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Y’all, I cannot stop staring at these pictures of Abbigail and Dylan’s incredible wedding venues! The only thing more lovely than the idyllic Tennessee farm where they said “I do” was their reception in the backyard of Abbigail’s parents’ home, which was modeled after one of their favorite houses in Charleston. That was just one of so many touching, family-oriented details at Abbigail and Dylan’s wedding–they also said a “joining of families” prayer at their ceremony (read about it below–such a great idea!), had the same poem read as Dylan’s parents had at their wedding, and drove off as newlyweds in Abbigail’s dad’s vintage truck. As if that wasn’t enough to love, did I mention their reception meal was ice cream? So fun!

Thank you kindly to Andrew Allen Morton for sharing this beautiful wedding with us!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. The first time I went shopping, I was just trying to decide what shape/look I was going for. The second time, I tried on a few dresses and, after going back and forth between two similar dresses, decided on “Dakota” by Enzoani. I didn’t cry or anything–I just loved the dress and felt great in it!

For my something old, my aunt gave me a beautiful pearl necklace when I graduated college that was given to her by my grandmother when she graduated college. I wore it as a bracelet. My something new was my earrings! I got them on Etsy and they were white drop druzy stones. I loved the contrast between the lace in my dress and the rough stone. I borrowed a piece of my mom’s lace to wrap around my bouquet, and Dylan gave me a promise ring for my birthday that is blue turquoise. A lady at my church also surprised me with a silver penny. They were only made in 1943 when there was a shortage of copper during WWII. I didn’t wear shoes, but I had it!

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We didn’t do a first look because we both liked the element of surprise. There is something so beautiful about the emotion of that moment walking down the aisle, and we knew from the beginning we wanted to go the traditional route. We didn’t see each other at all the day of, and it was definitely worth it!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? The ceremony venue immediately stood out to us. We looked at a few different places, and none of them seemed quite right, but Grace Meadows Farm had a little bit of everything–rolling hills, a beautiful white fence, and a pond. It was an easy choice! They actually have a beautiful red barn where a lot of people have their weddings and receptions, but we couldn’t pass up the beauty of the property.

What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? My brother picked “On Love” by Kahlil Gibran to read. Only after he picked it, Dylan’s parents said they had the same poem read at their wedding–such a wonderful coincidence!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? One of the details about the ceremony that we thought had a Southern feel was having a “joining of families.” Instead of me being given away, we had all four of our parents come to the altar and pray together, celebrating the new family being created.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I can’t pick just one! Some of our favorites were the arbor we stood under, the car we left in, and the guest book. Dylan and my dad built the arbor with wood that we gathered with Dylan’s parents from their farm, and it was decorated by my mom and some ladies that have known me since I was little, so it was a collaborative effort and something we are all very proud of. The car we left in was my dad’s 1972 royal blue Ford Bronco. It was so much fun riding it to our hotel after the reception! The guest book was a handmade journal from one of our friends. She has a small business called Ink+Honey, where she makes beautiful journals and jewelry, so it’s one of a kind! Definitely a keepsake.

