Brandy + Jeremy’s Wedding

Brandy and Jeremy had a gorgeous wedding up in Kentucky at Castle Post, yep you heard right… A castle! Everything was so beautiful and so perfect! The bride and groom looked amazing! There was even a horse drawn carriage and let me tell you it was truly a fairytale and every girl’s dream come true!

I have seen this castle so many times. My parents live in Lexington and I have to pass this castle each time I go to visit. Each time I pass it I always talk about how much I would love to see the inside and imagine how wonderful it would be! I met Brandy and Jeremy at a bridal show here in Nashville and as soon as I heard the castle mentioned as their venue, I started praying that they would choose me as their photographer! They were so sweet and it was at a venue I had only dreamed of seeing, yet alone photograph a wedding at! They chose me and I had not only the chance to see the castle I had always loved, but also photograph a beautiful wedding, meet a really sweet couple, and make two friends in the process!

From the grand entrance from the horse drawn carriage to the send off kiss and walk up the staircase that was like something from a princess movie, everything was absolutely perfect! Brandy and Jeremy, congratulations! I pray God blesses your life together and that you both keep making each other’s dreams come true!

How did you first met and what were your first thoughts/impressions of each other? Who, what, when, where, and why? Give me the details! 🙂

Jeremy – Brandy and I met on a blind date. We have a mutual friend that helped set us up. I didn’t know it yet, but Brandy had just accepted a position at a second job, and that meant that we had to meet each other on a Sunday because it was her only day available while juggling two jobs and dog-sitting for her friend. I’ll never forget the feeling that overtook me when I turned around and saw her face. I remember thinking to myself, “Please God, let this be her!” I knew it was destiny when she smiled back at me. I didn’t realize that I had stood up until after she gave me a hello hug. I felt embarrassed, but at the same time, elated that I’m out with such a beautiful woman. On top of that, all of the raving reviews that I got from our friend had me really excited about her. Of course, we know that it turned out to be true, but my grandmother always told me that when you find the person that you’re meant to be with, “it’ll slap you in the face”. Sure enough, I got slapped, and slapped hard! That day, we ate dinner, talked and got to know each other, and then went to a park to go spend more time together. Just as I got the nerve to make a move, I got really self-conscious about how sweaty my face looked, so much so that I asked if we could end our first date and hang out again later. I felt awful, and thought that I had just blown an opportunity with the woman of a lifetime. Luckily, when I reached out the next day and asked for a second date, she said yes! We really hit it off, and I’ve been happy about my happily-ever-after ever since.

Brandy – Jeremy and I first met each other on Sunday, June 17th, 2012. We met at a local Greek restaurant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. We had been talking to each other for about a week before hand, and decided to meet after a mutual friend of ours encouraged us to, and I’m so glad he did! When I arrived at the restaurant, Jeremy was already there waiting for me. I saw someone sitting with their back to me as I walked in the front door, and wondered if it was him. I wasn’t sure what to expect, I tried not to get my hopes up too high, but when he got up out of his chair and met me half way, I instantly thought, “I really hope this works out!”. He was dressed very nice, he was a gentleman, had a great smile, a sparkle in his eye, and on top of that, he spoke very intelligently. I was impressed.

Tell me about your first date!

Jeremy – On our first date, I treated the two of us to Anna’s Greek Restaurant, a stellar choice in Bowling Green. Brandy chose the restaurant. I didn’t care, I was just excited to meet this woman that I’d heard so much about. My nerves really set in about an hour before I left for the restaurant. I texted our friend and asked how fancy the place was. Despite his answer, 3 outfits later I settled on what I felt like would make me look the best. Meeting Brandy that day was the best part of the whole day. I’d never felt as immediately comfortable with someone as I did with her. I was so comfortable that I ended up telling her a lot about myself, lots of things that I later wished that I could take back, at least for another few dates. After we ate our dinner, Brandy and I walked through a park near the restaurant, side-stepping all of the duck poop out in the grassy field there. On our way back to the car, I found the fortitude to grab her hand. That was really the first time I ever saw her blush. Her dimples were so big that the sight of them ACTUALLY calmed me down for a second. She liked me! It was that moment, grabbing her hand and lacing my fingers between hers, that I knew that this was going to be something special.

Brandy – I didn’t want the date to end at the restaurant, so I suggested we go for a walk in the park. We walked and talked for a couple of hours, everything was going well. We talked about anything and everything! It was still somewhat early and I still hadn’t had enough, so I suggested we go get a cup of coffee, but Jeremy turned me down. I was worried he didn’t like me, but the truth is he was just feeling sweaty and self conscience.

When did you first know he/she was the one? Was there something he/she did?

Jeremy – I knew Brandy was the one after we walked through the park headed back to the rental car she was driving at the time. On top of everything else about her that made me feel, well, different, her smile was so powerful that I knew I couldn’t blow this opportunity. That moment is what made it impossible to get her off of my mind for the next few weeks. It was those first few days that were the hardest to concentrate. Family and friends, only concerned about my feelings, cautioned me away from my eventual actions, but I had to do something after meeting the woman of my dreams. I left work early on a Thursday, a day before we’d go out for the 4th time in a week, and bought an empty scrapbook from Hobby Lobby (she’s a HUGE scrapbooker). After decorating the outside with our initials, I wrote a note, explaining how great she had made my last week and how I couldn’t wait to fill it with memories that we’d make together.

