Mary Emma Stephens & Joe Stinson Slawson, Jr.

May 13, 2023 – Auburn

“Stinson and I knew of each other long before marriage was remotely in question. Our story started with our dads who grew up as best friends in the small town of Louisville, Ala. Stinson and I saw each other in Louisville on occasion, but because I grew up in Auburn and he in Montgomery (not to mention I graduated from Auburn University and he The University of Alabama,) it was not until 2020 that anything evolved. After much anticipation and stubbornness on my end, Stinson finally drove to Auburn to take me on a date at The Hound. We hit it off almost instantly and knew that this was forever. When the time finally came, it was only fitting for Stinson to propose in Louisville. We went down to South Alabama for a picnic where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. We are so grateful for our families long-term relationship that led us to each other.” – Mary Emma

Advice From the Bride

“Every part of the process should be a celebration! My family had a wine tasting to choose our favorite cabernet for the wedding day and invited friends over to have dinner and stuff envelopes! Enjoy the sweet season because you will never get the time back; you will only hold the special memories.” – Mary Emma