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When Meredith Moody moved into a new apartment in May 2008, she never would have guessed that the man who helped haul her furniture would someday be her husband. A mutual friend brought Christopher Heffner over to assist with the heavy lifting, and although his initial introduction to Meredith went well, they didn’t have much time to get to know one another.

Despite their somewhat brief encounter, Meredith and Chris became good friends, and even though Chris had shown some interest in dating, Meredith wasn’t ready – she just didn’t feel that it was the right time to be committing to a relationship. With no family in the area and a contract job as her only tie to Michigan, she wasn’t convinced that this was the place she was supposed to settle down.

The two spent a year and a half as friends before the prospect of dating even emerged. “I think that we were really able to benefit from building that foundation of friendship,” says Chris. However, Meredith didn’t have to spend much time with him before the gears in her head began to turn. “Over that time as friends, I just began to love who he was as a person, and he really respected me and I knew I could trust him,” says Meredith. “That was a big thing for me, to earn that companionship and trust.”

Meredith and Chris had discussed marriage before, but she never believed a proposal would happen so quickly. Chris’ job in public affairs often takes him to various locations to scout out venues for events, so when he planned a trip to Detroit to tour several venues in May 2010, Meredith thought it was just the same old routine. Chris asked Meredith to go with him, and although she thought she had scheduling conflicts, she was unaware of the fact that Chris had already spoken with her boss about letting her have the day off. Chris had quite a few tricks up his sleeve, and Meredith had no idea what was about to happen.

Once they arrived in Detroit, they began their first tour at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. As a former professional softball player, Meredith was particularly excited. After touring the luxury suites, the broadcast booth and the visitor’s clubhouse, the tour guide asked them if they would like to see the dugout so they could check out what the view looked like from the field level. Around that time, the tour guide and their mutual friend who had tagged along excused themselves to take separate phone calls. Chris and Meredith were left standing alone in front of the dugout, and that is when he turned her around, got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. “I had no idea! He was going down on one knee and I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ I was completely blown away.”

At that point, the couple had to get down to business with planning. Although they currently live in Michigan, they decided to get married in Matthews because Meredith is a North Carolina native and much of her family still lives in the area. Meredith thought they had already chosen a location, but suddenly stumbled upon Morning Star chapel online one day. They headed over to check it out and immediately fell in love. “It had the original hardwood floors and the pews, and it was just gorgeous by itself. It didn’t need much detail added to it as far as decorations and what not. It was the perfect little white chapel,” says Meredith.

Many things fell into place, but it was quite a challenge to plan a wedding from a distance. However, with the help of family and friends, they managed. “We missed out on a lot of the fun things, like from a guy’s perspective, the taste testing,” says Chris. “When they tasted the cakes, we actually watched them via Skype so we could see what the cakes looked like and were able to pick one.”

“It was quite the rush to get everything planned and reserved in only four months, but thanks to my mom, dad, family in Charlotte and our wedding planner/family friend Beth Bryant, we did it!” says Meredith. “And it was absolutely beautiful and perfect.”

On Sept. 25, 2010, Meredith entered the chapel and walked down the aisle to the beautiful music of the Carolina Chamber Players. Chris remembers this moment like it was yesterday. “When they opened the front door of the church and I could finally see her in her wedding dress … that was a pretty neat moment.”

The reception, with a stunning red and white arrangement by Party Reflections, took place in Meredith’s uncle’s backyard, while an iPod playlist with some of the couple’s favorite songs played in the background. Meredith and Chris danced their first dance to “Love Never Fails” by Brandon Heath, and sliced their three-tiered red-and-white cake with the eyes of their loved ones watching on in bliss.

Julie Staley with In His Image Photography was on hand to capture every priceless memory. She traveled with the couple to an assortment of locations, made them do fun poses and even bought them Bojangles’ – Chris is a huge fan. “Her creative and playful ideas, and her ability to help direct our day allowed us to stay worry-free so that we could really take in every moment,” says Meredith.

The couple says their wedding was perfect and even though it went by quickly, they remember everything. “While getting ready that morning, somebody came into the room with a letter from Christopher that he had dropped off that morning for me. It was really sweet,” recalls Meredith. “That was really special to me that morning to hear from him since we couldn’t see or talk to each other before the wedding. Just that reassurance right before was nice.”

Even though Tropical Storm Nicole made an appearance during their Royal Caribbean honeymoon cruise, they made the most of it. They spent time relaxing in the cruise ship’s spa, and went shopping in Nassau to pass the time.

The couple agrees that the best part about being married is being able to see their best friend everyday. “If you go to work and have a rough day, you know she’ll be there for you when you get home,” says Chris. “It’s a big change, but a good one.”

Meredith undoubtedly scored a home run on the day that Chris dropped to one knee on that Detroit baseball field.

Featured Vendors

Ceremony Music
Carolina Chamber Players
704-367-1949
www.ccplayers.com

Photography
In His Image Photography by Julie
704-287-7923
www.inhisimagebyjulie.com

Rental Provider
Party Reflections
704-332-8176
www.partyreflections.com

Continue reading real wedding stories! Up next: 'Lovers in training'