Megan & Benjamin || Stone Valley Meadows

The Proposal

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Megan & Benjamin

Ben and I met at the University of Dayton, working in the theatre on campus. We were both technicians, so we built the sets and ran the shows. We started off as friends and moved into dating. On our first date, we went putt-putting and got to know each other. Slowly we started to hang out more and more. Fast forward to five years later, and he asked me to marry him. It was memorial day weekend in 2020, and we were outside hanging out with some friends. We had just finished plating a yard game when we got down on one knee and proposed. I was so shocked and excited, and I said yes immediately. Our one friend knew, and she had a cake waiting and some wedding books for us. I was still living in Florida, so wedding planning had its challenges since Ben would video call me when we set up to look at venues. But we overcame that obstacle and got married on November 20, 2021.

The Wedding

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Megan & Benjamin

The ladies started getting ready early in the morning, and it was a fun time in the bridal suite! We had music going and were popping champaign for mimosas while talking and laughing. We had Caralee and Emily there for hair and makeup, and it was all going smoothly. About midmorning was when the men showed up in the groomsman barn at Stone Valley Meadows; they had games and poker. They were relaced and ready for the day to start. Once Tire Swing Photography came, I was able to get ready with my mom and sister for a bridesmaid reveal. They were standing on the side of the door where the entire reception hall was, and I could open the barn doors for them to see me fully dressed. After, I met Ben outside to do our first look at the outdoor ceremony space. It was a circle of trees and very intimate. There was a slight breeze, but it was sunny, so the cold wasn’t bad for a late November day. He loved how I looked, and I thought he looked very handsome. After, we started getting bridal party photos and photos with the different immediate family members.
Then, it was off to the church on the party bus; it was just the bridal party and their dates. It was so much fun with the music going and some drinks beforehand. Our ceremony was at 1:30pm at All Saints Catholic Church, my childhood parish. The ceremony went off without an issue, we did the traditional ceremony, but Ben’s cousin was our priest, who made it even more special. After the ceremony, we took more family photos and headed back to the venue for the reception. We could get even more sunset pictures and even pop champagne at the venue, which was fun! Ben and I entered from the bridal suite on the second floor, while our bridal party entered from the main entrance through red doors. We did all our toasts and dances and even did a fun cake cutting since I had no idea what to do, but we could do it! Then we danced the night away with all our family and friends. It was the best party atmosphere.

Megan’s

Bridal & Formal

Experience

I arrived with my mom, sister, cousin, and one of my bridesmaids (my oldest friend) to try on dresses. We had already been to one store, and I was excited to see what you all had. My stylists were so lovely, and she picked out the dress. I said yes too! I think it was the third dress I tried on, and it was a poufy princess dress. I loved it as soon as I put it on, and even though I tried it on others after, it was my dress. We went to find accessories for it, and my cousin helped me pick out the veil I wanted, and we even picked out a headpiece and earrings. It all flowed together perfectly, and I loved the way it looked. The dress was amazing and sparkled so much, and I got many compliments! It was a fantastic experience.