Wedding Day

The Columns at One Commerce Square

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Josie was living in Manhattan, in New York City at the time. Mike was just an hour north enrolled at the United States Military Academy (West Point) where he was in college and playing football. The funny thing is, they didn’t originally meet in the city. They happened to have a mutual friend on instagram whom Josie met in the city, a couple of years before. Even though she never saw said friend again, she did see when there was a post on instagram with good ol Mikey boy in it. When Josie saw the picture, she immediately wanted to meet Mike, you know, because as Granny Mac always said about him, “wow, he is gooood looking!” Haha! After adding him on instagram but being too nervous to reach out, she sat and waited a while. Mike finally reached out after seeing she followed, with the most romantic first message ever… “Sup?”…. As you can never be sure with internet people, especially when they open with a line like that, they took some time to just chat back and forth for a couple of weeks. After realizing we truly enjoyed talking to each other daily, they decided to meet in person! From that first moment it was an immediate click and they became best friends from the start. After that, there was rarely a day apart! The feeling of having a true soulmate was finally felt! Mike proposed at the most Josie place possible… the worlds largest Titanic museum. Being in her favorite place with her favorite person was by far the happiest day of Josie’s life. Josie and Mike are made for one another and are looking forward to the future ahead and having a full and happy life together!

“So, what’s the story??” 

Our Story

Photos

Jessie is not only Josie’s older sister, but also a confidant, and best friend, all in one! From silly fights as children, to becoming each others sources for advice, trust, and so much laughter and fun. She is a wonderful wife to Andrew Bramlett, and loving mother to her baby Eliza, and soon-to-be mother of 2, in January.

Jessie Bramlett

Katherine and Josie met in 2013 in their sophomore year of college and have been best friends ever since! They share a connection so strong that they are practically sisters. Since day 1, they have been joined at the hip! She is fun, caring, and an all-around incredible best friend for life.

Katherine Alfaro

Morgan and Josie met in 2012 during ROTC at their freshman year of college at Mississippi State. After realizing after all these years that they happened to move near each other, their friendship picked right back up as if they had never been apart, and flourished to an unbreakable bond! She is a wonderful mother to Savannah, Oliver, and Henry, and is someone you can always depend on. 

Morgan Mendenhall

Kayli and Josie met in college at Mississippi State and have had such a deep, meaningful, and fun friendship ever since! Throughout some of the best moments of Josie’s life, Kayli was always there. She is a loving mother to her daughter McKinley. 

Kayli Gordon

Kierra and Josie met while working at the same part time job during college. They have kept their supporting and loving friendship during times of distance, and always connected on their similar humor and fun personalities! She is a wonderful mother to her daughter Kinslee.

Kierra Fuller

Maryam and Josie met while participating as contestants in the Miss New York USA pageant and had an immediate connection as if they had known each other for years! They automatically clicked with each other and became very close and hold a very special friendship. She is a sweet wife and loving mother to her precious baby boy.

Maryam Jaafar

As Josie’s oldest sister (with a 20 year age gap between them), Jena is all together a sister, best friend, and “2nd mom” to Josie! With such similar personalities, they have always been close with each other. From needing genuine, helpful advice while growing up, or just having so much fun together at a bar now as adults, Jena is a big part of Josie’s growth and current life. As an airline pilot, and an avid outdoorsman, she does it all! She is a loving wife to her husband Chad, and an awesome mother to her 2 girls, Cora and Emery. 

Jena Pope

As Josie’s 2nd oldest niece, Langston Kate (Laney) has always been more of a friend than a niece. From taking care of her as a tiny child, to acting silly and crazy together like best friends at Disney World, Josie loves when Laney is around! She is an amazing soccer player at her high school, and just an all around funny, and kind young lady, who will always keep the energy up and be there for her friends and family. She is the 2nd oldest daughter of Josie’s brother, Jason. 

Laney Maclin

Georgia is Josie’s 3rd oldest niece and affectionately referred to as Josie’s “mini me”! With such similar personalities, they act more as besties than aunt and niece. From Josie taking care of her as a baby, to now enjoying hilarious times together as buddies, they are 2 peas in a pod. Georgia can always come to Josie for advice, or just to tell a funny story. She is a fun, energetic, and talented young lady, and they have always been close! She is the 3rd oldest daughter of Josie’s brother, Jason.  

