How did you two meet?
Samantha: "Surprisingly, Billy and I met in the most old school way possible-- on a park bench in Savannah, Georgia. I was in town for a bachelorette party, and Billy was in town for a golf tournament. We had just left a bar, watching the Auburn game (of course), when I sat down on one of the benches in City Market while the girls figured out the game plan for the evening. I looked over and made eye contact with this really cute guy who was walking by with a couple of friends. He immediately stopped and walked straight up to our group and introduced himself to everyone. One of the guys he was with was from Savannah, so they talked their way into letting them show us around for the rest of the night. Billy tried to buy me a drink a couple of times that night but I never let him-- I was there with my girls and had no interest in spending any time with this guy. Somehow, at the end of the night, Billy got my phone number and texted me first thing the next morning. It took about three months before I would agree to go out on a date with him. When I finally did, it was the best decision I ever made!"
Do either of your remember what you thought the first time y'all saw/met each other?
Samantha: "Yes! I saw him and thought, 'Oh, he’s cute! Whoops, we just made eye contact! Oh no! He’s walking this way! Ahhhh!' It’s kind of crazy that I can remember the exact moment I saw Billy, it was such a quick moment, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I hope that image of him at the corner of the street, standing under the streetlight, will be with me forever."
Billy: "I saw this beautiful woman, with long blonde hair and the prettiest smile I’d ever seen, sitting on a bench surrounded by many other women. All I cared about was getting in front of her and introducing myself. It worked."
How and when did Billy propose?
Samantha: "Billy planned the most amazing proposal in the world! After about two years of dating, Billy planned a trip for us to go to the beach for a quick weekend getaway; we love to travel so this wasn’t out of the ordinary. He asked if we could stop and eat at Belford’s, an amazing restaurant in the square where Billy and I met, before heading to the beach. This wasn’t a surprising request because it’s Billy’s favorite restaurant and so we go there anytime we are close by. When we got to the square, Billy grabbed both of my hands and told me we weren’t actually going to the beach (which I was a little upset by) and said we were actually staying in Savannah all weekend! He then got down on one knee, pulled out the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, and asked me to be his wife. I was so shocked by everything I wasn’t sure if he was being serious or not, but when the tears started running down his face, I knew he definitely wasn’t joking. Then Billy told me that he had another surprise and out walked two of our best friends who had taken pictures of the whole thing! He also had my childhood friend and my best friend from Auburn, who had just gotten back from Spain, all there to celebrate our engagement for the entire weekend. He wrapped up the weekend of surprises with dinner for when we got home with all of our family. The whole weekend was full of surprises and it was more than I could have ever imagined. It was perfect!"
Samantha- what's one of the things you admire most about Billy?
Samantha: "There are honestly so many things that I admire and love about Billy. I think I admire his sense of determination the most. When Billy puts his mind to something, he will do what it takes to succeed-- no matter the challenges he may face. He gives his all to everything he does whether it be his faith, our marriage or work."
Billy- what's one of the things you admire most about Samantha?
Billy: "I love her heart for others. She is extremely self-less and always puts others ahead of herself. Sometimes I wish she would be selfish every now and again! Seeing her genuine love for her job, the people she meets and the friends she has is a very admirable trait. It makes me proud to call her my wife."
What was each yall's favorite part of the big day?
Samantha: "Our day was so perfect, it’s hard to pick just one! Billy and I did our first look at the church where my parents were married. While we were there Billy gave me a wedding present, a diamond necklace he designed and had made with my Great-Grandmother’s and Grandmother’s engagement ring stones. Having him put that necklace around my neck was so…magical. That’s a moment I will cherish forever."
Billy: "The ceremony. It’s not every day you get to marry a woman as beautiful as Samantha in front of so many close friends and family. The ceremony was amazing; God was the center of our ceremony, which is something we decided very early on with Brandon, and having God at the center made it so special for us and our guests."
What's next for you two?
Billy: "Well, personally I am in the middle of getting my Masters of Science in Accounting so I can become a CPA. Jointly, we are just going to enjoy each other and being newlyweds! My brother is getting married in July 2017 in Cabo San Lucas where we will welcome in a new sister to our family!"
Samantha: "We LOVE to travel, so we will definitely get to enjoy traveling as husband and wife. Billy is in the middle of working towards his CPA so I foresee lots of study nights in our near future. We’re just excited about starting our lives together and all the little journeys that come along with that."
Vendors
Venue: Link Family Farm
Ceremony: The Oak (where the bride and her brother had their tire swings growing up)
Flowers: B. Anderson Floral
Videography: Jennings Bowden from Jeff Bush Videography
Catering: Simply Catering
Cakes: Gail Benefield
Hair and Makeup: pHyxx Salon
Dress: Hayley Paige from J. Andrews Bridal
Tux: Savvi Formalwear
Rings: Solomon Brothers