Southern Weddings

We have signed off for the holidays and are relishing some quiet time with our families, and we hope y’all are doing the same! Here’s what we’ll all be up to over the next few days…

Haley Sheffield

Nicole: This Christmas, I’m down in Charlotte, spending time with my sister, brother-in-law-to-be, dad, mom and step dad. My mom has graciously saved all of the Christmas baking for my arrival, so a large amount of my time has been in the kitchen rolling out dough. Of course, we’re also taking breaks by drinking copious amounts of sparkling grape juice and chocolate and watching The Family Stone. I’m also really excited to be reunited with my two best friends, who are also home for Christmas, and with my puggy nephew. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s festivities, watching my dad’s face when he opens his gifts and spending time with my mom on Christmas Day. It’s her favorite holiday and it makes her so happy to have her kids together (brother-in-law-to-be and furry friends included).

Ryan Ray, styled by Lavender Joy Weddings, via Wedding Chicks

Lara: Ari, Grace, and I will be headed to my hometown of Pensacola, Florida, to spend the holiday with my parents, Grandma Bunny and my brother, Stephen, who just finished his master’s degree… so we will spend lots of time calling him “Master Stephen” this Christmas. He is already enjoying this new title. This is an unexpected change of plans for us, so my parent’s house will need some holiday decorating (they were originally planning to come here to Chapel Hill). So, I may stuff a suitcase with tinsel and all the tree trimmings! I am very much looking forward to hugging my family — I could care less about anything under a tree this year, I just want some bear hugs. OK, and some turkey and sweet potatoes.

Michelle March via Southern Weddings

Marissa: This year, BDK and I will be spending Christmas with my side of our family. We’ll be in South Florida, wearing Jack Rogers and sundresses (well, I will be, not BDK!). Even though it’s a little crazy to celebrate Christmas when it’s 80 degrees out, I’ll be thankful to see my family. Christmas Eve will be spent trying to stay up late enough to make it through midnight mass, and then on Christmas Day my mama will make a delicious linner (lunch + dinner) complete with homemade pumpkin cheesecake and her famous green bean casserole. Oh, and A Christmas Story will be on the television ALL day long. It’s a BDK tradition that I’ve grown to love!

Ryan Ray, styled by Love & Splendor, via Style Me Pretty

Kristin: Once again, we will be crisscrossing the state of NC – spending a few days with my family in eastern North Carolina at my ‘Nama’s house before heading back west to spend time with Kyle’s family. It will be a bit of a different Christmas this year, as it will be my first Christmas Eve spent without my parents and baby sister. This is a definite challenge of getting married, but I am excited to finally get a chance to experience KPW’s family traditions for this holiday. Not to worry – my family’s annual Christmas Cookie Competition is still taking place, and I have my recipe and apron ready. I am hoping to snag the crown back this year, after finishing in second place last year.

Haley Sheffield via Ruffled

Emily: Like Kristin, my first married Christmas is coming with some “firsts”… and a whole heap of travel. For the first time in my 25 years I will be spending Christmas morning somewhere other than my childhood home. My family (mom, dad, two sisters, and one brother in law) are traveling South to spend Christmas with John and me. Then everyone but John (he has to stay home and work — boo!) will fly north to Maine to celebrate with my Mom’s family. Then — wait for it — we’ll all drive down to Connecticut on the 28th to celebrate with my Dad’s family (lunch) and our best family friends (dinner). THEN, late that night, I’ll pick John up at the airport, and he and I will spend the weekend with his family (mom, dad, sisters, brother in law, and boyfriend) before flying back to NC on Sunday. Whew!! It might be crazy, but I’m looking forward to it all :)

We hope those of you who are celebrating have a very merry time with your loved ones. I know I’ll be giving mine an extra squeeze this year!

As for the blog, we’ll be quiet tomorrow but back with our highlights from 2012 starting on the 26th and continuing through next week!

P.S. I hope you love these little bits of Christmas inspiration! All sans snow, as we do it in the South :)

Michelle March, Haley Sheffield, and Lavender Joy Weddings are all fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Emily