HOW WE MET Brandon and I met through mutual friends. What started as a simple friendship almost 10 years ago, quickly grew into a love stronger than we could have ever imagined. I’ll never forget the first time he kissed me. It was a snowy Christmas Eve and we had been out celebrating the holiday with friends when Brandon offered to drive me home. I was staying the night at my father’s because well, it was Christmas Eve!. He drove into the gravel driveway, and being the gentleman he is, he got out of his truck and walked me to the stoop. After saying Goodnight, he turned to leave when I turned back and smacked him on the shoulder and said “Are you really not going to kiss me?” With a huge grin on his face he went in for the kill and the rest was history. LIFE TOGETHER The next nine years included lots of laughs, adventures, moving in together, and so many unforgettable moments in between. Our favorite being the day we brought home our beloved black labrador puppy who we named Winifred Virginia, aka Winnie girl. It’s clear to see she is undoubtedly our most prized possession. We enjoy long weekends at our family’s summer houses on Lake Gaston (houses that were only one cove apart from each other’s but we never realized until we became a couple). If we’re not doing that we’re usually escaping to the beach in Nags Head, NC. Brandon likes to fish and I love a good sunrise on the beach! Most importantly we love spending time with our families and close friends. THE PROPOSAL Brandon proposed on the beach in June with our dog Winnie at his side. It was just after the sun rose above the ocean and the sky was painted orange and purple. Watching the sun come up over the ocean is one of my favorite things to do at the beach if the weather allows me to. However this sunrise, I will never forget. Dressed in sweats and sweating bullets, he waited for me to walk to the shoreline to get a closer look. Too busy taking a video of the sunrise, I hadn’t even noticed him bending down behind me on one knee. I turned around to walk back and there he was, ring box open and our Winnie girl sitting proudly right beside him. He will never admit it but he could hardly get the words out before I grabbed the ring and tackled him into the sand screaming “YES, YES, YES!” It was a perfect sunrise, the most perfect surprise and a perfect moment we will never forget. MR. & MRS. SMITH Brandon and I are beyond excited to begin this next chapter of our lives as husband and wife! We cannot wait to celebrate this moment in time with all of you! We look forward to our future together and experiencing all that this beautiful life has to offer; starting with our commitment to each other and those two very important words…I do.
4:00 pm - 10:15 pm
SEMI-FORMAL: Tuxes and gowns are welcome, and so are suits and midi/knee length cocktail dresses. Our theme colors shades of dusty blues/ light blue/ navy and near neutrals for those guests that like to dress for the Vibe!
Cocktail Hour will immediately follow the Ceremony in the cocktail venue, patio and in the garden. Guests will then make their way to the reception hall through the designated walkway and the Bride and Groom will make their Grand Entrance around 5:30 following with dinner and dancing shortly after! 📸 #youmaySMITHthebride
Kristen’s Biggest Supporters
Bride
Man of Honor
Brother of the Bride
Matron of Honor
Sister of the Bride
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
FLOWER GIRLS
Olivia Taylor - Landyn Taylor - Delaney Taylor
Brandon’s Biggest Supporters
Groom
Best Man
Groomsman
Groomsman
Groomsman
Groomsman
Groomsman
Ring Bearer
Kristen’s Family
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE Kathy Johnson Gregory FATHER OF THE BRIDE Richard Bernard Gregory Sr. GRANDPARENTS Lonnie Johnson Sr. - Annie Johnson Larry Ashbaugh - Mary Lynne Ashbaugh UNCLES Douglas Gregory Sr. - Charles Bocsa - Ron Whipkey - Lonnie Johnson- AUNTS Stephanie Gregory - Laura Bocsa Cheryl Gregory Another amazing Aunt, friend and positive influence who now resides in Heaven but is missed so very dearly. May she Rest in Peace. ……ROBIN F. JOHNSON…… (1965-2022)
Brandon’s Family
MOTHER OF THE GROOM Sarah Katherine Smith FATHER OF THE GROOM Melvin Wade Smith AUNTS Dale Harris- Cheryl Busse- Diane Madison UNCLES William Harris - Bob Busse- Nugent Madison Another amazing Uncle, friend and influence who now resides in Heaven and is also missed terribly, may he Rest In Peace. ……JOHN H. MADISON.….. (1952-2022)
Loved ones who cannot be here today and are missed dearly.
