Charley Morgan & John Emslie
January 23, 2021
“That’s quite a lucky dolphin!” - John’s first words to Charley, referencing a picture of a dolphin kissing her on the cheek. He soon asked to take her out for cheesecake, a date which was immediately followed by 2 more in the next 2 days, and the rest, in a cheesy end to a cheesecake-y beginning, was history!
At Charley’s sister’s wedding, John listens intently as Scott (her dad) describes how Evan asked him for Ashley's hand in marriage. Unbeknownst to Charley, John had just had the same conversation with Scott that morning, in a clandestine meeting in the corner of the hotel bar, asking for Charley’s hand in marriage. This photo shows John working very hard to keep a straight face and not give anything away as Scott recounted many of the same themes he and John had discussed just that morning.
We said we wouldn't include a long cheesy story but then started writing this and couldn't stop! See pictures of the proposal in our Gallery.
John took Charley on what has become an annual trip to Fredericksburg (Texas wine country) where he had a big surprise planned. Utterly in the dark, Charley was actually nervous about the weekend because the previous year's trip was so special to her that she worried they wouldn't be able to replicate or top it. John was nervous too but for a very different reason. Hidden in his bluetooth speaker case, which for anyone but John would have been weird to be carrying around Fredericksburg, was an engagement ring. John took Charley to a brand new winery called Signor Vineyards, which immediately dispelled her earlier worries upon seeing. She was so mesmerized by the stunning winery that she remained completely unaware that it was 11am which is before they open, she'd been told of a fake dress code, and the only other person there besides the sommelier was a photographer "hiding" in a nearby (and comically small) bush. As a wide-eyed Charley raved about the details of the winery's design, they were guided to a picnic table decorated with flowers and a wine bottle that had a wood tag with "CJF ∞" engraved on it. (FYI, CJF stands for Charley John Fest, a phrase that has somehow stuck since our first ever trip together). Still completely oblivious, Charley was thrilled when she saw this, kissed John to thank him, and further raved about the winery's amazing attention to detail, thinking a custom wine tag is something they offer all their patrons upon booking a reservation. John handed Charley a glass and started into what she thought was just an incredibly sweet and romantic toast to kick-off the weekend. It wasn't until John was down on one knee that Charley started to realize what was going on. Her blur of disbelief and anticipation to scream yes, if this actually was happening, was interrupted by a flash which suddenly made Charley acutely aware that she was awkwardly straddling the picnic bench in order to face John and there had been a photographer blatantly "hiding" in a shrub that only went up to her knees this whole time. With the overjoyed realization that this was actually happening, she quickly repositioned and eagerly beamed at John, who pulled out a small wood box engraved with "CJF ∞" (by him, not the winery, Charley now realized). She saw sparkles through tears and he asked her to marry him!!
Fun fact: Charley got the cast taken off her left wrist just days before John proposed and put a ring on her left hand
Engagement Party in Dallas at Saint Anne
With “we want a fun, old Florida vibe and a place we can take over for the weekend” as the guiding principle for the wedding venue hunt, Charley's parents let them search high and low on their own before saying “we think we know just the place.” And boy did they!! Charley and John fell head over heels for the Gasparilla Inn and Boca Grande. “Special” is the one word they’d use to describe it and they can’t wait to start their life together there and to share it with all of you!
Fun fact: The wedding date is 1/23/21 .... 1,2,3,2,1! (Shout out to Sara Maus for noticing!)
