Photo credits: Tina Halturin Photography

Suzanne and Joe
February 10, 2001

ABOUT THE BRIDE: Suzanne grew up in Houston and graduated from Texas A&M University with a business degree in Marketing. She is employed with an energy marketing company in Bethesda, Maryland. Suzanne enjoys being outdoors, particularly when hiking with their German Shepherd, Gretchen. She also enjoys snow skiing and cycling.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Joe is also a native Texan, but moved to Georgia with his family when he was a teenager. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Economics. He is also employed with an energy marketing company in Bethesda, Maryland. Joe enjoys mountain biking, running, and attending any college football games, especially those held in Athens, Georgia!

HOW WE MET: In the spring of 1999, the company Suzanne was working for decided to move its Houston trading floor to Atlanta, Georgia. Joe, who was already in the Atlanta offices, spotted Suzanne right away. Suzanne finally accepted a date after Joe charmed her with his humorous emails!

ENGAGEMENT: On their one-year anniversary, Joe and Suzanne went hiking at Amicalola Falls in the North Georgia Mountains. Joe fashioned Suzanne a ring out of a pull-tab and a piece of rock candy he found on the ground. Jokingly, Suzanne wore the ring, and feigned disappointment when her "diamond" fell out. Joe suggested she look around for something with a little more sparkle to replace the rock candy and that is when she saw the real ring hanging on a branch over the water! Joe immediately got down on his knee and proposed. Apparently, he had been carrying the ring in his pocket for a month looking for exactly the right moment!

PLANNING: Shortly after the engagement, new job opportunities came up for the couple in Bethesda, Maryland, so all wedding planning was put on hold until they could get somewhat settled in their new city. Suzanne's uncle, a Catholic priest, offered to marry the two at his church in Peosta, Iowa. So in five weeks, Suzanne put together a wedding for their family and close friends. One catch -- they had to go to Iowa in February!

ATTIRE: Suzanne tried on what seemed to be hundreds of dresses before finally finding the perfect dress at a shop in Rockville, Maryland called Distinctive Designs. She was so excited that she decided to make the wedding a little bigger than originally planned! Time was running out and one of Suzanne's bridesmaids, Kim, offered the bridesmaids' dresses from her own wedding. Suzanne was thrilled with that idea because the dresses were a beautiful navy velvet, just right for a winter wedding. The groom and groomsmen wore traditional black tuxes.

THE CEREMONY: Suzanne and Joe were married in a traditional Catholic ceremony performed by her uncle at The Holy Family Church, which was built in 1889. Suzanne had never seen the church before and couldn't believe her eyes when she did! It was set up on a hill, surrounded by fresh snow, trees, and lots of sunshine. She couldn't have imagined a more perfect church to get married in.

THE RECEPTION: The reception was held at an old Victorian mansion owned by the Historical Society. When the guests arrived they were treated to an open bar and appetizers. A piano player made the guests feel as if they had stepped back into time as she played a variety of classics. Dinner was served at 7:00 pm and consisted of a wild field greens salad, stuffed beef tenderloin with twice baked potatoes, and a seasoned vegetable medley. Dessert was, of course, wedding cake! Suzanne and Joe danced their first dance to "At Last" by Etta James. Then the guests quickly joined in, dancing everything from the Polka to the Texas Two-Step. A good time was had by all! Suzanne recalls, "It went by so fast! But after it was over, Joe and I agreed, it was just perfect. A day we will always remember with such happiness!"

HOW WE PERSONALIZED THE WEDDING: The wedding was personalized in so many ways. The wedding party stayed at an elegant Victorian hotel, The Redstone Inn (www.theredstoneinn.com), where guests enjoyed gourmet breakfasts and luxurious accommodations. The innkeepers surprised Joe and Suzanne with customized wine bottles from a local winery commemorating their wedding. Each guest had one to take home as a souvenir.

THINGS WE LOVED Everything! Joe and Suzanne were thrilled with the way the wedding turned out. The photographer, Tina Halturin, captured the magic of the day in pictures they will always treasure. Most of all, they loved seeing their family and close friends together on their special day.

If you have questions or comments for Suzanne and Joe, please e-mail them to Suzanne.Berry@neg.pge.com.