Wedding Day

Ceremony

The Chapel Athens

Reception

Rehearsal Dinner

Our Wedding

Our Story

It all began on a UGA gameday in 2022 at a tailgate party hosted by our friends (huge shoutout to Jack and Sully). The debate is still out on who made the first move… but we’ll let you decide ;-) What we do know is that we exchanged numbers and not long after went on our first date at Storico Fresco. From there, things took off quickly. The months that followed were filled with pasta-making classes, rooftop bars, putt-putt games, hikes, and plenty of laughs. During a particularly difficult season of life, Austin showed up for me in ways I’ll always be grateful for. His calm and steady nature reminded me of some of the qualities I admire most in my mom. Since that first date at Storico Fresco, our relationship has been the most joyful and exciting adventure either of us could have imagined. It’s taken us on snowy ski trips, sunny beach getaways, and peaceful mountain escapes. While those trips have been unforgettable, the moments we treasure most are the simple everyday ones: cooking dinner together, watching an episode of 20/20, and taking evening walks around the neighborhood. Those are the moments that truly feel the most like us. And the best part? This is only the beginning. Each of you has played such an important role in our story, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Athens next summer!!

PROPOSAL

When it came to the proposal, we both knew we wanted it to feel thoughtful, meaningful, and true to us. Casual, intimate, and centered around family. From there, I took the lead. In August, we traveled to Vail, Colorado, to visit Mary Leigh’s family. What Mary Leigh did not know was that I had decided this trip would be the moment to take our relationship to the next level. While the plan itself may have seemed simple, a lot was happening behind the scenes. Over several months, I worked closely with Mary Leigh’s sister, Kara, and brother-in-law, Chad, to bring everything together. The cover story was a local après happy hour, complete with charcuterie and cheese. An unbeatable combination for anyone who knows Mary Leigh. It also happened to be the perfect excuse to convince her to get dressed up for what she thought was a casual adults' outing. On the day of the proposal, we took the gondola up to the top of Lion’s Head and began walking along a quiet path with Kara and Chad. In a peaceful meadow, with a storm rolling in the distance, I found the perfect spot. I took a deep breath, got down on one knee, and asked, “Will you marry me?” After Mary Leigh responded with a resounding yes, the surprises were not over just yet. From behind a sculpture of a moose, her sister, Marta, and her dad, Joe, who had flown in from Atlanta for the occasion, appeared. Soon after, her nieces, Piper and Leela, popped out from their hiding places as well. Moments later, the rain clouds opened up, and with the photographer in tow, everyone sprinted back toward the gondola. The night ended exactly how we hoped it would, surrounded by family, sharing pizza and spaghetti at Vendetta’s in Vail Village, and celebrating together.

Mary Leigh & Austin

Mary Leigh & Austin

M&A