Georgia Maclin

Cora is Josie’s 4th niece. They have always been close and have so much fun together! Cora is a sweet, smart, and talented young lady who Josie affectionately jokes to that she will always be her “little baby”. Cora is a skilled snow skier, soccer player, and pianist, and Josie thinks she might eventually be president of the U.S. ;) Cora is the oldest daughter of Josie’s sister, Jena.

Cora Pope

As her aunt JoJo calls her “little Emmy Lou Who”, Emery is Josie’s 5th niece. Josie and Emery have always been close and Josie loves spending time with her! She loved taking care of Emery as a baby, and now playing games with her, cuddling on the couch, and joking around. Emery loves the outdoors, and is a skilled snow skier and soccer player and also plays piano. She is such a funny, rambunctious, and loving girl. It’s impossible to be sad if Emery is around! She is the youngest daughter of Josie’s sister, Jena.

Emery Pope

Eliza is Josie’s 7th niece. She is currently the youngest niece which means JoJo is absolutely obsessed! She is so playful, sweet, and happy. Similar to her aunt JoJo, she loves to dance! Josie loves taking care of baby Eliza, giving her hugs and “kiss-muahs”, and dancing along with her to Disney music. Eliza loves to smile, play with dolls or tea sets, and watch some fun cartoon shows and movies. She will be an amazing big sister in January. She is the current only daughter of Josie’s sister, Jessie. 

Eliza Bramlett

Jake is the 6th in Aunt JoJo’s list of nieces and nephews. He is Josie’s only nephew, so she loves hanging out with her “Jakers”. Jake is loving, funny, and so full of energy! Josie loves receiving his running hugs and watching him grow. He is a talented athlete who is so fun to watch play baseball and football. Jake is always an awesome source of laughter and entertainment to those around him. He is the only son, and youngest child, of Josie’s brother, Jason. 

Jake Maclin

Meet the Wedding Party

Q + A

Iconic and historic hotel in downtown Memphis. “The South’s Grand Hotel” and a staple of Memphis. 

The Peabody Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis-Beale Street

Canopy by Hilton Memphis Downtown Beale Street

Residence Inn by Marriott Memphis Downtown

Hotel Napoleon, Ascend Hotel Collection

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Memphis Downtown

Moxy Memphis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Memphis Downtown

Hu. Hotel

Hotel Recommendations

We may not have castles, but we do have the home of the KING! Of course the number 1 tourist attraction in Memphis is the beloved home of Elvis Presley, the worlds number 1 selling solo artist of all time. Enough said. You can tour his home, see his private plane in which he named after his daughter, and the family burial plot to pay respects to Elvis and his family’s graves. 

Elvis Presley's Beloved Estate - Graceland

Another staple of Memphis tourism is the heart of music, the home of the blues, the famous BEALE STREET. Stroll down the famous music street to hear plenty of live blues and rock bands, stop in for a drink, or grab some BBQ. ***Note: As fun as Beale Street is, PLEASE use caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night, on Beale Street. It is known to not be the safest location, and we put our friend’s and family’s safety above all! ***

Beale Street

Have you ever thought, “hmm I really wish I could visit a pyramid without going all the way to Egypt and oh also maybe stock up on some hunting gear at the same time…”, then you’re in luck, because the 9th largest pyramid in the world is now a Bass Pro in downtown Memphis. And before you get the ick, we know… Memphians were appalled by this conversion too. However, this location is actually REALLY cool, where it looks like you’re fully immersed in the outdoors, there is a cafe, a hotel, an “underwater” bowling alley, and a bar. Not to mention, the tallest freestanding elevator in the country which leads up to a nice restaurant/bar at the top of the pyramid, with a lookout deck with a view of the city and the mighty Mississippi River. So come on down to visit the weirdest iconic building you might ever see, a redneck version of Egypt. (Jokes aside, it actually is pretty fun!) 

The Great Pyramid of Memphis (converted into the world's largest Bass Pro..)

