A Fairy-Tale Wedding

A LONGAWAITED Fairy~Tale Wedding AT THE BLANCHE

Shelly Monroe and Matt Watson said “I do” October 23, 2021, amid loving family and friends.

Weddings happen every year in North Florida, but when Shelly Monroe and Matt Watson said their vows on October 23, 2021, it was truly a dream wedding come to life. For these two devout Christian people, they believe their love story—how they met, fell in love and married—was divinely inspired by the very hand of God.

This amazing couple put o marriage until they met in their mid to late 30s, as they waited for the Lord to send them each other. When Matt’s sister crossed paths with Shelly at a funeral for Shelly’s uncle, Matt’s sister, Hannah, decided Shelly and Matt would make a great match and asked if she could pass their numbers to one another. Shelly agreed, and they met soon after and fell in love. Embracing a long-distance relationship, the couple saw each other every weekend as they courted and got to know one another. Matt asked Shelly to marry him less than a year later when members of their two families gathered at the beach in West Florida for a week of seaside fun in 2021. Of course, Shelly was surprised and immediately said, “Yes!” as they kissed beside the Gulf of Mexico while their families cheered.

Held at the stunningly restored Blanche Hotel in downtown Lake City, the Live Oak bride and Crestview groom could not have been happier on their wedding day. More than 200 family members and friends were present for the wedding at the exquisite hotel for the occasion. Under the direction and planning of Amy Smith, an event coordinator for Imperial Productions, the wedding party gathered early in their separate bride and groom suites. These special rooms, adorned with vintage furniture and accessories, are a part of the wedding package o ered by the Blanche. Matt and his groomsmen prepared for the wedding and sent notes back and forth to the bride and her bridal party. Meanwhile, the ladies enjoyed getting ready for the big day with hair and makeup styled by friends and family of the bride: Peyton Smith, Brooklyn Cashmore and Sarah Monroe. The Blanche’s unique and private suites provided a special time for both groups to come together and prepare for the most important day in the lives of the bride and groom.

As wedding time approached, happy guests began arriving while the bride and groom met at the top of the beautiful, tall staircase where Matt was brought face-to-face with his beautiful bride in her spectacular wedding dress amid the brilliant sunlight shining through magni cent windows. Due to a tight photo schedule, they met prior to the wedding as the sun provided a heavenly aura while they kissed and photos were snapped by the dozens. It was a moment captured with hundreds of photos, both professional by June Rose Photography of Lake City, personal cameras and cell phones. Upon arrival, guests were presented with elegant, printed cards detailing the wedding schedule. These stood as a thank you to the guests and family for their dedication to the bride and groom, as well as to the Lord for His part in their lives. A special part of this keepsake paid reverence to family members who had already gone on to be with the Lord.

At 5 p.m., Shelly began her walk down the aisle in her breathtaking, vintage lace gown with a long train and veil that owed behind her. Shelly chose her wedding attire, along with her bridesmaid’s gowns from OML Bridal and Formal in Lake City. In her hand, Shelly carried a fabulous fall collection of owers from CC’s Flower Villa of Lake City. The bouquet was comprised of owers given to Shelly in a special presentation by dozens of her friends before the ceremony. Shelly was escorted down the aisle by her mother, Kathy Hals, and

Venue The Blanche Photographer June Rose Photography Catering Texas Roadhouse Design Imperial Productions Florist CC’s Flower Villa Dress OML Bridal & Formal Cake Amy Strickland

During the service, pre-recorded songs sung by the bride and groom were sung along with The Marriage Prayer and “Somebody’s Praying,” sung by Shelly’s late uncle, Rev. Randy Lamb.

The wedding, performed by Matt’s pastor, Rev. Ron Williamson, Shelly’s family member Jerry Lamb and Rev. Jim McCoy, was a traditional Christian service, following the theme of the bible verse Ecclesiastes 4:12, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” The ceremony included a formal foot-washing service and braiding of a cord of three strands by the bride and groom, as well as an explanation of the bride’s three-stranded engagement ring, provided by Joey the Jeweler of Crestview.

Happiness spread across the guests, as Shelly and Matt promised to love, honor and cherish each other “until death do us part.” Now Mr. and Mrs. Matt Watson, the groom dipped his new bride for a kiss. The audience clapped and cheered for the new happy couple, as the two ower men danced the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom down the aisle.

Arriving downstairs at the reception site, guests were served with a delicious catered meal and exquisite wedding and groom’s cakes prepared by Lake City’s Amy Strickland.

Dancing and visiting made this unforgettable evening even sweeter, as the two-year pandemic had kept many families and friends apart until this event. A special souvenir menu and bookmark was present at each table setting, along with photos of Matt and Shelly. After the festivities, the couple departed, running through a long line of sparklers to the vintage car that awaited them at the end of the street. Whisking them away in a true 1940s vintage fashion, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Watson honeymooned in South Florida for a week before settling into their residence near Crestview. The couple begin their new life together, along with Shelly’s rescue cat, Bleu, who now rules the Watson house. ■