Real Wedding Wednesdays: Lauren Jeffries and Jared Ramey

Lauren and Jared’s story started when they met online completely by chance. They were living two hours apart at the time, but matched while they were traveling. Jared was willing to make the drive to meet up with her and have dinner. “I’m so grateful he did!” Lauren says.

By their fourth date, Jared already knew Lauren was the one. “I am going to marry you someday,” he told her. After dating for two years, the couple had talked about a future together and when they would like to get married, but they hadn’t made any set plans yet. Things completely changed for them in April 2019, when Jared received orders from the military for overseas deployment starting in June.

A week after receiving the orders, Jared started planning the proposal. He drove two hours to meet Lauren’s parents and ask their permission to propose. Then he picked out a ring with her mother and had her great-grandmother’s diamond placed into the setting. After picking up the ring, Jared planned to take Lauren out to dinner at The Pearl in the Short North. They stopped at Goodale Park’s fountain, where they had slow-danced together on their second date, on their way to the restaurant. There, Jared got down on one knee and proposed.

“I still can’t believe this was all possible,” Lauren says. “The best part is he even arranged photography. … He had convinced two of his guys to move people out of the fountain area and hid in the bushes to take our pictures!”

The pair planned their wedding in six weeks and decided to only have close family at the ceremony. Jared’s brother-in-law, who is also in the military, got certified to perform the ceremony. Because of the tight time frame, they had no bridesmaids or groomsmen.

“Instead, we had our fathers hand us the rings to symbolize the two families joining as one,” Lauren says. “The ceremony was truly intimate and captured our relationship.”

Lauren says she is especially grateful to their photographer, Derk’s Works Photography, who she says was completely understanding of their situation.

“Every photo captures our emotions and the day beautifully,” she says. “I am so lucky to have these pictures to look at while Jared is away.”

Lauren says it’s hard for her to pick a favorite moment, because the day was so special.

“While the wedding was only planned in six weeks, we were able to create the wedding day I have always dreamed of,” Lauren says. “I will cherish these crazy moments for the rest of my life.”

The Details

Wedding date: June 11, 2019

Wedding colors: Navy and floral

Bride wore: Catherine Deane gown and a veil and gown purchased from Luxe Redux Bridal, shoes from Amazon

Hair and makeup: Family friend

Groom wore: Suit from Negilli & Co.

Rings: Leva’s Jewelry Store (Bellaire, Ohio)

Ceremony: Buxton Inn

Reception: Buxton Inn

Caterer: In-house

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Florist: DIY

Photographer: Derk’s Works Photography

Invitations: DIY

Reception tunes: DIY playlist

First dance: “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison

Honeymoon: Secrets Resort, Cancun