REAL TWIRL WEDDING || MARY + CHRIS

We adore this sweet bride to pieces! Mary was one of Ty's babysitters and so when it came time for her to shop for her wedding dress it was such a special time. We remember her appointment like it was yesterday. So many happy feelings and to be able to see her pure joy on her wedding day in her perfect gown makes our hearts the absolute happiest! Enjoy reliving their precious day with us. We love you Mary & Chris! Cheers to your beautiful life together. Xo!

Can you give us a glimpse into you & your hubs's love story?

Chris and I met the year I graduated college. I decided to move up to Louisville with my friend, Andrea, and I started working as a preschool teacher at the Virginia Chance School. It just so happens that Chris started working there as well. He was one of their P.E. teachers. We barely spoke two words to each other for the longest time. I was in no place to start a relationship, and I didn’t even think about pursuing any kind of relationship with him. We merely worked together, and that was about the extent of it. In March, our school was going to a PD in Lexington. I had just planned on going down the night before and staying with my parents. Out of the blue, Chris asked me what my plan was for the PD, and if I wanted to ride together. I kindly turned him down, but he insisted I give him my number “in case he got lost.” It never occurred to me until later that he went to UK for a year, so there was no way he would get lost. Smooth. During the PD, there was a UK basketball game going on. They were playing Florida. The very first thing Chris ever texted me was, “Your precious cats are losing. I hope Florida beats them.” How sweet of him. (He’s a Louisville fan, unfortunately). After that initial text, we talked every single day. To me, he was just being a nice guy. We were just friends. To my roommate, Andrea, it was Chris showing a lot more interest than just being friends. It wasn’t until a couple months later when I started to let my guard down and think about what this really was. The fact that we had pursued a platonic friendship, with no strings attached, made me feel so comfortable around Chris. It didn’t take long for me to realize that he was the real deal. After our first date, I knew. I knew that Chris was the man God had put on this earth for me. He is the sweetest, kindest, most generous man. He is my best friend. I truly believe the old saying, “when you know, you know.” After 11 months of dating, Chris proposed. 6 months later, we got married! November 5th was the most incredible day. I tell Chris I wish we could do it all over again every day. It was everything I could have dreamed of and more.

What was it about your dress that made you realize it was "the one?" Was it what you expected to love/wear? Favorite memory from dress shopping/Twirl?

As soon as we got engaged, I knew I wanted to get my dress from Twirl. I have known Ty for a long time, and I knew my dress had to come from y’all! We made an appointment to get the bridesmaid dresses first. When we went in, it was magical. I knew exactly what I wanted my girls to wear, and Ty and Liz made the process so easy. I remember them asking when I was going to come in to get my wedding dress, and I was so nervous about coming in. When the time finally came, I was a nervous wreck! But Ty immediately took those fears away. The very first thing we did, before trying on any dresses, was pray. In that instant, I knew I was at the right place, and I knew that God was still in control – even with finding my wedding dress! I had sent Ty several dresses that I liked, but what I found was that I didn’t really know what I wanted. Turns out, I walked out with a dress that was COMPLETELY opposite of what I thought I wanted. I will never forget the feeling of trying on THE dress – the Heidi Elnora “Katie Grace” dress and I knew. I knew this was the dress I wanted Chris to see me in when those church doors opened. It was even better than I could have imagined! I walked in wanting a long sleeve dress with some sparkle, and I walked out with the most gorgeous classic, simple strapless gown that I will forever cherish.

What is your favorite memory from your wedding day?

Although I wish every single day that I could relive my entire wedding day, my favorite memory happened right after our ceremony. We were married at First United Methodist Church in downtown Lexington, and we had planned a “pretend” grand exit so that we could get some pictures walking out of the church with all our friends and family around us. In order to make this happen, Chris and I had to hide for a moment after we walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. We hid up in this little staircase of the church balcony and it was in that moment that it hit me – I was married! I hadn’t cried the entire ceremony but at that time the tears started flowing. Chris and I had our one moment – our first moment – as Mr. and Mrs. It was the sweetest memory from that day. We admired our rings and had a second to breathe and take it all in. I am so grateful for that time together!

What has been the best thing about marriage so far?

The best part of marriage so far has been simply doing life with my best friend! We dated long distance throughout our eleven months of dating, and I am just so thankful that when I have a hard day, I can come home to Chris. When I have a good day, I can celebrate with him. It’s been the most wonderful (almost) year of my life, and I pray that throughout our entire marriage we continue to laugh and cry together, make traditions together, and live our life, that God so wonderfully planned together, as a family.

Any pieces of wisdom or advice you'd like to share with future brides, engaged gals, or newlyweds like yourself?

My advice to engaged girls is delegate, delegate, delegate! SO much pressure was taken off of me by simply allowing my mom and my aunt to help make calls, email, etc. I’ll be honest- wedding planning was not my favorite thing, but having help made it a lot easier! When you allow others to help, you have more time to enjoy the beautiful season of being engaged, and no one said you have to plan a wedding all by yourself! I would get so overwhelmed trying to decide so many things, and it was making it very hard for me to enjoy. I had to take a step back, realize what was important, and at the end of the day, I would be married to my best friend no matter what music we had during the ceremony or what the bouquets looked like. That was what I cared about, and when I let some of that control go, I was able to see that and enjoy it.