After growing up in the same town and enduring long distance, Shaelyn and Chipper finally tied the knot in their hometown church and celebrated the night away at an elegant local venue. Stella York Style 6692 had everything Shaelyn didn’t know she wanted or needed. If you’re a bride who has no clue what kind of dress you’re searching for, you’re sure to feel comforted by Shaelyn’s honest story of wedding dress shopping. Read on for their sweet proposal story and the ways the couple incorporated Chipper’s service in the Navy to their wedding.
Tell us about your proposal…
My husband and I grew up in the same town but went to colleges in different states. Between our schedules and the distance, we only got to see each other a few times throughout the year. He was able to come home for a few days for Christmas, so we went to lunch with both of our families one afternoon. There was a huge Christmas tree in the outdoor shopping mall, so we went to take Christmas pictures with both families after lunch. First, there were pictures with my family, then there were pictures with his family, and finally there were pictures with just the two of us. After a few pictures of us, he turned to me and got down on one knee to propose! It was the sweetest proposal, and I love that we were surrounded by our families!
How did you know that Stella York Style 6692 was the one?
The first time I went wedding dress shopping, I had absolutely no idea what kind of dress I wanted. I didn’t really know my style, so the stylist pulled out a few dresses to see what I did and didn’t like. I tried on several dresses and really didn’t love any of them. I left slightly disappointed because I went in with the expectation that I would go home with the perfect dress. I went home and researched bridal boutiques that allow you to look through the dresses because I felt like I couldn’t see all of my options at the first place.
I found the cutest place in Atlanta and set up an appointment for the following week. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by rows of gorgeous dresses. My best friend and I combed through all of the dresses and picked out a few to try on. I tried on each dress one by one, but I still didn’t feel like I had found “the dress.” I told my stylist what I liked and didn’t like about each dress. She left the room and came back with a dress that I had skipped over. I tried on the dress and was immediately in love! Style 6692 has just about everything a girl could want in a wedding dress – sparkles, beads, lace, buttons, scallop details, and all the tulle! I paired it with a scalloped beaded veil and a pair of silver heels and felt like a princess all day!
How did you decorate your hometown venues?
We looked at venues all over Georgia and ended up getting married in our hometown. The ceremony was at the church I grew up in, and the reception was at a new local venue. Since the wedding ceremony was in a church, it was pretty traditional but still personal and intimate. At the reception venue, we went for a classic, elegant, romantic vibe. There were tons of candles and pink and white flowers all over the place! Our florist and caterer helped create the most dreamy space.
How did you personalize your wedding experience?
Both of our pastors worked together on the ceremony, and it was special to include two people who had seen us grow up. My husband is in the Navy, so we walked through a sword arch for our reception introduction, and we cut our wedding cake with his sword. I also had his name tape sewed into the bottom of my dress as my something blue.
What is your most special memory from the day?
The day was filled with so many magical moments that I can’t pick just one special memory! Everything was an absolute dream ~ from having brunch and getting ready with my mom and bridesmaids to walking down the aisle and saying “I do” to my very best friend to dancing and singing the night away with our closest friends and family. It was the perfect, most joyous celebration of love.
Photography by Megan Wallach Photography.
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