Dana and Michael met in July of 2014. Dana was living in Wilmington and Michael was living in Advance, near Winston Salem. Dana's best friend/college roommate Chelsea had just moved back to her hometown of Winston Salem. Chelsea needed a roommate there and Dana needed a change so on a whim she decided to make the move to Winston. Chelsea’s boyfriend was in the Army National Guard with Michael, so knowing that Dana was moving there he thought Michael and Dana would be perfect and needed to meet each other. Dana and Michael talked for a few weeks before she moved and then on July 4th they met for the first time when they went out on the lake to celebrate the holiday. A few days later they went on their first date and were inseparable after that. Trips to Flagler beach where Dana’s parents have a beach house were always fun together but little did Dana know the trip in July of 2017 was extra special. Michael proposed to Dana on the beach at sunrise and of course she said YES! Dana and Michael met on the lake, moved to Lake Norman together, so of course they decided they had to get married on the lake so they found the prettiest spot on Lake Norman to tie the knot and set the date for April 28,2018.
Dana’s parents live in Florida and her sister lives in Atlanta. She is very close with her family and although they live far away they talk all the time and see each other as much as possible. Michael's family lives in Advance and Denton. Dana and Michael quickly got to know each others families and that only made their love grow stronger. They are both so blessed to have such caring, loving, and supportive families and neither of them could have asked for better in-laws. They are so thankful that their families all get along wonderfully and could happily become one. Their big day would not have been possible without all of the help and support from everyone in their family!
Michael and Dana decided to have a small wedding party with the closest people in their lives. The maid of honor was Dana’s younger sister Melanie and her two bridesmaids were Chelsea and Tess, her two closest and longest friendships. Michael chose his younger brother Ben to be his best man and his groomsmen were Jeremy, his cousin, and Bobby, his step dad. The flower girl was Dana’s goddaughter Madalyn and the two ring bearers were Sebastian and Bram, the two boys that Dana has been nannying for years.
The ceremony could not have been more perfect. On Norman’s Point surrounded by water on a beautiful sunny day. Dana’s Dad walked her down the aisle and Reverend Tod Coles officiated their marriage. Dana’s mother Nancy did a beautiful reading of a perfect message to the newlyweds and she made it through without crying and Dana and Michael did a love letter ceremony exchanging letters written to each other and put into a box with wine that they will display in their home and then open on their 5 year anniversary and read the letters they wrote to each other on their wedding day. They said their "I Do's" and were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Simmons!
The reception was held at the same venue under a large tent. Cocktail hour with appetizers, drinks, a photo booth, and corn hole began after the ceremony so the bride and groom could take photos with their family and the wedding party. After the wedding party was introduced Dana's Uncle Jeff said the blessing and dinner was served which included Italian chicken, roast beef, and lots of yummy sides. Funny and heartfelt toasts and the first dances followed and then the DJ got the guests dancing the night away. After cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss (which Michael's performance surprised the whole crowd , including the bride haha) and lots of dancing they had a sparkler tunnel send off.
The wedding ceremony and reception were held at beautiful Norman’s Point on Lake Norman. Michael's mother Kelly made the signs and centerpieces. Dana’s dress was found at Jillian’s Bridal and It was altered at Finishing Touch Bridal Boutique where she also found her day of wedding coordinator Patty. Amanda Taylor did Dana and bridesmaids hair and Joy Gatling did their makeup.Flowers were from Albertine Florals. Catering was done by Chillin & Grillin. The DJ was Larry Tucker, a coworker of the grooms. The ceremony was officiated by Rev Tod Coles of Big Love Weddings and the photography and videography was done by Allure Wedding Photography. Michael and Dana had the perfect vendors and the most wonderful parents who went above and beyond to make their day perfect and they are so grateful for each and every one of them.
