Sometimes love can be one "friend request" away. Although Jessica and Joel both attened Georgia State University, the two actually met on Facebook in 2005. As Joel searched the list of freshman ladies entering Georgia State that year, he noticed a smile he couldn’t forget and sent a message to Jessica. "I was so excited that he took the time to mention something from my profile, rather than the random passer byers, so I responded back with my number. After weeks of phone conversations, we finally met up in person and a championship season of love began," said Jessica. Nine years later and their love is still going strong. Check out their romantic wedding at Ventanas, an event space in Atlanta, GA. Their special day was captured by Visuals by J Hill.
Bride: Jessica Tipton Myers, 27, Account Executive
Groom: Joel Keith Myers, 28, iOS Developer
Place of residence: Atlanta, GA.
Wedding date: 10/11/14
Wedding theme: Joyous Celebration of Love
Honeymoon destination: Eastern Caribbean Disney Cruise
Engagement story:
Labor Day weekend, was a rainy day, so our plans of a picnic were ruined. But that didn’t stop Mr. Myers from the adventure! First, we had a wonderful day at church with my family, then as we parted, I tried to get everyone together for dinner since Joel was in town, but Joel said he wanted us to go alone. As we pull up to the Shopping complex (shop, eat, play), and we had dinner, we walked around the park in the rain. As we were walking, I saw my friend from high school leaving the movies. We chatted for a bit. Then we ran into Joel’s friend who’s a photographer. Still, just a coincidence I thought. Then, he mentioned his fraternity was doing an event, and that’s why we ran into a few more of his fraternity brothers, but as I saw my sorority sisters coming up the escalator, then about 50 of my closest friends and family, I knew something was up. When I saw that his mom (escorted by my parents) had come up from out of town, the tears began to stream down. I knew this was the moment. He began to sing, “Flying without Wings” and got down on one knee, surrounded by family and friends, and asked me to not only be his wife, but his lover and friend to the end.
From the Groom:
I was caught up in the spiritual experience and the transition that it represented, especially the ceremony. Someone I loved for over 9 years, was finally going to be one with me. I really felt transformed in my purpose. I am now living for another. I had no worries, and I kept strong, that everything would turn out even better than anticipated, and it did.
The couples most memorable moment:
We decided to do the first look, which is a new thing everyone has been telling us about. I’m so afraid of heights, but I knew I had to be strong for my manly man. As I had my back turned, and my bridal party behind me, our mothers guided him to me. Back to back we stood, before the ceremony, and as I turned around (after my bridal party did a countdown) to face my husband, there he was bare-face, just like the day I met him! He cut off his beard!!! What a surprise. But what was even more touching is that I knew just how much he loved his beard, and had waited years for it to grow. That really touched my heart to know just how serious he was about making our new beginning just that, a fresh start, a clean slate. Taking nothing old into our new stage of life. I will remember his sacrifice for the rest of my life.
Favorite wedding detail:
The view! It was breathtaking. I am born and raised in Atlanta, and he came up here to dominate. The fact that we got married overlooking the very grounds that we fell in love, sealed our fate forever.
What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?
I truly understand what it means to be a power couple. Not even that we started out on the same path, but his experiences have begun to intertwine with mine. His involvement into technology has spurred my interest in App development as well. Together, there isn’t anything we can’t solve. I’m so excited to grow to new heights with my life partner!
Advice for a Bride/Groom on their wedding day:
Enjoy each moment, and live in that moment! Also, saying a wedding planner is overrated is so not true! You need someone (not emotionally involved) to be there to help things flow. On our day, it began to rain just hours before the wedding, impeding our decorator from starting. She threatened to leave while I was getting ready, and before I could figure out what was happening, she’d already resolved it. Just remember two things, Don’t sweat the small stuff…it’s all small stuff! Take everything with stride, and let NOTHING ruin your day!
Congratulations to newlyweds Jessica and Joel! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss.
Vendors:
Photographer: Visuals by JHill
Ceremony & Reception location :
Ventanas; http://ventanasatlanta.com/
Bridal gown:
Affordable Bridal
Bridal party attire:
After 6, Affordable Bridal
Groom’s tux :
Brown & Brown Clothiers
Cake: Apple Butter Bakery
www.applebutterbakery.com
Favors:
USB Memory Direct
www.usbmemorydirect.com
Wedding planners:
Ona Oghogho Crave Events
Music: Darnel Butler & Xpressions
www.darnelbutler.com
Hair and makeup:
Hair-Vanity Couture
http://vanityatlanta.com/ (Yanise Moet)
Make-Up-Sophie West
https://www.facebook.com/iheartsoph?fref=ts
Flowers: Perfect Petals Design Group
www.perfectpetalsatl.com
Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas
www.weddingpaperdivas.com
Videographer: Rooftop View Productions
Helicopter: Prestige Helicopter
www.prestigehelicopters.com
Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink
