Jennifer Long, a Myrtle Beach native, and Todd Merz met at work in Orange County, California, and after discovering how much they had in common, formed a relationship that led to an engagement nine months later.  

On April 26, 2014, they were married at First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach, the church Jennifer grew up attending. Her father built the cross at the front of the sanctuary. The theme matched the April date, soft and springlike, with a color palette of light green, coral and rose gold. The colors appeared in the bridesmaids’ custom rose gold bracelets, the groomsmen’s hand-made coral bow ties and in Jennifer’s rose gold shoes and jewelry. The flower girl was dressed in a tulle gown to match Jennifer’s dress.

Jennifer’s aunt created a chalkboard-designed door outlining the evening’s festivities. For dessert, cupcakes sat in vintage teacups displayed on a dessert table. Guests left with mason jars of grits with a Southern recipe.