How did you two meet?
Jamie: "We met in the fall of 2009 at Auburn University in honors music appreciation class. I had noticed that this cute boy in my class was good friends with my little sister in the sorority, and I wanted to meet him. He noticed me as well and every class would try to move up one seat closer to me (because of course I sat in the front of the class). He eventually introduced himself to me one day after class! I was immediately drawn to his entertaining personality! We were friends for about a year before we started to date."
How and when did Matt propose?
Jamie: "Matt outdid himself with the proposal-- it was almost as magical as our wedding day! We had planned a trip to Charleston, SC for our 5 year anniversary. At first I was hoping that he would propose that weekend, but Matt had been on his hardest rotations of medical school in Huntsville so he made it very clear he had no time to plan any sort of engagement-- let alone purchase a ring. Matt takes school very seriously so I was 100% convinced he wasn’t proposing for a few more months ,and he doesn’t hold surprises in well so I always know what’s about to happen. We got into Charleston late on Friday so we started our touristy trip on Saturday. We went to breakfast, to the market, walked all around town window shopping, and to lunch before getting ready for our carriage ride (which I didn’t think twice about because I knew he wasn’t proposing). During the carriage ride the driver took us to Battery Park and said this was a great place for pictures so he would wait on us to take a few selfies at the gazebo. We walked over to the gazebo and Matt asked a random mom and daughter to take a picture of us. What I didn’t notice was the note he handed them with my camera that said, 'Proposal pictures, please?' So we take a picture and then Matt started to turn to me and said, 'I know you said I could never surprise you…' and began to get down on one knee! Not going to lie, at first I thought he was messing with me, so after he pulled out a real engagement ring I started crying! The mother and daughter had pictures of all of it! We get back on the carriage ride, and I’m just elated, I didn’t pay attention to the rest of the tour because I couldn’t believe what just happened. He dropped us off at the rooftop bar we planned to go to before our dinner reservations. Matt led me upstairs and both of our families were waiting for us there! He had been planning this trip with them for months and the whole day had been in contact with them to make sure we didn’t run into anyone and ruin the surprise. Matt had put so much time and effort into planning this proposal just for me, and I had absolutely no clue what was going on. It was the best surprise ever!
Matt-- what's one of the things you admire most about Jamie?
Matt: "I admire Jamie’s ability to sacrifice her own time and personal enjoyment for that of others. She really loves her friends and family and always puts others happiness before her own. Jamie values relationships more than anyone I have ever met and is an extremely loyal friend."
Jamie- what's one of the things you admire most about Matt?
Jamie: "Matt has so many amazing qualities its hard to pick just one, but one thing that stands out about Matt is his friendship. Matt is literally the best friend that anyone could ever want, not just to me, but to all of his friends. When it comes to his friends, he is the most loyal, reliable and caring person. I think all of his friends know that he would drop anything to be there for them and support them in any way he could. I admire that about him and it has definitely taught me how to be a better friend."
What was each yall's favorite part of the big day?
Jamie: "The whole day!!! It was by far my favorite day ever, but if I had to pick one specific part I think it would be dancing with my new husband surrounded by everyone we love. Our band was absolutely amazing, and it was so much fun to be in the middle of the dance floor watching all of our friends and family have a good time."
Matt: "My favorite part was towards the end of the night when everyone was dancing and catching up with all of our closest friends. Looking out over all of the people and seeing so many of our friends that made the effort to join us for the wedding was amazing."
What's next for you two?
Jamie: "Matt is graduating from medical school and has accepted an internal medicine residency at Duke University so we will be moving to North Carolina in June!"
Vendors:
Wedding coordinator: Jacquie Burkett
Ceremony venue: The Steeple on St. Francis (Mobile, Ala.)
Reception venue: The Ezell House (Mobile, Ala.)
Wedding dress: The Carriage House
Hair and makeup: Hair and Makeup by Lynsey and Rachel
Bridesmaids dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Homewood
Tuxes: The Black Tux
Flowers: Ron Barrett
Cake: Couture Cakes
Caterer: Bay Gourmet
Band: Powerhouse
Rentals: Gulf Coast Events and Rentals
Monogram: Anna Sayers Calligraphy