Real Weddings • Local Venues
A shared interest in obstacle course racing caused Julie and Jason Phy’s paths to cross when Julie attended a fitness class Jason was teaching. Their meeting was meant to be, and on June 15, 2024, the couple was married.
Photos by Mike Key / Courtesy of Julie Phy
After an evening ceremony where Julie and Jason exchanged handwritten vows, the newlyweds and their guests headed to a cocktail hour and reception at Ringgold Depot to celebrate. “I grew up in Ringgold and love my town, so I wanted to get married here,” shares Julie.
The Phys made a grand entrance into the depot, where Jason surprised Julie with a song mix he had created for them to dance to. The mix ended with the song “Man of Steel,” and “on the very last note, Jason ripped open his tux to display his Superman t-shirt underneath,” recalls Julie, a moment she says she’ll remember forever.
The couple and wedding party were seated on a platform at the front of the venue, where an intricate balloon arch created a focal point against a black backdrop. The tables were decorated with lanterns, floating candles, and sola wood flower arrangements handcrafted by Julie herself, and around the room, custom photo backdrops were available for guests to capture memories from the special day.
For dinner, guests had their pick of Philly cheesesteaks, chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and all of the fixings. Cheesecake was served for dessert as well as a tiered wedding cake with a unique and meaningful touch. “We had a traditional cake made that combined the cakes of both of our parents’ weddings from 56 and 49 years ago,” says Julie.
The reception concluded with a sparkler getaway, but the night didn’t end there – Julie and Jason joined their friends and family at a local restaurant to spend more time with out-of-town guests and keep the celebration going.
“We had just finished horseback riding in Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. It was a beautiful setting, where Jurassic Park was filmed. As we were about to head to lunch the tour guide asked me to turn around and Jason was there on one knee. He nervously asked me to be his wife. Of course, I said YES!”
