By Terry Meadows

Their paths may have intertwined numerous times, but it was destined that they were meant for each other. Their story began at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball, where Monica's elegance in a black dress and her captivating eyes marked the beginning of a series of memorable weekends with friends at her place, creating unforgettable memories. Joe once swept Monica off her feet in a literal sense, carrying her up the stairs, symbolizing the start of their mutual support and journey to a better place together. Despite the distances imposed by Joe's deployments from DC across the country to CA, Afghanistan, and Japan, their friendship endured, a testament to their special connection.

It became apparent that there were grander plans for them. A simple message from Joe on Instagram, while he was in AZ, rekindled their connection. It started with casual greetings and quickly evolved into declarations of love, despite initial disbelief. Eventually, they found themselves together, guided by a divine plan, alongside their children JayCee, Jayden, Aleah, and Nicolas, their cherished pet Diesel, within the warmth of their home, embarking on a lifelong journey together.

The Engagement

Bear's Den

The Rehearsal

Dinner: Smoked Chicken Thighs, Brisket | Ice-cream Sundae Bar

"The all-inclusive aspect took the stress of planning and finding vendors off our plate."

What does the Zion Springs Tasting Menu Dinner Look Like?

Bride with a young attendant fixing her veil

Ava Laurenne, Fredericksburg VA

Suit Supply, Tysons Corner Galleria

The Ceremony

bride and groom walking down church aisle

bride and groom with family memebers under maple tree

"Our experience was so easy and stress free. We met with the team described our vision and they made it a reality. From the photography, to florals to theme to food it was all more then we could have imagined with minimal stress."

The Reception

First Dance: "Growing Old with You"

Dinner

Duo Plate Salmon and Petite Filet with Roasted Asparagus and Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes | Profiteroles, Fruit Platter

Chocolate Cake with White Vanilla Frosting

What advice would you give to other wedding couples?

"Zion Springs was the first venue that we visited on our journey to find venues and we were sold as soon as we drove up. It was exactly what we were looking for. It had everything we were looking for and the make it all-inclusive made our decision easy.

Trust in the team they really do listen to your needs and vision and turn it into a reality. It was great to have the family stay in one location - was especially nice for those that came from out of state."

Zion Springs: Your Dream Wedding Awaits in This Picturesque Setting

Feeling inspired and curious about your potential fairy-tale wedding? We welcome you to delve into our Real Weddings stories on our Answers and Advice page. Discover the myriad of distinctive celebrations that Zion Springs has had the pleasure of hosting.

With our comprehensive all-inclusive approach, Zion Springs aims to simplify your wedding planning process. This allows you to concentrate on the essence of your celebration - your love story. Our rich array of articles is meticulously designed to assist you at every stage of your wedding planning, ensuring your big day is not only unforgettable but truly the highlight of your life.

All photos in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs' in-house photographer.