Wedding Date on Oct 19, 2019

How They Met: Drew and I were both working for the Charlotte Knights, a minor league baseball team in town. I was part of the merchandising team and was helping set up the team store in the new ballpark. It was Drew's first day and his boss was walking him around the ballpark to introduce him to everyone. Drew seemed to keep coming into the store to ask if our team needed extra hands to set up. Everyone seemed to know why he was coming in to help before I did! The Proposal: Drew is a baseball agent and said he had a tournament in Myrtle Beach (an hour from our beach house) so he went down for the 4th of July several days before I did. My family was already there, but I stayed in Charlotte to finish out work. I drove down on the 3rd by myself and was just expecting to join our normal family dinner the night before the 4th (super casual, at-home dinner). When I was about 10 minutes out, my mom texted me saying they were going to the beach with my nephews but Drew was waiting at the house for me to arrive and then we could come to the beach together. I was honestly kind of mad because she knew how close I was and they could have waited! Little did I know that they were all in on the proposal and were going to the beach to set up the celebration. When I got to the house, I could see Drew in the backyard with our dog and he was dressed up despite our casual dinner at the house. I walked into the back and asked why he was so dressed up. He said it was because my mom wanted to take family pictures on the beach. Then I noticed that they had moved around our patio furniture and again he explained that away by saying my nephews were playing in that area earlier so they moved the furniture. But it was all a part of the plan! He got down on one knee and my sister in law was hiding on our second floor porch to get all the photos. We then went out to the beach where my whole family was with balloons, signs, and champagne! I was COMPLETELY surprised, which is hard to do because I work at Diamonds Direct where he got the ring. I thought I would know for sure because my family wouldn't be able to keep the secret without getting little hints. He really pulled off the best surprise and proposal because I was so happy to have my family be a part of the day. The Wedding Day: I grew up going to DeBordieu because we've had a house there since I was in elementary school. Drew also proposed to me over the 4th of July in the backyard of our house. DeBordieu has always been a place for our whole family to come together. We chose the date because it was my (bride's) grandfather's birthday. He passed away almost 5 years ago but was a big part of my life growing up! I'm also incorporating pieces of both my aunt and uncle in my gown and bouquet. I'm using pieces of my aunt's lace to wrap my bouquet (she's still living and will be at the wedding). My uncle passed away around 4 years ago and was the biggest Maryland fan! I have an old Maryland polo of his that I'm having a piece sewn into the inside of my dress.