A Tulip Filled Spring Wedding at The Blue Heron at Blackthorn in South Bend, Indiana

Elizabeth Fleming (25, Legislative Assistant for a U.S. Senator) met Luke Strimer (27, Legislative Assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives) through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Marshall University. Elizabeth, a volleyball player, and Luke, a soccer player, were friends for three years before they began dating. When Elizabeth graduated with her Bachelors Degree and Luke with his Masters Degree, Elizabeth moved to Washington DC. Elizabeth began her Masters program while Luke searched for a job on Capitol Hill. After 18 months of searching, Luke found a job in DC around the same time Elizabeth graduated.?On June 15, 2013 Luke planned a bike ride date through DC to see the monuments, an adventure the two already went on two years prior when Elizabeth first moved to DC. Luke popped the question on the back steps of the Lincoln Memorial overlooking the Potomac River, where a friend secretly captured the big moment on camera. After an elated ‘Yes,’ Luke made it official by sliding a halo-setting round-cut diamond ring on Elizabeth’s hand.?The couple planned a spring wedding over the course of their five month-long engagement. Elizabeth and Luke said ‘I do’ on April 5, 2014 at Grace United Methodist Church in the bride’s hometown– South Bend, Indiana. “The ceremony– conducted by Luke's father– probably best reflected who we are as a couple. We had family and friends participate by reading scripture, leading hymns, and sharing the Gospel,” says Elizabeth. The couple invited guests to celebrate their nuptials at a brunch reception held at The Blue Heron at Blackthorn in South Bend, Indiana.