Wedding By The Bay – Katie Jane Stewart & Patrick Raymond Husum

Photos by Catherine Taylor, Woodland Fields Photography

Katie and Patrick Husum were married in front of 170 of their closest family and friends. Both live in Jacksonville but grew up and lived most of their lives in Panama City.

Katie works as a corporate event planner while Patrick pursues his doctorate in physical therapy at the University of St. Augustine.

As both sets of their parents live in Panama City, they naturally decided to get married in their hometown. Katie states “We loved being back with all of our friends and family in the place where we grew up and where we share so many memories.”

Ceremony and Celebration

The ceremony took place at The Pavilion, located in Grande Pointe North, overlooking Lake Powell and nestled between tall Washingtonian Palms.

A night to remember followed with a beautiful poolside celebration. Guests enjoyed a mouthwatering buffet catered by g. Foley’s Restaurant: a slider bar, a mashed potato bar and a salad bar along with hand passed hor d’oeuvres and delicious shrimp pasta. The bar featured as signature drink “Peach Moonshine Punch.” Katie says, “Our day was laid back, casual and all about the party! We danced the night away and we both agree that our wedding day was the best day of our lives.”

Love Story

Pat and Katie met in 2008 but did not start dating until later that year in December.
Katie was still in high school and Pat studied at Auburn University in Montgomery where he also played college baseball. Katie recalls, “I can’t say there was an exact moment that either of us can pinpoint when we fell in love but from the beginning everything just kind of fell into place and clicked with us. We balance each other out in a way that makes me 100% sure we could handle anything life throws at us.”

After a couple of years of back and forth between Montgomery and Panama City, both studied and graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and after 4 ½ years of dating, decided to take the leap and get married even though Pat was still in school. Katie remembers: “We asked each other ‘What are we really waiting for?!’ and got engaged in May of 2013 and planned our wedding for spring the following year.”

“He gives me the balance I need to take things as they come and I give him a little bit of that go-getter attitude. I believe that together we have made each other the best version of ourselves”

He says, she says…

Patrick: “Katie is a one in a million type of person. She is funny, beautiful, hardworking and extremely passionate about the things she loves. She currently works as hard as she can every day to be the best she can be, which makes me strive to do the same. I am so proud of everything she has accomplished thus far and can’t wait to see the wonderful things that are still to come. I am so happy to have found her in my life and am looking extremely forward to what the future has in store for us ” Katie: “Pat is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. He makes me laugh and he makes me truly appreciate life. He always pushes me to do better and shoot for the stars and having someone who constantly makes you feel special is the greatest gift in life. He has made me so proud as he pursues his doctorate degree. I know that he will do great things in life and I am so happy to be on this journey with him.”

Recipe for Happiness

Katie reflects: “I think what makes us special is the perfect balance that we create. Most would probably say that we are opposite. Pat is a super laid back, go with the flow kind of guy, and I am a little high strung and intense . He gives me the balance I need to take things as they come and I give him a little bit of that go-getter attitude. I believe that together we have made each other the best version of ourselves. ” Her tips for couples who want to get married or are freshly married: “There is no “perfect” time to get married. Sometimes you just have to make the decision and take a leap of faith.

It might even be the best decision you’ve ever made! Always remember to have fun and to laugh a lot… and be yourself and spend time being silly. Don’t get lost in other people’s opinions . Stay true to who you are as a couple because at the end of the day, that is what it is all about. Don’t get so caught up in all the details…. something is going to go wrong inevitably but if you keep in mind what the day is all about, the little details will not matter.”

Plans for the future

The couple shares their happiness: “We are at a place in our young lives where the future is looking pretty bright and open . We haven’t decided where our next journey will take us but we are looking forward to enjoying life for awhile as husband and wife. We want to have kids one day… but certainly not anytime soon. One of our dreams together is that we will visit all of the Major League baseball parks in the country (and Canada!).”

Katie extends special thanks: “I would like to give very special thanks to Jim and Melodee Weber and their hospitality. They threw us the most amazing engagement party at their home and it was absolutely beautiful. They also hosted a party the night before our wedding for our entire out-of-town family. They are like family to us and we are so grateful for everything they have done for us throughout the years. I would also like to give special thanks to my wedding planner, boss and friend Lisa Ashley. My wedding would not have been the magical day that it was without her hard work and dedication to making my wedding a true fairy tale. We would also like to say thank you to our parents for their support and guidance over the years and for giving us the perfect wedding. We would not be who we are today without the love from our parents.”