The reception venue was my house. My parents built our house about 13 years ago, so I did a lot of my growing up there. The original house plans were for a house in Charleston, South Carolina (which is still standing today) that my parents always loved, so it’s a very Southern-style home. Since I was little, I wanted to have either my ceremony or the reception there. It’s a beautiful place full of fond memories for me.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? Andrew Morton was our photographer, and we couldn’t have been happier with him. He is incredibly talented and he was so easy and fun to work with from the beginning! Looking back through our pictures allows us to relive the day, which is awesome because it all goes by so fast! He captured the sweetest moments and all the emotion you hope to see in your wedding photos. We can’t say enough about him!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met our freshman year of college through a campus ministry group. We have always been good friends–our friend group in college was really close. I had a boyfriend at the time, but Dylan and I both knew there was something special between us. We always knew if we ever got the chance to be together, it would last. After our sophomore year, Dylan transferred to a different college, but we always kept in touch. Eventually, the timing was right, and we jumped right into dating and never looked back! We were planning our wedding practically since our first date.
Tell us all about the proposal! Dylan surprised me with a nice sushi dinner, chocolate ice cream (my favorite!), and a sunset hike up Roan Mountain. When we got to the top, there was a quilt with wine and candles set up–I actually thought someone else was having a romantic evening and we were about to ruin it, so I said, “Someone’s on a date–we have to leave!” I quickly realized it was for me when I turned back around to see Dylan on one knee. My parents were actually hidden behind a rock taking pictures of the whole thing. After I said yes, they jumped out and lots of crying/screaming followed. :) Our friends and family were waiting at my parents’ house for a surprise engagement party.
When did y’all get married? May 31, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 300
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We wrote our vows together. I think our favorite phrase was “I promise to remember that your feelings are more important than my preferences, and peace is always better than victory.”
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. The bridal party walked out to “Out of the Woods” by Nickel Creek, which is just a beautiful song that we have both always loved. I walked in to “Heartbeats” by Jose Gonzalez, because we liked the untraditional sound and the ambiance of the guitar. We walked out to “The Valley” by The Oh Hellos, which is fun and upbeat! Our first dance was to “Ulysses” by Josh Garrels–it’s soft and beautiful and has always meant so much to us as a couple.
Describe your wedding flowers. We used silk flowers to decorate the entire ceremony so that we could save money and make all the arrangements before the big day. It was great because we didn’t have to worry about them wilting or being damaged. We used every ivory-colored flower we could find, and threw in a few tans and browns too. We decided to use real flowers at the reception and for the bouquets–we had ivory roses, baby’s breath, carnations, and a lot of greenery.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We had Ben and Jerry’s catering with four types of ice cream and five different flavors of cake. Since it was a late ceremony/reception, we thought ice cream would be good for a late dessert. The bride and groom’s cakes didn’t turn out quite like we were hoping, but they tasted great!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Definitely planning for 300+ people!
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I sounds cheesy, but it was definitely when we saw each other for the first time at the end of the aisle. How could it be any other moment? It’s the one we’d always dreamed of!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Don’t sweat the small stuff! It’s easy to get overwhelmed with details and everything going perfectly, but just know that it’s impossible for every single detail to be perfect. Find peace in remembering what the day is truly about, and go for it!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are moving to the Nashville area and working towards grad school. We are most looking forward to all the adventures we have ahead of us and to see what God has in store for our lives.

Photographer: Andrew Allen Morton / Videographer: Sam Pierce / Planner: Luci Jernigan / Ceremony Venue: Grace Meadows Farms / Reception Venue: Private residence / Florist: Food City, Hobby Lobby / Wedding Cake: Cakebuds / Cake and Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry’s / Rentals: Rentals Rentals of Tennessee, East TN Rentals / Lighting: Holiday Lightscapes by Chuck Bennett / Guest Book: Ink + Honey / Bride’s Gown: “Dakota” by Enzoani / Paper Products: Smarty Had A Party / Bride’s Earrings: MamacitaStudios / Hair Stylist: Savannah Young from Parlour & Juke / Makeup Artist: MAC / Bride’s Shoes: Barmine (barefoot sandals) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal, Altar’d State, JCPenney, ModCloth / Men’s Attire: H&M

lisa Written with love by Lisa
17 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    Love that porch – couldn’t be a more perfect “getting ready” spot for a Southern wedding!

  2. avatar liam smith reply

    check out that house! lovely photographs Andrew

  3. avatar Shannon Bismark reply

    Dear sweet Abbigail! You look so lovely, as always. You make such a stunning bride. Congratulations on your marriage! I hope for a long and joyous life for you both!

  4. avatar Kat reply

    That house… gorgeous!!!!

  5. avatar Dana reply

    such a beautiful wedding! the venues are amazing!

  6. avatar Nicole reply

    Where did you find these flower girl dresses from?! They are darling!

  7. avatar Margaret Sams reply

    One of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended. Everything about it could not have been more perfect. The photography is amazing and captured all its beauty. A beautiful
    evening for a beautiful and special couple.

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  10. avatar mandy reply

    I love the bridesmaid’s dress to the left of you; the one that is long, white lace with the short under slip! Where did she find it?
    Also, the little “shoes” are amazing!!! I’d love to buy some for our upcoming wedding! Where can I find those as well?
    Thank you so much for sharing your wedding with us! It’s gorgeous!!!

