Bride Emily’s classic wedding at The Taylor Grady House.
I hope you’re reading this from your iPad at the lake, but if you’re at work, we won’t tell! After all it’s almost the Fourth of July! And, boy, do I have something really great for you today. Meet today’s bride, Emily. Her favorite thing about wedding planning is making me so happy. She said, “it was just so fun!” Yes, Emily! We often say that we know planning a wedding can be stressful (and y’all, it definitely can!), but lest we forget, it can also be so much fun and filled with joy! We even named our wedding planner, “The Joyful Wedding Planner,” because we sincerely want your wedding planning journey to be filled with joy! So grab that extra slice of watermelon and start scrolling for Emily’s sweet, Southern wedding to Kevin.
Big SW hugs to our friend Anna Shackleford for capturing this pretty day!
I first saw my dress online and cried. The designer’s (Amy Kuschel‘s) designs are just so beautiful. The closest store that had the dress in the store was in Charleston. So when we were in Charleston I made an appointment at that store and bought it at once!
What were some of the most meaningful or special parts of your ceremony? Some of the flowers in my bouquet and the flower arrangements are actually from my mother’s garden, which was really special. Kevin and my brother had my grandfather’s handkerchiefs. I also wore a ring which was made from the diamonds and a pearl my grandmother had left me. Also, the lace on my veil was from my mother’s wedding dress.
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? Yes, we did. Honestly I thought I would be too emotional if I saw him for the first time while I was walking down the aisle. Also, it was nice to have that little alone time together before the ceremony started.
We knew we wanted to have our wedding in Athens, and I have always loved the Taylor Grady House. The grounds are just so beautiful, and I absolutely love the tree we got married under.
What was your most memorable moment from your wedding day? Gosh it was all memorable. I think it was walking down the aisle and seeing Kevin’s face. He was smiling ear-to-ear, and he looked so handsome. I think that was my favorite moment.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding? The flowers! They were so amazing, especially the arrangements around the chandeliers.
Our venue was the epitome of Southern charm right down to the beautiful tent with the wrought iron chandeliers!
We had wedding cake but then for the groom’s cake we opted for banana pudding, which was amazing!
Our first dance song was “Into the Mystic,” which has always been my favorite song. I wanted a fun song as a first dance song. Nothing too formal.
Tell us your love story in one sentence. We meet through mutual friends while I was in medical school and he was in law school, and we were long-distance before we finally got married five years later.
Tell us all about the proposal! The day we got engaged the whole Nance clan was at the lake house. I was told that we were going to have a Sunday brunch with the family at our favorite restaurant. Right before we were getting in the car to leave, Kevin suggested we take our precious pup Scarlett out. We walked down to the lake front and Kevin got down on his knee and asked me to marry him!
When did y’all get married? April 22, 2017.
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 210.
What was your favorite thing about wedding planning? I feel like my mother and I got a lot closer planning this together. Plus, I got to meet so many wonderful people. Our wedding planner, Whitney, our florist, Christy, and our photographer, Anna, are easily some of my favorite people.
What was the hardest part about planning your wedding? Planning a wedding while being an internal medicine resident who lives four hours away is just difficult, but my mom helped me so much with everything and was truly a lifesaver.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $50,000-$75,000
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? We had a buffet and did not go crazy with the linen napkins.
What advice would you give to someone currently planning a wedding? Take your time. I had a 16 month engagement, and I am so thankful I did, because it gave me the time to find the vendors I wanted and plan the wedding without feeling too rushed.
Photographer: Anna Shackleford | Videographer: Daniel Shackleford | Planner: Whitney Taylor Downs | Venue: The Taylor Grady House | Florist: Christy Griner Hulsey | Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: Classic City Confections | Caterer: LRG provisions | Rentals and Lighting: Barrons Rentals | Chair and Table Rentals: Oconee Events Rentals | Linen Rentals: La Tavola | Band or DJ: Sonic Groove | Paper Products: Oconee Printing | Watercolor Signage and Calligraphy: Cami Monet | Watercolor Escort Cards: Britt Vasina | Map artwork: Natty Michelle Paperie | Bride’s Gown: “Dandelion” by Amy Kuschel | Hair Stylist: Stephanie Hollis | Makeup Artist: Eli Jana | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids | Menswear: The Black Tux
Anna Shackleford is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory and The Black Tux is a wonderful Southern Weddings sponsor!
Very classy and romantic. Is amazing how she choose the perfect wedding dress. This is where some bride might go wrong. She kept simple but elegant. The photos are bright and influence the mood of the event.