The Pasture

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

The Beginning - From her perspective: Our story begins at a young adult group in January 2021, at a church that I had been visiting since moving back to Georgia. A guy walks in that I haven't seen before. I do a double take. Connor had been repeatedly invited by a mutual friend to attend our young adult group, and though he was usually busy Sunday nights, the stars aligned and schedules shifted to allow for us to meet. This night, however, happened to be my going away party because I was about to embark on a three month mission trip out of the country. We met, exchanged numbers (so I could send him my missions blog, of course,) and parted ways. I was working at a coffee shop at the time, and when I came back from the trip three months later, I started seeing Connor a good bit around my shop. We started talking which led to Instagram messaging (he forgot he had my number,) which led to hanging out and binge watching Netflix together. An entire season of Squid Game later, I was thinking I could really be into this guy. Then we go out for breakfast, and Connor politely lets me know that he just wants to proceed as friends. I was disappointed, of course. And my pride most definitely took a hit. But over the next eight months or so of only seeing each other occasionally at the coffee shop, my main take away was that Connor was someone that I wanted to have in my life in whatever way I could. If it wasn't meant to be romantic, so be it. I admired him for who he was as a person. I thought he was considerate, funny, smart, and personable. I would be honored to have someone like that in my life. And so, when he reached out again in the summer of 2022, I jumped at the opportunity to be friends. The following weeks felt like a movie, slowly falling for each other in the safest way. Watching the way he interacted with my friends, went out of his way to see me, and began to pursue me with intention, all built up to the inevitable question. He told me, "Emily, I want to date you." To which I replied, "I would love to date you." The Beginning - From his perspective: Our story began with a friend's repeat invitation to come and join him for his churches young adult group. It was on the same night as our churches ministry night so I had to wait for a week we didn't have students. That came in January (I remember this because I read her perspective above) of 2021. The whole night came and went until the church was being locked up (I'm a lingerer... shocker). As I was walking back to the car there was only one other person parked on the opposite side of the parking lot with me. I am not able to walk in silence so I struck conversation with her about her. "I have a huge heart for missions. Where are you going?" (I had only been on two mission trips.) She proceeded to tell me where she was going and says that I can keep up with her by signing up for her email updates if I would like. I proceeded to make it as difficult as possible for her to add me to the email list by telling her to get my number from my friend (because it would have taken WAY too long to just give it to her myself) and to send me the link to her email chain. She faithfully did. Months pass and she comes back working at the local coffee shop. We bonded through watching squid games and even went on a hiking "not" date. I panicked and was unsure what I wanted from our relationship so (after a week or so of pondering) I invited her out to breakfast and decided to not pursue anything further since I was so unsure of what I really want from it. Months pass again and I was thinking back over our time hanging out together and realized that I enjoyed hanging out with her. I texted her and we struck up conversation about the next season of squid game. Over the next few weeks we started regularly hanging out and I found myself leaving my college in-between classes to hang out with her at work. Over these weeks I realized that I could see myself with her. Finally, I asked her to go out bowling one night and said that she could invite her friends if she REALLY wanted to. This was my test to see if she wanted it to be a date or not. To my surprise, she panicked and actually invited her friends. In a way it felt like a date with training wheels. Almost like going on a date with your parents loosely following behind. We had a great time and it just solidified my decision to ask her to take the next step and begin dating officially on the car ride back to the paring garage. She replied, "I would love to date you."

Our Love Story

What has been your favorite memory together?

Her answer:I cherish so many of our memories, but I think I will always look back so fondly on the proposal. There's something about knowing that you were being thought of, cared for, and honored for months, without you even knowing about it, that makes you feel so special. The proposal itself was perfect; Connor truly thought of everything. I wanted it to be private, but captured on camera. I wanted the moment to be between the two of us, but I also wanted to celebrate with friends. He cultivated the perfect day with every little detail I had ever mentioned and even the ones I hadn't. The proposal stands in my memory as one of my forever favorites because it symbolized both how well he knew me and how hard we had worked to make it to such a big step which would set us up for an entire future together. His answer:My favorite memory with Emily has to be the time that we visited New York together. Her friends and I were able to surprise her for her birthday and I was able to get two tickets to go to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. We had been dating for 6 months and to me it felt so natural to travel with her by my side. When I was stressed and upset about inconveniences I just remember looking at her and seeing her have such peace and joy in just being together (I don't know how because at one time we missed 3 straight busses). It was such an encouragement for me to know that this is the character of the person that I was dating and now get the chance to marry.