  11. avatar Nicole Schipplock reply

    Hi firstly just want to say how amazing your wedding looks! I live in Australia but love southern styling. My daughter is getting married next yr and has chosen the same wedding dress by chance that you did. I was wondering if you would be interested in selling your dress to us?

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  13. avatar Patty reply

    Where did you find the flower girl dress?

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It is always so much fun to see a wedding planner’s wedding! In Leanne and Jason’s case, they were inspired by their love of the South, a collection of beautiful family heirlooms, their rival Texas college loyalties (y’all know I’m with Jason on this one–hook ’em!), and most importantly, their parents, who have both been married for over 39 years. The beautiful magnolias and preppy striped details are surely thanks to Leanne’s design savvy, but their touching ceremony and care for their guests was what made this day truly special!

Thanks to Sara & Rocky for sharing this lovely wedding with us!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I borrowed my mother’s monogram brooch that my father had given to her on their wedding day in 1970. I’ve always loved it. Jason gave me a monogram necklace for our wedding as well. My something blue was my clutch. My mother carried it to her prom and gave it to me, and I had been saving it since high school to carry at my wedding. My something old was my veil, which was handmade of Brussels lace that my mother purchased in Belgium in 1969. It cost $450 even back then, and is a priceless family heirloom. My mother and aunt both wore it at their weddings, and I made the wedding dress consultant swear she wouldn’t bring me any dresses to try on that didn’t match my veil.

I chose to walk down the aisle to an instrumental version of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day.” She is my favorite artist of all time, and every time I’ve heard that song, I imagined it being played at my wedding. She is from Austin, so it was fitting to use a musician from Texas. One of my bridesmaids sung “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”–this is not only one of my favorite hymns, it also really explained how our waiting patiently for each other attested to God’s faithfulness in our lives. Every person in our wedding has already been married, so we stood by countless friends as they met and married their spouses. We feel so grateful to have finally found each other and we know that God’s faithfulness will continue in our lives, no matter what challenges may arise.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Yes, since we had a civil ceremony outside, we knew we wanted to write vows that represented our commitment to one another, and to really help our friends and family see our deep love for each other. My favorite lines from my vows to Jason were, “You smile at me when I am at my worst and turn my bad moods into fits of laughter… and who can forget your sense of adventure? You have turned my life into one giant, fun-filled ride.” My favorite line from Jason’s vows were, “I’ve waited for you my entire life; I’ve fought for you, and broken down the walls around your heart. I was always optimistic there was a future for us. You have been worth any struggle.”

Our entire wedding was over-the-top Southern. From the magnolias on our invitation, as a nod to my parents’ Mississippi roots, to the quilt that was displayed on the old church pew, hand-sewn by my great grandmother out of my mother and grandmother’s clothes. The cotton boll boutonnieres paid homage to my grandfather’s cotton farm. Our cocktail napkins said “Cheers Y’all” because we wanted our guests to know that every detail was about them feeling welcome and at home. Our first dances were all to country music, and we two-stepped, naturally. I even changed into my boots for the reception so I could really enjoy it all! We had custom cornhole boards made that represented the college football rivalry in our marriage–I’m a Texas A&M Aggie and Jason’s a Texas Longhorn. It must be a family tradition, as my parents went to State and Ole Miss!

Describe your wedding flowers. They were AMAZING!! Our flowers were white, ivory, and pale pink with touches of coral, green, and gold. Branching Out utilized roses, spray roses, garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, lisianthus, freesia, anemones with black centers, gardenias, magnolia foliage, clematis vine, jasmine vine, and Italian pittosporum to create natural, whimsical styles with of lots of texture and movement. We used a mixture of gold, white, and striped vases, urns, and footed bowls to create various heights of centerpieces throughout the reception space. Gold glittered rods were also styled with miniature magnolia wreaths with navy and white striped bows.

We had a biscuit bar at cocktail hour, complete with homemade strawberry jam, and also served sausage balls made from my grandmother’s recipe. Our dinner menu consisted of short ribs, jalapeno cheese grits, greens, squash casserole, cornbread, and parker house rolls with honey butter. We had coconut macaroons flown in from the Mississippi State Bakery as a surprise for my dad, and gave them out as favors with monogrammed stickers.

