Google+ heidi elnora Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Tag: heidi elnora

After admiring Amy and Den’s colorful-meets-industrial-cool wedding, I was not surprised at all to learn that they’re architects! Their early days of competing against each other in Mississippi State architecture classes didn’t stop them from falling in love, enduring a long-distance relationship, and heading up North to follow their career dreams. With the help of their families and friends, they planned their April Alabama wedding from a distance, pouring their hearts into preparing for marriage all the while!

Thanks so much to Natalie Elyse for sharing this fun day with us!

Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? We decided that no matter where we were the first time we saw each other, it would be special. While we are very traditional, we did want the excitement and joy of the ceremony to flow right into the reception. Not having to stop and take pictures post-ceremony was a blessing, and we got to hang out together for much more of the day! Our first look was midday, and everything felt perfect. As I approached him from behind, Den waited a long time before turning around–he did not want the moment to end. When he did turn around, we hugged and then danced!

We did not write our own vows; however, they were written by the presiding minister, who also happens to be Den’s father! It was incredibly special to have him as an integral part of our wedding ceremony. Our wedding vows were the same vows that were used in his parents’ wedding.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Getting married in a church was very important to us, so we chose a Lutheran church in my hometown. The reception venue was a historic train depot roundhouse. Being architects, we were especially inspired by the historic and raw quality of the space. We saw it as a blank canvas with endless possibilities.

We are both makers and designers at heart, and we made the majority of the details and elements of the wedding. We handmade our save the dates, invitations, reception decorations, table centerpieces, menu cards, welcome bags, church programs, and even the photo booth backdrop and props! While it took a lot of time, it was something we were able to do together, and it brought us closer throughout the process. It also made the day feel very personable and intimate for both us and for our guests. My favorite was the marquee letters that we made together last summer. We used chip board, patio lights, foam core, gold spray paint and a ton of hot glue to make 4′ tall letters spell “A+D.” They really popped in the space and became a wonderful backdrop to the evening. Den’s favorite detail was the table numbers. We incorporated pictures of ourselves throughout our childhoods (ages 1-25) to coordinate to each table number. Guests especially enjoyed being able to connect to each picture at various stages in our lives.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? The graphic motif for our wedding was the outline of the states of Mississippi and Alabama. I grew up in Alabama and Den grew up in Mississippi, and the two fit together, just like we do! It was used in our save the dates, menu cards, and on the dance floor. We had a giant MS and AL outlined in white tape, which formed the perfect setting for a bride’s side vs. groom’s side dance-off! We featured our favorite liquor at the bar: Tennessee whiskey. However, having all of our family and friends together from near and far is what truly made our wedding feel Southern.

Music is especially important to us. I see my life as a string of moments that all have a very specific soundtrack. We definitely wanted to curate the wedding so that our memories would be associated with music that is important to us. The entry song for our mothers and grandmothers was “How Beautiful,” which we felt was especially fitting for the day. I entered to “Ode To Joy.” “The Gambler” (FUN) has always been our song, and was our first dance. “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson was the first song everyone got on the dance floor to dance to. Den is from Jackson, so the shout out to Jackson, Mississippi in that song was especially fun. We insisted that “Walcott” by Vampire Weekend be the last song played at the wedding–that song represents a thankfulness for where we come from, and undeniably acknowledges the importance of stepping out on our own and forming our “we.”

