The Woodlands At Five Gables

Ceremony & Reception

Ceremony

Our Wedding

our story told by christin

On the 21st night of September in 2023, I received a DM on Instagram from Mr. Jacob T. Layne himself. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I figured it was worth a shot, so I texted him. We chatted back and forth constantly, and he quickly asked me on a real date! YAY! A few days later, he picked me up for a walk at Cherokee Farms Research Park. I remember him asking such thoughtful and intentional questions, making me feel so valued from the very beginning. I quickly realized he was the best listener I had ever met, and I had never felt so comfortable and at ease on a first date! I still wondered how he had found me, though. Come to find out, he had seen me on the Jumbotron at a UT football game the Saturday before he messaged me!!! The more we talked, the more we realized we had basically been hidden in plain sight all along. We had even danced together at Cotton Eyed Joe two years earlier at a mixer between his fraternity and my sorority. Apparently, the Lord knew what He was doing long before we did! One date turned into many over the next few weeks, and Jacob asked me to be his girlfriend on another Tennessee Saturday night after the Texas A&amp;M game! We had the sweetest time dating in Knoxville before he graduated and moved to Nashville. Long distance was hard, but by the Lord’s grace, it grew us in ways I never could have imagined. There were plenty of tears, mostly from me, but there was also so much joy! Fast forward to August 2025: long distance finally ended when I moved to Nashville for graduate school! Then, on March 28, 2026, Jacob asked me to be his wife in the very same park where we walked on our first date. It was the sweetest, most special day, filled with so many people we love! The Lord has been so, so faithful through every season of our relationship, and life by Jacob’s side only keeps getting sweeter!

our story told by jacob

Christin and I’s story may have started with a Jumbotron in Neyland Stadium, but it actually began two years prior at the Cotton Eyed Joe. My fraternity and her sorority were having a mixer, and Christin and I even line danced together that night. But God knew the timing was not right, and He sent us on our separate ways. Two years later, I went to a UT football game with my roommate at the time, Josh, and noticed a stunning girl on the Jumbotron. I remember distinctly thinking to myself “it’s a shame I’ll never get to know who she is.” I think God did this intentionally, because out of everyone who makes the Jumbotron at sporting events, she’s the only one I remember. I’m not sure how long after the game that I saw her page come up on Instagram. Apparently, we had so many mutual followers that it was hard to miss. I immediately recognized her as the girl from the jumbotron. I scoped out her posts looking for two things: Jesus and no boyfriend. I was in luck. Christin followed me back, probably out of pity, but I took it as a sign. I did what any guy who was about to graduate and leave town would do, I shot my shot at the buzzer. I sent her my phone number, making it as easy as possible for her to ignore me. To my shock, she actually texted me. We then went on a walk at the park a few days later, the very park where I asked her to marry me. From the moment I met Christin, everything just made sense. It was unexplainable, and something I thought only happened in movies. I thank God for preparing us for each other, and that our paths somehow did not cross until they did. I thank God for putting her on the Jumbotron in Neyland. Most importantly, I thank God for letting me spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

Our Story

Photos

bridesmaids

Caroline and I met our freshman year in AOII and eventually became roommates for our last two years of college in Toll House! We have gotten to experience so much of life together, both throughout college & post-grad. It has been such a joy to grow alongside her over the past five years, and our friendship only gets better with time! She has been a constant, steady presence in my life and has taught me what it looks like to show up and serve others well. She is deeply genuine and intentional, always remembering the tiniest details about my life and cheering me on through anything life throws my way. I am so lucky to have her!

Caroline Hayes

Riley and I have been friends for almost 10 years now! We met in class our freshman year of high school and eventually became close through our theatre program. We have been inseparable ever since! Even while navigating long-distance friendship from Tennessee to California for a couple of years, our friendship never wavered. I have always felt right at home when Riley is around — we could go on a walk in Collegedale for hours on end, and it still would never feel like enough time. Riley is honest, deeply loyal, and loves me so well. Her friendship refreshes my soul!!!

Riley Benedict

Brooke and I met freshman year of college through AOII and a theatre class! I was immediately drawn to her infectious joy — the kind that could only come from walking closely with the Lord. One of my favorite things about our friendship is how we can go from being all giggles one minute to having the deepest conversations the next. Brooke is everyone’s biggest cheerleader, one of the most selfless people I know, and such a safe place to land. She is truly an angel on earth, and I am so blessed to have her in my life!

Brooke Youngblood

Sarah and I also met our freshman year in AOII & quickly became the best of friends. She immediately drew me in with her joyful, spunky personality! There is truly never a dull moment when Sarah is around — she is all things fun. But honestly, that isn’t even my favorite thing about her. I have never had another friend who speaks truth into my life quite like Sarah does, and I am better because of it. She is fiercely loyal, deeply loving, & I am so thankful the Lord gave me a friend like her!

