Meriah here… To say I have known Shay for a while is an understatement. I remember the day she was adopted in to the Powell family. I remember her adoption celebration we held at our church. I was her “Awana” leader and for a short time I was her youth leader. The photo below is one I took of Shay back in 2000 when I had her in my Awana class. She was an adorable little girl.
When Shay put her wedding dress on, I cried. I don’t always cry… even when I know the bride. But it was Shay. She was grown up and it hit me hard. I couldn’t believe that this girl was now a woman. And a stunning one at that!
I don’t know Cody very well, but I can tell you that I have a feeling that he is a swell guy. He loves Shay well. Also, you can tell he loves his mamma! And what is it that they say about guys who love their mammas? They usually make good husbands. (That is certainly true of my Michael!)
Shay was the last of her siblings to get married. Michael and I photographed all 3 of their weddings and all were married within 14 months of each other! Jeff and Maggie had a mountaintop wedding, David and Allison had a beach wedding, and Shay and Cody had a church wedding at Canton First Baptist Church. We love those Powell kids and we love their spouses. We are so very grateful to have been a part of their big days. Now, BRING ON ‘DEM BABIES. 😉
Here is a bit more about Shay and Cody directly from them.
A bit about Shay: I was born and raised in North Carolina. When I was two and a half I came to live with the Powell’s and my adoption was made official when I was 7. I attended Haywood Community College when I was 16 and took duel enrollment classes while I was still in high school. I was home schooled for 11 years and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I received my CNA 1 shortly after high school and completed my General Education classes at HCC. I currently work at an Urgent Care in Candler, NC and plan to continue further in the medical field.
A bit about Cody: I grew up in Fines Creek my whole life. I attended Thickety Christian Academy until high school and then graduated from Pisgah High School in 2010. I then went to Haywood Community College and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Automotive Transport Systems Technology in 2012. I now work at Appalachian Automotive and have been here for 5 years. I have always been passionate about cars and love what I do.
How did you meet? We met each other while attending HCC when I was 16. I was a cashier at Ingles at the time and he started coming to my register ever so often and would say hey. We always spoke here and there and would see each other at HCC. We also would keep up with each other on Facebook through out the years. We never really pursued a serious relationship until 2 summers ago when our paths crossed again.
Describe your first date? We went to Guayabito’s in Maggie Valley and ate dinner. I was nervous but he wasn’t at all. When we left he let me drive his car, which he has only let me drive 3 other times since. I think he was just trying to impress me, haha. We then went back to the shop where he works, which is where we met before the date, and he installed pink interior lights in my car for me. 😉 I think he was trying to impress me again with his mechanic skills this time. After that we talked for a while and then I went home.
How long have you been together? A year and a half
What is your favorite hobbies and activities to do as a couple? We love to hike and explore the outdoors with our two dogs. We also love food. We like to cook together and try new foods.
Who popped the question and HOW? Cody popped the question while we were eating lunch one day by the river behind Panacea coffee house. He had went and bought my ring and talked to my dad all that same morning. My dad likes to make the joke that he didn’t know Cody was going to propose to me 30 minutes later. It was longer than 30 minutes but it wasn’t too much longer!
What adjective best describes your spouse on your wedding day? Shay about Cody- Ecstatic. Cody about Shay- Breathtaking.
What tangible detail of your wedding day did you love the most? The items we had with us in remembrance of our loved ones. I wore a ring made by my Papaw, Elbert King, a rose in my bouquet made from my Gramps, Jim Powell’s necktie, and a bow on my bouquet made from my cousin, Luke King’s baby blanket. Cody wore a handkerchief made from patches of his Great Grandmother, Edna Swanger’s, clothing.
How many guests did you invite to the wedding? Which of you had more guests at the wedding, you or your spouse? We invited around 200 guests. And from what I can recall there were more on the bride’s side.
What did guests eat at the reception? We had a cake reception at the church and there was a Trail mix Bar. We later had a intimate family reception at Shay’s childhood home. We ate steaks, grilled chicken, loaded twice baked potatoes, grilled veggies, rolls and salads.
What is the one of the funniest things that happened on your wedding day? When we went to leave after our bubble send off Cody forgot to open the car door for me. He quickly remembered and ran and opened the door.
What was your first dance song and why did you pick it? Our song was “Head over Boots” by Jon Pardi. We wanted a more up beat song and this one fit us perfectly. We always sing along together when it comes on the radio and it is one of our favorite, newer country songs.
What stood out to you the most when you think of your wedding? We both agreed that it was the ceremony. Everything happened so quickly but time kind of stood still during that time.
What is on your “bucket list” to do together as a married couple? We want to travel and see new places together as much as we can before we start a family.
Shout out to these folks for their help with the big day!
- Wedding coordinator – Beth Mills and KC King
- Venue coordinator – Beth Mills and KC King
- Makeup artist – Amorette King
- Hair designer – Sierra Franklin
- Floral designer – Beth and Maggie Mills
- Caterer – Ingles
- DJ or Band – Social Function
- Officiant – Tim Skinner
- Cake designer – Ingles Bakery
- Additional help: Maggie Powell, Michelle Presnell, Beth Mills, KC King, Tammy Powell. And a ton of family helped with set up and everything else.
