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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Shannon and Ian

Co-workers Ian and Shannon were the best of friends for years until he suddenly moved away and she realized she missed him more than she ever could have imagined. Their long distance love led them right to the altar. See their romantic “I dos!”

By Charli Penn · March 20, 2013October 28, 2020
01
Lovers and Friends

Shannon, 28, and Ian, 33, met and fell in love on the job—she started an internship at the place where he worked. When she joined the team full-time, their friendship blossomed. They both thought that’s all there was to it, but when Ian was forced to relocate for a new job, Shannon found herself hoping he wouldn’t go. They talked every single day while he was away. A year later, he asked her to be his lady, and a few years after that, his wife. On September 22, 2012, they were married. Their Atlanta wedding was so elegant and romantic we just had to share.

Erik Umphery Photography
02
Love On Top

Shannon wore a lovely, vintage-inspired feathered hair accessory by Sara Gabriel to match her ruffled gown.

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03
All Dressed Up In Love

Shannon’s gorgeous Maggie Sottero wedding gown was picture perfect all on its own.

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04
A Lovely Pair

Shannon couldn’t resist these blush Badgley Mischka heels so she chose them as her wedding shoes. Aren’t they a lovely pair?

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05
Asbolutely Glowing

Now this is what you call a glowing bride.

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06
Lend Me a Hand

Shannon is all smiles as her supportive bridesmaids help her slip into her wedding gown. It was a day she’d anxiously awaited for months.

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07
The Love Train

We’re crazy about the layered look of the back detaling on Shannon’s Maggie Sottero gown. (Best train ever!)

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08
Bands of Love

Their his and hers wedding bands exude modern elegance—just like their wedding style.

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09
Love In Bloom

For her bouquet, Shannon wanted a classic vintage look with a modern twist. Success!

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10
You Make Me Happy

“I have faith in him and faith in us,” says Shannon. “I knew we wanted to be together for all the right reasons. He makes me happy, and doesn’t allow or like for me to feel any other way.”

Erik Umphery Photography
11
A Sparkle In Her Eyes

Lovely bride Shannon found stunning diamond earrings to match her gown at Saks Fifth Avenue and relied on Keka Heron to style her short hair and makeup.

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12
Husband’s Choice

“My husband likes my hair short, but I wanted it to be styled a little differently for the wedding,” Shannon explains. “I decided to keep it short but go curly just to add a little fun.”

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13
Just Relax

Rather than keep with tradition and not see each other before meeting at the altar, Shannon and Ian decided to skip that and enjoy a pre-ceremony “first look” and photo session. “Seeing him and spending a little time with him before the craziness of the day was everything I needed,” she gushes. “It helped me to relax and enjoy.”

Erik Umphery Photography
14
All The Man That I Need

“Ian is caring, kind, hardworking and diligent,” says the proud bride. “He’s ambitious, humble and patient, too.”

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15
Romance Here There and Everywhere

“Our florist did an amazing job,” Shannon recalls when speaking about the floral creations from Le Jardin Francais. The lovely apricot, ivory and grey color palette made each arrangement just that much more romantic, and those Peacock blue Dessy gowns really made the bridesmaids’ bouquets pop. “Everyone was happy with the gown!” says the bride.

Erik Umphery Photography
16
For Your Viewing Pleasure

As an event planner, Shannon was super picky when it came to selecting the perfect venue for their wedding day. “After looking at a few, we took a tour of The Peachtree Club and fell in love with the view,” she says. “This was the only place Ian was enthusiastic about, so I knew if he was excited, it would be pretty great.”

Erik Umphery Photography
17
Well-Suited Gentleman

Ian chose a grey Joseph Abboud tuxedo for himself and his groomsmen. “He was sure about the color, but didn’t want the same grey Calvin Klein suit we’d seen in all the weddings throughout the year,” the bride recalls. “He tried this one on and loved it.”

Erik Umphery Photography
18
You Bring Me Joy

Shannon’s father, William Moore, proudly walked his daughter down the aisle while “Never Felt This Way” by Brian McKnight played. “As soon as I saw Ian’s face, the nerves went away and all I felt was joy and excitement.”

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19
Surround Me With Your Love

Madly in love couple Ian and Shannon chose to have an “in the round ceremony” on the terrace of The Peachtree Club. “We literally wanted to be surrounded by our friends and family and this setup made it all feel so intimate,” says the bride.

