbsp;seeing her little family grow and cant wait to see her soon!

Sara Wingert

Taylor and I&nbsp;also met in my second year at ODU when we became resident assistants. We have spent long nights on duty, weathering a&nbsp;hurricane hunkered down in one of the dorms, spending a long weekend in a cabin at Wintergreen with friends and visits in Radford while she studied OT. It has been quite the adventure, but it is always a good time!

Taylor Allen

TORPEDO&nbsp;TWINS! Thomas and I served on the USS&nbsp;Albany together. He was my right hand man. No one messed with either of us without the other backing him up. We were a force to be wreckon with. Submarines Once, Submarines Twice...&nbsp;

Thomas Geddings 

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

The&nbsp;group&nbsp;block&nbsp;is&nbsp;Howard/Gray&nbsp;Wedding&nbsp;#833204 Room&nbsp;Options&nbsp;(hotel&nbsp;style): Basic&nbsp;1&nbsp;bedroom 1&nbsp;bedroom Ocean&nbsp;Front&nbsp;(2&nbsp;doubles) 1&nbsp;bedroom Ocean&nbsp;Front&nbsp;(king) 2&nbsp;bedroom Scenic There&nbsp;are&nbsp;also&nbsp;condos&nbsp;and&nbsp;houses&nbsp;available&nbsp;for&nbsp;rent.&nbsp;In&nbsp;the&nbsp;past&nbsp;this&nbsp;has&nbsp;been&nbsp;great&nbsp;for&nbsp;families/groups&nbsp;to&nbsp;stay&nbsp;together&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;same&nbsp;house&nbsp;-&nbsp;rather&nbsp;than&nbsp;rent&nbsp;multiple&nbsp;rooms.&nbsp;If&nbsp;you&nbsp;are&nbsp;interested&nbsp;in&nbsp;this&nbsp;option&nbsp;please&nbsp;contact&nbsp;Holly&nbsp;Blue. NOTES:  The&nbsp;block&nbsp;is&nbsp;effective&nbsp;until&nbsp;10/11/2018 Cancellations made&nbsp;within&nbsp;14&nbsp;days&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;arrival&nbsp;date&nbsp;will&nbsp;forfeit&nbsp;1&nbsp;night&nbsp;deposit.

Litchfield Vacation Rentals

Let us know if you are flying in! We can help coordinate transportation as needed!

Myrtle Beach International Airport

Go online or call to book your reservation. Mention the Howard/Gray wedding for access to our room block/rate.&nbsp;

The Hampton Inn

Travel

Check out this local beach! It may be winter, but it wont be too cold and a walk on the beach is always nice.

Litchfield Beach

This is about 30 minutes north but worth the travel as there are many other fun things to do here!

Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

A little touristy, but they have some great shops, fun restaurants, and a few attractions. Great for all ages!

Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

BROOKGREEN GARDENS

10 minutes from the accommodations and one of my favorite places to visit. Lots of cool restaurants with live music and great views!

The Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk

Delve into an underwater adventure with the incredible aquatic displays of Ripley's Aquarium. Check out snappy piranhas, giant Pacific octopuses, fearsome sharks, and colorful tropical fish in their tranquil, undersea habitats, plus enjoy a hands-on encounter with prehistoric horseshoe crabs and gentle stingrays.
Home to all kinds of exciting marine creatures, Ripley’s Aquarium is a state-of-the-art facility that lets visitors of all ages come face-to-face with underwater creatures from around the globe. Watch for the ferocious leopard and bonnethead sharks, giant stingrays, and gentle green sea turtles in the Dangerous Reef as you wind through a 340-foot (103.6-m) long underwater tunnel.
In the Rio Amazon display, watch for piranhas, poison-dart frogs, and other creatures that thrive in the lush and humid rainforest. In the Living Gallery, admire the strange and stunning creatures that call the reef home, from camouflaged weedy sea dragons to a long-tentacled giant Pacific octopus. At Rainbow Rock, spot flitting orange clownfish, spiky pufferfish, and bright angelfish among the delicate corals.
Little visitors can channel their inner marine biologist as they roll up their sleeves and gently hold onto a horseshoe crab in the Discovery Center, an interactive playground with puzzles and games. Check the schedule to see what feedings and shows are going on during your visit, and be sure to stop at Friendship Flats, where you can pet gentle stingrays in the shallows.

Admission to Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Get the best entertainment value in town with 3 attractions under 1 roof—the only roof where you see the massive Great Ape of Myrtle Beach. Have a roaring good time at the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center at Broadway at the Beach and make great memories with family and friends.
At the Hollywood Wax Museum get into the action with props and costumes as you take pictures with your favorite celebrities. Along the way, you peak into the Prop Vault, dance with the stars, tiptoe through a laser maze, discover what type of villain you’d be, and be part of the Hollywood Scene.
Downstairs, have a chance to save the world from a viral attack in Outbreak—Dread the Undead. Make your way through a biotech lab where an experiment gone wrong turned test subjects into throngs of zombies. Your challenge is to rid the world of Alpha Strain, or at least, to make it out alive.
On the lower level, explore the inner-workings of the Castle of Savannah, and find out if you’re The Chosen One inside Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors. Hop into a modern-day fairy tale to work through 288 potential turns among hundreds of mirrored walls and archways. King Oscar and Queen Emmy are hoping you can rescue Princess Hannah before it’s too late.

Myrtle Beach Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center

The award-winning cast of the Carolina Opry takes you on a fun-filled journey through the decades with Time Warp, a rousing show full of hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Travel back in time as the cast delights you with high-energy renditions of favorites from Whitney Houston, Elton John, and Led Zeppelin.
Sit back and enjoy the show as a talented troupe of singers, dancers, and comedians twist, shout, and shimmy their way through pop hits by the likes of The Beatles, Beach Boys, Cyndi Lauper, James Brown, Journey, and KISS—just to name a few. With elaborate costumes to fit each era, as well as dazzling lights and special effects, Time Warp makes viewers of all ages want to dance and sing along.
Wowing audiences for more than 30 seasons, the Carolina Opry has been performing longer than any show in Broadway history. Grab the whole family for this joyous, nostalgic, and laugh-out-loud experience in the Calvin Gilmore Theater.

Time Warp at the Carolina Opry

The Carolina Opry has been delighting audiences young and old in its namesake theater for nearly 30 years. This award-winning variety show blends live music, comedy, and dance in an entertainment-filled 2-hour extravaganza.
More than 35 entertainers take to the stage to thrill you with musical and dance performances ranging from country to pop and rock during the award-winning spectacular romp that is The Carolina Opry. The first show to open in Myrtle Beach, this fantastic performance has been running longer than any show in Broadway history.
The state-of-the-art theater enhances each number with dazzling light and sound effects, and the show is updated regularly to offer something for first-time visitors and previous audiences alike. With hilarious comedy sketches, high-energy dance routines, stirring vocals, and skilled musicians on stage, The Carolina Opry is a delight for audience members of all ages.

Alicia & JD

Alicia & JD

Photos