As Jason’s fraternity brother serenaded me, I knew this was my Southern wedding dream come true. Amazing food, family and friends, great music, and a well-stocked bar. It really was the perfect day.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Jason and I met through an online dating website. We’re both older in the midst of busy careers, so we eventually took the plunge. Never in a million years did we actually think we’d meet our spouses that way. Our first date was in fall 2012 when we watched a Dallas Cowboys game, and then ended up going to Central Market, a local market and cafe, to shop for some beer to pair with one of Jason’s new cigars. We decided you can learn a lot about someone at the grocery store, just based on what they like to eat and how they shop. Now we always reminisce about our relationship at grocery stores, which definitely makes it more fun! I knew Jason was special when he would stay up till 2 a.m. to talk to me while I drove home from weddings. Dating an event planner isn’t an easy task, especially during wedding season! He would even bring me dinner sometimes when he knew I was exhausted and didn’t have time to cook. By the spring, we knew this was the best relationship we’d ever been in.
Tell us all about the proposal! We went to a friend’s wedding Memorial Day weekend, and Jason whispered, “I don’t think this is our last walk down the aisle together,” as we left the church. We went ring shopping together after our friend’s wedding weekend. I fell in love with a setting, and he selected a stone. When he said, “We’ll take it,” I nearly fainted! He turned to me and said, “Well, of course we know we’re getting married!” The ring was custom made and took three weeks to be completed. Those were the longest three weeks of my life! After they were up, I told him that if he held onto the ring for much longer, I didn’t think I’d survive. One Saturday afternoon in June, I went to his place after work. When I knocked and walked in, he was on his knee in the living room, surrounded by dozens of flowers and our favorite music playing. He then explained the significance of all the flowers: red roses because I’m the love of his life, white roses because his love for me is pure and he never wants to hurt me, maroon for my Texas A&M, orange for his Texas Longhorns, and an array of colors because I’m the “most colorful woman he knows.”
When did y’all get married? March 16, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 175
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. Because I’m a wedding planner, I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of time to look for a dress, or find one that didn’t require a multitude of fittings. My mom asked me to go to a shop that sold samples when my aunt was in town, and I never in a million years thought I would buy a dress that day. When I tried on the fifth or sixth dress and saw their faces, then looked in the mirror, I knew it was the one. It fit so perfectly and didn’t even need to be hemmed. It also looked so lovely with my mother’s heirloom Brussels lace veil that all the women in my family have worn in their weddings, which sealed the deal.
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Jason and I wanted to do a first look so that we could have some time alone and get any tears out of the way before the ceremony. We didn’t want to “ugly cry” through our vows, which we wrote ourselves. We also knew that it would be so nice to take pictures beforehand and then spend more time with our friends and family who had literally flown in from all over the world to be there.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I loved the family photo table with the large magnolia wreath that said “Because He first loved us.” It was filled with pictures from our parents’ and grandparents’ marriages, along with photos of our relatives who couldn’t be with us. Not only did we get married because of God’s love, but because of all of the love that our family and friends poured into us, and the wonderful examples of marriage in the generations before us. Both mine and Jason’s parents have been married for over 39 years.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? It was definitely hard to design and plan a wedding as a full-time event planner. Because I’m exposed to so many amazing vendors, it was very hard to narrow down who to select and what design elements I could incorporate that wouldn’t feel reminiscent of other events I had planned. I really had to stay true to who Jason and I are as a couple and focus on what our family and friends would enjoy most. At the end of the day, I knew I wasn’t my own client–I was the bride. I learned that even though I wanted people to see my design talents, all that really mattered was that I was marrying my best friend and that everyone we loved would be there.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? One way that we saved money was with calligraphy. I thankfully inherited beautiful handwriting from my mother and grandmother, so I addressed all of our invitations and hand-lettered the magnolia leaf escort cards. We also purchased decor when we could get it on sale, such as some of the specialty vases, bar trays, striped straws, and decanters for the cigar bar. We tried to save money on any of the minor details that Jason and I could create by hand.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? We both stopped during dinner to stare at our wedding bands and try to soak in the fact that we were actually MARRIED! We looked out over the room and were filled with so much joy to see everyone we loved look so incredibly happy and having such an amazing time.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Hire a planner and try to get things done as soon as you can. The last few weeks leading up to your wedding should be focused on preparing for your marriage and enjoying your family and friends, not focusing on little details. It will help you go into your wedding with a sense of calmness that no amount of money can buy.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are getting settled into our house and enjoying projects to get it fixed up. We are looking forward to traveling, falling even more in love, and continuing to get to know each other even more every day. We can’t wait for a lifetime of adventures! Our journey is just beginning, and we are so excited about the possibilities.

