ALMetro360

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter WEDDING ISSUE 2021 33 I N HER OWN WORDS … “Hunter and I met for the first time over dinner at a restaurant (Carolina Ale House) in Greenville, South Carolina. We were inseparable from that day until Hunter took a job offer in Texas eight months later. Most of our relationship was long distance. I was able to spend most of the summer in 2019 with Hunter in Texas. The day before my birthday, June 7th, Hunter surprised me with a facial and told me to put on a cute outfit and that he was taking me to a special surprise. We ended up at Dallas Botanical Gardens where we walked around to look at the beautiful scenery. I had no idea at this point what was about to happen. Hunter hired a photographer to catch the sweet moment as he got down on one knee and proposed. My first words... “wait is this really happening.” The next day (my birthday) he said he wanted to take me to brunch. To my surprise, my mom and his parents had flown in to surprise me and celebrate with us for the rest of the weekend. I was so shocked he actually pulled off getting my mom to Texas! I was on cloud nine all weekend. At the wedding, Hunter and I wanted to do a first look before the wedding ceremony and exchange letters we had written for each other. We were able to have a special moment with just us and the photographer to sit down to read our notes together. It was such a sweet, intimate moment we got to share with each other that allowed us to soak in those last moments together before we said “I do.” We laughed and shed a few tears as we read the notes we wrote. We will forever cherish those moments before we officially became husband and wife.” The Bride is the daughter of Shawn and Jodi Smith, residents of Wetumpka, Alabama. The groom’s parents are Homer and Anette Elwood of Laurens, South Carolina. The couple said “I do” in Tybee Island, Georgia on February 1, 2020 with Pastor Matthew Freeman officiating. The bride was given in marriage by her grandfather, Sam Hancock. Childhood best friends Carlie Dunn of Fitzpatrick, Alabama and Madeline Moore of Millbrook, Alabama served as Maid and Matron of honor. The grooms father, Homer Elwood, served as Best Man. Bridesmaids: Santana Wood, Tyler, Texas; Meagan Self, Dothan, Alabama; Kelsey Mims, Alpine, Alabama; Delanie Caldwell, Birmingham, Alabama; Catherine Israel, Birmingham, Alabama Groomsman: Zachary Elwood, Laurens, South Carolina; Calvin Mitchell, Clemson, South Carolina; Cody Roberts, Fort Mill, South Carolina; Hunter Stewart, Clinton, South Carolina; Edward Able, Columbia, South Carolina; Watty Watford, Columbia, South Carolina The Venue: Tybee Island Wedding Chapel | Wedding Coordinator: Evan & Co. | Photographer: Kim Box Photography | Floral Designer: Evan & Co. | Jeweler: Hoyt Hanvey Jewelers | Gown: Lovely Bride | Hair: Exist; Beautifully n