Wedding Day

Ates Ranch Wedding Barn

Ceremony

Reception

Attire for our celebration will be dressy casual / semi-formal. We want everyone to be comfortable and look nice! No jeans or shorts please, remember our lifelong pictures and wear your SMILES! The ceremony will be outdoors so stilettos maybe a tad tricky ladies. We will also be in the first week of March in Florida, the weather can go a several different ways. Pay attention to the weather and dress accordingly.

Our Wedding

On a Friday night in August, we met at a random car meet in Dothan, Alabama. As soon as we laid eyes on each other we knew we had to meet. After we talked all night, we exchanged phone numbers and we haven't stopped talking since. On September 4, 2021 we decided to make it official and become a couple.

Our First Day 

Could not go a day without talking and texting each other on the phone and began learning each other's life stories, pasts, hopes and dreams for the future our feelings continued to grow. We went on many dates, enjoyed so many laughs and memorable experiences. Meeting each other's families and pets, surprise flowers and sweet gestors our love began to grow even more. Through deployments, drill, annual trainings, moving to Florida, jobs, adding pets and life changes we learned how to be apart and look forward to being back together our love grew even stronger. We decided to we wanted to live together, first times on our owns. Learning and navigating the beginning of adulthood with each other side by side has never been a dull moment for sure. Our love continued to grow and we knew we could count on each other and depend on each other through thick and thin, the tough days and the best days, as long as we had each other there was nowhere else we wanted to be.

Our Journey

Michael secretly planned the whole thing! He asked the bride's parents for their blessing. Showed the bride and grooms' parents the ring and began his plans. In order to get the bride to his secret proposal location, he planned a birthday trip so she would not guess anything was happening. He told her he was taking her to Universal Studios, as they both love Harry Potter and roller coasters. He thought of absolutely everything! With the help of his mom and sister, picking out matching outfits for us both. The trip to Orlando, the secret matching outfits, the special photo shoot, the surprise Disney bands and the days at Disney World, he thought of everything! Andie's dreams came true on April 22, 2025, when Michael got down on one knee during a special planned photo shoot in front of Mickey and Minnie and asked her to be his Wife.

The Yes Day

On March 7th, 2026, we will join our lives in marriage before our dearest family and friends. It is with great love and honor that the ceremony will be officiated by the bride's Paw Paw, flower girls of sweet nieces and closest friends by our side thus creating a memory we will treasure and love forever.

The Best Day

Our Story

Photos

Andie Hicks

Michael Weber

David Hicks (Paw Paw)

Samantha Shaw

Penelope Shaw

Boba Fett

Malory Grommes

Jaden Ortez

Alex Clark

Katelyn Weber

Christopher Bradley

Will Schmidt

Zack Turner

Kaden Eccles

Wedding Party

Guide to Wedding-Appropriate Casual Attire

What to Wear to a Backyard Wedding

How to Level-Up Casual Wedding Attire

Dress Code

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Milton East I-10 by IHG

Best Western Milton Inn

Lots of choices for rental houses that are budget friendly in Milton, Florida if this is more your style. Even houses right on the river with boat docks. Stay the weekend and enjoy the area!

Evolve Vacation Rentals

Lots of choices of homes and properties to stay in that are budget friendly if this is more your style. Stay the weekend and enjoy the area!

Airbnb

Travel

We will have a beautiful pond and outdoor spaces to enjoy as well as cornhole, a firepit, smores, food, music and dancing! Please enjoy our special day with us and have a great time!

Wedding Reception Fun

Blackwater River State Park, Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park, Blackwater Heritage State Trail, Blackwater Canoe Rental

Outdoor & Nature Activities 

West Florida Railroad Museum / L&amp; N Train Depot, Arcadia Archaeological Preserve / Arcadia Mill. Museum of Local History (Santa Rosa Historical Society)

History, Museums & Local Culture

Riverwalk / Downtown Milton, Bagdad Village, Golf &amp; Country Club, Mill Pond There will also be the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire &amp; Pirate Festival March 7th - 8th, from 10:00 to 6:00 in Milton. With jousting knights, swordfighters, jesters, jugglers, food, rides, music and more - a lot of family friendly fun.

Relaxation & Local Vibe

Things to Do

Registry

7:00 - 9:00 Set up/ Rehearsal
9:00 - 12:00 Hair &amp; Makeup; details at 10:00
12:00 - 1:00 Getting dressed; guys finished
1:00 - 2:00 Separate bride/bridesmaids &amp; groom/groomsmen portraits
2:00 - 3:30 Buffer/hide couple: prelude begins 3:30
4:00 - 4:30 Ceremony
4:30 - 5:00 Guest make way to reception / Cocktails &amp; hors d'oeuvres
4:30 - 5:00 Immediate family formals
5:00- 5:30 Wedding party photos
5:30 - 5:50 Couple portraits (aim for golden hour/sunset)
5:50 Guests seated in reception
6:05 Grand entrance
6:10 - 7:00 Dinner
7:00 - 7:20 First Dance/ parent dances
7:30 - 8:00 Cake cutting
8:15 - Fun &amp; Fellowship
9:40 Private last dance (optional)
9:45 - 10:00 Grand Exit &amp; coverage end
10:00 - 12:00 Clean - up

Bridal Party Timeline

Thank you to all our Vendors! Ates Ranch Wedding Barn -5992 Jeff Ates Road, Milton, Florida850.377.8154 The Cutting Board -8855 Florida 87, Milton Florida850.564.1442 Aerial Vision &amp; Solutions LLC850.480.6848 The Makery4857 W. Spencer Field Rd, Pace, Florida850.696.8125

Our Vendors

<a href="cuttingboardfl.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Cutting Board</a> Menu Cocktail Hour: We will have alcoholic beverages, but no liquor. All guests are welcome to bring liquor.Fried Chicken Bites w / Dipping SaucesCharcuterie BoardBeer Cheese &amp; Pretzel Bites Buffet Meal: Beef Tips and GravyFried Bone in Chicken Broccoli and CheeseFried OkraSmoked Gouda Mashed Potato Bar w/ Assorted ToppingsWhite Cheddar Mac and Cheese Dinner Yeast Rolls Drinks: Sweet TeaUnsweet TeaWater

Andie & Michael

Andie & Michael

Things to Do

Wedding Reception Fun

Outdoor & Nature Activities

History, Museums & Local Culture

Relaxation & Local Vibe