Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille

Rehearsal Dinner

Valley View

Spring

Our Wedding

The Beginning

It all started in December of 2021 when we both swiped right. The outdoorsy guy with the fish picture and the bubbly first-year kindergarten teacher quickly began messaging each other non-stop. Realizing how much we had in common, Sean asked me out on a date on December 17, 2021, to Brass Tap. It just so happened to be my last day of school before Christmas break — and also our Kindergarten Polar Express day. I told my teacher friends I might cancel the date because I was so exhausted, but after showing them pictures of Sean, they insisted there was no way I could cancel on him. I took their advice and met him, expecting just one drink, but we ended up talking for hours and shut down the bar at 2 a.m. The next morning, I was leaving for Jacksonville to spend Christmas with my family, but we stayed in touch the entire time — texting, calling, and FaceTiming. After Christmas, I decided to return to Tallahassee early just to see the man I was quickly falling for. I met him every day at the park during his lunch break, and Sean invited me out to dinner each night. The weekend came, which brought New Year’s Eve, and I was over the moon to start 2022 with Sean Powell by my side.

Life Together

We quickly met each other's families and friends, and our lives started to intertwine. We became inseparable, spending every evening after work and school together, and adventuring on the weekends. In June of 2022, Sean moved across the street from me, and our bond grew even stronger with the joy of being just a short walk away from each other. We never missed a Florida State football game and started traveling together more frequently. In June of 2023, we moved into the sweetest duplex in Tallahassee. Together with Lulu, our dog, we filled that home with love and some of my most treasured memories.

The Proposal

Sean proposed to me on June 21, 2024, while we were on a cruise to the Bahamas with my parents — and it was nothing short of magical. I had my suspicions, mostly because my usually easygoing, type B boyfriend was suddenly&nbsp;very&nbsp;invested in all the cruise planning. My parents were in on the secret too, playing it off perfectly by telling me the trip was just to celebrate their 35th anniversary, which was coming up that Monday. We decided to stay on the ship while we were docked in Nassau, Bahamas, and spent the afternoon relaxing and playing cards. After the fun night we had before — when I somehow convinced my dad to sing our song at karaoke — we deserved a relaxing day.&nbsp;I got ready with my mom, excited for a night of dancing and singing at “The White Party”, completely clueless about what was really in store. Meanwhile, Sean and my dad were off scouting out the perfect spot to pop the question — with the help of a photographer!&nbsp; When my mom and I walked back to find the boys, Sean was standing with the photographer. He casually told me that we didn’t have any professional photos of us around the house, and suggested we take some. As we posed, I kept scanning him up and down, suspiciously searching for a ring box — but he had cleverly hidden it in his sock, so I found nothing! I started to genuinely believe he just wanted nice pictures for our home. As we made our way outside to the back of the ship, the photographer asked us to look out at the island behind us while he adjusted his camera settings.&nbsp;He instructed us to turn around on the count of three and walk toward him. Being the rule follower that I am, when he said three, I did just that — and when I turned around, there was Sean, down on one knee. I immediately burst into tears. Sean asked me to be his wife, his dog momma, the future mother of his children, and promised to make me the happiest woman in the world forever. It was the easiest "yes" I’ve ever said in my life.

OUR HOME

We started building our first home together in October and officially closed on December 30, 2024. It has quickly become my favorite place in the world! Weekends that were once spent out on the town have now shifted to house projects and yard work — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. They say home is where the heart is, and ours has been filled with so much joy by the family and friends who have come through our doors. We are so grateful for the memories already made and can’t wait for all the ones still to come.

The Future

We are thrilled to celebrate our special day with you! We are taking our honeymoon to Alaska over the summer so I can finish out the year with my kindergarten babies! We can't wait to step into this new chapter as husband and wife, surrounded by the love and support of our family and friends. We are so excited to see what God has in store for our future!

Our Story

Photos

MY GIRLS

I met all of my best girls during my time at Florida State, and boy oh boy, did the Lord know what He was doing when He placed each of you in my life. You’ve stood by me through graduation, my teaching journey, big moves, engagement, and now—marriage. I could write an entire essay about each of you and how deeply you’ve shaped my life, but I’ll leave it at this: I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without your unwavering love, support, and encouragement. I feel incredibly blessed to have six of the most amazing people in the world standing beside me at the altar.

Maddie Thompson

Macey Donelenko

Mallory Donelenko

Kaley Kirkwood

Hannah Pierce

Lauren Saarela 

MY MOMMA!!! 

This section wouldn’t be complete without the woman who has been my greatest blessing and constant encourager since the very beginning. God truly knew what He was doing when He gave me a mother who would become my best friend, my rock, and in this season, the most selfless and grace-filled wedding planning partner I could ever ask for. Her strength, faith, and unconditional love has shaped every part of who I am. I am honored to have her walk me down the aisle alongside my dad. It has always been the three of us (plus our golden retrievers—Lucy, Gracie, and Charlie), and I know God will be right there with us on this special day. Sharing this sacred moment with her by my side is more meaningful than words can ever say. I love you, Momma!&nbsp;

THE BOYS

Jonathan Logan

Kristian Bonds

Jackson Dietz

Drew Goodson

Ryne Saxner

Wyatt Thompson

Wedding Party

We’ve reserved a room block at the Hampton Inn &amp; Suites and the Holiday in for our people! While the room block guarantees availability, you may find a lower rate by booking directly through the hotel’s website or other travel sites. Please feel free to book whichever option works best for you!

Hampton Inn & Suites Alachua I-75

A room block has been secured for the weekend! You can choose to book both Friday and Saturday or just Saturday night. The cut off date to book is March 25th, 2026 to guarantee this rate.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alachua - Gainesville Area, an IHG Hotel

Accommodations

Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History

Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Depot Park

Ford's Garage Gainesville

You might see us here Sunday morning enjoying our FAVORITE breakfast spot!

The Flying Biscuit Cafe

Things to Do

Q + A

Registry

Emily + Sean