When you know you know, right? Rachel & Scott's whirlwind romance is straight out of a story book. While I've known Scott for a while, it has been such a pleasure getting to know Rachel while planning her wedding. I can say that this couple is surely one of the sweetest you'll ever meet, and their love will stand the test of time.
Magen Davis visited Rachel & Scott at Rachel's family farm and captured these STUNNING images. Read on for more of their love story...
Handley: How did the two of you meet?
Rachel: Painted faces and high heels, it was ladies night for my friend and I. It was a hot, July Saturday night and we popped into Tuscaloosa's Innisfree for a few drinks. We were discussing leaving when this tall glass of water rounded the corner and caught my attention. He and his friends came over to introduce themselves. Scott bought me a few drinks, spoke about his undying love for ducks, showed me some killer dance moves and persuaded me to give him my number. Little did I know, I had just given my number to the man I would marry.
Handley: How did y'all know that you had found your soul mate?
Rachel: Like every little girl, I always dreamed of who my prince charming would be. I may have went a little overboard and made a checklist but laughed at the reality of checking every box. Then I met him, "the one," he was a true southern gentleman: tall, handsome charming, genuine, loving, strong, protective, sweet and freaking hilarious. I know it is cheesy to say I knew when I first met him, so I'll say it was the third time we met. Low and behold, we were back where it all started, Innisfree. I brought some recruits to check him out and see if I wanted to pursue him any further. My girlfriends and I sat ten feet away from Scott for a solid hour. Did he notice us? No, he was way to busy killing it solo on the dance floor. Naturally, I couldn't just walk up to him so we gave up on him figuring out we were there and started mingling with the crowd. Then I got a text, "Where are you?" Instead of telling him that I have been stalking him and waiting for him to come find me, I played it cool and replied, "Innisfree." Ten minutes later, I am in mid conversation with this guy and smooth Scott slides in between us. The poor guy was a foot, if not more, shorter than Scott, as he peaked at me under Scott's arm I shrugged my shoulders and mouthed sorry. Finally, Scott found me in one of the smallest bars in Tuscaloosa. I let him hold my hand, kiss me and hug me in front of the whole world. Keep in mind, I used to be totally against public displays of affection and definitely wouldn't be wagged around by some guy. Guess who wagged me around all of Tuscaloosa? Scott. Guess who loved every second of it? Me. He was so protective of me and I just felt safe in his presence. There was something truly different about Scott. All of this to say, it was that night when I knew I wanted to be his one and only.
Handley: How did the proposal happen?
Scott: It was kinda thrown together last minute, I told her we had to go check on the meat at my sisters house while they were at the Christmas Eve service saving us a seat... I asked her to come outside and I was on one knee "my good one" of course. My sister had set up some lights, champagne, and rose petals to help romanticize the moment so she would say yes... She said yes!
Rachel: It was on Christmas Eve, my birthday, when Scott popped the question. We were getting ready to meet his parents for the Christmas Eve service at church. After waiting for what felt like forever, I finally stopped avoiding it and asked Scott what he got me for my birthday. I mean, I waited all day! He told me that he didn't get me a present because he was saving up for my ring. Flashback to 30 minutes prior: Scott made a pretty large purchase at Target but did not even think to get me a birthday card? I thought, the least he could do was to buy me a card. Well, I got a little fired up about it and got real quiet (Silence is never a good thing). Scott kept asking me if I was tired and encouraging me to take a nap. I told him to leave me alone and that I was not taking a nap. Not long after, he told me we had to go over to his sister's to check on some meat. All the way to his sisters house he was asking me if I was ok and I was short with him. Little did I know he was about to give me THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER! We entered the house and Scott headed straight for the deck to check the meat on the grill. He kept me busy unloading groceries from the car as he prepared for the tear jerker he was about to perform. Scott asked me to come outside and check the meat because he wasn't sure if it was done and I rolled my eyes because I knew he would disregard my opinion. I told him I would come check it in a minute. I rounded the corner onto the deck and there he stood in a background of rose petals, candles and champagne. My eyes immediately started tearing up as I ran into his arms and laid a nice sloppy kiss on his sweet face. I made sure to share the love and spread my freshly painted red lips all over our faces. It wasn't until he got on one knee that I realized we both probably looked like vampires. Romantic, I know. Needless to say, I said yes and we popped the bubbly!
Handley: What is your favorite thing to do together?
Scott: Anytime I can take Rachel hunting, I love it.
Rachel: We love going on random adventures whether it is Mardi Gras in New Orleans or a trip to Bessemer's flea market. When we are together we always have fun no matter what adventure is thrown our way. We especially love going to breweries, hunting, snuggling on the couch and watching our favorite shows.
e can't wait for Rachel & Scott's wedding day in May at The Botanical Gardens! Thank you again to Magen Davis Photography for these amazing images!