Photographer: Sara & Rocky / Videographer: Lynn Films / Planner: Catherine Ball Events / Venue: The N at Hardway Ranch / Florist: Branching Out Floral & Event Design / Wedding Cake: Ginny Stewart Designs / Caterer: EuroCater / Rentals: Gold Dust Vintage Rentals / DJ: Glenn Roush, Le Force Entertainment / Bride’s Gown: Casablanca / Paper Products: Inscriptions on the Boulevard / Bride’s Bracelets: J.Crew and Stella & Dot / Hair Stylist: Liz Hernandez / Makeup Artist: Adina Wright / Bride’s Shoes: “Antigravity” by Easy Spirit / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein / Tent: Dallas Party Tent & Event / Linens: Fabulous Events / Chalkboards: Eclectic Viv / Coconut Macaroons: Mississippi State Bakery / Menus: Minted / Monogrammed Napkins: One Kings Lane

lisa Written with love by Lisa
14 Comments
  1. avatar Wedding Rental Supplies reply

    Beautiful wedding! Loved the unique and pretty details of this wedding.

  2. avatar Erica reply

    Where was this wedding held?? I’m looking at venues in the area and this looks like a beautiful setting!

  3. avatar Emily reply

    I love all of their magnolia details – the wreaths + garlands are gorgeous!

  4. avatar Occasions In Print reply

    There is so much to love about this wedding: the outside seating is awesome, the pick up truck is a great idea and of course, the bacon with gravy and biscuits, I am sure was delicious!

    • avatar Hannah reply

      Beautiful wedding! Any idea where that guest book is from, I love it!

    • avatar LeeAnne reply

      Hey Hannah! My husband’s uncle actually made our guest book, but there are vendors on Etsy that make similar options. Good luck!

  5. avatar Rachel reply

    A beautiful wedding and an even more beautiful bride and person. I love you, LA! :) It was an honor to stand beside you on your wedding day.

  6. avatar Charmaine (Rustic Folk Weddings) reply

    Adore the way the couple paired their bold color palette throughout their wedding.

  7. avatar LeeAnne reply

    Hey Erica! The venue is The N at Hardway Ranch, in Bluff Dale, Texas. Good luck with planning and thanks for your sweet words!

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  9. avatar Louise reply

    I would love to know how the champagne bottle was made – is that a sticker or engraving and who were the suppliers? Thank you!

  10. avatar Kayla reply

    Hi there. Where did you get your wooden Texas-shaped guest book? It is beautiful!

  11. avatar LeeAnne reply

    Louise – we ordered the champagne through a company in California, Miramonte Winery.

    Kayla – my husband’s uncle made our guest book. It is solid Maple, so will last a lifetime. You can definitely find similar items on Etsy that can be made to order.

    Best wishes to you both!

  12. avatar Pretty Palettes #98 reply

    […] But!  This color palette isn’t reserved solely for nautical weddings.  These wedding colors can be used in summer weddings anywhere!  In fact, these photos are actually from a wedding at a ranch in Texas!  You can check out the fill feature over on Southern Weddings. […]

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Oh y’all, you know a Real Wedding is going to be gorgeous when you’ve already swooned (multiple times) and you’ve only seen the first three photos! It’s even better when you’ve also cried while reading the bride’s interview! Be sure to check out Mary Simm’s most memorable moment below — I know you’ll love it, too!

Mary Simms + Alex’s sweet South Carolina wedding was filled with family traditions, like the prayer her grandfather said before every meal, and handmade details like the amazing cross Alex made for their ceremony. When asked what was Southern about her wedding, she replied, “What wasn’t Southern about it!?” A girl after my own heart!

We SW gals are sending Jennings King some big ol’ hugs for sharing this lovely day with us!

Well hello, you beautiful sparklers! Mary Simms is giving the Duchess of Cambridge a run for her money!

Keep an eye on that monogrammed beauty there — it will make its debut later in the evening!