Our Story

The Engagement Session

The Proposal

Through the Years

Photos

The Bridesmaids

My older sister and roommate for 18 years, Amanda has seen me through my moodiest years and most questionable fashion choices. I am truly lucky to be able to say that my sisters are my best friends, and this stands true about Amanda. She is always the first to support me in any endeavor I attempt, encouraging me to believe I am better at my hobbies than I give myself credit for. Amanda will be the first to say she knew Connor and I would end up married. She was the person I called to debrief dates in the beginning of our relationship, and it only makes sense that she is standing at my side on the day Connor and I take the next step into our future together.

Amanda Garrett

To know Natalie is to love her. She laughs easily and loves intentionally. Growing up, Natalie was my shadow, the sister I would drag around to whatever new game I wanted to play, or craft I wanted to start. I've watched her grow into such a spectacular person, a go-getter, a dreamer, and a confident woman that I am luck to call one of my best friends. I've known my whole life that my sisters would be standing by my side on my wedding day, and I can hardly believe it's already almost here. What an honor it is to have Natalie as my supporter and bridesmaid.

Natalie Garrett

Jill and I solidified our friendship at a family camp back in 2013, where we bonded over having the same song stuck in our head for the entire duration of the camp. We went on to bond about a lot of other things, building worlds together through our shared hobby of writing, acting in our local theatre group, and singing musical songs together at youth group. She is a safe space, and a gentle but firm presence in the lives of those that know her. Over the 10+ years of our friendship, Jill has remained a true and cherished friend even though I moved across the country from her. I'm so deeply honored to have her standing by my side on such a special day.

Jillian Hunt

Becka is your go-to gal for all things creative and inspirational. She inspires you to be the best version of yourself, and does what she can to help you achieve that. She's my thrifting partner, concert buddy, and a well versed coffee shop consumer. Our friendship started when we worked together as baristas, and has continued through new careers, an album release (follow @bcksatl on instagram,) and other life upgrades. She's witnessed this relationship from the beginning, and seen it unfold into the marriage it's becoming. Having her stand with us on our wedding day is a privilege.

Rebecka Moreno

The Groomsmen

Brothers are an interesting dynamic. He has been both my greatest supporter, my biggest bully, but most importantly my biggest role model in my life. Brendan has been there for many key moments in my life. He has taught me to drive, pushed me to be a part of community, attempted to teach me how to play golf, and has walked with me when I needed it most. My freshman year of High school I was struggling mentally and from college he sent me a different inspirational quote every day for a whole semester each morning before I went to school. Even today as I am 25, I look to him as someone I hope to be like some day. I have a lot of great friends around me, but there is absolutely no one else as deserving to be my Best Man as my brother. I cannot express the joy that it brings me to know that he will be the one right next to me as I take this step into the next chapter of my life with Emily.

Brendan Fowler

Brandon is like a second brother to me. We encourage each other through our competitiveness and he has constantly pushed me to be better in every single way. This is apparent in the times that we challenge each other in a footrace or in golf, but there are times where I look at his work ethic, his punctuality, or his dedication to uphold his commitments and I find myself in awe of him. Having him walk alongside me in life has been a big part of becoming the person I am. Knowing that he will be one of the men standing on my side as Emily and I say "I do" is an honor. 

Brandon Parker

Kevin and I met in High School at youth group. We bonded over a summer retreat and quickly became inseparable. As we graduated and distance grew between us there was never a fear that our friendship would die out. He is one of those friends that you can not see for months and when you finally are able to hang out, it feels as if you haven't missed a day. He is someone that you can always trust to tell you the truth even when it hurts. He loves with his whole heart and teaches me what it looks like to be authentically yourself. Walking through life with him and to be able to call him one of my best friends is a privilege. It only makes sense for him to be one of my groomsmen on such a big day for Emily and I.

Kevin Peden

When I was looking for a roommate, I was told not to choose a friend because it will damage the relationship. This was so far from the truth. In the four years Carlos and I have lived together, we have created such an authentic bond. Carlos is one of the few people in life that I feel like I can be 100% myself with and know that there is no judgement. There have been many late nights of losing track of time just talking about the fears and hopes of life. He is always willing to be a sounding board and walk through the beautiful mess of life with me. People are lucky if they find a friend to care for them the way that Carlos does. It is an honor to have him by my side as a friend and as a groomsman.

Carlos Cruz

Wedding Party

RSVP

Location and Transportation

Dress Code

Wedding Itinerary

Q + A

Near C. A. Kelly Jr. ParkMake yourself at home in one of the 40 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and microwaves, and housekeeping i

Quality Inn Loganville US Highway 78

Near Barrow County CourthouseMake yourself at home in one of the 40 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks, as well as phones with free local calls.With a stay at Jameson I

Jameson Inn Winder

Near The Gateway at University ParkwayMake yourself at home in one of the 67 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks,

Emily & Connor

Emily & Connor

Travel

Quality Inn Loganville US Highway 78

Jameson Inn Winder

Holiday Inn Express Bethlehem an IHG Hotel