Joseph Walker Lemley and Brooke Christine Connelly began their relationship as coworkers who became friends, then dating for three years before getting married on June 8, 2019. Along the way they learned to support and love one another. Brooke knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Joseph because he wants more for her than she wants for herself.
“I [want] him to be the one standing next to me in the happiest moments of my life,” said Brooke, “and in the hardest moments of my life... [He] displays Christ’s love through his actions on a daily basis.”
They met as staff members at Kanakuk Kamps’ K-Kountry, a Christian youth camp, during the Summer of 2016. They became friends by talking at lunch or during breaks. Both only had the intention of getting into a deeper relationship with the Lord, not with each other.
“As the summer continued,” said Brooke, “I began to notice Joseph’s servant heart…Whether it was taking the trash out when no one was looking, helping a Kamper find their way …, or seeking out the person who was alone in a room, I was amazed at the way he served with no expectations in return.”
With Summer coming to an end, Joseph pulled Brooke aside, nervously saying, “Okay, 20 seconds of courage! I like you and I want to continue to pursue you after Kamp. Would that be okay with you?” Brooke giggled with excitement and exclaimed, “Yes!!”
Proposal day was spent with her roommate, Grace, but instead of stopping at the restaurant where they were going to be having dinner, Grace pulled up to White Rock Lake and stopped her car.
“I was so confused as to what she was doing,” said Brooke, “… She told me to look outside the passenger side window. I turned my head and instantly a flood of tears poured from my eyes. I came undone!”
There was Joseph, who opened the car door and then walked her over to a canopy filled with beautiful flowers. He pulled out a childhood journal and read old letters he had written to his future wife when he was 13 years old. Then he got down on one knee, and said, “Brooke Christine Connelly, will you marry me?!”
“Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes,” Brooke replied.
They got married at Mint Springs Farm in Nolensville, Tennessee. The rural setting offers a rustic open-air wedding pavilion and an elegant country style reception barn with lots of room for dining and dancing, including a lovely balcony. The facility offers everything from a wedding planner to help making the day flow effortlessly, to flowers and catering. They also oversaw the five-tier wedding cake with rose and pearl accents. Dulce Desserts also made the Texas Aggies themed groom’s cake decked out with the Texas A&M logo and mascot.
The bride wore a strapless Vera Wang crepe v-wire neckline mermaid wedding gown with a cathedral veil and exquisite rhinestone belt. She carried a bouquet of white roses and fresh greens. Her bridesmaids’ gowns were refined and stylish in shades of light blue, gold, and white.
Brooke is the daughter Russ and Jennifer Connelly of Murfreesboro, and Joseph is the son of Carol and Jeff Lemley of Wichita Falls, Texas.
After a honeymoon in St. Lucia in the Caribbean, Brooke and Joseph settled in Dallas, Texas, where he is a Project Manager for UDR, and she is a Global Human Resources Consultant at Deloitte.
June 8, 2019
Behind the Scenes
Venue for Ceremony and Reception: Mint Spring Farm
Wedding Planner: Jamie Kiser Long
Caterer: G Catering
Wedding Cake: Dulce Desserts
Floral Design: Mint Springs Farm
Photographer: Claire Pedregon Photography
Invitations: Minted
Bride’s Gown: Vera Wang
Hair Stylist: Brittney Valentine
Makeup Artist: The Social Chair
Reception Entertainment: Snyder Entertainment