Allison Peddrick, JD Whalen to wed
Martha Taylor Peddrick and Robert Merritt Peddrick of Greensboro, North Carolina, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Allison Merritt Peddrick, to Jeffrey Dominic “JD” Whalen Jr., son of Karen Donnelly Whalen and Jeffrey Dominic Whalen of Columbia.
The bride-elect, a resident of Columbia, is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs Willard D. Taylor and the late Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Peddrick, both of Wilmington, Delaware. A 2008 graduate of Greensboro Day School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising from the University of South Carolina in 2012. She is self-employed as a digital strategy specialist.
The bridegroom-elect, a resident of Columbia, is the grandson of the late Rev. and Mrs. George P. Donnelly of Baltimore and Mrs. Joan H. Whalen and the late Mr. Dominic J. Whalen of Watertown, New York. A 2005 graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Presbyterian College in 2009. He is employed with Benefit First as a supervisor for business development.
The couple plan a May wedding in Greensboro.
In their own words
Q: How did you meet?
A: Through mutual friends when Allison came back to Columbia for the Florida vs. USC football game in November 2013. Allison was living in New York City at the time and had recently decided to move back down south to Charlotte. The timing was perfect!
Q: When did you know your fiance was “the one”?
A: Family is very important to both of us. We both fit in immediately with each other’s most special people.
Q: Tell us about the proposal.
A: A little bit of a crazy day! JD had planned a wonderful evening for us on Cinco de Mayo. He was thrown a wrench when my car wouldn’t start in the Whole Foods parking lot in the middle of the day. It threw off his whole timeline of orchestrating friends and family celebrating us later that evening. (I had no idea!) We went for a quick margarita and then came home to let out our sweet 8-year-old golden retriever, Molly. Once home, JD dropped (quickly!) to the ground in our kitchen and asked me to be his wife. After saying yes and much excitement, he suggested that we go to his parents’ to celebrate.
I knew my family had a wedding in Greensboro the next day, so I thought there would be no way they could be there. I called my parents and my brother Jonathan to share the wonderful news and they all fibbed to me! Expressed how sad they were they couldn’t make it but they would see us soon. Little did I know, JD had arranged for them to be there to surprise me. It was the absolute best shock and biggest surprise! The party eventually transitioned from just family to friends and family, and it was the best night ever. We are so loved by friends and family, and I’m so happy JD figured out a way to include them all.
This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Allison Peddrick, JD Whalen to wed."