When Katie and Casey Heinemeyer met at their church in 2004, both were reluctant to move forward with any kind of relationship. “We began to drive our friends crazy because we tried to pretend so much, yet everyone could see it written on our faces that we liked each other,” reveals Katie. After weeks of “he said, she said,” Casey made the bold move to go to Katie’s house and sit down for a heart-to-heart. “It was a great feeling to finally be able to talk to Casey face-to-face about ‘us’ and not hear about it through the grapevine,” she says.

During an “unexpected” errand back to their church on Christmas Eve, Katie was surprised to find herself and Casey alone in the space with the Christmas lights glowing. Suddenly, a mutual friend appeared and played one of Katie’s favorite songs from the movie Pride and Prejudice. At first she marveled at the coincidence, but then knew something was going on. “I was so excited, but nervous, and I remember asking Casey, ‘Is this really happening right now?’ and he said, ‘Yes.’” Casey then walked to the stage, pulled out a white box from a plant and got down on one knee to propose. “I loved how he had made sure it was so special for me,” says Katie. “I will always cherish it.”

After attending 14 weddings over the course of two years, the couple had an idea of what they liked and thought would work well for them. “I knew I wanted a comfortable environment for my guests,” she shares. The menu was a top priority, with the desire for something classy and tasty but not too fancy. With an outdoor wedding in June, the couple settled on a delicious spread of picnic-inspired foods, such as chicken cordon bleu, a fresh summer salad and biscuits. “Our guests had sweet tea in mason jars which had hand-decorated tags by my friends stamped with ‘60s flowers in pink and orange and a ‘thank you’ on one side,” she says. They also decided on rectangle tables instead of round to promote conversation and provide a more casual and relaxing environment. Though she admits to having expectations during the wedding process, at the end of the day she tried not to sweat the small stuff. “Everyone had told me that it goes by so fast, so just focus on your husband and the whole experience because it will be done and gone before you know it,” she says.

Both the ceremony and reception were held at a family friend’s home in the countryside outside the town in which Katie grew up. For the ceremony, Casey composed the vows the couple recited together under a big walnut tree. “We had the traditional parts, but we also wanted the vows to glorify God and how He created marriage for a purpose and how He sees marriage,” Katie says. “God was the one who brought us together and we wanted to give thanks to God for all He did for us and for what He was going to do in our lives as a married couple.”

Though Katie admits there were many memorable moments throughout their day, the ceremony was likely her most favorite. “It was total joy for us...we had made it, we were husband and wife, and we could finally be one,” she says. “I was so full of joy inside and thankful that God gave us the strength to make it to the end, and I was so happy that there was no more waiting.”

Ceremony Site: Private Residence
Officiant: Pastor Keith Hopper
Photographer: Capture Photography   Phone: 916-727-1552
Videographer: Jared Austin
Wedding Planner: Jamie Baker
Reception Site: Private Residence
Make-up: Rhonda Price
Bridal Attire: House of Fashion
Bridesmaid Attire: J. Crew
Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Ringbearer Attire: Sears
Bride's Jeweler: Thorton & Son's Jewelry
Groom's Jeweler: Titaniumera
Invitations: Perfectly Paper
Flowers: Floral Expressions
Caterer: Chef to Go Catering
Cake: The Cake Shoppe
Favors: Bride, family and friends made '60s flower lollipop with a hand stamped tage that had couple's initials
Equipment Rental: Wine Country Party & Events
Honeymoon Location: Rivera Maya, Cancun, Mexico
First Dance Song: Embraceable You by Nat King Cole
Father/Daughter Dance Song: Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
Mother/Son Dance Song: Find Your Wings by Mark Harris
Money Dance Song: Money by Pink Floyd

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
I did a six-month engagement and planned my whole wedding while in school, and I was able to have the wedding of my dreams. So it is possible to plan a wedding in less than a year. I didn't want to wait a whole year; we had already dated for four years. So if you don't want to wait a year, then don't!
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
Honestly, I wouldn't have done anything differently. I know it sounds cliche but every step of the way and the big day itself were perfect, absolutely perfect.