Carter + Layton [6.24.23 wedding] Birmingham, Ala.

How did you two meet?

Layton: "We met in college (Carter’s sophomore year, my junior) while sitting at a table in the SGA office. We each had a friend that convinced us to join SGA that year, and the four of us sat at a table together (and did so a few more times that semester). We saw each other in passing throughout our time at Auburn, but didn’t have too many more interactions. Five years later, Carter happened to be on the phone catching up with one of those friends from that SGA table so many years ago. He asked her if she thought I’d say yes to a date with him, and she sent him my number. A few days later he called-- we picked right back up where we’d left off and the rest is history! 

I remember thinking Carter was sweet and easy to talk to-- and seemed like a big teddy bear. He was smiling every time I saw him. When he called me to ask me on a date five years later, my roommates were asking for all the details about him, and I just kept telling them, 'He’s just the kindest person in the whole world!' Turns out he’s that and a million wonderful things more."

Carter: “Sitting at the table with Layton, I thought there was no way she didn’t have a boyfriend-- she was sweet, kind, funny, talkative and smart. She had the curliest hair and cute freckles. What more could you ask for? A few years later, I decided to shoot my shot, and I’m so glad I did.”

How and when did Carter propose?
Layton: "About a year and a half after we started dating, Carter and his family told me that they had gotten his mom a family picture session for Mother’s Day, and they wanted me to be in them. I live right by Samford University, and they had 'planned' to have them there. Right before we were supposed to leave my house, he told me everyone was running a little late, but that he had left his Bible at church that morning (which is across the street from Samford), so we could grab that first and then everyone would be ready. I went along with it and when we pulled up to the sanctuary, he told me it should be on the front table. We walked in and the table was missing-- but when I looked down the aisle in the sanctuary, I could see the table all the way in the front, covered in flowers and our favorite pictures of us. He held my hand and walked me down the aisle (while I cried) and got down on one knee at the end. I said yes before he even finished asking, and our families all cheered from their hiding places in the balcony!"

Carter–– what’s one thing you admire most about Layton?
Carter: "I admire Layton's patience and love for others. She spends all day loving her second graders, and is still so joyful and happy when I come home to her every evening."

What was each of y’all’s favorite parts of the day?

Layton: "My favorite part was the 'in between' when we arrived at the reception after the ceremony-- the two of us were able to sit and relax and have a few minutes alone. It was so nice to just take a deep breath and eat our first meal together as husband and wife!"

Carter: "My favorite part was the first look. We had a whole year of planning leading up to that moment, and I was so happy to finally see Layton as my bride."

Layton— what’s one thing you admire most about Carter?
Layton: "I admire how hard Carter works. He puts his all into everything he does, and it’s so fun to get to see that up close now that we’re married!"

What’s next for you two?
Layton: "We are enjoying married life in Nashville with our fur babies, Winnie and MaeMae - and loving every second of finally living in the same city!"

vendors:

planning: @elizabethcarlisleevents 

dress: @heidielnoraatelier

florals: @paperpetalcollective

makeup: @styledxmackenzie

hair: @hairbylindseyh

reception + photo venue: @thebarnatshadylane