Savannah Troutt & Ben Stubbs

March 15, 2025

Savannah Troutt and Ben Stubbs met through mutual friends while both were attending the University of Texas. Some friendly competition over a game of cornhole piqued their attention, but it wasn’t until they crossed paths again months later that sparks really flew. They were quickly inseparable, and four years later on a family trip to the Cayman Islands, Ben was able to pull off a surprise proposal under the guise of a family photoshoot. “My mom, in hair curlers and a robe, rushed into the living room to tell us she was running behind,” remembers Savannah, who, along with Ben, was tasked with going downstairs to meet the photographer. “As soon as Ben took my hands, I knew exactly what was happening.” On March 15, 2025, the couple said “I do” in a flower-filled affair that highlighted the couple’s faith—and ended with fireworks.

Keep reading to learn more about Savannah and Ben’s love story and wedding-planning process.

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D Weddings: Briefly, tell us the story of how you met and got engaged.

Savannah: We first met during our junior year of college at the University of Texas at Austin, playing cornhole with some mutual friends. At the time, we didn’t exchange much more than a few laughs and some playful competition. A couple of months went by without much contact, but when I saw him again, I immediately remembered that cornhole game. We talked for hours one night at a friend’s birthday dinner and soon after, he asked me out on our first date. I was so nervous—completely filled with butterflies—but also incredibly excited. He picked me up at the Theta house, where my friends were gathered on the balcony, cheering, clapping, and doing their best to embarrass me as I walked out. We went to Loro, one of our favorite restaurants in Austin, and from that night on, we have been together ever since.

After four years of dating, we went on a family trip to the Cayman Islands over the holidays. We were getting ready for our Christmas card photos, and I was feeling a bit off—tired, hungry, frustrated by the rain, and ready for a nice dinner. Little did I know what was about to happen. My mom, in hair curlers and a robe, rushed into the living room to tell us she was running behind. My sister-in-law was still finishing her hair, and my brothers were eating in the kitchen. I still can’t believe they managed to keep everything a secret. They did a great job trying to throw me off.

My mom asked Ben and me to go downstairs to meet the photographer. The photographer asked if we wanted to take a few photos together while we waited for the rest of the family. As soon as Ben took my hands, I knew exactly what was happening. He went down on one knee and proposed. As I was still in shock, my entire family rushed out onto the patio, cheering and waving. Then, to my surprise, Ben’s parents jumped out of the bushes! It was overwhelming in the best way, and everyone was in tears. Ben and our families had organized a surprise celebration with our favorite island musician and dozens of blown-up photos from the last four years. It was the most perfect and unforgettable day.

D Weddings: What was your vision for your wedding day?

Savannah: I envisioned a ballroom filled with flowers—everywhere! I wanted it to feel traditional, classic, timeless, and elegant. I wanted lots of violins and a piano to play classical hymns as we walked down the aisle. I wanted our wedding day to represent Christ and his beautiful and endless love for us.

For the reception: floral chandeliers; a mix of long rectangular tables mixed with rounds; candelabras everywhere; a mix of three different types of chairs; and various combinations  of crystal, china, and tablecloths.

D Weddings: What did you learn from the wedding-planning process?

Savannah: The wedding-planning process truly takes a village. I could not have done it without the love and support of my mom, our amazing wedding planner, and my husband. I had no idea how much goes into organizing a wedding, and the help I received made it all possible. My mom has chaired several events and planned lots of parties, so she was able to help guide me through the whole process. She truly has a talent to make a vision come to life. My mom, Alison [Baker of Alison Baker Events] and Laura Buchanan [of Alison Baker Events], Rachel [Omundson] from Three Branches, and Nelson [Robinson] with Stage Works truly made my vision become a reality.

D Weddings: What were the most important or meaningful elements of your wedding? Why were they significant?

Savannah: Aside from the ceremony itself, one of the most meaningful moments for me was the private dinner that Ben and I shared. While our guests were enjoying happy hour, we had a quiet moment together, sipping our favorite cocktails and savoring the hors d’oeuvres and a portion of our dinner. It was such a special time to reflect on our day and our future together, just the two of us, before joining the celebration.

Another important element of the wedding was the fabulous Jordan Kahn Orchestra band and all of the extra horns and violins. They made it the most fun celebration of our lives. They are amazing to work with and made everything so personalized and special. They are truly so talented.

D Weddings: What personal touches, if any, did you incorporate?

Savannah: I wore my mom’s jewelry on my wedding day, which felt like a beautiful way to carry her with me. We also displayed photos of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days. It was especially important to me to honor my late grandmother and grandfather, who both passed away a couple of years ago. Their presence was deeply felt in those photos, and it meant so much to have them included in such a significant moment.

D Weddings: What do you remember the most from the day?

Savannah: I remember how calm I felt throughout the entire day. Despite all the excitement, I felt so at peace and in love with the person I was about to marry. I was genuinely so happy, excited, and no longer concerned with the little details. I knew everything was falling into place exactly as it was meant to, and I was about to marry my best friend.

D Weddings: Were there any surprises?

Savannah: I knew there would be fireworks, but the magnitude of the display completely exceeded my expectations. It was a thrilling surprise for our guests, and it was an unforgettable way to cap off the night.

How many guests did you have? 370 people
What was your first dance song? “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
What was on the menu? Half filet half sea bass with a vegetable risotto and veggies
What were your specialty cocktail(s), if you had any? An old-fashioned, a spicy margarita, and an espresso martini
Where did you honeymoon? St. Barthélemy!

“I remember how calm I felt throughout the entire day. Despite all the excitement, I felt so at peace and in love with the person I was about to marry.” — Savannah Troutt