The Venue Chattanooga

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Blake and I met in our first class of freshman year, back in the days of swoopy hair and side bangs. We became lunch buddies mainly because he would let me make him enormous ice cream cones in dhall. We probably owe an apology to anyone who used to sit near the downstairs corner booth- we were obnoxious, but were having a blast.By sophomore year my friends would notice how we’d light up around each other. Once he came to work at Fusion, they’d try to convince us to date and we’d just laugh them off. Between them and the waiters at dollar taco night who would always thought we were on a date, seems like everyone knew something we didn’t yet.Junior year we were each dating other people, and saw each other less. Our time spent together was spent studying, working, and me trying out new recipes on him before subjecting them to anyone else. Only once did I have to call him to help me salvage a boiling skillet of frozen chicken and water.The summer before senior year, our relationships ended within a week of each other and I realized how much I had missed my best friend. We decided to be each other’s wingman to find dates, and we’d sit in Valhalla pointing out people who we thought the other would like.In October, I needed a date to a wedding and Blake volunteered. I remember running back to the post office to retrieve my RSVP (that I had already mailed) to add him as my plus-one. On the way to that wedding I remember thinking how it almost felt like a date, and I liked it!For the rest of fall semester we were inseparable study buddies, making late night trips to Dunkin Donuts to try and caffeinate, and even their employees would ask us if we were dating. I’d still laugh it off, but the wheels were turning in my head.That year for spring break, we went with a big group of friends down to St. Petersburg, Florida. Once Blake and I realized how close we would be to the Braves Spring Training, we bought tickets and drove down to Orlando for the day. Being at that game and later walking around Downtown Disney was the first time we spent together that truly felt like a date. At one point I held his hand, and while he admitted later that it took him by surprise, he didn’t let go.By the time we got back to campus I was convinced that we should start dating, and was ready to either try and convince him, or move on. As we sat down to have a conversation about it, I was fully prepared with my argument. Turns out Blake didn’t need any convincing- the first words out of his mouth were “I think we should date”.Throughout the course of our relationship, we’ve learned how to be adults, cheered each other on in new jobs, navigated a long distance relationship, and adopted two cats. In many ways it feels like we’ve been growing up together, and I’m so glad to have had my best friend by my side through it all.

How it started

Once we realized that going to the Braves Spring Training game was really our first date, we tried to go back to celebrate our anniversaries as many years as possible. For our third anniversary, we decided two days before we’d leave to fly down and watch a few games, spend some time at Disney, and see our friends who lived in town. Our first day there I knew Blake was being quieter than usual, but I chalked it up to being tired from traveling. That evening he suggested we go for a walk through Downtown Disney, and only then did I start to think something was up. As we walked he seemed to have a plan of where we were headed, even pointing out the spot where I first held his hand three years before. When we got to a beautiful bridge overlooking the water at sunset, I really started to wonder what was going on. We had gotten about halfway across the bridge when Blake stopped me and got down on one knee. I’m pretty sure he said something really beautiful, but in my excitement my hearing blacked out and all I heard was “I think we should get married!”

How he asked

Our Story

Details

The reason behind most of my college adventures and half the people I met. Favorite person to car ride karaoke with.

Caroline Jewell

Brother. I annoyed him until age 14 (at least). Thousands of hours spent gaming over the years, and I’m definitely better. Was my boss at Chick-Fil-A too, so I got away with everything.

Ben Fuller

Yes, his hair has always been that long. Best friend since elementary school. Could have had a career making him laugh until milk came out of his nose.

Josh Denton

Figured out how to be adults, Roman locals, and best way to kill bugs together. Favorite person to rescue a cat with.

Amanda Wright

Shared a townhouse at Berry where we were often disappointed by the Atlanta Falcons, Braves and Hawks. His name is Nick Pilger, add him on Facebook.

Nick Pilger

Shared three years of dorm room living and tolerated my endless rearranging. Favorite person to listen to Ben Howard with.

Amanda Petersen

Bonded over late night conversations in the Morton Lemley bathroom. Favorite person to flail in the sunshine with.

Molly Campbell

Brother Blount. Quickly became one of my favorite people when he started sending me embarrassing childhood photos of Elizabeth.

Grady Blount

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

We have reserved a block of rooms at the DoubleTree Hilton in downtown Chattanooga 

Elizabeth and Blake

Elizabeth and Blake

Wedding Party