Southern Weddings

I like the color yellow, and I like (okay, love) cowboy boots, so I’m pretty sure Chelle’s cheery maids (in Anthropologie frocks) get the W for this week’s Super Southern Bridesmaid Ensemble.  So it’s not a real award, but if we did have one, they’d definitely get it!  Chelle + Tim said “I do” at the rustic Pine Rose Cabins in California, and were lucky enough to have The Brothers Wright on-hand to document the occasion.  The bride wore a lacy Pronovias gown (style name “Galvina” for those of you dying to try on the romantic v-neck number yourself), finishing her wedding look with a handmade veil.  The reception photos are just around the corner!

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story. (From the groom) The first time we EVER met was at a Labor Day BBQ in September of 2007…but Chelle doesn’t really remember this, so it doesn’t count.  I began attending Grace Brethren Church in Long Beach in January of 2007 and soon met Christa Neilsen, Tim’s older sister and we became friends.  Somewhere along the way I met Tim, but he lived far away in Corona. We crossed paths every now and again, but then in the summer of 2008, Tim moved to Long Beach and started attending Grace regularly.  Tim organized a “group hike” one Sunday afternoon in November but unfortunately I was the only person who could make it. We hiked to the top of Mt. Zion by the light of the moon and their headlamps.  At the top of the mountain we laid on our backs and watched shooting stars. Very shortly after this, I received an unmarked package in the mail. It contained a case of black jack gum (my favorite which had been discontinued). My roommate tipped me off that Tim had stopped by earlier that day…but he denied any responsibility until a month later when we began officially dating. Tim FINALLY asked me out in December.
Describe the proposal. Around late July, Tim started telling me that I needed a day off of work.  So we planned a hike for Saturday, the 1st of August.  Since we were going to Oklahoma in a week, my engagement radar was at a -10, despite the fact that we were hiking Mt. Zion…they very first place they’d ever hiked…and despite the wonderful breakfast that Tim had cooked for us that morning before we left. During our hike, we finally came around the last set of turns to the summit, where Tim’s friend Ben had set up a picnic. I was touched that Tim had planned a romantic summit celebration and finally realized that there was more to it when he uttered the words “will you marry me?” I said yes and we celebrated later with family and friends at Tim’s house in Long Beach.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Peaceful, reverent, joyful.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? I am from Oklahoma, so all the girls wore cowboy boots. We had fresh lemonade and mason jars for flower arrangements.