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20
Then and Now

Pastor Frederick A. Davis, of First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina, baptized Shannon as a child, so she felt it was only fitting to ask him to officiate the special day. “It was amazing to have the same person officiate,” she says. “It really meant a lot.”

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21
A Tradition All Our Own

Ian and Shannon chose to hold a traditional Christian ceremony. “We selected the traditional Christian vows because we feel they are sacred and something that didn’t need to be remixed,” she tells us. “Before the wedding, while getting dressed, we sent each other notes with our wedding gifts expressing our personal thoughts and vows with each other.”

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22
An Impossible Choice

“We did not have a maid of honor or best man,” Shannon explains. “We just couldn’t choose between our friends. We have such great and different relationships with them all.”

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23
Kiss Me Honey

The newlyweds pucker up for a romantic kiss at the altar.

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24
Hugs and Kisses

Ian happily kissed his bride as guests smiled until their cheeks hurt.

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25
Meet the Dawsons

Say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Dawson!

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26
A Dream Come True

To make their dream wedding a reality, Ian and Shannon adjusted their budgets, committed to amounts to save each pay period and pushed for additional work on the side.

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27
When It Just Feels Right

“Something has always just felt right with him,” says Shannon. “Even when we were just friends, there were many moments of realization.  Realization of who he was as a person and that everything he was is what I wanted for the rest of my life.”

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28
Love Will Surprise You

“The funny thing is, I was never looking for true love,” says Shannon. “I was focused on my career and where I wanted to go in life. It just kind of happened and when it did, it took over and kind of snuck up on me.”

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29
Our Story

“One thing we realized in our relationship is that our story was unique,” says Shannon. “It belongs to us. When thinking about our wedding, and deciding on how we wanted to present it to our friends and family, we decided the theme would be ‘our story.’ When guests arrived, they received a small handmade journal, which doubled as the wedding favors.”

Erik Umphery Photography
30
Smile For Me

“He always knows how to make me smile or laugh,” Shannon insists. “We want the best for each other and that mixed with good communication makes for a great partnership and a great family.”

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31
A Very Special Day

Ian and Shannon were married on the five-year anniversary of the day they made it official. They’ve known each other for almost eleven years.

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32
Just Our Style

“We wanted to mix both our styles,” says Shannon. “He wanted something modern and unique, and I wanted vintage charm. I feel like we ended up with a good mix of both.”

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33
Dinner Is Served

At their dinner reception, guests were served from several different delicious food stations: a grits station with fried catfish, grilled chicken, shrimp and several other toppings was the highlight.

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34
We Do

For their first dance, the newlyweds swayed to the sounds of “I Do” by Boyz II Men.

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35
A Picture Perfect Love

Flashes and clicks could be seen and heard all over the ballroom as guests captured the most precious moments of Shannon and Ian’s big day.

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36
Romance Is On the Menu

Romantic arrangements made of apricot and ivory garden roses, Sahara, champagne porcelina hybrid tea roses, hydrangeas, seeded eucalyptus and dusty millers were placed atop the round reception tables.

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37
Party Over Here

There was no shortage of fun on the dance floor during the delighted couple’s energized reception party.

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38
Sisterhood Is So Sweet

Shannon’s Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters were on hand at the reception to pay tribute to her with a sweet serenade of sisterhood.

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39
Such a Blessing

“It was such an amazing feeling to have all of our family and friends in one place celebrating with and in support of us,” says Shannon.

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40
The Meaning of Love

“We wanted our wedding to have meaning, surrounded by people who were there out of love and support for us,” says Shannon. “We did everything we could to stick with that vision and everything turned out great.”

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41
A Winning Team

“It was important that our wedding be a collaborative effort,” says Shannon. “Outside of my dress selection, we worked together on everything to make it what we wanted.”

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42
A Proper Send Off

Shannon, who slipped into a sexy, short, champagne dress when the reception ended, and her new husband Ian, were bid farewell by cheering guests waving sparklers in the air. They rested for a day then headed off to Cancun. Did you think their wedding day was as magical as we did? Tell us your favorite details below! Tell us about your wedding for a chance to be featured in Bridal Bliss.

Erik Umphery Photography

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