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. After four years of friendship at Mississippi State University, we began dating. We never thought we would have a romantic relationship–we were competed against each other in our architecture class. We dated for four years and went from being in school together, to a long-distance relationship, and then finally transitioning into our first jobs in New Haven, Connecticut. The distance brought us closer together and we bonded over shared interests in architecture, music, travel, and biking.
Tell us all about the proposal! From Den: I was working on a restoration of the the New London Connecticut Harbor Lighthouse (c.1802). I thought it was such a timeless place, and fitting for a proposal. I led Amy to believe there was an open house before the renovations began. We walked up the 108 steps to the top of the lighthouse, and I got on one knee, and proposed. She said yes! The funny part was, as I was asking her to marry me, the light from the lighthouse shined in her face, momentarily blinding her. The yes ended up sounding like a yelp! We laughed and cried and hugged.
When did y’all get married? April 11, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 165
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Yes! My something borrowed was my Mom’s silk robe that I used while getting ready. I had two something blues: one was my birthstone (aquamarine) in a ring that I have worn since my 21st birthday, and the other was a small blue flower that my sister crocheted for my garter. My something old was my garter, which my mom handmade out of lace from her wedding dress and my great grandmother’s wedding dress. My something new was my dress! (And shoes, and earrings…)
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? Planning for our marriage was very important to us throughout our engagement. We began with counseling through Den’s home church (where his father is a minister) and continued with private counseling near where we live in Connecticut. While planning the wedding was an on-and-off task over our 18-month engagement, working toward being married was a constant and conscious effort. We learned more about each other than ever before, and we learned valuable tools for confronting all of the new circumstances that will surely come our way.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Read 1 Corinthians 13, and remember that your wedding is about love. It takes patience, it takes kindness, it takes all humbleness and understanding, and it definitely takes perseverance! Lean on loved ones and ask for help. So many people were integral to our day and helped us in ways they might not even know.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We will continue to live and work in New Haven, CT, and look forward to not only living together, but also working together someday. Wedding planning was a great project for us and we look forward to more design projects in the future. We are most looking forward to being a part of each other’s growing families. Fun family get-togethers with parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews will be abundant in the future!

Photographer: Natalie Elyse Photography / Videographer: Chris Daniels at VisionScribe Media Services / Ceremony Planner: Margie Cook / Ceremony Venue: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church / Reception Venue: The Huntsville Depot Roundhouse / Florist: In Bloom Florist / Cake Baker: Hamley Bake Shoppe / Caterer: The Chef Next Door / Rentals: Mullins Special Occasions / Lighting and DJ: Metropolitan DJ / Bride’s Gown: “Rubie Joe” by Heidi Elnora / Bride’s Accessories: Greco Fiore / Hair Stylist: Terrame Salon and Spa / Bride’s Shoes: Reed Krakoff / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters / Groom’s Attire: Black by Vera Wang from Men’s Wearhouse / Bar Service: Premium Shakers / Additional Vendors: Purity Dairy

The Chef Next Door is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Amy Daniels reply

    From the Bride: I’m so excited to see these beautiful pictures shared! Thank you Southern Weddings for promoting beauty in both weddings and in Marriage!

  2. avatar Caroline Lyon reply

    Beautiful wedding. Beautiful couple.

  3. avatar Natalie Elyse Photography | Amy & Den | A Colorful State-Inspired Wedding | Huntsville, Alabama reply

    […] To see more photos from this wedding featured by Southern Weddings, click here. […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

Today is the fifth and final day of our Bridal Market recaps, and gracious, it has been so much fun sharing our experience and favorite moments! If you’re just tuning in, catch up on Parts One, Two, Three, and Four. We’re so grateful to Briana of Divine Light Photography for capturing our experience and all of these gorgeous gowns so that we could share them with y’all this week!

Our final day of Market started on the loveliest note–Breakfast with BHLDN! We are longtime fans of BHLDN’s vintage-inspired dresses and heirloom-worthy accessories, so it was a treat to see their new collection in person, especially in such a fun space. Even though we were there to see the gowns, we couldn’t help but gush a little over the amazing florals they had tucked into every corner, too!

Our outfits for the day! I’m wearing a Loft shirt, J. Crew Factory skirt, and Badgley Mischka heels, and Emily is wearing a J. Crew Factory shirt, Francesca’s skirt, and Sole Society heels.

After we finished our mini yogurt parfaits at BHLDN, we walked over to Rockefeller Center to visit the gorgeous new Romona Keveza space and see their Fall 2015 Legends collection. We had so much fun admiring these gowns–all inspired by classic style icons. Can you spot the design inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s dress in Funny Face, or the one modeled after Grace Kelly’s wedding gown? (These photos are courtesy of Romona Keveza.)