Brandy – Throughout our relationship, Jeremy proved to be the most romantic person I have ever met. He spoiled me constantly and still does! On one romantic date, he took me downtown to the fountain in the park to make wishes! He had a roll of pennies and told me he wanted to hear what dreams, wishes, and wants I had. Little did I know then, that he wanted to make all of those wishes come true! A couple months later he told me he wanted to take me to Florida and Disney World for Christmas and make that dream come true! That is the moment I knew “wow he really is the one!”

Tell me all about the proposal! (Did you see it coming? How long was it in the planning? How did you feel? Nervous, excited, freaking out?)

Jeremy – I knew a long time before the proposal actually happened, but after one year of dating, I couldn’t wait any longer to ask her to spend forever with me. It was hard sending mixed messages, because I think she knew that I wanted to ask her to marry me, but I tried hard to convince her that I wasn’t ready. That day, I worked, but I got up early so I could set up her first “anniversary” gift. I spread rose petals across the counter that had a sign that I’d made saying “I love you”. On the counter, she had two dozen roses, a love letter, and a nice new watch that she’d been wanting. The letter told her that her “tickets to the ball” were outside in her car. That, of course, is where I hid tickets to the Lil’ Wayne concert she wanted to see. While at work, it was so much fun getting all of the messages from Brandy and her mom. After work, Brandy and I met for dinner at The Melting Pot, where I had arranged for rose petals to be on the table along with a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and other items in their anniversary package. At dinner, Brandy got her tickets to the Taste of Music City festival that was coming to town. Being a chef, I knew that it’d be something that she’d love. After all of that, there was no way that I could propose, right? Well, that’s what she thought, and when we got home, she went into the kitchen, excited, talking to her mom in a text message, and when she turned around, she saw me on one knee.

Brandy – On our one year anniversary, I knew it would be special, because anything Jeremy plans for me is always extra special. I was secretly hoping he would propose, but he tried to make me believe he wasn’t ready yet. Jeremy had to work that day, but I had taken the day off. When I woke up that morning, I went into the dining room and found an “I love you” banner hanging up, surrounded by rose petals, 2 dozen roses, a beautiful card, a new watch, a gift card to get my nails done, and a note saying when I got down to my car, there would be 2 tickets to a magnificent ball on the inside! So I went out to my car and found another banner that read “Happy Anniversary” and I found 2 tickets to the lil wayne concert! It was a complete shock! I felt like a million dollars. After getting pampered all day, I met Jeremy at the Melting Pot restaurant for dinner. He surprised me yet again with tickets to the taste of Nashville music festival! I couldn’t believe all of the gifts I had gotten, and the day wasn’t even over yet! When we were seated at our table, it was covered in rose petals, and there was a bottle of champagne waiting for us along with chocolate covered strawberries! We had a wonderful experience and meal at this fondue restaurant. At this point in the night, I thought there is no way he is going to propose now. He had spoiled me all day long with perfect gifts beyond my imagination! Jeremy met me after work, so we had drove separately. On my way home, I called my mom telling her all of the exciting stuff Jeremy had done for me. My mom told me “If Jeremy did all of this for you on your anniversary, just imagine what he will do for you when he proposes!”. When we got home, Jeremy said the night’s not over, I owe you a massage. I was standing at the sink in the kitchen, and when I turned around Jeremy was down on one knee!!!! He asked me to marry him after all! I was no longer expecting it!

What is the one thing you love most about each other?

Jeremy – The one thing that I love most about Brandy is her character. I always see how selfless that she is, caring so much for other people sometimes that it’s a real burden for her. It says a lot about the kind of mother and wife that she’ll be in the future, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be with such a wonderful woman.

Brandy – I believe Jeremy is the most romantic man on this earth! I think that is what I love most about him. He is so creative, thoughtful, and romantic!

If you feel comfortable, share with me something silly or quirky the other person does that is normally annoying or crazy, but makes you love them a bit more each time… Or you know you love them because when they do it you don’t kill them! 🙂

Jeremy – Brandy definitely has a unique laugh, and normally she’s laughing at me about something. Some people may think it’s mean, but I know that she’s my soul mate when no matter what happens, when I see her face and her smile, the only feeling that I’m capable of happiness.

Brandy – Jeremy falls asleep so easily and quickly. When we are watching our shows at night, I’m constantly side eyeing him to see if he’s sleeping. If he gets into his position on the couch, watch out, he won’t last long! He gets annoyed at me checking for him to be asleep, but it’s a game to us now, and we can’t help, but to laugh about it.

Besides getting married what is the one thing you are looking forward to on your wedding day?

Jeremy – On our wedding day, I’m looking forward to having our families together. I didn’t grow up with a big family and am looking forward to having more family events to participate in now that I’m gaining many new family members.

Brandy – I’m really looking forward to making my biggest dream come true on December 29th this year! Not only do I get to marry my prince, but I have the pleasure of marrying him in a real castle! We are having the ultimate fairytale princess wedding. I could not be happier! Thank you Jeremy for making all of my dreams come true!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIx5JJwpRuM ]