Welcome to our first ever surprise wedding! Katie and Branden knew they wanted to do something different when they tied the knot. So they told all of their friends and family they were planning to elope, invited everyone to their engagement party at Hotel Covington to celebrate, and played a game where they asked guests to guess where they would be eloping. Then – SURPRISE! – they announced to everyone that they were actually getting married THAT NIGHT at Hotel Covington! Not even their parents knew they would be getting married that night, and it was so much fun to see everyone’s reactions. Once they made the announcement, Katie and Branden ran off, got wedding fabulous in ten minutes flat, and came back out to have the most beautiful ceremony with their closest family and friends.
As if their wedding wasn’t already special enough, they had their small group leader from church marry them, which added such a sweet personal element since he knew them both so well. AND… they wrote their own vows. One of my favorite things you could ever do for your wedding is to write your own vows (and if not, definitely at least write each other a hand written letter to look back on!). They spoke to their start on Bumble – thank goodness Branden had his dog in his profile picture. ๐ They reminisced on their first date at 6am at a Starbucks… and their third date where Branden suggested they go to church together. They laughed about Katie’s affinity for personality tests and her belief that Branden might be “too perfect to be real”. And they laughed about how instantly he agreed to Katie’s crazy idea to pull off a surprise wedding!
Katie’s dad gave the blessing, and when speaking about his brand new son-in-law, he boasted of Branden’s loyalty and called him “the kind of guy you want your daughter to marry”. Katie and Branden, you two are a perfect match. It’s impossible not to smile around you two people who clearly make each other happier than they could ever be on their own. Thank you for letting us play a small part in your big surprise and for letting us in on the secret a little early!
The sign in front of their ceremony space – “Amy and Mike” are actually Katie and Branden. ๐
Spoiler alert – no one guessed Hotel Covington!
Did you love this surprise wedding? Check out Katie and Riley’s COVID wedding with a surprise parade their friends and family put together!
Are you getting married? We would love to get to know you! Reach out to see if we are available on your date.
Vendors:
Venue – Hotel Covington
Florist – Carly Messmer
DJ – Party Pleasers
Bridal Gown Boutique – Something New, Borrowed, and Blue
Bridal Gown Designer – Justin Alexander
Dessert – Graeter’s + Sweet Treats o’ Mine