meredith jacob

MARCH 12, 2022

PHOTOS BY RACHEL & NOAH RAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Ceremony Venue: South Highland Presbyterian Church

Reception Venue: Vulcan Park & Museum Florist:

Garden Party Designs Caterer: The Happy Catering Co.

Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Jane Dickens

Events Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: The Bride

Room Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal

Hair & Makeup: Carter & Morgan Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Videography: Chandler Holmes

Stationery: Annabelle’s DJ/Wedding Band: Ascension Wedding Transportation: Cline Tours, Inc.

Jacob and I met during our freshman year at Belmont University in Nashville. We had mutual friends but didn’t really get to know each other until a couple of years later through student government. I was secretly crushing on him and finally got up the nerve to ask him to my sorority’s formal! He got the hint, and it was all history from there.

As someone who considers myself very hard to surprise, I was so impressed with what Jacob pulled off for the proposal! It was July Fourth weekend, and I was under the impression that we were going to the lake with friends on Saturday. When a last-minute “picnic” with another couple was planned for Friday, I was somewhat suspicious but told myself not to read into it. My friend and I prepped for the picnic, then we met the guys at Fort Negley Park, a beautiful overlook near downtown Nashville. When Jacob got out of the car, I instantly knew something was going on because he was wearing a blazer! (To a picnic in July)? Before I knew it, Jacob got down on one knee and popped the question! It couldn’t have been a more beautiful night.

My favorite moment during our wedding was walking down the aisle together at the end of the ceremony. Hearing the grand “Wedding March” on the organ, turning around to see all of our family and friends smiling at us and walking hand-in-hand for the first time that day was simply magical.

Many of my favorite details were from our ceremony. Our pastor delivered a beautiful message that encapsulated what a sacrificial, loving marriage should look like. The church sanctuary was a classic, traditional setting, and the quartet was moving.

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hoover Randle Home & Gardens Florist: Susan Milner Design Caterer: Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Engaged Wedding Library Cake: Edgar’s Bakery Wedding Dress: Bella Couture Bridal Hair/Makeup: Asia Nicole Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse Stationery: Sarah O’Mary Designs DJ/Wedding Band: Elevated Entertainment Wedding Night Accommodations: Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

We met through work when we were completing the same student program! We didn’t interact much, but I would always take the opportunity to go to post-work events to get closer to him. Eventually, we started taking weekend trips together, and the friendship moved to marriage! We still work at the same place we interned and are very much enjoying our time together during lunch dates.

One random Thursday, I got a text from my sister, asking to go to a karaoke bar that night. Once Jimmy and I got home, got ready and left the house, he took a “wrong turn” and took me instead to the gazebo on the lake in our neighborhood. It had been decorated with lights and pictures, where he then popped the question!

My favorite moment was during bridal party pictures, where we attempted a dip. Jimmy proceeded to lean a bit too far forward and actually dropped me! Everyone started rushing to help, but my mom proceeded to yell at my photographer to “keep taking pictures” instead of helping. She and Jimmy were so worried about if I was mad, but I’ve never laughed harder! When we got those pictures back, they made me laugh as much as when the moment happened because I could see everyone’s reactions, too.

Jewelry has always been something special to me and my family. My earrings were borrowed from my grandmother, who got them from her mother, and my bracelet was a graduation gift made from gold and small diamonds from my greatgrandmother’s engagement ring.