May 11, 2024 – Sylacauga
“Our story began over Memorial Day weekend in 2020. At the time, I was still living in Nashville and working with my friend, Cason. He had just started dating Katie, who just so happened to be really close friends with Tatum. Cason soon invited me to a guy’s lake trip and that drive to the lake will always stick with me, as that was when I first learned about Tatum. Cason shared her Instagram page with me. We spent the next few days sending messages back and forth to each other. After the holiday weekend, I delayed my drive back to Nashville an extra day to make sure that I met Tatum. We met in person on a double-date with Katie and Cason on May 26 at Sol Azteca in Vestavia Hills. Tatum showed up with wet hair and no makeup on, not wanting to be there, but I could tell right away that she was naturally beautiful. To break the ice, I made a quick joke and mentioned that I watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette, and from there, it was an easy conversation for the rest of the night.The next morning I brought her favorite breakfast order to her house. After spending a few days together in Nashville, we decided to make our dating relationship official, just ten days after meeting each other. We were obviously still getting to know each other, but we already knew that we wanted to jump in and figure the rest out together.
Fast forward to 2023 when it was beyond obvious to me (and to everyone else around me) that it was time to plan a proposal. Her best friends Abby and Jeff gave me the idea to do it at her parent’s lake house on Smith Lake. It is her number one happy place. Once I had picked a Friday night where nothing else was going on, I had Tatum’s family act like it was just another normal lake weekend. The key was to make sure that Tatum showed up to the house last, so I asked her bosses to schedule a Friday late afternoon meeting at the office (as you can imagine, she was not pleased about this addition to her calendar), and it did the trick as it allowed everyone, including my family, to be at the lake house before her. Even though she was expecting the proposal to happen soon, it took her completely by surprise. I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me, and she said yes!” – Chad
The Creatives
Bridal Gown: Ivory and White Bridal Boutique. Bridesmaid Gowns: Bella Bridesmaids. Cake: Olexa’s Cakes. Catering, Wedding Weekend Venue: Pursell Farms. Floral Design, Wedding Planner: BKWed Events. Lighting & Draping Design, Linen, Rentals: Decor to Adore. Lounge Furniture & Décor: PropHouse Birmingham. Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank. Hair Stylist: Halee McKenzie with BeLovedBeauty. Makeup Artist: Rachel Griffin with BeLovedBeauty. Music/Entertainment: One Nation Party Band with Music Garden. Photography: AL Weddings. Rings: Diamonds Direct. Stationery: Empress Stationery. Sweets: Bendy’s Cookies & Cream, Pastry Art Bake Shoppe. Videography: RJackson Media.
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