I found my dress at the first place I tried gowns on. However, I wasn’t quite ready to commit… finding THE one is a big deal, plus trying on all these beautiful dresses was beyond fun! My mother and I went to four other stores and I tried on probably 25 other dresses before returning to the first place.

A month before the wedding during my bachelorette party, my bridesmaids and I went out to the wedding site at Boone Hall and buried a bottle of bourbon under a tree. (This is an old Southern tradition that if done correctly (the bottle must be buried completely full and upside down) means it will not rain on your wedding day.) Not a drop of rain on March 29th, so it’s safe to say I am a believer!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Honestly, everything. Every little detail was made with love. One detail that we really enjoyed was our getaway car. It was a 1952 light green Ford pick up truck appropriately named Sweet Pea and it was used for so many things throughout the night. It was set up next to the Cotton Dock with the tailgate down. We had burlap-wrapped buckets with water bottles and cans of champagne in them for our guests. After the ceremony, Sweet Pea became the backdrop for our photo booth. It certainly made for some GREAT pictures! At the end, Alex and I sat on the back of the truck while a driver drove us off into the night.

For our wedding favors, Alex and I made 200 cotton angels that we tied strings to so they can be used for ornaments. We love to travel, and we always bring home a Christmas ornament from every place we go, so we thought the cotton angels would be a personal touch for all of our guests to keep. Alex picked the cotton himself from a family cotton field and we spent many nights gluing on halos and wings.

We did not write our own vows, but we made them custom to fit us. My favorite line from our vows was, “I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together.” My favorite verse from the God of Love Prayer was, “Bless this husband. May he so live that she may find in him the heaven for which her heart truly longs. Bless this wife. Give her the inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. God, give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them human, enough failure to keep their hands tightly clenched to yours, and enough success to make them sure they walk with you God.”

We didn’t do a first look either. Alex didn’t know anything about my dress or how I would wear my hair, and he wanted it to be that way until the moment he saw me walking down the aisle. As much as we wanted to see each other before, we knew the surprise factor would make it much more exciting for us. The second I saw him standing in front of me at the end of the aisle was the best second of my life. It was such an amazing and overwhelming feeling and I will never ever forget it.

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Enjoy every minute because it all happens in the blink of an eye. Soak it all in and remember that at the end of the day it’s about the two of you. After your ceremony, have a friend or family member make you a plate of food and eat it! You will be so busy talking to everyone and dancing that it is easy to forget to eat. Also, a piece of advice that my photographer Jennings gave me a few days before the wedding: Try to take a moment or two away from everyone during the reception, just the two of you. Say I love you, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy your first moments as a married couple.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We had a round, three-tier cake with a bead border around each tier. Each tier was a different flavor: the bottom tier was white chocolate, the middle tier was hummingbird with a cream cheese filling (my absolute favorite!) and the top tier was chocolate Kahlua (which we have in our freezer!).

