Katy is a planner—it’s one of the things Walker loves about her. In fact, during their ceremony, Katy told us their pastor mentioned it when talking about what she and Walker admire about each other. Said Katy, “The one that had everyone laughing was my ‘quality’ of being organized and organizing our lives.” Her exceptional talent at being on top of things is awesome…but it did almost throw a wrench in Walker’s proposal plans. “Walker was afraid I’d make plans at the last minute so he proposed at home on a Thursday night. I remember him pacing because I decided to do a 45-minute Peloton class and unbeknownst to me, he had made dinner reservations for us to celebrate.” It all worked out perfectly, and they STILL made it to the restaurant on time!
Katy’s penchant for planning was a huge asset as she and Walker put together their lovely Virginia Beach wedding at the Princess Anne Country Club. Classic (we’re talking a palette of creams, blues, and light greens) and elegant, it was also warm and personal. These two loooooove their dog Maddie, and so named their signature cocktail after her and also made her part of their wedding cake!
From Katy, who looked lovely in her full-length Joy gown from the moment she slipped it on through her and Walker’s petal-strewn farewell:
How did your sweetie propose?
“I am the planner in our relationship—I make pretty much all of our plans including dinner and weekend plans. Walker was afraid I’d make plans at the last minute so he proposed at home on a Thursday night. I remember him pacing because I decided to do a 45-minute Peloton class and unbeknownst to me, he had made dinner reservations for us to celebrate. When I finally finished my ride, he told me to hop in the shower so we could eat dinner, which he never does. He proposed soon after and we made it to our dinner reservation on time!”
wedding dress: Astrid & Mercedes Joy via J. Major’s Bridal | photographer: Echard Wheeler Photography | scroll down for full vendor list
How did you choose your gown?
“I knew I wanted a gown that didn’t require me to worry about what I was eating the day or week before, but also made me feel beautiful in it. The Astrid & Mercedes gown checked all of the boxes. It was flattering, but not form fitting and best of all, it had pockets!”
Tell us about your day!
“It was important to me to keep my stress and anxiety level down throughout the day of the wedding. I chose to get ready at my parents’ house, and asked the hair and make-up ladies to come there. First thing in the morning, I ran with one of my bridesmaids, spent some time with my dog Maddie, and set up breakfast and later lunch for my bridesmaids. I have always loved to cook and being in the kitchen relaxes me. My bridesmaids know that and let me do my thing by serving food to them.
We were married in my childhood church, Galilee Episcopal Church. Father Andy Buchanan has the ceremony down to 26 minutes—enough time to take in the ceremony, but not too long where people begin to feel antsy. He did a wonderful job personalizing the ceremony and weaving in some of the things Walker and I discussed during our marriage counseling with him. Notably, he mentioned what Walker and I admire about each other. The one that had everyone laughing was my “quality” of being organized and organizing our lives.
Our reception was everything we wanted it to be. From the moment the band started, we were dancing. The food at the Princess Anne Country Club was incredible with a seafood bar, Nashville hot chicken, and beef tenderloin sliders. We wanted the style to be elegant with creams, blues, and light greens, but also personalized. As I mentioned, we have a dog Maddie with whom Walker and I are a little bit obsessed. We incorporated her in the reception with a “Maddie’s Mule” signature drink and a small figurine poking out at the base of our cake. The rest of the cake was simple with cascading fresh flowers down the front.
What was your first dance song?
“”How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” by Marvin Gaye.”
What was your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?
Something Old: My paternal grandmother’s handkerchief.
Something New: My dress and shoes!
Something Borrowed: My mom’s pearl and diamond earrings and my bridesmaid’s veil. Something Blue: My neighbor monogrammed in blue a new handkerchief for me with my married initials.
Three words that best describe your sweetie:
“From Katy about Walker: Kind, Intelligent, Loving.
From Walker about Katy: Intelligent, Driven, Loyal.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“Italy for two weeks! We started in Rome, then went to Florence and Cinque Terre, and ended in Venice. Even though it was unseasonably cold for Italy in May and rained some, we had an amazing trip with too much pasta, hiking, and wandering around the cities.”
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
“I learned to appreciate every opinion and take each one into consideration before I made my own decision. People want to feel included and let them be included. At the end of the day, it makes the wedding go much smoother and keeps relationships intact.”
Katy + Walker’s Virginia Beach Wedding Vendors
wedding dress: Astrid & Mercedes Joy via J. Major’s Bridal | photographer: Echard Wheeler Photography | event coordinator:
Susan Carden | florals: Palette of Petals | wedding cake: Incredible Edibles Bakery | venue: Princess Anne Country Club | paper suite: Reaves Engraving | signs + map: Peyton’s Post | hair: Carly Kidd | makeup: Dhalia Edwards | band: Adrian Duke Project