Are you like me? Do you love cute ducks but hate the outdoors? Ever wondered if you could sit in the grandest lobby in Memphis with a nice cocktail in hand and see ducks at the same time..?? Well the Peabody is the place to be. With their famous duck walks, amazing ballrooms, and stunning lobby, (the Ritz or the Plaza of Memphis, as I call it), the Peabody Hotel is one of my favorite places in Memphis. At both 11am and 5pm, the ducks are moved from their penthouse rooftop home, down a red carpet to or from the large center fountain in the lobby of the Peabody. This is a fun thing to see, especially for kiddos, but I mean it’s fun even if you’re an adult, not gonna lie… This is a long standing tradition at the grand Peabody Hotel. Not only are there ducks living in luxury, but this hotel is amazing even just to walk through. The Peabody is a beautiful, classy, historic building with also a hotel lobby bar, gift shops, a large rooftop with a view, and a fine dining restaurant called Chez Philippe. Being only a block from our venue, I highly recommend at least a walk through of this lovely hotel! (You will see some of our engagement pictures on the photos tab of our website were taken at the Peabody)

Memphis is known for 3 things.. Crime, BBQ, and especially, MUSIC!! As Memphis is such an influential music city, Sun Studio is ranked as one of the most famous recording studios in the world. Considered to be the birthplace of Rock’n’Roll, Sun Studio recorded world renowned artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Phillips, Conway Twitty, and more! Later, it was converted into a popular tourist spot for music lovers and even attracted visitors such as U2, Def Leppard, Ringo Starr, and more. This is definitely a cool historic spot for any music lover to come visit.

Sun Studio

The Memphis Zoo is always a fun option for any spare time, especially if you’re bringing your kiddos to our Memphis wedding! It is ranked as the 4th best zoo in the country, with big and lovely animal exhibits ranging from Lions  to even Wolves in Teton Trek. 

The Memphis Zoo (Ranked #4 Best Zoo In The U.S.)

A mournful, yet beautiful memorial is at the Lorraine Motel. You might know this as the infamous location of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s assassination. The Civil Rights museum is centered around the Lorraine Motel and is an educational and memorializing tribute to Dr. King’s work. This museum is a great location to pay respects and remember one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement and the unionizing of all people in our great nation. Although Dr. King unfortunately passed here, we forever have a beautiful memorial to remind us of what it means to be United together as the people of our country. 

The National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel

For Broadway and music lovers alike, the Orpheum Theatre is a beautiful, historic performing arts center in downtown Memphis. Hosting Broadway touring shows, and orchestral concerts in such a grand and beautiful theatre, the Orpheum is definitely one of my favorite places in Memphis. You can schedule a tour or even stop in for a show if you find an event you are interested in online. You can maybe even catch a glimpse of Mary, the famous Orpheum ghost… ;) 

Orpheum Theatre

If you know anything about lil ol’ spooky me (Josie), it’s that I will never leave a good ghost tour off of a things-to-do list. ;) These tours are not for everyone, but if you are like me and love some spooky vibes, this is a very informational tour that goes to some of the most haunted locations in Memphis. This includes some very interesting and historical locations to learn about, such as Ernestine and Hazel’s (featured in Travel Channel’s “Most Terrifying Places in America” - this ranks as one of the most haunted bars in the U.S. Once a church on the land that burnt down, to a drug store, to a salon, to a brothel, to a pub… yes, I know. Recipe for haunted), the Woodruff Fontaine House (featured on the Travel Channel’s tv show, Ghost Hunters), and the historic court square which homes a Native American burial mound.

Haunted Memphis Bus Tour

The original Pink Palace Museum, also known as the Memphis Museum of Science & History, is a lovely and educational place to visit, especially if you have kiddos with you! Built by Clarence Saunders, founder of Piggly Wiggly grocery stores, for his wife, this grand mansion has a pink color due to the stones used, hence its original name. Converted later into a museum, you can find cool and educational info on science, space, nature, and history all in one. As a kid, I used to absolutely love this museum!

The Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium

I do not say this lightly, as it is a fact… Memphis is known for its BBQ as much as it’s music history! As proof, we host the International BBQ festival in May each year, which is recognized by USAToday as the “Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest”. People come from all over the world to compete in a 4 day BBQ fiasco. That being said, do not fret on choosing a place to try, as I am here as a Memphian to recommend some good BBQ places for our guests with their spare time in our BBQ-filled home city. Note: This is opinion based, but majority of our population agrees upon these options… 1. Central BBQ: 4 locations to choose from, but the original is in Midtown on Central Avenue. 2. Corky’s BBQ: multiple locations to choose from. 3. Germantown Commissary: this is a small location and would recommend more for those guests who are staying more towards suburban areas of Memphis. 4. (Only because people will cause a scene if I don’t add this one) Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous: 52 S 2nd St. This is a downtown staple of Memphis BBQ. It may not be my favorite, but it is a popular tourist restaurant known more for its dry rub.

Josie & Mike