Sarah Barnhorst

Caroline and I became friends while living in the AOII house sophomore year, and after one walk at Lakeshore Park, I just knew we were going to be friends for a long, long time! We became especially close as roommates in Toll House, and even though life has gotten busy and we don’t get to see each other as often, we always pick right back up where we left off. Caroline brings pure light into my life and is as genuine as they come. She just gets me like no one else, and I like to think God made us two only children friends so we could both finally have a sister in each other!

Caroline Hensley

Baylee and I became fast friends through YoungLife when she was placed at Gibbs High as my co-leader! Doing ministry alongside her for two years was one of the sweetest and most formative seasons of my life, filled with lots of laughs, tears, and conversations about how God was moving in our lives. Baylee has always filled my cup with so much wisdom and pointed me back to the Father. I look up to her in so many ways and admire the way she speaks truth with kindness, gives so generously, and is always the best listening ear. She is someone I hold very close to my heart!

Baylee Mullins

groomsmen

I met Nicholas 25 years ago in a hospital. Sure, it was at my birth, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t special. He may be my older brother, but growing up, he was much more than that. He was a role model I looked up to and continue to look up to today. He always pushes me to be a better man, and does so not by saying it, but showing it. I am not the man I am today without his leadership, guidance, and God fearing heart. 

Nicholas Layne

Out of all of my friends, I’ve probably known Joey the longest (20 years). We became friends back in kindergarten, and that friendship was solidified in speech therapy where we indulged in candy after saying words like “car,” and “rabbit”. Joey is as consistent and steadfast as they come, and having the privilege of walking towards Christ with him has propelled me on my faith journey exponentially. Our friendship is the definition of "iron sharpens iron". 

Joey McPherson

I met Reed in sixth grade, and our friendship continued all the way through high school and into college, despite going to different Universities. After graduating, we jumped on the opportunity to move in together back in Nashville, where we have gotten to experience the weird, and often uncomfortable, transition into adulthood from college. He is supportive, generous, and one of the most fun guys to be around. I am grateful that I have gotten to grow in this season of life with him. 

Reed Massengale

The first real interaction I had with Jason was at a formal in Charleston sophomore year of college. We both sat side by side in the hotel room with terrible sunburns. We started having deep conversation (partly to distract us from the pain we were in), and those deep conversations have continued ever since. Jason’s heart for others is so genuine that it inspires me to love others better, and his intentionality is contagious. I'm grateful to know him (and now have him in Nashville). 

Jason Ozment

I met Josh during pledgeship freshman year of college. We then lived together in a couple different places (shoutout Fox Lake). In fact, I was actually with Josh when I saw Christin on the Jumbotron for the first time. Josh is incredibly sincere and empathetic. He’s a friend I know I can always count on and hold me accountable, and I'm thankful for our friendship. 

Josh Crowell

John and I first met in sixth grade, and he quickly became one of the funniest guys I know. We shared a bedroom in 3 different places over the course of 4 years at UT, and have more stories than I can count. Having the opportunity to pursue Christ in college alongside my roommate did more for my faith journey than I ever could have imagined, and his consistent friendship through it all has been a blessing. 

John Boshers

Wedding Party

Ladies, feel free to wear your favorite floor-length or tea-length dress in whatever colors you love most. We would also recommend bringing a coat depending on weather! Men, wear whatever color suit you'd like! No tie is necessary, but feel free to wear one if you'd like. We want you to feel comfortable and confident, so wear whatever feels most like you!

Ladies

GENTLEMEN

Dress Code

Q & A

This hotel is located in Cleveland, TN, approximately 23 minutes from our venue!

Courtyard by Marriott

This hotel is located in the Ooltewah area, which is Christin’s hometown, and is approximately 25 minutes from the venue!

SpringHill Suites Chattanooga North/Ooltewah

Another great option in Cleveland, TN! This hotel is located about 23 minutes from our venue.

towneplace suites by marriott cleveland tn

Though it is located about 39 minutes from our venue, we wanted to include this option for anyone who would like the full downtown Chattanooga experience!

The Read House Hotel, Downtown Chattanooga

Another great option if you’re hoping to explore the city! This hotel is located about 39 minutes from our venue.

The Westin Chattanooga

Travel

A Chattanooga classic! Located downtown near the riverfront, it’s the perfect little outing to pair with lunch, coffee, or a walk around the city while you’re in town!

Tennessee Aquarium

A fun holiday activity on Lookout Mountain! Fun fact: Christin took Jacob here on his first trip to Chattanooga!!

Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights

The cutest place to grab coffee, lunch, or walk around! Cambridge Square in Ooltewah has local restaurants, boutiques, and a charming little square atmosphere. 25 minutes from the venue!

Cambridge Square

A great close-by option for coffee, breakfast, or lunch in a charming downtown! Located about 20–25 minutes from the venue, it’s perfect for grabbing a bite and walking around.