October 25th, 2016
Blue Ridge, Georgia
Cheryl and Michelle met at work and dated briefly, but the timing wasn’t right. They instead became close friends over the next several years, until they both realized they were in love with each other. Say the brides, “We knew from the beginning that this was a lifetime love.” They have been together for six years.
When it came time to propose, both Cheryl and Michelle wanted the experience; Cheryl proposed first on a trip to Gibbs Gardens in Georgia. “We’ve always had dates at Botanical Gardens,” explains Cheryl, “I created a leather journal with our favorite pictures and quotes with the last quote being one from her grandfather. It was a very special moment for us both.” Michelle was so excited that she immediately confessed to planning a proposal of her own, but due to a shipment mishap she didn’t have a ring, so they decided to wait. Later, the couple was at Huntsville Botanical Gardens for the festival of lights and they snuck off the main path to a secluded area, where Michelle proposed with a poem.
The brides discussed having a small ceremony, but they didn’t want the stress, and instead chose to elope. Say the brides, “We didn’t want to lose sight over why we were getting married. We knew we wanted to be in nature and for it to be romantic, so we chose Blue Ridge, Georgia. We have always been drawn to the mountains.”
Cheryl and Michelle rented a cabin with an outdoor pavilion where they privately exchanged vows. “We both wrote our own vows and they were one of the very few surprises we’ve ever been able to keep from one another!” Both brides agree that their vows were the best part of the day. “We were laughing one moment and crying the next,” says Cheryl. Michelle adds, “We surrendered ourselves to one another that day. I have never felt more love and emotion than those moments.”
They went down to the nearby Toccoa River for pictures, where they and their photographer took advantage of the fall colors. “Our photographer was great and even braved the freezing water to get the best shots.”
They also exchanged wedding day gifts with each other; Cheryl gave Michelle a wood watch made by Jord, and Michelle gave Cheryl a solitaire diamond necklace she’d always wanted.
They had a private dance that night to Tim McMorris’ “Overwhelmed.”
Both brides agree that they were true to themselves that day. “This was our day and that’s why we do not have any regrets. We took what we loved from traditional weddings and customized the rest.”
