Simone and Michael’s love story is a tale of true love. The pair met in college during their time at Coastal Carolina University, where they lived near each other and started out as close friends. A short time later, the pair worked together during their second year of college, and that’s when they realized they wanted more from each other than just friendship. Their first date, of many, was a typical Myrtle Beach night filled with hibachi and the sky wheel. “From there, it was all love,” says Michael, recounting the times the pair spent exploring the Myrtle Beach area and experiencing all the beach has to offer. The couple dated for seven years before Michael popped the question.

The proposal took place at the top of the Tybee Island Lighthouse in Georgia. The day started with a ride to the landmark on a tandem bike, then spending the rest of the day celebrating their engagement in bliss around Savannah, GA.

The pair were later married at Oglebay in Wheeling, W.V. The location wasn’t just because of the naturally beautiful backdrop the Formal Gardens provided. It was important for the pair to get married in a place that was halfway between their parents. With Michael’s parents in North Carolina and Simone’s parents in Michigan, the Oglebay venue was perfect. The day of the wedding called for rain, but the morning of, the sky cleared and the pair were able to get married in the Formal Gardens.

The reception was held in the Pine Room at Oglebay. It was a gorgeous room, decorated with white, twinkling lights and drapery dangling from the ceiling. There was also a trellis covered in fresh greenery over the dance floor, which would later pose a slight problem, as the bride’s bouquet got stuck amongst the leaves and flowers during the bouquet toss. The reception room also held special significance for the couple, as Simone’s parents were married in a different Pine Room, providing a beautiful coincidence for them. The couple opted for fresh and dark colors, including sage green, dusty blue, and navy blue with accents of dusty rose and gold. The couple have a knack for being self-sufficient, and both helped set up the reception space at different times. But they truly didn’t get to experience the beauty they had a hand in creating until it was time to cut the cake in front of everyone. Surrounded by family and friends, the couple were able to take a moment and realize how happy they were to have this experience.

The pair now happily resides in North Carolina, where Simone is a Laboratory Analyst and Michael is a Government Affairs Manager.

Photo by Hannah Barlow Photography