Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Rehearsal Dinner

Our Wedding

Hello our most precious and special family and friends. We are incredibly honored and thrilled to invite you to celebrate our upcoming union and life beyond our wedding day! Our desire is that September 3, 2022 would be a day where the love of God is expressed through the covenant of Marriage, revealing the truth of the Gospel. We believe that marriage is a sacred ordinance given by God, male and female, to together experience Jesus Christ and to participate in the Story of God’s redemptive plan together.&nbsp; Our story together begins in Auburn, Alabama, where we both attended Auburn University. We knew nothing of one another the majority of our time in Auburn. We mostly ran in different circles, but were both deeply rooted at Auburn Community Church. Our first encounters with one another were short, and didn’t ultimately begin until Sam graduated and I was in my senior year (Yes, yes… she is older!).&nbsp; I first noticed Sam at a Tuesday morning prayer meeting at our church. I noticed her posture of humility before God. Obviously, she was preoccupied and didn’t notice me. I wasn't creepy, I promise -- I was only walking past her! One fateful evening, accompanied by one of my dearest friends at a Drew and Ellie Holcomb concert, we ran into Sam, her sister, and one of her best friends outside the restroom. I thank God my friend had to go to the bathroom (and make us late to the show) because I finally got a formal introduction to her. I wouldn’t give him all the credit, though. Regardless, it was a life changing bathroom trip. After that, I noticed how she served at church. She lived a life poured out for her friends, and was not occupied with her own business and life’s ambitions. I discerned this and made up my mind... Marriage! Just kidding, that would come two months into our dating relationship. However, shortly after these elemental interactions, March 2020 hit and everyone left Auburn.&nbsp; Late Summer 2020, I began to hear that a new girl was going to be hired at Baby Steps, and live downstairs from my best friend and his wife, who also worked at Baby Steps. After learning who this girl was, I started taking visits to my best friend's house more often to inquire of who this girl really was. It wasn’t before long until we finally sat across from one another at our favorite coffee shop. Five minutes passed, and so did the window for non-awkward small talk. I definitely knew who she was, but wondered to myself if she had recognized me. Halfway through a research paper, my phone began to ring. My best friend’s wife asked me if a pretty blonde girl was sitting in front of me, and proceeded to lend me a monumental alley-oop. She supplied me with every random fact about her. “This is great”, I thought, “but we’ve been sitting here for hours and haven’t acknowledged one another.” I decided that it was better if I acted on the intel, even if I looked ridiculous. I got up slowly, walked over to her, broke the silence by asking her a barrage of questions, testing if the given information was true. From this point on, she knew me! Our friends eventually caught on that I was expressing much interest at every word that Sam would say. When she spoke, I would try to be the first to address her, or steer the conversation to a funny joke. After many game nights and attempted set-ups, one night of dinner and fellowship with friends proved to be the best opportunity for me to ask her on a date. She knew exactly what I was scheming up when I had announced my departure as she was packing up her things. She privileged me to carry her mug down to her house, and by this time it was blatantly obvious what was happening. When we got to her door, I point blank asked if I could take her to dinner – the next night!&nbsp; I went the route of flowers, a sugary hot chocolate, and tacos for our first date. I was so enthralled with Sam that it took me two hours to eat three tacos. Then, I asked her for another date to brunch the next morning. The months of dating that followed were characterized with enjoyment of one another and discovering what the other person's heart was beating for. As our time at Auburn came to an end, we knew that long distance dating was going to be in the foreseeable future. While I did not want to leave her, I knew the Lord had my next home in Texas. She felt strongly that she needed to move back home to her family in Tennessee.&nbsp; Long distance brought much sweetness in intentional communication and time spent with one another. Following a formative month without seeing one another, Sam visited Texas for the first time since I had moved. We were unaware of how that first trip would draw us closer to one another as friends. After a summer of travel, she was ready to begin working again. During this time, she made it known to me that she was only applying to jobs in Tennessee. She navigated long application and interview processes for twenty-seven jobs, multiple opportunities moved on to different candidates. During a visit to Tennessee, she shared that she has a second interview for a job -- in Texas. I was stunned. Later that week, they offered her the job and she accepted it. Though moving and beginning life in a new place was difficult and at times awkward, we learned the way of Jesus to walk in humility and to sacrificially lay our lives down for one another. Our initial impressions of one another’s character were only solidified and further experienced the longer we dated. Our language around one another began to change with a tone of expectancy and hope. Upon moving to Texas, we were embraced by a body of believers passionate and consumed with the love of God.&nbsp; ENGAGEMENT: Leading up to the weekend of March 5th, I had assured Sam that our upcoming adventure to Colorado was only that – an adventure. There was absolutely no need to be suspicious of a one-day trip to a destination 12 hours away. I knew she loved the mountains. Time-wise, it was unwise. We would drive two days, and be there only one whole day. We planned on hiking for most of the one day we were in Colorado. In hindsight, I believe that's what really took Sam’s guard down. Everything was prepared, and my only job that day was to get Sam at the pre-planned destination at 3:00 pm. It was twenty degrees for most of the day. When we rounded the corner on our final trail, there stood a small table in the clearing. Sam displays emotion very well. When she noticed the table, things began to click quickly. I took her out to that table where communion was set up, and proposed there on the spot!&nbsp; As excited as we are for our wedding day, we are more excited about what story will be written after that day. It is our greatest joy to share our lives with you and we pray that September 3rd will be a day of heavenly joy and a clear picture of the love of God.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Nashville Airport is the happiest airport you'll ever fly into! Once you step off the plane, you'll be greeted by live music and "famous carpet" (look up @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bnacarpet/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bnacarpet</a>). Franklin is only 25 minutes from the airport, so feel free to use a ride-share or rent a vehicle! If you need a ride from the airport, let us know to try and coordinate travel to your hotel.

