Elegance At Its Finest: A Southern Wedding in Columbia, SC

Toya and Montario first met in college at the University of Tennessee in 2005 while out with a group of mutual friends. What started as a friendship evolved into a very special bond throughout the years. Despite 2020 being a crazy year for the world, these two were falling more and more in love and enjoying the extra time they were spending together. After having a long-distance relationship, the couple moved together to Columbia, SC in May of 2021, a few months after Montario took a new coaching position.

Within a year, their love grew even stronger and they welcomed a beautiful baby girl in May 2022. On August 14, 2022, Montario took Toya on a date to their favorite restaurant, Saluda’s, in Columbia, SC. Once dessert came out, Montario expressed his love and how he wanted to continue building with Toya. He got down on one knee and said the words she’s been waiting for, “Will you marry me?”

The lovely couple became husband and wife on July 8, 2023. Share in the love of their joyous affair, captured by Nativ Lens.

Bride: Toya Hardesty, Flight Attendant and Real estate Agent

Groom: Montario Hardesty, College Football Coach

Photography By: Nativ Lens

Place of Residence: Columbia, SC

Wedding Date: July 8, 2023

Wedding Location: 1208 Washington Place, Columbia, SC

Wedding Theme/Motif/Inspiration: Modern Elegance

Honeymoon Destination: Anguilla

Briefly tell us about your wedding experience and how the both of you felt on your big day.

(Toya) During the wedding planning process, I was overwhelmed at times because I did not realize how much work I would have to do, but it was all worth it. On our wedding day I was filled with emotions and a little nervous, but a call from Montario calmed me down. I was so excited and beyond happy for this day. Seeing Montario standing at the altar made my heart feel so full. Everything was beautiful and I enjoyed sharing this special moment with family and friends.

(Montario) The day was much busier than I expected but still so fulfilling. I had so much joy watching my wife come down the aisle. The ceremony was beautiful with fresh flowers. I was ready and confident in our love and bond to spend the rest of our lives together.

Wedding song, explain choice for song:

We chose “Get You” by Daniel Caesar. We would listen to this song a lot when we started going through the Covid pandemic. The world was changing, but we still stumbled across this thing called love. We both were just happy we finally made it to the place we were in. Who would have thought while the world literally slowed down, we were getting what we always wanted.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

We are looking forward to this lifelong journey together, continuing to grow our family and our bond. We look forward to creating more adventures and memories together.