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The Proposal of
Marta & Josiah
Josiah took me to Charleston Falls for a long hike in the evening on our dating anniversary. We’d planned to exchange Christmas presents during this time, but he’d been acting nervous all week, so I was very suspicious. Josiah waited until sunset and took me to the large gazebo in the center of a large meadow. Josiah asked me to help him hang up some lights he had in his backpack before giving gifts. After that, he pulled out a speaker and began to play some slow songs, and asked me to dance. My emotions were building that evening, and my suspicions grew, so at this point, the waterworks were released. Afterward, he knelt and proposed and then showed me notes he had written to me for this day, during a hectic time where he had taken on extra work to buy the ring, cue more crying. We enjoyed visiting each of our families that night and calling close friends to share the news.
Despite it being November, it was a beautiful 70-degree day with lots of sunshine. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. My bridesmaids and I got ready at a friend’s house while Josiah and his groomsmen got ready at a separate friend’s home. We had a large party, 8 bridesmaids, and 10 groomsmen. Many were friends from high school who knew us before we were a couple and his siblings. I had 3 maids of honor, two of which I had known for 10+ years that I also served as maid of honor for their wedding; the other was my sister. Josiah’s best man was also a childhood friend and also a roommate after highschool. I wore the earrings and necklace my mother wore for her wedding and also sewed my own veil.
We had our ceremony in the pine forest of the venue. Friends of ours played the guitar and violin with a bluegrass/folk/Appalachian theme.
Family played a significant role in our ceremony. Josiah’s father, the pastor of our church, officiated; both of my parents walked me down the aisle, both of his grandfathers read scripture and spoke, and we took a moment to pray with both sets of parents. We also sang two congregational songs, favorite hymns from our church, “His Be the Victor’s Name” and “Oh, How Good It Is.”
We took pictures with our combined bridal party and then portraits together. Meanwhile, guests enjoyed snacks in the banquet hall and a swing dance lesson taught by my sister & brother-in-law (swing dance teachers!). This was a big hit, and though we never saw it ourselves while taking pictures, we continue to hear about this fun aspect. At the reception, we kept the lights off and let the hundreds of string lights on the ceiling, hundreds of candles on the tables, and fairy lights create a beautiful evening aesthetic inside. Dinner was a taco salad bar that was put together with the help of friends. We catered everything ourselves but had friends help cook and bring it. It made for a filling and delicious, homecooked (in a way ;)) extraordinarily allergy-friendly meal and a familiar favorite.
Taking many aspects of the beauty of fall, we combined warm autumn colors with jewel tones for our theme. We incorporated the warm fall colors into the flowers to help brighten the palette. The girls made their own floral hoops and helped me make all of the boutonnieres and corsages. This is just one of many aspects we tried to be intentional about. I made the floral arrangements on the arch myself as well as for the signs. Josiah and I also spent quarantine restoring old windows for our DIY decor. Those painted signs are currently proudly hung in our home to this day. The hundreds of bottles and jars for the centerpieces were saved by family and friends over several months. I also painted the table number signs and arranged the hall with friends, groomsmen, and bridesmaids before the wedding. With all the decorations and food done ourselves, it was indeed a DIY wedding.
Wow! This place is fantastic! Any type of dress you can think of for any budget. I went in just wanting to try a few on and get an idea, and I was blessed to have Lacrecia as a stylist. I didn’t believe her when she said she’d find the dress for me or even when she showed me a dress I was VERY skeptical of but ended up adoring and getting! It was such a lovely, fun, exciting experience, and I couldn’t have been happier with my visit and dress! Worth the drive!
I don’t have enough words for how amazing Lacrecia was! She was friendly, informative, made everything exciting (without being overwhelming), and had significant input. She asked me all about our theme and venue and ended up picking up attractive options just on that information. The first one she picked I ended up getting. However, she helped me imagine the dress of my dreams: a combination of Kathleen and Pamela (both my Maggie Sotterro). I was perfectly comfortable with Lacrecia, and it was as if she knew me better than I did! I initially didn’t want to try on Pamela based on how she described it, but after her insistence, I did, and I am SO thankful. Lacrecia also helped pick out a beautiful belt and think through a couple other things I might want to be done to the dress to make it perfect. When I went to pick up my skirt, she was there to help me try it on again and once again boost my self-esteem and make me excited all over again. I know how much she loved the Kathleen dress and how eager she is to see these pictures! Thank you, Lacrecia!
Wedding Location – Washington Court House, OH
Ceremony & Reception Location – Pine Lodge
Bridal Gown – Maggie Sottero, style Kathleen and in the Ivory color.
Photography – Christina & Jeremiah
