Google+ Vintage Mountain Wedding by Jennifer Stuart - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Do we ever have a treat for y’all today! An interior designer and an architect, Anna and Randall share a strong sense of style and a belief in appreciating the beauty of life at every turn. Along with a few traditional elements (like their vows and waiting to see each other until Anna walked down the aisle), they infused so many fun details that are true to their personalities and their relationship into their wedding weekend! Anna’s fabulous (and versatile!) bridal style certainly stands out as memorable, but their charming brunch reception, custom monograms, and mountaintop venue are a few more aspects that you won’t want to miss reading about below.

Many thanks to Jennifer Stuart for sending this sweet day our way!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I wanted something that would be fitting for a small, intimate wedding and something that seemed vintage. After looking at many alternative shops, my mom and I visited Kelly’s Closet in Candler Park. Since we planned the wedding in just a few months, I didn’t have time to order a dress, but Kelly’s Closet was very accommodating and agreed to sell me anything off the floor. I put together a Jenny Lee French lace topper with an Alexandra Grecco tea-length tulle skirt. We knew right away it was the perfect solution! I was even able to style the top and skirt separately throughout the wedding weekend. After the brunch reception, we had an Italian family-style dinner later that evening. I wore the lace top with a black metallic pleated skirt and a gold and black leather necklace. The next morning at the send-away breakfast, I wore the tulle skirt with a blue and white oxford and pale pink coral bead necklace. It was so fun to wear parts of the dress all weekend, and even during our honeymoon.

My flowers were lush and romantic, full of peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, and lots of greenery. I wanted a “just picked from the garden” look, and our florist, Anna Stouffer of Urban Petals, amazed us with her talents.

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. We selected a Gypsy jazz band out of Atlanta called the Bonaventure Quartet to play at our wedding. Their sound is very “Midnight in Paris” and the quartet consists of two guitars, a clarinet, and a bass. The band played in a small courtyard garden outside the chapel as guests were arriving. The chapel windows open up to the garden and the guests could enjoy the band and the morning breeze as they settled into their seats. I walked down the aisle to the Benny Goodman quartet version of “The Man I Love.” Our recessional was “In the Mood,” which gave a very fun 1930’s feel. Our first dance was to “La Vie en Rose.”

My best friend, Kate Stewart, did a reading of Colossians 3:12-19, the Message version: “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Kate, along with Randy’s sister, Michelle, picked the reading and surprised us. It was perfect and so fitting.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? After the ceremony and photos, we were left alone near the chapel and had to walk up a long hill to the reception location. It was nice to walk hand in hand and reflect on the moment, really take it all in, and talk to one another.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our wedding was a Southern family get-together at the lake. We decided not long after we were engaged that we wanted to spend an amazing weekend at the lake with our favorite people, and just so happen to get married in the middle of it all. The very essence of the weekend was Southern hospitality. Our friends and family all shared houses at The Reserve. The rehearsal dinner was a barbecue beautifully decorated by Randall’s mother, complete with black and white gingham and aqua bandanas for a more stylish twist on the traditional decor. The ceremony was in the morning, followed by a brunch reception. Bloody Marys, monogrammed napkins, and lots of fans all added to the perfectly Southern atmosphere.

I loved how we planned the whole weekend. After the ceremony, we enjoyed brunch and croquet, then everyone went back to the houses they were staying in and changed for the pool. After a fun afternoon in the pool, we enjoyed an Italian dinner with long tables, free-flowing Chianti, and cafe lights twinkling overhead. The next morning, my mother made a delicious Southern breakfast for everyone. My favorite detail was the monogrammed napkins I made for the brunch. I designed six different monograms that Randall and I will enjoy using for many occasions to come. Each table was set with an assortment of vintage china and a different monogram theme.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. The cake was small and simple with a continuation of our floral theme. I found a great cake stand with a little bird on it that complimented the brunch/garden feel. The cake was white with an apricot filling.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. From Randall: I had worked at a fine architecture and interiors company for about a year when Anna was hired, and pretty much right away, we developed a fantastic friendship based on respect for each other’s talent, positive outlook, and sense of humor. Probably the sense of humor most of all. We were always excited to share thoughts and discoveries with each other, and found a deep kinship in our sense of the beauty of life. Once the idea that this could be more than friendship struck, it seemed silly we did not see it immediately. It felt like love at first sight, but we just didn’t acknowledge it out of respect and trust. It has been an amazing discovery about the depths of love we can feel, not only in the other, but in ourselves and in how others have seen it in us.
Tell us all about the proposal! Randall proposed with a sapphire and diamond ballerina estate ring in our home in Atlanta. It was touching and private. Afterwards, we celebrated over a lovely French meal at Marcel.
When did y’all get married? September 24, 2016
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 48
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? No, we wanted the traditional moment of walking down the aisle and seeing one another.
What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Randall’s parents live at The Reserve at Lake Keowee. It’s a beautiful mountain lake community with a golf course, a clubhouse, and a sweet little chapel. While Randall’s parents were showing me around their community the first time we visited together, his mom hinted, “This would be a lovely place for a wedding.” After we were engaged, we quickly realized it really was perfect.
Did you write your own vows? We recited traditional vows.
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My engagement ring was old and blue (sapphire), my dress and shoes were new, and my mom borrowed my favorite strand of pearls, so we reversed that one a bit!
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? We talked a lot about love, priorities, and how to honor and respect each other with Randall’s sister, Michelle, and her husband, Rob. Rob officiated the ceremony. We have so much admiration for their marriage and it was special to plan the ceremony together.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Find a few things that are really “you” and fit them into your day. Whether it’s the style of your dress, the music, or the food, the event should be about who you are as a couple and as individuals, not just about a beautiful event.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We are looking forward to every aspect of life. Randall is an architect and I am an interior designer, and we hope to collaborate and design more together. We also love to travel. We went skiing in France last year and we are already planning our next skiing trip.

Photographer: Jennifer Stuart Photography | Venue: The Reserve at Lake Keowee | Florist: Urban Petals | Wedding Cake: Brittany Leigh Cakes | Caterer: Orchard Club House | Rentals: Professional Party Rentals | Band: The Bonaventure Quartet | Bride’s Gown: Jenny Lee and Alexandra Grecco | Bridal Salon: Kelly’s Closet | Bride’s Shoes: Shoes of Prey | Groom’s Attire: Sid Mashburn | Live Painting: Brooke Ring

Urban Petals is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Merina Chatman reply

    this is just so beautiful and perfect. i have been married twice and eloped both times.if i was going to do a wedding this would be it.

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