There is nothing more important than family, and that couldn’t be more true for Anna Gilliam. Thanks to her brother, she met the perfect guy, Chase Malone. Chase’s friends were roommates with Anna’s brother during her first year of dental school. Though the two always had an interest in each other, it wasn’t until a few years later on a Super Bowl Sunday that Chase asked Anna out on their first date.
Anna was finishing up a residency in Florida while Chase was still in Louisville. Chase made plans to visit Anna in Florida on a Friday, which worked perfectly, because Anna had plans with a friend Thursday evening. When she answered her door on Thursday, thinking it was her friend, there was Chase. He dropped down onto his knee and asked her to marry him. Chase had even taken the time to set up his iPad to record the proposal on video. The couple got married exactly one year later on September 3, 2016.
Because Anna still lived in Florida during the wedding planning, she knew that she wanted an all-inclusive wedding location in Tennessee. Drakewood Farm was the perfect fit and provided a beautiful, serene setting for their magical September wedding day. The couple got married under a shimmering chandelier with an asymmetrical floral display around an arch.
The couple decided to have their first look before the ceremony, hoping to get all of their tears out before the guests arrived. It was an emotional moment and Anna had to stop a few times on her way to Chase to try and hold back the tears. As soon as they both saw each other, they cried and laughed, and were so happy to be with each other.
The entire day was filled with memorable moments, especially being surrounded by beloved family members. Anna’s oldest brother and wife had a baby two weeks before the wedding, and Anna wasn’t sure if they would be able to make the trip from Brooklyn with their new baby. However, they got in their car and drove to Tennessee with their newborn to surprise Anna on her special day.
To see more on “Magical September Wedding,” pick up a copy of Enchanted Brides on newsstands today!
Credits:
Photographer: Ace Photography
Ceremony & Reception Site: Drakewood Farm
Design & Decor: Drakewood Farm
Catering: Dream Events & Catering
Cake: Faboo Cakes
Florals; Drakewood Farm
Ceremony Music: Emily Green
Reception Music: The Naked Karate Girls
Hair & Makeup: Katie Russo Beauty