Great Grandparents Pauline S. Allen (1910-2001) Bernard J Allen (1906-1965) Ruby B. Johnson (1919-1999) Robert L. Johnson (1919-1979) Bernice M. Dann (1908-2005) Michael N. Dann (1905 -1985) Grandparents Francis B. Gregory (1937-2018) Melvin Wade Smith Sr. (1923-2014) Shirley H. Smith (1928-1999) Henry N. Madison(1906-1982) Emma R. Madison (1915-1988) Aunts Robin F. Johnson (1965-2023) Uncles John H. Madison (1952-2023) Cousins Emalee A. Boddy (1983-2023) Friends Anthony T. Stefano (1985-2007)
Hotel
This is the closest hotel to the venue and the Rehearsal Dinner. It is approximately 9 miles (12 Minutes) from the Venue!
Hotel
This is another hotel within approximately 9 miles (12-15 minutes) from the venue!
House Or Rental
There are many AIRBNB’S in the area within 5-15 minutes of the venue. Make sure to type in Chesterfield County or Moseley, Virginia in the Map Area Search bar. The venue’s address is 17901 River Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
We are asking that guests RSVP digitally through our website. If you scroll all the way down on our website to the section labeled RSVP you will see a box that states to type in your name. Each invite is linked to all invites per couple/household so no need to type in both names. Once you type your name click continue and it will allow you to RSVP for everyone included in your invitation!
Please RSVP no later than April 15, 2024!
The event is Semi-Formal to Formal. Tuxes and gowns are welcome, and so are suits/ties and midi/knee length cocktail dresses! Our theme colors shades of dusty blues/ light blue/ navy and near neutrals for those guests that like to dress for the Vibe!
In Chesterfield, Virginia, in June the average temperature ranges from 65.5°F to 85.9°F. Known for being a month mixed with sunny and overcast days the weather is usually comfortably warm during the day and cools down in the evenings.
Our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception is all located on the same property with a large parking lot area for all parking needs. There will be signs directing you to the parking location which is just a short walk to and from the venue. There will be an expedition for those with health conditions or impairments who may not be able to make the walk through the gravel parking lot onto the designated path leading to the ceremony and cocktail area. There is also a drop off location at the front of the smaller venue which can be used to drop off guests as welll. Just look for signs and or attendants directing which way to go.
We love ALL of your children, however we have decided to make this an adult only celebration. The only children in attendance will be close family and those in the wedding party!
The ceremony will be outdoors along with the cocktail hour which is indoors/outdoors. The reception will be held indoors in the Glam Venue located directly beside both the ceremony, cocktail building, patio and garden.
There will be a signature drink menu along with liquors, beer, wine and seltzers being served throughout the night. The event is open bar so no cash is necessary but please feel free to tip the wonderful bartenders who will be serving us all night!
We regretfully ask our guests to please not bring any extra persons unless they are specifically named/invited on the invitation. Thank you so very much for understanding!
Guests should arrive around 3:30-3:45pm and no later than 3:55pm. The ceremony begins promptly not 4:00 pm so please allow yourself plenty of time to walk to the ceremony space which is located behind the venue through a designated walkway. There will be attendants in place to direct you where to go. To avoid disrupting the ceremony, all guests arriving late will be asked to wait until the ceremony has concluded. We hope you can understand and plan accordingly!
There venue provides an expedition to transport guests from the ceremony site to the reception building. Please reach out to the bride or groom to let them know you will be needing some assistance! There is also a drop off loop in front of the cocktail venue where guests can be dropped off at the ceremony/cocktail site! Please look for signs telling you where to go!
The bride and groom will take one last dance privately together while guests make their way to the front entrance around 10:15pm. Grab your sparklers and lighters and get ready for the Grand Exit!!
Our ceremony will be unplugged as we have hired an amazing photographer and videographer to capture every moment of our day. We ask that you please refrain from taking any photos outside of the designated moment we’re allowing for personal photos during the ceremony! We know our beloved family members and friends have to get their shot (ha ha) so be listening for that moment we ask you all to take your own photo if you please!
#youmaysmiththebride
There are plenty of Uber options in the event you are unable to safely drive yourself home or hotel/airbnb. We do ask that our guests please drink responsibly and plan for safe transportation to and from the venue whether that be designating a driver before or planning to get an Uber to chauffeur you back to your place of stay. All vehicles left overnight MUST be picked up and removed from the property by 11:00am the following day to avoid being towed.
We have listed a couple of options for stay that are located within 15 minutes of the venue and rehearsal dinner. They are listed under the section labeled “Travel.”
If anything such as weather or other circumstances change the plans of our day we will post the update here on our wedding website under the section updates.