Southern Love at its Finest

There is nothing like an southern wedding on an island and South Carolina has quite a few. Howard alum and wedding planner, Jevettra Gardner was married to her SC bred groom, Brian Garnder this March on Pawleys Island. Check out this traditional southern wedding with a little glam today!

Bride Name –

Jevettra Devlin Gardner

Groom Name –

Brian Gardner

Wedding Location –

Pawleys Island, SC

Wedding Date –

March 28, 2015

Alma Mater of Bride –

Howard University

Alma Mater of Groom –

Venture College

Current City where you live –

Columbia, SC

Hometown:

Bride – Georgetown, SC, Groom – Bishopville, SC

How did you meet?

Brian and I first met in PURE nightclub. I know, I know. But I remember the night perfectly as it was the day after celebrating a friend’s 25th birthday party and I was highly debating NOT going to the club because I had been dunked under the water at the lake, when I specifically told everyone not to do it. (I know I should of never gotten in the water)!I definitely spotted Brian first in the club. I was on the dance floor (where else would I be), he and some friends were standing at the edge of the floor looking around. All I could think was man that dude is FIONE and I have to dance with him. I IMMEDIATELY left the dude I was dancing with to do a “girl chat” with my friend.

After the girl chat, I spotted Brian sitting on a stool on the other side of the club; I calmly walked over to him and told him that he owed me a dance when he got done with his drink and just kind of walked away. Yes, he did look at me a little crazy, but I proceeded back to the dance floor and he met me there! The rest is history.

For a man who doesn’t really like to dance, he danced the whole night away with me! (Also, I think he was a little tipsy… lol)!

How long did you date?

6 years

How did he propose?

I never would of guessed that that night would be “the night”!The day started pretty typical with Brian and I running errands and visiting family and friends. That day we drove to Bishopville to visit Brian’s father. When I entered my soon-to-be father-in-laws house he said to me can’t wait until you are my daughter-in-law. I brushed it off, as Brian and I had been discussing marriage, so what he said didn’t totally take me by shock.

Once back in Columbia, we debated about where we were going for dinner and ended up at Solstice. The food was okay, but nothing over the top and Brian seemed calm throughout the dinner. Towards the end of dinner, he complained about eating too much and that we should go down to the Vista to “walk it off”. Going to the Vista sounded like a plan to me… I wanted to hit up Wet Willie’s for a slushie anyway. Well unknown to me, Brian had other plans.

We did park in the Vista, but as we started walking Brian stated that we should walk towards the State House. One for new scenery, sure why not. As we are walking to the State House, we stop at the corner of Main and Gervais street and Brian had this funny look on his face and I immediately thought this fool about to propose. But instead he goes “let’s take some pictures”. So we snapped a few pictures before walking across the street. And I breathed a sigh of relief! I wasn’t ready (in my Kevin Hart voice)… lol!!

So we walk up the State House steps, read the plaques at the front and by that time I am DONE with the State House. However, he insisted that we keep on walking. I grumble a bit, but start walking. Well after about 5 minutes, I get agitated and ask him can we start walking back to the Vista. He then tells me he knows that there is an African American monument on the grounds that he would like to see. So we walk around the WHOLE State House before we get to it.

Once we reach the monument, I am totally fascinated and start reading everything. During this time, Brian asks me what today is I say October 13, 2013 and it’s our anniversary. Then I start singing Tony Toni Tone “It’s Our Anniversary”. After signing the chorus, I turn to him and say no it’s not and then start laughing.

So I am reading the timeline of our ancestors at the monument and for some reason start to sing Drake… “Started From the Bottom Now We Here”. Brian then turns to me and says just like our ancestors we have overcome obstacles and challenges in our relationship, but there isn’t anyone else I would rather face and go through them with. He gets on one knee and ask me to marry him.

I do the deer in headlights look. I think there was a calm silent moment, I just looked at him totally crazy. Probably not what he was expecting. I was just in TOTAL shock. The next words out of my mouth are “are you serious” and “did you talk to my mama”. When he answers yes to both… I start crying, drop my purse and run in a circle. Then I come back to him and tell him YES! Crying, laughing, and smiling the whole time.

When did you know he was the one?

I can’t remember the one day where I knew he was the one. Brian throughout our time dating has ALWAYS showed support in my endeavors and dreams and I always knew that the person who I married would have to be willing to be supportive of my entrepreneurial spirit.

What is the cutest thing he has done for you without you asking? I had a dance concert one night and the Koger Center in Columbia, SC and he was suppose to be working the night of the concert, so I didn’t expect him to be there. During intermission, I get a text asking me about a song that was used during the show. That is when I knew he was there and had taken off to be at the show. I was so shocked and happy that he made it.

What is something you love about him that has completely changed your life?

I love his spontaneity. I am very much a planned, what’s on the schedule person. Him not so much and he has really taught me that you just have to enjoy the moments and everything can’t be and shouldn’t be planned out.

What part of wedding planning is making you crazy?

I was actually very chill throughout much of my wedding planning. I must admit that I did have nightmares (Bad Ones) throughout the planning process, but I never turned into a bridezilla. My mom even mentioned how calm and cool I was throughout the process after everything was over and she will check me in a minute.

What part of wedding planning can you not live without?

I couldn’t of lived without my mother during the wedding process. My mother is one of my best friends. Although we almost strangled each other during the process, I truly enjoyed bouncing ideas off of her and she would give me a real opinion.

What was your first thought the day after your engagement?

Damn, I am really getting married. Man, we have a lot to do.

What was your favorite part about the ceremony?

Walking down the aisle and seeing Brian at the end. I cheesed the WHOLE time, even laughed a bit because I was so happy.

What was your favorite part about the wedding?

Having all of our family and friends in one place. It was definitely a family reunion AND the flash dance a group of us did during the reception. We learned it in two days, we had dance rehearsal on my hotel suite balcony the morning of the wedding. My friends are great.