We had to dodge a Columbus Day parade to get to our next presentation–Sarah Janks at the iconic St. Regis hotel. In case you’re wondering how we lasted every day in heels, here’s a little secret: we didn’t! Our photographer, Briana, captured this funny moment outside before we headed up the elevator. Neither of us was very familiar with the Australian-based Sarah Janks line before we saw her presentation, and we were so impressed by the elegant, romantic gowns!

Our next stop was our last runway show of the weekend–Southern gal, Carol Hannah. Her collection was flowy, ethereal, and Egyptian-inspired with a few unexpected touches. We loved catching up with our sweet friends from The Sentimentalist after the show!

We couldn’t leave Bridal Market without stopping by The Knot Couture show to check in with some of our very favorite designers. First, the rainbow of darling bridesmaid dresses at Donna Morgan–we couldn’t get enough of their new silk shantung dresses, or the prettiest new floral print they’ve introduced! P.S. They have a handful of adorable little white dresses too, perfect for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and getaway outfits.

Heidi Elnora is a dear friend of Southern Weddings, and there was literally not a thing we didn’t love about her collection! Her gowns are the epitome of sweet and Southern–plus, they all have double names, like Lonna Belle and Marissa Ellen. Love!

After leaving the Knot Couture show, we loved getting a peek at the new Monique Lhuillier collection. The showroom was designed to look like the inside of Monique’s jewelry box, and the sherbert-hued gowns covered in gorgeous embellishments brought it all to life! (These photos are courtesy of Monique Lhuillier.)

We could not have imagined a more amazing way to close these four days than with the Carolina Herrera presentation. What an experience! It was set up more like a cocktail party than a traditional presentation, and the atmosphere was as chic as can be–complete with boxwood arrangements, black and white striped furniture, and models mingling with the crowd. We could not stop whispering with excitement over how much we loved the gowns, the hair, the makeup…just everything! The cherry on top was meeting Carolina Herrera herself. She was so gracious and elegant, and we were honored to talk to her about how much we loved the collection!

We finished the weekend at the ever-so-glamorous Martha Stewart Weddings 20th Anniversary Party at the Pierre Hotel. We were so grateful to Rent the Runway for outfitting us in dresses that perfectly matched the “platinum” theme–Emily rocked a sparkly cocktail dress by Badgley Mischka and I wore a white dress with silver embroidery by Erin Fetherston (who we then met at the party! So crazy!). We had the best time chatting with friends, sampling Peter Callahan delicacies, and dancing in the flip book photo booth.

The next morning, we were on the plane bright and early to head back to NC–exhausted, happy, and ready to hug our beaus and celebrate sending V7 to the printer with the rest of the SW gals! To see even more photos of our NYC adventure, be sure to check out our #SWBridalMarket hashtag on Instagram.

We’d love to know! Which of these gowns is your favorite?

lisa Written with love by Lisa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Southern Weddings Weekly Round-Up – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] Tea Sunday. We recapped our adventure at Bridal Market! Check out parts one, two, three, four, and five. We love Rachel and James’ five fun date ideas they shared in Southern […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

I hope you’ve been enjoying our Bridal Market coverage so far! If you missed them, be sure you check out Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4! They’re some real stunners within these posts!

Y’all! Yes, that is all I can say when I think of this collection… y’all!! First up we are headed to my neck of the woods, sweet home Alabama, for the gloriousness that is Heidi Elnora! In true Southern fashion, Heidi not only welcomed us to see her ah-mazing collection with a big ol’ hug, but she also affectionately called everyone within voice range “sugar”, “darlin'” or something equally as charming! We were so lucky to sit down with her and our sweet friends from Ashley Baber Weddings to have a little Southern squealfest!

How much do you die over this bow? I know, we could barely contain ourselves when Heidi showed us the Rubie Joe! This gathered a-line gown has hand appliquéd lace and a dupioni silk skirt, and is accessorized with that fab Heidi Elnora Beauty Bow.

If you followed along with our Insta/Tweet coverage, you’d know that the “Opal Byrd” gown above literally made me flip out! Not only is it ridiculously beautiful, but the bodice is hand beaded with pearls and rhinestones IN Alabama. This princess ball gown also featured a silk gazar peplum with a chapel train. I die!

