The Brawley Estate

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Clay and I have been next door neighbors since 2000, so we grew up together as best friends along with his sister Lauren (the Maid of Honor!) I always liked him (I have been quoted for asking his mom at 9 years old "Mrs. Cindy, how do I get Clay to love me?"), but he never came around until senior year of high school, despite many attempts by me to catch his attention! We've been together ever since (6+ years) and are so excited to continue our lives together with the "official" title of "hitched!" There's plenty of stories from us growing up and more detailed stories of how I got him to love me, but I'll save those for people that want to use them in toasts!

Our Story

Background about "the spot": Growing up, we (his family and I) would take walks around what we call "the big loop," which consists of several neighborhoods, one being on the lake's edge. There's a grassy lot on the lake's edge with a bench set back, but between, two trees on a peninsula at the water's edge, with a boat ramp on the right and a small bank on the left. We would always stop here to let the dogs play in the water and for us to rest. When Clay and I would take walks alone when dating, we would come here to sit and chat. Background about "the proposal": Clay asked permission from my dad, and I figured that out when everyone else had left my house except him and my dad. I got all giddy and did a little happy dance. I found out post-proposal that everyone knew but me, and my mother kept it a secret for around two weeks. For those of you who know my mom, that is a large accomplishment and she deserves an award! :p I also found out post-proposal that he was originally going to ask on Christmas, but then we were out of town on vacation. My mom's parents were also coming in for the party, which I had known they may or may not come, I just didn't know they were coming for the proposal! Pre-Proposal, Dec. 31, 2016 (New Year's Eve): My family was driving home from vacation on this day, getting back in time for the New Year's Eve (NYE) party at the Sapp's house. Halfway home, we got a call from Mrs. Cindy (Mama Sapp) that they had found our cat dead between our houses. We got him as a kitten in 2001, so we bawled the rest of the way home. I no longer wanted to go the party, but rather, curl up in bed in my new super soft pajama onsie and cry myself to sleep. We all did. Clay asked everyone if he should still propose as planned because he could see how upset I was. Everyone said he should. Lauren (Clay's sister and my best friend/sister, the Maid of Honor) was not about to let me stay home. She came up with the excuse that she really really wanted a new profile picture for Facebook with her sister all dolled up on NYE. [DISCLAIMER: I am very gullible and I was too upset to reason properly and so I never saw the proposal coming. I fell for every story.] So she and my mom literally did everything to get me ready (curled my hair, did my make-up, put on my clothes and shoes). While my parents were just as upset, my mother held herself together enough (crying to her mom when not around me) to help get me ready. Lauren was just as upset too, but less so because of her excitement for the engagement--we were finally going to become sisters legally! So we went over and hung out for a bit. The Proposal: Around ten minutes in, Clay asked me if I wanted to go look at Christmas lights one more time before the season ended. I said no (again, I'm depressed over my cat dying when we weren't even there to say goodbye). Clay begged all cute, so I gave in (see disclaimer). When he pulled over and stopped the car at the top of the driveway by our spot, I pleaded not to get out because it was below freezing and I was sad. He said "humor me, please." I could see the two trees lit up with white Christmas lights, which seemed normal given the season. It wasn't until we were walking down the driveway when it dawned on me what was happening. I stopped and turned to him and asked "wait. You're not doing what I think you're doing are you?" to which he replied: " just come on!" I did a little happy dance-walk thing the rest of the way down. When we got down to the space between the bench and the trees, he gave his speech. He talked about his favorite moments of us growing up and all we'd gone through dating and how he waited to date me because he knew I'd be the one and didn't want to mess it up. He said "this is the place where I first told you I loved you and I want to take another big step here tonight. " Then he pulled the ring box out from under a blanket on the bench and got down on one knee and opened the box and asked me " will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife." we were both teary and I said yes (although I thought about saying it's about damn time!) and then we kissed. Then his mom and sister stepped out saying thank god it's freezing it took you long enough. They had tried to get some pictures during, but it was dark and windy and cold, so they were shaking and the flash couldn't be on or I'd know they were there. They took some once they came out, but they are a little blurry because of the shaking from the cold!Post-Proposal: We all then went back to the Sapp's house. There was now a banner hanging saying "Happy engagement Clayton and Jessie" with the date. There was fancy french champagne and matching glasses for Clay and I. There was cake, presents, and one of those signs that has "first met, first kiss, started dating, tied the knot" spots. We all toasted and shared stories about the leading up to the proposal, different ways he thought about proposing, and the stories from the proposal a few minutes ago. We celebrated and then rang in the New Year! While I was still grieving for my cat, the proposal definitely turned my spirit around and I was happy for the rest of the night.

The Proposal

Details

Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

Registry

We have a block of 20+ rooms booked here. Double queen and single king standard rooms are at a rate of $119. King and queen suites are at a rate of $129. To reserve a room, call and ask for a room under the Rinker/Sapp Wedding block. You must reserve before April 20, 2018. Free breakfast 6-10, free wifi, smoke free.

Hampton Inn & Suites

We have blocked 20 rooms here at a rate of $109. To reserve a room, call and ask for a room under the Rinker/Sapp Wedding block. Must reserve before April 20, 2018. Pet friendly, 100% smoke free, and includes free breakfast 6-10 and free wifi. The rooms that have been blocked are ten kings and ten queens.

Holiday Inn Express

Travel

Things to Do

Engagement Photos

Jessica & Clayton

Jessica & Clayton

Photos