REAL BRIDE: Summer

Summer + Jacob

4.23.22

Gorgeous views, an industrial style venue, a dusty romantic color palette and lush eye-catching florals - Summer and Jacob’s Manhattan wedding was as breathtaking as it was classic. The pair filled their big day with personal details and a whole lot of love.

Let’s not forget the fashion! Jacob pulled off a classic suit and Summer stunned in her clean crepe Robert Bullock bridal gown with buttons down the back and a trendy square neckline.

One thing is certain, you don’t want to miss the details below are not to be missed. Thankfully, McBride Photography captured every detail of this celebration perfectly. Keep scrolling to see more and gather all the romantic wedding inspiration you’ve been looking for!

But first, a note from Jacob :

“What do donuts, friends, and cop cars all have in common?! Well, they all existed the night Summer and I met. It was the first weekend of school at K-State in the fall of 2015. She was a freshman from Hays and I was a junior from Overland Park. Just like any good Saturday night, I ended it with some friends at The Varsity Donuts Truck, where Summer just happened to be standing in line right in front of me. Her friend knew my friend, and we ended up giving them a ride back to Moore Hall where we all lived.

What was all fun and games quickly turned into me looking at flashing blue lights in my rear view mirror with a $200 ticket in my hand. (haven't rolled through a stop sign ever again.... okay maybe a few...) I was so mad, haha. But if I could have flashed forward 6 years in that moment and seen what Summer and I's relationship would come to... man, I would pay one thousand of those tickets just to meet this girl.

After that night and for the rest of the next few years Summer and I had a very casual friendship. So casual her nickname for me was the "ticket guy" (I know... not a great start). But at that point, God was doing some really cool things in my life convincing me to live for His purpose and trust what He had for me. Not only was God pursuing me, but that year God also pursued Summer... and in May of 2016, while at StuMo’s Summer Project - Kaleo, Summer decided to give God the throne of her life.

For the next few years we enjoyed deepening our foundation in our faith individually. In this time we both learned what it meant to seek Christ first and foremost (Matthew 6:33) and to help others do the same. In the fall of 2017, when I (Jacob) graduated, God was very gracious and provided me an opportunity to begin working on staff with Student Mobilization (the ministry I was involved in as a student and still currently work for). About a year and a half later, God provided that same opportunity for Summer. At her first staff training in Branson, her and a friend needed a ride home to Manhattan... and there I was again offering up my service.. only this time it wasn't 5 minutes up the road, but 5 hours, and I managed to not get pulled over. Over the next 5 hours I got to hear Summer talk about her excitement to be on campus sharing the Gospel and help college students walk deeply with God for a lifetime. When I dropped Summer and her friend off, I was sad the car ride was over. I thought to myself, 'oh boy... I think I like Summer Smith.'

Fast forward a year to July 2020. After waiting on God to provide the right timing, I asked Summer for a date. Somehow, (four days later...) she said yes. We went on a couple dates and as I asked her for a third, she responded that she wanted to hold off at that point because of timing.

Not going to sugar coat it, it was a really tough time for both of us. Yet in the best of way, it was also incredible. Over the next 5 months God continued to work in our hearts and deepened our convictions to trust His plan over ours. And as He was growing and stretching both of us, I decided to shoot my shot again January 6, 2021. This time it wasn't four days... but a much quicker yes.

From there she just kept saying yes!! Yes to being my girlfriend on February 5th, and eventually to be my future wife on October 22, 2021. It was so easy for me to ask her to marry me. A lot of people keep asking me at what point did I know I loved her, which is a fair question. It’s hard for me to answer though. I don’t think I can pin point a moment that I knew I loved her, because ever since I saw how much she loved Jesus and His mission, I knew she could be the woman to run alongside in our pursuit of God, if He was in it. Thankfully, as we dated, God just continued to affirm and affirm that she was the one.

Godly character, loyalty, a strong personality, a love for God’s word, and that western Kansas grit - all in a 5’3” athletic, blonde girl that I couldn’t more pumped to make my wife. God is so gracious to me. We are eternally grateful for God’s grace in our lives, to love us though we were rebels against Him, and to send His Son in our place (Romans 5:8). Because of each of us choosing to turn from our self-directed lives, and trust in Christ as our Lord and Savior, our earthly lives are different, and more importantly, our eternities are different. Our prayer as a married couple is that we would be an example of Christ’s redeeming love for His people, and help many others know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, too.”

How did you know your gown was the one?

"I knew it was the one because when I tried it on I could picture myself walking down the aisle to meet the man of my dreams. It was also the first dress I tried on because Carly is that good!”

Did you have a specific theme in mind while planning?

“Champagne, white florals and greenery. Simple and classy!”

What was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?

“For the procession two of our friends played the violin and cello to Living Hope by Phil Wickham and then my brother sang it while we took communion!”

Where did you draw your inspiration and ideas from?

“Timeless looks that are elegant.”

What advice would you give to other brides in regards to dress shopping?

"Taking time to talk with the crew you came with was so helpful for me! They knew which dress I liked the best and felt the most comfortable in and encouraged me so much!”