Sassafras Springs Vineyard

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Cody and I met during the "Snowpocalypse of 2011" at Sigma Nu, which is unsurprising to those that know us. Cody was a sophomore Sigma Nu living in the house, and I was a freshman who spent a lot of my time at Sigma Nu with my friends. Even though I hit Cody's head on a doorframe one of the first times we met, we quickly became good friends. During the summer of 2011, Cody would call me quite often when he was driving home from various events and parties just to chat, but mainly to pick on me. Around this time Cody got a dog, and started begging me to meet Ace. Fast forward about one and half years, and I finally met Ace during our first date.

Our Story

Around September 2012, for the first time since Cody and I met, we were both single at the same time. I was about to turn 21, and Cody and I had been talking quite a bit. Cody kept mentioning that he wanted to join my friends &amp; I for my 21st. So the night of my birthday, I told Cody he should come join us on Dickson, but he passed because he didn't want to be the only guy. The next night I had a 21st birthday party at US Pizza, and I had extended an invitation to Cody and his 2 roommates. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was secretly waiting for them to walk in all night. Near the end of the party I finally saw Cody, Josh, and Nick walk into US Pizza's basement. Of course, my dad immediately started picking on Cody.The next week was Fall Break, and Cody &amp; I were texting and talking the whole time. My mom will tell you that I was completely oblivious to the fact that Cody liked me. The Sunday before break ended, my mom told me that she thought Cody liked me &amp; I told her there was no way, we were just great friends! Hardly six hours later, Cody asked me what my upcoming week looked like, and I'm pretty sure I told him I had a lot of studying to do, still oblivious to the fact that he liked me. Being the persistent guy he is, he still asked me if I would want to go to dinner that week – Mom was right! I remember suddenly getting very nervous, and agreeing that Thursday, October 18th would work, even though I actually had plans for that night. (Sorry for skipping your 21st birthday dinner, Andrew!). The night before our first date was probably one of the most awkward nights of our lives. Two of our mutual friends were turning 21 and we were both going to the surprise party at Grub's. For the first half of the party we stayed on opposite sides of the bar, unsure of what to do, knowing that our first date was in less than 24 hours.

Leading up to Our First Date

After surviving the awkward night before, Cody &amp; I finally went on our first date. Cody picked me up &amp; we headed to Hugo's for dinner! We sat and talked for nearly 3 hours, our date was crashed by one of his roommates (thanks Nick), and I spilled my drink all over myself. I had a test the next morning, but Cody and I were having such a good time that he convinced me to come with him to finally meet his dog, Ace. Cody might have fallen up the stairs (total Drew move, I should have known he was perfect for me right then), but I finally met the famous Ace! Cody then drove me home, and seconds before I got out of the car I finally got up the nerve to ask him to Kappa's Owl-O-Ween function the next night!! He still gives me a hard time for making him wait ALL night before I asked him to my function. He agreed to go with me, and the next day we went to the dog park, and then attended Owl-O-Ween as a Dalmatian &amp; a Fireman! We danced the night away, and were pretty inseparable from then on.During the next 2.5 years, life was pretty crazy for us both! We each graduated from the U of A and entered the "real world". After he graduated in 2013, we only lived in the same town for about 5 months while I was finishing my senior year. After I graduated in 2014, I moved back to Fort Smith and Cody lived in Northwest Arkansas. Still in separate towns, Cody now lives in Little Rock, but I'll be joining him soon!

Our First Date 

For our 2-year dating anniversary, Cody &amp; I decided we wanted to go on a weekend trip together! We searched for the perfect trip, and finally decided to take a weekend trip to Eureka Springs in March, nearly 6 months after our 2-year anniversary. Even though so many of my friends asked me if I thought I would get engaged that weekend, I was completely oblivious that anything out of the ordinary might happen! I told them all that we probably wouldn't get engaged for another year or so...little did I know! On Saturday, March 7th, Cody &amp; I were getting ready to head to breakfast. I was trying to decide if I should curl my hair or not, and Cody had been up since 4 am, which didn't even strike me as out of the ordinary, I just thought he was weird. We hit up all the tourist spots in Eureka Springs, and then decided to head up the mountain to see some of the natural springs. The road forked and to the right was the springs, and to the left was a sign for an overlook. After checking out the springs, Cody &amp; I went to the overlook. I had absolutely zero idea what was going on, but thought the place was just stunning! I am not a selfie taker, but since I had no idea Cody had secret photographers hiding in the woods, I made Cody take a selfie with me. This made him so nervous, because he could see Hannah in the woods while we were taking the picture! He then turned to me, and started talking about how much he had enjoyed the last 2.5 years of us dating. I suddenly knew what was happening and got so nervous that I kept leaning in to give him a kiss – there are multiple pictures of him pushing me back so that he can finish what he is trying to say! Next thing I know, he is down on one knee asking me to marry him!! I answered with an incredibly loud "OH MY GOSH! YES!" - I was ecstatic!! After that, Cody turned me around and I saw one of my best friends &amp; my Kappa big, Hannah, running out of the woods towards me!! She and some of our other friends had been hiding in the woods taking pictures of the entire event! We spent the next hour changing Hannah's flat tire that she got about 20 minutes before the proposal was supposed to happen. We started calling all our friends and family to let them know the news, but again little did I know there was more to come!After Hannah's tire was taken care of, we decided to go to lunch at Local Flavor, an awesome café in downtown Eureka Springs. Still so overwhelmed and nervous, I really didn't expect anything else to take place. As we rounded the corner into the back room there stood my mom and dad with beautiful flowers and an entire table for us!! The emotions truly hit me then, and the ugly crying and tears started! I couldn't believe they were there to celebrate with us! Following lunch with my parents and our friends, Cody and I enjoyed the rest of the day strolling through Eureka Springs. I had a beautiful new ring on my finger, and we had massive smiles plastered on our faces for the entire day! We ended the most exciting day of our lives with a champagne toast, flowers, and chocolates that Cody had delivered as one last surprise! Cody orchestrated the most incredible day, and we cannot wait to be Mr. and Mrs. Cody Simon on April 29th, 2017!!

The Proposal

Details

Photos

Josh Montanez

Hannah Higgins

Alex Talley

Daniel VanderSteeg

Emery Ann Sexton

Walt Blythe

Josh Milby

Taylor Ghahremani

Kelsey Sugg

Matt Danheim

Lindsey Skinner

Taylor Townsend

Maggie Srygley

Nick Sheppard

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Please ask for the Blythe-Simon Wedding by March 28th, 2017, to secure your discounted rate!! You can reserve your room by calling or by following the website link! The Chancellor Hotel is located on the Fayetteville Square near Dickson Street. It also offers a shuttle based on availability. Transportation will be available from The Chancellor Hotel to Sassafras Springs Vineyard prior to the ceremony, as well as following the reception. Directions to Sassafras Springs Vineyard from Downtown Fayetteville/The Chancellor Hotel:-Travel North of Hwy 71/College Avenue for 0.44 miles-Turn right onto E. Maple Street, travel for 0.43 miles-Turn left onto Hwy 45/Mission Boulevard, travel for 5.32 miles-Turn left onto N. Sassafras Hill Road, travel for 1.64 miles-In 0.40 miles, Sassafras Springs Vineyard will be on your right!

Drew & Cody

Drew & Cody

Wedding Party