Nashville International Airport

Call&nbsp;and request any or all of the three nights under ‘Ponder/Bradshaw Wedding.’ 15 Rooms are held on a first come, first serve basis. More rooms may be requested if the original block is filled.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville South Cool Springs

Travel

You're in TENNESSEE. For our Texas family, WELCOME -- this is what rolling hills &amp; beautiful summer green looks like! Please, enjoy spending some time outside while you're here. Percy Warner is, in the words of Eric Bradshaw, "Elite!" We also love canoeing the Harpeth! Nashville is surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and hiking. You really cannot go wrong.

Play

- Honest Roasters: Franklin- The Well Coffeehouse: Brentwood, Bellevue, Green Hills- Humphreys Street Coffee: Nashville- Barista Parlor: Nashville- Crema: Nashville

Coffee

- Burger Up- Franklin Mercantile- Meridee's - Frothy Monkey- Taqueria Jalisco- Pub Subs (Eric's top pick)

Bites

Things to Do

Registry

Parking Address: 1368 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin, TN 37064Handicap parking will be available at the Venue Address. There will be a golf cart shuttle service from the Parking Address to the Venue Address. Please note, the distance from the parking lot to the reception is walkable and is about a 5 minute walk. There will be posted black signs with white balloons from Lewisburg Pike to Eastern Flank to direct you to the parking lot. Venue Address: 1328 Carnton Lane, Franklin, TN 37064Ceremony Time: 5:00 PM CST The entire event is outside in a field. Please be sure to check the weather and plan your attire and shoes accordingly. Bug spray will be available for wedding guests, but if you are sensitive to bites, <a href="https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/mosquito-repellent-bracelets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bug bands</a> are great option! Our ceremony will be unplugged. We ask that you honor our request keep your personal devices tucked away throughout the entire ceremony -- we promise to take selfies with you at the reception! Following the ceremony, family members will remain seated for family photos. Other guests are invited to make your way to the reception to start enjoying tacos and queso! Our sparkler exit time will be at 9:00 PM. We invite all of our guests to stay with us to the very end!

Samantha + Eric

Samantha + Eric

Registry

We are incredibly grateful for your generosity & desire to bless us as we start our marriage.