I love that Mary Simms changed from a white sash at the ceremony to this fabulous monogramed Tiffany blue sash at the reception!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. The night after a mutual friend pointed out we had a lot in common and should go out Alex asked me to go to dinner with him on Folly Beach. I ordered the tuna and asked for it to be cooked rare, and from that moment on Alex says he knew he was going to marry me one day. We in fact did have a lot in common (including our love for a good piece of seafood) and have had many dates since then!
Tell us all about the proposal! A few of our close friends had already booked a Mediterranean cruise and had been begging us to join them for months. Although Alex and I had just got a new puppy a week before, we decided that we just could not pass up this offer. We booked our spot on the cruise along with our plane tickets the very next day. Getting ready for the long journey across seas, I was nervous and excited all at once: not only was this my first time going to Europe, but we were also going to be there for my 25th birthday! Our itinerary said we would be in Rome for two days, the first of which would be on my birthday. On July 18th, Alex and I and our friends decided that we would tour the city of Rome, beginning with a tour of the Vatican. There is a strict dress code for the Vatican, where men have to wear long pants and women should not have their shoulders or knees showing. Needless to say, it got a little hot walking around the city in 80 degrees after the tour of the Vatican was over. We all decided to walk over to the famous Trevi Fountain to toss in our good luck coins before breaking for lunch. During the walk over, I noticed Alex wasn’t talking very much and seemed like he was trying to catch his breath. He assured me nothing was wrong, that he was just hot and would be fine soon. We made our way through the crowd, down the steps and to the bottom of the Trevi Fountain where my best friend Gina told Alex and I to face her as we tossed our coins in so she could get a picture. It was then, as I was grinning from ear to ear, tossing my coin over my shoulder at the same time Alex was, that Gina screamed, “Oh my Lord! Mary Simms!!” I had no idea what she was shouting for until I turned my head to look at Alex, who was down on one knee proposing. It was hands down the best moment of my life. I was in a beautiful city known for its romance, surrounded by my closest friends, and the man of my dreams asking me to spend the rest of my life with him. I said yes, and the entire crowd began clapping. It was magical, to say the least.
When did y’all get married? March 2013
How many friends, family, and loved ones attended your wedding? 175
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. A trio including a flutist, a trumpet player and a violinist played music before the ceremony started. We used “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” for the seating of the mothers, “Trumpet Voluntary” for the processional, Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” for my processional, and Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” for our recessional. Our first dance was “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Van Morrison and our father/daughter dance was to “I’ll be there” by Jackson 5.
Describe your wedding flowers. Our flowers were absolutely beautiful: pink peonies, white roses, cherry blossoms, and white hydrangeas in large and small vases. Since our wedding was two days before Easter, we wanted our decor to be soft, but elegant.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? What wasn’t Southern about it!? We were married on an old dock on a historic, breathtaking Southern plantation surrounded by live oaks with hanging moss, cotton fields, oyster beds, and salt water. We also had a family prayer that was said before the food was served: “Lord, Bless us and Bind us, Put our Sins Behind us, and Hide us where the Devil can’t Find us!” My grandfather would say this before every meal, and it has been passed on to every family member. Alex built the cross we used as our backdrop on the dock. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. My aunt hand-sewed my new initials into the handkerchief that I used to wrap around my bouquet. We had a direction sign of our favorite places that we have traveled to over the years. The special thing about the sign was that each of my bridesmaids painted an arrow.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? It was all very memorable, but the one moment that I will cherish for a lifetime was when I arrived at Boone Hall in the car with my maid of honor. We were waiting for the go ahead from my wedding planner that we could get out of the car when I saw one of Alex’s groomsmen running down the road toward us. I had no idea what was happening, or why on earth he was not with Alex and the other groomsmen. The ceremony was supposed to start in less than five minutes! He motioned for me to roll down my window, and when I did, he handed me a folded up piece of paper and said, “This is from Alex. He says he loves you to the moon and back times a million and he can’t wait to see you.” (Alex and I say that to each other all the time). The tears were already starting to roll, and I contemplated for about a second whether I should read the letter or not, because I didn’t want to be a complete mess walking down the aisle. But I pulled my self together and read aloud the sweetest letter I have ever received. All of my wedding jitters were suddenly gone, and I couldn’t wait to get out of that car!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Alex and I are most excited to start building a life and a family together. We closed on our first house two weeks after the wedding, and are now getting all settled in. We have plans to travel as much as we can and continue to enjoy every day that God gives us.

Ooh! Events is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
13 Comments
  1. avatar Lisa reply

    The only thing sweeter than this beautiful Southern wedding is the story behind it! I love their proposal story and her most memorable moment of the day!

  2. avatar Jennings Cornwell King reply

    You ladies know how to even make a photographer cry after looking at my images all over again, I love your detailed survey! It helps with all the story telling that I as the photographer can’t always express. THANK YOU Southern Weddings! phenomenal post!! – Jennings King

  3. avatar Julia reply

    Simply stunning!!!

  4. avatar Kat reply

    Oh I love her dress and that pretty blue reception sash! And you can’t beat a pickup named Sweet Pea!! Beautiful wedding :)

  5. avatar Elmira reply

    What a well-deserved honor for Jenning the photographer who caputered it all, Julia the MOB who planned it all, and Mary Simms…the beautiful bride who glowed through it all! What a special wedding and I am so happy it is being shared with so many through Southern Weddings!

  6. avatar Megan reply

    These pictures and ideas are fantastic!

  7. avatar Katie reply

    Do you know where they bought their custom koozies from? Loved all the ideas.

  8. avatar Amy reply

    Oh I love her garter… do you know where it’s from???

  9. avatar Jessica reply

    Who made your dress?? It is absolutely GORGEOUS!

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