WEDDING DATE: August 31, 2019
CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
ABOUT THE COUPLE: He is a manager at Firestone. She is a sales leader at Express. The couple lives in Viera, Florida, just outside of Orlando.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
STACEY: While I was managing Enterprise branches in Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island, Florida, DJ began working at the Firestone our company used to service our cars. We met last November and kept things just about work for a while. March came around and we progressed into some small talk—our interests and the traveling we’d done. Then we became friends on Snapchat, eventually exchanged phone numbers, and DJ asked me on a date in April!
WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED YOU TO EACH OTHER?
STACEY: His smile! I walked into the same Firestone I’d been in at least 50 times by then, and here’s this new—cute—guy with this huge smile and the first thing out of my mouth was “You’re new!” I quickly learned that guy with the big smile had a great personality to match and that was it.
DJ: Where do I start? There were so many things about Stacey that I found I attractive. Her smile, she would light up the room when coming into our store to handle business. I could tell from her laugh our senses of humor were similar. But, not only funny, I saw the effect she had on people with her compassion and personality. I instantly knew I found my one.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
STACEY: It was a Friday and we had just bought our house. The work we got done on the ceilings was going to be completed, so DJ wanted to go see it when I got off work and then do some house-shopping. But after work, I didn’t feel like it and tried to convince him we could go the next day. It took a lot, but he was able to get me to agree to go. We pulled up to the house and the garage was open. I thought it was weird but figured the guy must’ve still been there working. I went in and yelled out a couple times—no response. Then saw a figure moving and got a little nervous, then realized it was DJ’s dad. I thought nothing of it; I thought maybe he came by and cut the grass or something. Next thing I know, his mom and both my parents pop out! My parents were on a trip only a few hours away and had been telling me they’d try to visit that weekend, but the chances were slim. I’m thinking, “Oh wow, you guys got me!” and we all started laughing. My hysterical laughter soon turned to tears when I turned around and saw DJ in the kitchen on one knee. He asked, I said yes, then we all went out for dinner and ice cream.
WHAT WAS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR WEDDING?.
STACEY: My uncle Gerald sang while our parents and grandparents entered the ceremony. He also sang at my parents’ wedding in 1981! We also played off DJ’s unique last name—World—in our decorations and some other elements of the wedding. For example, while everyone was being seated, the harpist played only songs with “World” in the title, like “What a Wonderful World” and “A Whole New World.”
FAVORITE MOMENT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?
The entire day was beyond a dream in every way possible. If we had to pick one favorite moment—which is really hard—it would be during the ceremony when we got to look out at everyone.
WHAT DO YOU CHERISH MOST ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
We love to have fun together! No matter what we’re doing, even if it’s just hanging out at home, we find some way to have fun. We can both be very silly and have no problem being completely outside ourselves around each other. It keeps us laughing and smiling!
VENUE: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
PHOTOGRAPHY: Lots of Lenses, Zelly Photography and 8:28 Photography
VIDEOGRAPHY: Lots of Lenses
DRESS: Frew’s Bridal in Alton, Illinois
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Bloomingdale’s
TUXEDO: Men’s Wearhouse
RINGS: Wesche Jewelers in Melbourne, Florida
HAIR: Jackie Smith/Shear Magic; Ambra’s Beauty Lounge
MAKEUP: Charlene’s Beauty; Color Me P by Pasha
FLOWERS: Walter Knoll Florist
ENTERTAINMENT: Dirty Muggs
WEDDING COORDINATOR: June Fowler, mother of the bride
