Elizabeth “Bess” Caliste Young and Matthew Ethridge Meeks met at Sewanee: The University of the South through mutual friends. Matt was on the swim team, and Bess was friends with several members on the team. Their paths crossed at various functions around Sewanee’s campus, and they began spending more time together. Matt bought Bess tickets to see Rent for her birthday. They drove down to Nashville, had dinner at Amergio and saw the musical. A few days later the two decided to officially start dating. Matt then met Bess’ entire family at her surprise birthday party shortly after.
One day in June 2012, Matt woke Bess up at 6 a.m. with breakfast in bed. Upon learning how early it was, Bess wasn’t thrilled at being woken up but then quickly realized something special was happening as Matt got down on one knee. Bess immediately said “Yes!” to his proposal.
Even though Bess and Matt married in October, they’ll be taking a delayed honeymoon in April to St. Lucia. The two reside in New Orleans, where Bess is a kindergarten teacher at Louise S. McGehee School and Matt is a financial analyst with Chaffe & Associates, Inc.
Bride : Elizabeth “Bess” Caliste Young
Groom : Matthew “Matt” Ethridge Meeks
Brid e’s Parents : Sa rah Chesser and George Villere Young
Groom’s Parents : Dorothy Smith and George Gregory Meeks
Date of Wedding : October 12, 2013
Ceremony Location : Trinity Episcopal Church
Reception Location : New Orl eans Country Club
Celebrant : The Reverend Henry Hudson
Ceremony Music : organi st Albinas Prizgintas and violinist Elizabeth Overweg
Wedding Gown : Custo m gown designed by Suzanne Perron
Maid of Honor : Ch arlotte Young
Bridesmaids : Taylor Bank, Michelle Bart, Emily Gay, Melissa Lyman, Lauren Russell and Mathilde Semmes
Bridesmaids ’ Dresses: Wedding Belles
Flower Girls : Elli e Russell, Cora Villere, Molly Villere and Sadie Young
Ring Bearers: Pa ul Carter Russell, George Villere and Wiley Young
Groom’s Attire : Joseph A. Banks
Best Ma n : Kevin Parker
Groomsmen : Will Hatcher, Ben Miller, James Ritt, Paul Russell, Paul Steffan and Joey Steuer
Groomsmen ’s attire: Perlis
Rings: Created at Symmetry – Bess used a diamond that was both her mother’s and paternal grandmother’s
Florist: Mitch’s Florist at the church and Meade Wenzel at the reception
Invitation: Jane at the Stationer
Caterer: New Orleans Country Club
Wedding and Groom’s Cake: Royal Cakery
Photographer: Carroll Grevemberg of Grevy Photography
Hair: Marcia at Salon Dante
Music: Party on the Moon
