Caroline & Brandon

Caroline & Brandon

THE RIBAULT CLUB

By Mandy Haynes Photography by Evan Hampton Photography

Not all great loves are love at first sight. When Caroline and Brandon first met through mutual friends in July 2009, they didn’t know they’d met their soul mates. “I wasn’t interested. However, three years later, I sent him a friend request on Facebook,” Caroline laughs. “A friend of mine at the time was interested in someone who was a friend of Brandon. I was not expecting that friend request to turn into anything. But I was surprised when it led to good conversation.” Those conversations continued, and soon they turned into something else. The couple started dating.

I asked Caroline how long they dated before he asked her to marry him. “We dated for seven years and brought two beautiful humans into the world before Brandon proposed. “It was May 31, 2019, the day of his graduation from the electrical apprenticeship in Jacksonville. On the way to the graduation party after the ceremony, Brandon stopped at the local boardwalk. I can’t remember the words, but I will never forget the feeling I felt when he dropped down on one knee. I was ecstatic, jumping up and down, and I almost broke my high heel! I was finally getting to marry my guy. He was the one I prayed so hard for.”

The original plans were set for an August wedding the following year, but the couple started the process of purchasing a house. All their time and energy went towards settling their family into their first home, and plans for the wedding were pushed off . “We changed the date to January 2021. But then, of course, Covid hit. I was nervous, so we pushed it up again. I settled for a date in May this year, the day before our engagement anniversary. It just felt right settling on that date,” says Caroline. “It took us about two years to get the job done, but we got it done!” “I definitely want to give all my thanks and love to Mrs. Angie Martino, my lovely wedding planner, and to everyone at Th e Ribault Club. She and the venue really brought my wedding ideas to life. Our wonderful photographer Evan Hampton Photography did an amazing job. Ms. Patty, our florist with Harris Teeter did a superb job with all the flower arrangements. And, of course, we want to thank Luxe Party Rentals.” “Caroline and Brandon showed love and harmony from our first meeting, when they arrived with their two beautiful children, Brandon Jr. and Bella. We talked like we’d known each other for a long time. Th e planning was fun, stress-free, and their wedding turned out as special as they are. “Th ere were emotional moments since Caroline’s Dad couldn’t be present that day, but their kindness and spark made the planning easy, and their guests were very happy! Th e photographs tell of their happy wedding day! It is hard for me to say goodbye at send-off when I see a beautiful couple like this one depart,” says Angie Martino, the Ribault Club’s wedding planner.

What was Mrs. Blake’s favorite part of her special day? “Walking down to my husband while replaying the events in my head that led us here to becoming one, just seeing the look of pure joy on his face and being surrounded by the love from our families. And finally becoming Mrs. Blake. One of the best days of my life that I will never forget.”

The newlyweds decided to wait on taking a honeymoon, planning to take a honeymoon on their first-year anniversary. If travel restrictions permit, they will celebrate both happy occasions in the Maldives. “Right now, our plans for the future are to continue to keep God first ahead of all our endeavors, while building a solid foundation for our family. And to live, laugh, and love as much as we can.”