One wedding leads to another The Parkers connect at an acquaintance’s celebration

Taylor and Wayne Parker met at a wedding around three years ago. That meeting led to a wedding of their own.

Taylor and Wayne Parker knew of each other growing up in Enterprise, but neither spent much time around the other. Taylor was friends with Wayne’s younger sister.

The couple met at his sister’s wedding in March 2015.

“I have a younger sister who is four years younger, and it was at her wedding in March 2015 where Taylor and I personally met,” Wayne said. “She was in the wedding as a bridesmaid and I as a groomsman. We were actually paired together (to walk) up and down the aisle during the wedding.”

Taylor’s job brought the couple back together because she moved to the same city that he lived in for a job.

She said she was working with a dance company in Nashville in early 2015 before her friend’s wedding in March.

“A job offer was in the works, that would have me moving to Birmingham,” she said. “The job move became a reality in May; I moved to Birmingham.

“Happenstance put us in the same city at the same time. We reminisced about his sister’s wedding, we were reacquainted, and the rest is history.”

Wayne said he knew after their first meeting that he wanted to know Taylor better.

“My first impression was that of course she was very pretty, sweet and whimsical,” he said. “I knew from spending time with her over the wedding weekend that she was someone that I wanted to get to know better. So, I got her number that weekend, and we started to go on dates.”

Though there was no exact moment that he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Taylor, he said he “knew quickly” that he liked Taylor and soon grew to love her.

“I’m not sure there was an exact moment that I knew that I would spend the rest of my life with Taylor,” he said. “I knew that she has all the qualities that I look for. But, I knew fairly early that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and the more time we spent together, the more that I knew.”

The proposal occurred during an important event for Taylor. Wayne said he tried to plan it for a time that his and her families and friends would be available, but work schedules made planning hard.

“I work every other weekend (as a pharmacist), and it was during her dance competition season, so most of our weekends were booked up,” he said. “I couldn’t find a good weekend to have everyone involved, so I chose the Feb. 3, 2017, weekend because it was her big Alabama dance competition weekend (for) DMA (Dance Masters of America) in Montgomery.”

According to Wayne, Taylor “grew up dancing” and participated in the competition herself, so it was a special event to her.

“She did not want the engagement to be done in public, and that was perfect with me,” he said.

Taylor said Wayne “stole her away” to propose.

“During a break, he stole me away to the nearby river walk where he surprised me with a ring that he said had been ‘designed specifically for me,’” she said. “He asked and I said yes!”

“She had no idea, but during an evening off, we went to eat with her parents and then took a walk down to the river before heading back to the competition,” Wayne said. “I was a little nervous, and she had no idea it was coming.

“So, we walked down and I got down on one knee, told her I loved her and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and then proposed. She was ecstatic.”

He said her parents were also in town and knew of his plan to propose, so the couple returned to their hotel to celebrate with her family. Her dance students were also happy for her.

“She posted (the proposal) on social media, and when she walked back into the competition, all of her little girls rushed at her yelling and screaming, and they all celebrated with her also,” he said. “What is cool about the proposal site is that every time we drive through Montgomery to and from Birmingham (we have a lot of friends in Birmingham), we can see the proposal site from the interstate and be reminded of it.” 

Taylor said the proposal was “perfect.”

“I think the thrill of the place and timing of it all was perfect,” she said. “He knew how much my dance family meant to me and what fun it would be to share the news with them. He is thoughtful that way.”

The couple was married on Oct. 28, 2017, in a traditional ceremony at First Baptist Church of Enterprise, the church where the two were baptized. Their reception was held at the Enterprise Country Club.

Taylor said planning the wedding was “fun.”

“After choosing the band and my dress, I left most of the rest up to my parents,” she said.

One special aspect of her wedding day ensemble was her veil. Her mother, Connie Harrelson, made the veil using lace from her own wedding gown.

“We endearingly say that my Daddy was the wedding planner,” she said. “He was super excited and enjoyed helping my mom with the details. My parents, along with amazing friends and family, hosted a precious memory we will never forget.”

Guests had the opportunity to dance to the music of Bobby and the Aristocrats from Atlanta, Ga., and enjoy a variety of foods during the reception, according to Taylor.

Both Taylor and Wayne say married life is great, and they are happy to have returned to their hometown of Enterprise.

“After dating and enjoying Birmingham, Wayne got a job offer back home,” Taylor said. “I, too, was welcomed back to my hometown dance studio with a position as teacher/choreographer.

“Enterprise is home to both of us; we were raised in the same church and grew up in the same neighborhood, too. We are thrilled to be back. We are fortunate to have our parents and family living close to us. We love being home. We love our community.”

Wayne said the pair has settled into their new jobs well, and he could not be more in love with his wife.

“I’m happier than I could ever thought I could be,” he said. “Taylor and I have such a little nice life here in Enterprise.”