Jody and Billie are getting married! Our beautiful couple hails from the Tex-Oma area of North Texas. Our groom grew up in Wichita Falls; and our bride in Holiday, a small town just outside Wichita Falls. Here we peak into the story of this dear couple’s beginning and the romantic outdoor wedding events they’ve planned.
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The first time Jody noticed Billie he was working as a life-guard in Wichita Falls Country Club swimming pool. Billie was alongside a few girlfriends; but Jody said: "SHE really stood out. She was wearing an unforgettable red one-piece swimsuit which caught my eye. I was smitten from that day on. She’s so funny, artistic, and kind. I knew I would marry her someday." Not only did our tanned and fit, lifeguard who, as Billie adds, “sported natural waves of sun-kissed blonde curls” also garner Billie's notice; she said after they met... "He was just so smart and funny there wasn't anything else in the world I wanted more than to spend my life with Jody."
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On April 11, 2017, after almost four years of long-distance dating between The University of Texas, where Jody was in college, and Midwestern State University, where Billie was attending college, she said “Yes!” during a hillside picnic serenade where Jody strummed his guitar and her heartstrings to John Denver's "Annie's Song." Earlier that day, Billie packed a picnic basket full of her famous homemade fried chicken, homemade bread & butter, and chocolate chip cookies, all Jody's favorites. She was to meet Jody at their favorite picnic spot midway their long-distance drive. As Billie arrived, she noticed Jody's sweet Golden Retriever, Louie, waiting under the couple's tree, where they had met on such occasions many times before. Louie was atop a set blanket, his neck wrapped in a wreath of spring wildflowers, and next to a large sign that read: “Will you marry us?” Jody stepped out from behind the tree, got down on one knee and proposed. Of course, Billie said “Yes!” Louie provided the ring atop his nose and Jody sang his heart out for the love of his life.
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​Billie and Jody spent the year following their engagement planning their life, livelihood, and wedding. They will tie-the-knot May 14, 2019, which is a collectively sentimental date for our couple. Many purposeful details were themed to fashion a genuine eagerness for all who would attend their wedding including: "Save The Date" cards with a tree design reflective of their engagement spot and invitations depicting the rings of a tree. The tree is the primary binding theme which will play out throughout the engagement, wedding, and reception.
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For their big day, our couple prepared a magical evening under the stars at Chandler's Gardens in Celina, TX. The duo will wed in “The Secret Garden” under a tree. The space will be filled with lilting romantic, acoustic guitar serenades. Following the ceremony there will be a cocktail hour with lots of filling bit-sized eats, a reception guaranteed to make guests smile, a delightful dinner, a romantic bonfire, photo booth, and invitations to show-off dance moves with Next Level Entertainment at the theatrical helm. There will be lots of little aesthetic surprises throughout this enchanting beginning. And, Louie will also be fully participating in the festivities, affording comedic, sweet release to accompany the substantial significance of the day’s beautiful events.
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As for their lives together, Jody will be teaching 6th grade Celina Elementary School students Science as well as Physical Education. Jody has already amassed multiple original songs with his guitar to help his students motivate and memorize while learning. Billie will be teaching art classes at the same school. This creative and soulful couple will rent a little house on the outskirts of town, with lots of room and good shade for Louie. They will move in together following their honeymoon to St. Lucia island. It is easy to deduce their life together will be colorful, music filled, and full of love.