OUR STORY
Ella's Version:
As many people may know, dating in general, especially in this day and age, is not easy! It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, but the needle is a future husband… and the haystack (unfortunately) is online dating. After my own personal experience with online dating and opening my business at the same time, I decided to take my priorities elsewhere and swore off dating for the time being. Shortly after, my grandfather who had been battling cancer expressed his prayers that I would find a church I loved and grow my faith. I started attending a local church, focused on my business and prayed for my future husband. A few months later after I deleted the app, I received a message from Sam. We had briefly exchanged social media back when I still had it. He mentioned we went to the same church and he invited me on a date.
We talked over the phone for what felt like five minutes, but was really hours. On the day of our planned date, North Florida had one of the worst rainstorms I’ve ever seen here. The choice was to reschedule or have an indoor date. After our amazing phone call, a background check, and noticing a few mutuals, I decided to go for it. When I arrived, his huge smile and his big blue eyes added to my excitement quite a bit! We ran to the grocery store and made homemade pizzas that turned out incredibly unique looks-wise, but we had the best time doing it! After getting to know Sam more, I wasn’t surprised that I didn’t want the night to end. After l left that night, I had a feeling this would be the start of a huge blessing.
Sam’s unwavering faith in Jesus, his profound love for his family, and his effortless sense of humor are just a few of the countless qualities I cherish most about Sam. His character is one that doesn’t simply inspire; it’s something you feel when you’re around him. He is warm, sincere, and quietly steady in all the ways that matter most. I can say with complete certainty that I have never laughed as deeply or as freely as I do with Sam. He has this innate ability to take even the simplest, most ordinary moments and turn them into memories. Life can so easily slip into routine, but with him there is always movement, joy, curiosity, and something new to discover. His spontaneous spirit, his hunger for wisdom, and the way he is always growing, make our life together not just exciting but deeply meaningful.
He also has two specific God given qualities that make me feel like the luckiest woman on earth. The first is his ability to face challenges directly with clarity, patience, and intention. Whether he's (frantically) trying to find my lost phone moments before proposing or helping us work through a disagreement, he does not just look for solutions… he creates them, with a calm and gracious spirit. Life brings unexpected moments and relationships require care. He makes it easy to stand together, choose the same side, and move through every season as one.
The second is his gift for creating joy. Sam plans surprises that feel so intentional, from spontaneous date nights to thoughtful adventures, to one of the most memorable birthdays of my life, when he gathered all of my family and friends to celebrate. So when it came to our engagement, I knew it would be unforgettable. What I did not know was that he would manage to surprise me completely. He planned a trip to New York on Valentine’s Day weekend, and I was blissfully unaware of any plans he had while there. The trip was filled with everything that I could have dreamed of, from timeless city moments to countless memories I will carry forever.
On our last day, I found myself unsure if a proposal would happen any time soon. The weekend had already been so full that I was simply content just being there with him. We took a walk through Central Park for what I believed was an ice-skating date. That walk became one of the most meaningful moments of my life. Sam gently turned me toward him, and as he began to get down on one knee, it felt as though every prayer I had ever whispered had quietly and beautifully come true. I unabashedly said yes before he could even speak the words.
As incredible as that day was, I know it is only the beginning. We share a deep desire to build a life centered on faith, trust, devotion, and Christ at the foundation of our marriage. We look forward to all that is ahead: the travels we will take, the time we will share with our families, the home we will build with love, and the children we will raise with tenderness and joy. We also dream of building and growing our businesses together, side by side.
Sam, I cannot wait to marry you. I fall more in love with you every single day. I am so proud to call you my future husband.
Sam's Version:
We met in the most 2020s way possible: Online. After a three hour phone call, I knew what I had to do. I made the first move, shot my shot, and next thing you know we’re on a first date while it’s raining cats and dogs. Plan A got poured on, so we went with Plan Pizza. We ran to the grocery store for ingredients, darted back to my apartment, and somewhere between the produce aisle and the preheat button we had our first kiss about 15 minutes in. We never looked back. We talked incessantly until midnight like two people who had been saving up a thousand conversations for the right person. (DON'T WORRY, Ella isn't naive towards stranger danger... I later found out that she had her mom Jody run a background check on me beforehand!)
By day three, Ella told me exactly what she wanted in a relationship. That was it for me. Her faith was the North Star. Her strength and kindness were obvious. And the wisdom behind her words made me think, OK, this could be it. Early green flags kept stacking up. She’s the life of the party, can talk to anyone about anything, and she’s smart as all get-out. Quick witted too, in that sassy way that makes you grin because you know you’ve met your match.
