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NAME: Hannah Shelton, Age: 23, Scheduler
NAME: Jacob Barksdale, 26, Technician
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Danville, Virginia
DATE: 2/18/2024
VENUE: Berry Hill Resort, South Boston, Virginia
Love Story
Jacob and Hannah’s love story began in September 2014. They were high school students at Dan River High School in Ringgold, Virginia. Hannah, a football cheerleader, and Jacob, a football fan, met at the concession stand during halftime and instantly connected. They remained friends for a few months, but Jacob knew he wanted more. He finally got the nerve to tell her, and she was excited when he did. He then asked her to prom, and she accepted. Afterward, he suggested they go on a date to get to know each other better.
Jacob and Hannah went on their first date on April 8, 2015. They had dinner at Chick-fil-A in their hometown of Danville, Virginia, and then Jacob surprised Hannah by taking her to the movies. It was a sweet and memorable night that started their beautiful relationship.
After dating for four months, Jacob expressed his love for Hannah, and she immediately reciprocated. Jacob admires Hannah’s kind and selfless nature and her determination to succeed. He said, “She is my best friend, the love of my life, and being with her has made me a better man.” Hannah admires Jacob’s authenticity, generosity, and sense of humor.
Since high school, Hannah pursued her studies at college while Jacob began working full-time. Despite the physical distance, their bond remained strong, and they prioritized spending almost every weekend together. They shared adventures, including beach trips, concerts, cruises, and mountain escapades. Over 9 years, they witnessed each other’s growth from teenagers to adults, cherishing every moment. Together, they have already weathered life’s challenges, finding solace in each other’s presence and deepening their love as they navigated life’s twists and turns.
SURPRISE PROPOSAL
The perfect proposal moment for Jacob and Hannah finally came on a beautiful day in February 2024 at the picturesque Berry Hill Resort in South Boston, Virginia. Jacob cleverly disguised the proposal as a family portrait shoot to make the occasion even more unique. Berry Hill Farm’s natural light, stunning backdrops and endless photo opportunities made it the ideal location to create timeless memories they would cherish forever.
He proposed to Hannah, offering her his mother’s .5-carat Marquise cut solitaire gold ring. Later, he and Hannah went ring shopping and picked out a 2.54-carat engagement ring with a radiant cut 2.04-carat center diamond and a diamond-encrusted band with a hidden halo.
On the day of the surprise proposal, Hannah wore a tan sweater dress with an emerald and gold belt and knee-high black boots, while Jacob wore a green fleece flannel shirt with a grey undershirt, khakis and boots.
ADVICE
Planning a wedding can be daunting, but Hannah has some great advice to make the process enjoyable and stress-free. “Keep it fun and avoid getting bogged down by the overwhelming number of decisions that need to be made. Take your time and carefully consider your options. Remember, your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so making it everything you’ve ever dreamed of is essential.”
FUTURE PLANS
Jacob and Hannah plan to get married in the fall of 2025. They plan to tour venues in the fall of 2024 and book vendors afterward.
Hannah’s IG handle: hannahjshelton
VENDORS
VENUE: Berry Hill Resort – @berryhillresort
https://www.berryhillresort.com/weddings-events
PHOTOGRAPHY: Laurel Lane Photography – @laurellanephotography.va
https://laurellaneweddings.com
RING: Ben David – @bendavidjewelers
If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke Virginia, Richmond Virginia, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia or in Charlottesville/ Lynchburg Va. we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.
