Southern Weddings

This couple transformed the rustic {Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame} into an elegant reception area by incorporating a modern color scheme and romantic lighting. So pretty! The Bride’s sister designed the wedding and reception along with {Ceremonial Blessings}, while {Cagle’s Flowers} provided the floral arrangements. I love the calla lilies on the cake! Ashley and Aaron provided their guests with mouth-watering hors d’œuvres catered by {Cowboy’s Bar-B-Q & Grill}.  The event was beautifully captured by Jason and Kori of {Hudson Photography}. Be sure to check out the Hudson’s photo {blog} for more!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story: I met Aaron when I was a junior in high school and he was a sophomore at Oklahoma State University. At that time he was dating a friend of mine and we became friends. Then after my friend and he had broken up, he and I started hanging out together and then we started dating, that lasted 2 years until I went to college at the University of Oklahoma. We remained friends but didn’t have much contact with each other until this spring after I graduated from college. Then we started texting each other and began dating again. This time it was meant to be. Within a month he had asked me to marry him.
Describe the proposal: After returning from a recent trip to New York City where Aaron and I attended a New York Yankees ball game and shopped the fabulous streets of Manhattan, Aaron went over to ask my parents if he could marry me before he proposed. He had planned to go to San Diego to visit a friend for a few days and before he left, he came over to my parents’ house and rang the doorbell. When I answered the door he was on one knee, with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen and asked me if I would be his wife.
What attracted me to my husband was: His blue eyes, his smile, his caring personality, and his body. (He is a body builder).
What attracted me to my wife was: Her beautiful brown eyes, her smile, her laugh, and her fierce independence.
A date we went on that we’ll always remember: Our first date which was on a cold December night when I was crowned Miss Merry Christmas. I had to ride in the parade and at the end of the parade he was waiting for me with a big warm blanket.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Rustic meets Modern, with a black and white theme with red as the accent color.
Favorite design element of your big day: My older sister designed the reception and wedding –it was all beautiful!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: My mother, Aaron’s mother, my sister, and my best friend Jennifer went shopping with me. Everyone agreed that the third dress I tried on was “the one”
Describe your wedding flowers: Ceremony: Chiffon draped canopy with floral rings and crystals – Floral sprays with orchids, hydrangeas, roses and calla lilies and hanging crystals. I was carrying 24 red roses; my bridesmaids were carrying a mixture of white roses, miniature white roses and hydrangeas. The Mother’s bouquet consisted of miniature white calla lilies. Reception: (centerpieces) Red and Ivory Floral topiaries with calla lily tops on tall cylinder vases with illuminated bases (head table) Large Rose spheres with standing calla lilies in each vase (cake table) Lucite cake table filled with roses and votives
Describe your wedding cake: My wedding cake was five tiers. It was a white cake with butter cream icing. Black satin ribbon went around the bottom of each tier and the cake was covered with white calla lilies.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The biggest challenge I had was sending out invitations – trying not to forget anyone, getting correct addresses from everyone and staying within a budget.
Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding? Ringing of the Remembrance bell – One ring was for my Grandparents that have passed away and the other ring was for Aaron’s Grandparents that have passed.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? When my father walked me down the aisle in front of 400 people.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Romantic, elegant, and beautiful.
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Use a wedding planner!
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration. Everyone raved about the reception that was held at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame – They couldn’t believe how we turned such an old rustic building into an elegant romantic setting.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Eventually buying a larger house that will hold five dogs, along with Aaron and me.
Other details you want us to know about your wedding: {The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame} in Muskogee, Oklahoma was the result of an idea conceived by Aaron’s dad, Lynn Hoffman a well known local businessman and musician. The groom and his mom danced to a video of his dad singing with his band at his 30th high school reunion. This was without his dad’s knowledge, and you should have seen the look on his face was invaluable. He was in total shock. The ring bearer, flower girl, Jr. Bridesmaid, and Jr. Groomsman were all my first cousins.

Congratulations, Ashley and Aaron! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!