Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography by Samantha Parkes Photography
After an initial meeting at a friend’s housewarming and 4th of July party, it took a second meeting a few months later for Emilie Kyle and Geoff Griffith to realize that they had a mutual interest that ought to be pursued. The two began dating; and six years later, they came to another realization: They wanted to be together forever.
“Geoff always plans a birthday adventure for me,” says Emilie, beginning the tale of her proposal. “Often, it’s somewhere we’ve never visited; and plans are kept secret with only enough info to know what should be packed. May 2017 was no different. Still, I correctly guessed before arriving that we were on our way to Charleston—food, fun, history, and a friend who had relocated to the area. On May 6, we had been running all over enjoying the sites and all that Charleston had to offer, and we were getting hungry. Geoff and his friend William suggested dinner, so off we went. I thought it was just going to be a random dinner somewhere, and Geoff wanted to stop when we came across Hall’s Chop House. We walked in, and I was expecting that we’d hit the bar because it was so packed, but we were told everything was by reservation only. Geoff gave his name, and then we were whisked upstairs to our table. I didn’t have any idea that I’d turn the corner into the dining room and see friends all the way from Alexandria sitting at a long table! Multiple servers swarmed the table, pouring champagne and dropping drinks and appetizers off as we were getting settled. Then, one of the guests stood and made a toast for my birthday. I got a brief second to breathe and was about to sit back down when Geoff took my hand and said that we were there for my birthday, but…Then he dropped to his knee and proposed. It was an exhilarating moment!”
That exhilarating moment was followed three years later by another one, when, on November 13, 2020, Emilie walked down the aisle at Morrison House wearing a vee-neck satin ball gown with beaded detail. Attended by her sister as maid of honor, a best man, and the French bulldog puppy, Penélopé, the two exchanged vows as an intimate gathering of their loved ones looked on.
Having been pronounced married, Geoff and Emilie joined their guests for a reception on the grounds. After dancing and an elegant plated dinner of filet mignon followed by a dessert of crème brûlée, the newlyweds shared a gluten-free vanilla cupcake before cutting into a three-tier cake with faux buttercream and decorated with real flowers. “Neither of us are big cake fans, and Geoff has celiac, but we didn’t want to forego the tradition,” explains Emilie, the Principal and Owner of Lush Interior Design LLC while Geoff is COO of Best Impressions, Inc.
Once the celebration had ended, the happy couple were sent off on their honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, happy that their long-anticipated day had finally happened.
The Details
Gown: Ellie’s Bridal Boutique • Jewelry: Olive + Piper • Rings: JG Jewelry & Estates Flowers: Shelley’s Floral Enterprise • Venue: Morrison House • Planner: The One Moment Events • Photographer: Samantha Parkes Photography • Band: Bachelor Boys Band Cake: Courtney’s Custom Cakes • Gluten-Free Cupcakes: Buzz Bakery • Favors: Olivia Macaron • Stationery: Best Impressions, Inc. • Travel Agent: Traveling-Guru, Dennis Foutz • Makeup: DC Elite Image • Hair: Leanna’s Hair Studio