What I admire most about Ella has only grown clearer. She has a huge heart that notices needs before they are spoken. She is endlessly inquisitive and hungry to learn, which keeps our world expanding. And she processes life with this uncanny intelligence that turns ideas into plans and plans into unending, decisive action. On Sundays we’re either in church or watching the service together at home, and the rest of the week we are building our businesses side by side. There’s nothing like dreaming together and then rolling up our sleeves together.
She has quirks that I secretly hope never change. When a song she likes comes on, she starts this little dance with a foot tap and a hum that sneaks up on her. It’s half beat, half goofy, and all joy. At home we watch the dog and cat study each other like a science experiment. We bond over our mutual disdain for laundry. And I keep trying to teach her football while I’m watching, despite her complete and utter lack of interest. Yet that somehow makes me love her more every Sunday. Don’t tell her - I’m still holding out hope she’ll come around.
We’re both a little feisty, so patience was a virtue we had to learn early. Loving each other taught us how to slow down, listen, and fight for the same team. That practice paid off on a chilly day in New York when I asked her to walk with me through Central Park. She did not expect a proposal at all. I had her convinced it was not happening on that trip. I started telling her what was in my heart and before I could even ask the question, her jaw dropped and she said yes. My heart was pounding, not from nerves, but from certainty. It felt like stepping into the life God had been writing for us and the look on her face was priceless.
Because our relationship is not just Sam and Ella. It is Jesus, Sam, and Ella. We want a Christian centered marriage where forgiveness is the glue that binds us toward something bigger than ourselves and makes our home a place of grace, grit, laughter, and purpose.
We pray together often, not just when life is heavy and we're learning to make praise part of our everyday because God is always worthy. When conflict shows up, we lead with prayer and understanding. Our weekly couple goals are simple and real: one planned date, one spontaneous weekend day, and we rotate who makes dinner. We choose to laugh often and assume the best. That rhythm keeps us on the same team.
We’re grateful for the people who have supported us, prayed for us, and told us the truth when we needed it. We want our home and family to feel warm and open, with an extra chair ready and a welcome that’s lived, not just said.
Now we’re excited for the next chapter. Buying our first home. Turning our businesses into dream businesses and new businesses thereafter. Traveling far and wide. Raising kids who know they are deeply loved. And filling our days with small, ordinary moments that feel awesome, electric and cinematic when we are together.
To Ella, you are the greatest, strongest, smartest, kindest, funniest, and best looking woman I have ever met and will ever meet. I will love you and cherish you forever, sweet girl!
getting there
Transportation
The nearest airport to Lake City, South Carolina is Florence Regional Airport (FLO), located about 25 minutes away. For more flight options, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is about an hour’s drive.
Many guests will choose to drive, as Lake City is easily accessible by car. If you’re flying in, rental cars are available at both airports, and rideshare services or carpooling with other guests are also good options.
Accommodations
As this is a destination wedding, we have set aside room blocks at The Inn at the Crossroads, which is also the venue for the Reception. To book with a special rate, call the hotel and mention that you are booking under the Steele-Underwood party. Please call (843) 394-2100 to reserve your stay!
If The Inn at the Crossroads is sold out, we’ve also secured a second room block at Hotel Florence, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. To book at the special rate, call (843) 629-0100 and mention the Steele-Underwood room block. Hotel Florence is in downtown Florence (more dining + things to do) - plan for a quick drive to the venue in Lake City.
Dress Code: Black Tie
Gentlemen
Tuxedos are preferred. A black tuxedo with a white dress shirt, black bow tie, and formal shoes fits the occasion beautifully.
Ladies
Floor-length evening gowns are encouraged. Think graceful silhouettes and elevated details.
Please Note: The Ceremony will be on an outdoor lawn - consider shoes that are easy to walk and stand in outdoors (block heels and wedges are great).
We can’t wait to celebrate surrounded by loved ones dressed to match the romance and sophistication of the evening.
REGISTRY
Our Next Big Adventure
We’re so excited to begin this new season as husband and wife, and celebrating with you is truly the greatest gift. In place of traditional gifts, if you’d like to share in our journey, we would be deeply honored by your support as we save for our first home — a place where love, laughter, and memories with friends and family will grow for years to come.
If you’d like to give, we’d be grateful for contributions to our first-home fund. We’ve also curated a small registry for those who prefer traditional gifts. We’re grateful for your generosity in any form — online contributions, checks, or even just your love and support mean so much to us.