Southern Oaks

Wedding Day

Ceremony with the reception to follow 

Fall

Our Wedding

To tell our story, we have to first give thanks to the Lord and His sovereignty, for bringing both of us together, when He did, how He did, and why He did. We both met on an online dating app hinge. The story begins when Luke had just been through a layoff at his former company and he was doing a job shadow Tuesday September 16th in Charlotte, North Carolina when Elizabeth’s profile came up. Luke was a bit perplexed as to why a girl who was from Augusta and lived in Columbia came up on his options since he was in Charlotte. One of Luke’s first messages to Elizabeth was “what does it look like to you to live a Christ centered lifestyle?”, since Elizabeth’s profile had that within one of her prompts. Elizabeth responded with what Luke thought was his same understanding of what that meant and from there Luke knew that this was a girl that was worth pursuing a forever with. He asked her where she attended church and she responded with First Baptist Downtown. Now, what makes the story a bit interesting is that just the week prior to matching on hinge, Luke had been invited to First Baptist by a couple that he used to instruct tennis on the weekends. Even though Luke is a member at First Pres, Luke was going to attend First Baptist that Sunday regardless of where Elizabeth attended church. And to make the chances of this happening even less is that Elizabeth was working overtime which included just about 2 to 3 Sundays a month and this was the one Sunday that she had off. They had a phone conversation the night before church and it lasted for just over 2.5 hours. The day that they met (September 18th) Elizabeth and Luke spent practically the entire day together and did four dates in one day. Church, Greek festival, tennis, hibachi, and then Luke killed a spider in her front yard which was the icing on the cake for her. If Luke hadn’t killed that spider he may have not ever got a text back. Since that day, they’ve enjoyed eno’ing, Pickleball, kayaking, devotionals, day trips to the beach, card games, cooking each other meals, the mountains, getting to know each other’s family and friends and riverfront walks with their beloved doggo, Jax. Luke proposed January 28th after receiving her parents blessings, at the Columbia canal Riverwalk across the bridge next to the amphitheater. This was not Luke’s original plan but because the original place on the Riverwalk had been flooded he had to explore other options. Thankfully Luke’s brother-in-law, Jared, is a photographer and went out the night before and confirmed it was flooded and posed the idea of having the engagement done at the Columbia Canal. Luke coordinated with some of Elizabeth’s friends that could make the day to be there. Jared and Elizabeth’s friends set up the blanket, the chocolates, the flowers, the champagne and the glasses to be ready for when Luke and Elizabeth’s walk down the stairs. After the initial celebration, Luke had also coordinated with both sets of families and friends to be at his parent’s house to have a surprise engagement party for both of them. It was a huge success and such a special day. We are so excited to share our wedding day with you, and to begin a new chapter in both of our lives with Christ in the center.

Our Story

Photos

Kaysi has been my friend for 11+years. I feel like once you hit a decade, you’ve seen it all and you’re both in it for life. We have seen each other in many of life’s seasons. Kaysi loves dogs and has a huge heart for Jesus and Disney world.

Kaysi Valverde

Jessica and I became closer friends as I became her roommate for a little bit. Jess is always encouraging and never leaves room for a dull moment. I look up to Jessica for the wonderful mother and coworker she is. 

Jessica Scott 

Elaine is my twin sister! Some of our best memories are of us working out together. That is our favorite common interest. Elaine is a great mom to Evelyn and has a huge love for animals. 

Elaine Daniels

Faith and I met when I started going to First Baptist church and we have been friends since then! She is a faithful friend and we always have each other’s back. 

Faith Wolfe

Katherine or KK! This girl is an encouraging and uplifting friend. God crossed our paths at First Baptist of Columbia in 2020 and we have been friends since. KK has the best style, is extremely knowledgeable and is learning to speak Korean. 

Katherine Hufstetler

I met Brock at a Christmas party December 2019. Brock and I used to work out at the same gym together in Forest acres in one day after a work out. He told me to join him for a 7 AM Wednesday morning Bible study and from there I’ve seen Brock just about once a week every week at the Bible study Brock has been with me through my very lowest points and has consistently pointed me back to Christ.

Brock Stadnik

I’ve known Jake since we were four years old or even less. We practically grew up together, attending the same church league for soccer the same school K for through senior year of high school we moved in together after college for a year and experienced some really  great memories. Jake has a gift of exemplifying Christs love through engaging with people that he knows well and even folks that he met for the first time, I test you to introduce yourself to him and I guarantee you he will find some common ground with him within three minutes.

Jake Fleshman

Call Graham one of the biggest South Carolina gamecock fans that you will ever meet a graduate of US C. And you call from shadowing at the same orthopedic clinic that he did only two summers apart under the same physician. We both have had a mutual respect for each other, knowing that we both went through the same experience. he always was able to keep work incredibly interesting even on the days when we had to keep our heads down 99% of the time. Cole and I occasionally attend the same church together and then grab a sandwich afterwards to talk about how we can be praying for one another, and how we are both learning from the Lord in our life.

Cole Graham

I am so thankful for Paul Weaver, incredibly adventurous spirit, genuine in his words, and his actions. Paul has made me a better man over the years. Ask him about going kayaking just about anywhere, and he will book a Saturday to go out in mother nature with you. I was a part of Paul Weaver‘s wedding with his lovely wife. They have a baby boy. 

Paul Weaver

Jeremy and I first met freshman year and then live in high school. I remember it like it was yesterday I was wearing crew black Nike socks and saw Jeremy had an open space next to him at the kitchen cafeteria. We had chicken patties to eat and once I sat down, you could say that we were friends right from there. we have been rivals against each other on the tennis court. And most importantly brothers for Christ for each other as I had the privilege to live with Jeremy once I bought my house in Forest acres we have watched each other learn and grow a lot and fortunately because of that, we are getting married this year.

Jeremy Bishop

Soren Johnson is a character. I met Soren senior year of high school and we ran track and cross country together. I don’t believe I have ever gotten to know someone so well and gotten so close in a one year time span and I’m so glad that we did. I’ve gotten the chance to fly to Colorado where he lives now and is teaching at a charter school.

Soren Johnson

Evelyn Daniels

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Pot roast: wine braised and fall apart tender chuck roast served with carrots and brown gravy over mashed potatoes. Chicken Marsala: grilled chicken breast with Marsala gravy served with rice pilaf and sautéed vegetables Sweet tea Unsweet tea Lemonade

Elizabeth & Luke

Elizabeth & Luke

Registry