When planning their wedding Chelsey and Jeremy Williams, incorporated Bible verses from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, which details attributes of love.

Love is patient. Love is kind.

The verses characterized their relationship, which spanned years, starting in college at Howard University where they shared classes, overlapping friend groups and interests, but yet, they never dated.

Love is patient. Love is kind.

Even after college, as they entered the Teach for America program, they were still just friends, although something was brewing. Chelsey’s teaching position was in Houston and Jeremy’s was in Dallas and on a trip to Dallas visiting friends, Chelsey once again saw Jeremy and they both felt a spark.

“Once we realized we had chemistry, we knew this could get really serious,” Chelsey said. “By the end of the night, we were holding hands.”

But Chelsey still wasn’t sure if it was the romantic setting or the real thing, so she prayed about it. If he was the one, that spark would still be firing the next day. Much to their mutual delight, it did.

“We knew this was our person. We knew this was going to be our last relationship,” Chelsey said.

They had found each other, despite years of knowing each other, but they were still in two different Texas towns, doing the long-distance relationship thing while looking for jobs in either Houston or Dallas.

Jeremy proposed to Chesley in November 2014, working with her family to ensure a meaningful family-filled engagement she would always remember, surprising her in front of both of their families at a private room at a Memphis restaurant.

“He always loves to surprise me. I just knew it was the moment,” Chelsey said.

The couple chose The Springs Event Venue in Brookshire for the wedding and reception because it fit their needs for flexible space that was big on vintage charm and elegance. Family and friends were at heart of their celebration, so they kept that in mind when planning the rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception.

They even made a place for Chelsey’s beloved dog CoCo, who jumped the broom with the couple. Their college friend Jae Murphy, a famous Los Angeles DJ (he’s the official DJ for Jason Derulo), flew in for the reception and kept the party going.

“The wedding was everything we could have ever wanted,” Chelsey said. “We had our family and friends there and the weather was beautiful. We truly could not have asked for a more beautiful day.”

And that thing about patience?

“Everything happens for a reason. It was in God’s timing and it was his orchestrated hand at work,” Chelsey said.

• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: The Element (Catered by the mother of the groom)
• Rehearsal Dinner Dress: ASOS
• Reception Venue: The Springs Event Venue
• Ceremony Venue: The Spring Event Venue
• Photographer: Trisha Cornwell & Emily Ries
• Florist: Simply Beautiful Flowers & Events
• Dress: Winnie Couture
• Shoes: DSW
• Groom's Tux: J. Crew
• Wedding Planner: The Bride (Day-Of: Kenya Washington-Johnson from Florida)
• DJ: Jae Murphy
• Ceremony Music: Soloist Alison Sifflet
• Cocktail Hour Music: The Groom