Jan 21
2021
Jan 21
2021
TO 11:00 pm
BZ's Bar at The Gasparilla Inn
500 Palm Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 33921
Jan 22
2021
TO 2:00 pm
Jan 22
2021
TO 4:30 pm
Jan 22
2021
TO 5:30 pm
Jan 22
2021
TO 10:00 pm
3rd Street Bistro
310 East Railroad Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 33921
United States
Jan 23
2021
TO 4:00 pm
Presidential Suite at The Gasparilla Inn
500 Palm Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 33921
United States
Jan 23
2021
TO 12:30 pm
Jan 23
2021
TO 4:00 pm
Pelican Room at The Gasparilla Inn
500 Palm Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 33921
United States
Jan 23
2021
TO 5:00 pm
Jan 23
2021
Jan 23
2021
TO 1:00 am
Jan 24
2021
TO 11:00 am
BZ's Patio at the Gasparilla Inn
500 Palm Avenue
Boca Grande, 33921
United States
Meghan is Charley’s future sister-in-law who lives in San Antonio with her husband Wade and daughter Porter. John and Charley love going to visit Meghan for the weekend where they’re spoiled rotten with pool time, grill outs, and late night shut-the-box competitions.
Luba is the kindest person you'll ever meet! Charley's parents have deemed her a required invite to our annual 4th of July in Lake Toxaway because she's so helpful and keeps us all in line! What Charley loves most about her is how down to earth and genuine she is.
Esther is my new favorite Frenchie and we have the best meeting story! I was selling many things on Facebook Marketplace while re-decorating and one day, 2 French sisters came to buy my rug. Esther was in and out in 15 minutes but I spent the next several days repeatedly telling John how much I weirdly felt like we were soulmates and would be great friends. With John encouraging me to reach out, I finally put my pride aside and asked Esther out on a friend date. Fast forward a year and a half, Esther is now one of my closest friends! And as a bonus, she came with her wonderful husband Taylor so the four of us have had many a game-night sleepover and have a solid plan for if we ever go to a theme park that Taylor and I will go on the rides while John and Esther hold our things and give us tickets. Esther is smart, funny, down to earth and kind, and we have so much in common - from painting at White Rock Lake to exploring whatever museum or event seems interesting that weekend (pre-covid, can't wait til we can get back to exploring, Esther!). Thank you John for encouraging me to be a huge weirdo and try to befriend the girl who bought my rug!
Six years ago, Sarah’s husband, Miguel, asked to join Charley’s friend’s frisbee game one day in the park and the rest was history. Sarah is one of the kindest and warmest people I know, and I look up to her and value her advice much like a sister. Sarah and Miguel have since returned to their hometown of Louisville but never miss our annual 4th of July trip to Lake Toxaway, even this year when she was 8 months pregnant with their first baby!
Honorary: Sarah will be with us in spirit on the wedding day as she's a recently become a new Mom to a beautiful baby girl Ariana!
9 years ago, I inherited the light of my Grammy’s life, her teacup Yorkie Peaches. Having always dreamed of owning a Mastiff, myself, I never understood why Grammy adored this timid little dog so much, but I adored Grammy and she made my family promise that we would take care of her Peaches after she was gone so it was without a single thought that I stepped up. Next thing I knew, my Dad was fresh off a plane at my door in Dallas, holding a tiny cage and a bag of even tinier dresses, leashes and diapers. And just like that, my Dad was gone, and I was alone in my apartment as a senior in college, looking at this scraggly thing cowering below me with mutual uncertainty. Fast forward and my family now refers to Peaches and I as "the most unlikely best friends."
ATO pledge brother at the Univ. of Texas at Austin, hook 'em!
ATO pledge brother at the Univ. of Texas at Austin, hook 'em!
ATO pledge brother at the Univ. of Texas at Austin, hook 'em!
Honorary: Matt will be with us in spirit because he's a new dad!
ATO pledge brother at the Univ. of Texas at Austin, hook 'em!
Honorary: Karl will be safely celebrating with us in spirit from NY with his new bride!
Ashley (Charley's sister), Evan (brother-in-law), Charles (new nephew!), and Albert (doggo)
John and Charley are so happy that Mimi and Grandpa will be sharing in their wedding (and it's part of the reason we chose Florida)! After celebrating their 70th anniversary a few years ago, Mimi and Grandpa are goals!!
Charley & John
Gallery