Yes, on the left right there is the infamous Kate Grace gown that was featured in V4! When I saw this dress, I knew we had to be sure we showed it to y’all! It’s got pockets, and the most delicious silk bodice!

Congratulations, Heidi, on an amazing new collection AND a soon-to-be amazing new addition to your family!

We’ve already introduced y’all to our next sweet friend, Sarah Seven in this post, so we were so excited to see her collection up close!

This gold little number (above on the left) is appropriately named After Midnight and is like a confetti party in dress form! Talk about fun!

My personal favorite (below on the right) not only has a fabulous name, Please and Thank You, but its tulle skirt and embellished belt make for a casual yet glamorous look.

And we so loved Sarah’s skyline background! One of the funnest booths we had the pleasure to stop at!

Oh, Pnina, Pnina, Pnina! This was my first time seeing the famous Pnina Tornai, and boy did she bring it! Pnina’s new collection was inspired by her love of flowers, romance, femininity and allure.

The Pnina collection was full of divine silk organza, floral embroidery and silver thread accented by Swarovski crystals. Isn’t the back of this gown a showstopper? That’s a shimmer taffeta ball gown skirt, with layers of taffeta folded into a giant bow on the lower back and right shoulder.

When it comes to exquisite detail work, Pnina has that on lock! Pearl encrusted flowers and Chantilly lace cover this dramatic deep v back fit and flair.

Can you believe it? The last gal in the finale was wearing full-on feather and diamond wings! Yes, wings! What a show to end our fabulous trip on!

Big hugs to the super talented Kat Harris for bringing these gowns to life with her images! Our iPhones could never have done them justice!

Stay tuned, because we’ve got a bit more Bridal Market fun coming up tomorrow. It may include a fab little shoot of KNW and me with Kat!

Now that you’ve seen almost all the gowns, which is your favorite?

marissa Written with love by Marissa
12 Comments
  1. avatar Laura reply

    So nice to see Heidi’s collection growing (and that she’s using some good hangers, natch) – loving these posts from the Bridal Market. I’m not there but a girl can dream can’t she?

    • avatar Marissa reply

      We’re also so thrilled for Heidi! She’s amazing and her designs are stunning! Don’t worry – even when we were there we were dreaming of wearing all these dresses!

  2. avatar Kat Harris reply

    Heidi Elnora took my breath away. Her gown with the add-on peplum skirt. Stop it. I need it;)

  3. avatar Anna reply

    That shimmer taffeta ball gown is my absolute dream gown. I’d give anything to march down the aisle in that.

  4. avatar Emily reply

    Heidi Elnora: Opal Byrd, obvs. Sarah Seven: GOLD! Pnina: I love the one in the top row with the big bow! :)

  5. avatar Chris Kottak reply

    Beautiful images!!!

  6. avatar Madelynne Moulton reply

    I ABSOLUTELY love heidi’s pearl dress and that bow gown! I die! ‘Please and thank you’ is my favorite Sarah Seven gown and the top right Pnina with the big bow is amazing. I typically feel her stop is too over the top for my taste, but that dress is amazing. I would totally have worn it!

  7. avatar Lisa reply

    Oh my goodness gracious, these are all AMAZING!! I’m going to have to pick the Heidi Elnora Opal Byrd as my favorite from this round, but I would like Sarah Seven’s After Midnight for myself and Pnina’s tulle gown just to stare at :)

  8. avatar Dee Shore reply

    Along with Jenny Packham, Sarah Seven is one of my favorite Bridal designers. Her dresses are just feminine and elegant without all the poof. In my opinion, a work of art.

  9. avatar Wedding Wednesday: Blissful Inspiration ~ The Runway Edition | Salutations Fine Stationery & Gifts reply

    […] ~ top to bottom: Claire Pettibone runway photo from Style Me Pretty; Heidi Elnora gown photo from Southern Weddings; Kentfield invitation photo from Dauphine Press; Ines Di Santo runway photo from Southern […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close
Top