Southern Weddings

I was excited when I heard through the grapevine of our office that we were featuring the wedding of the stationery diva behind {Miss Pickles Press}.  I thought to myself, the wedding has got to have awesome paper goods (just like in {Brooke + Nick}).  Wait till you see the fun paper details in the next post! I was thrilled to see not only amazing paper goods, but a beautiful location, birdcage veil (love!) and superb interview.  I’ll tell you what– Jen is a humorous writer and I love it.  Don’t believe me? Check out her answer for how they met through {Match.com}.   The wedding was held at {The Inn at Serenbe}. Jen’s birdcage veil was from {Something Bold}.  Photography by {Missy McLamb Photographers} and {Ashley Blecoe Photographer}.  How fun are Jen’s necklace and dress!?

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story: I was living in Boston at the time, having moved there for work. I decided I would try my hand at Match.com (After all, it was winter and a Southern sister was cold!) After a handful of dates (that were not matches), I was getting weary of the online dating thing. Richard contacted me and we started writing. Writing led to talking. Talking led to dating, and, well, you know the rest. It’s funny. On paper I didn’t necessarily think we would be totally compatible. Boy was I wrong: three years later we were married.
Describe the proposal: My husband is an overgrown Boy Scout, and can’t get enough of outdoor life. So I knew a marriage proposal would most likely happen somewhere in the woods– on a mountain, on a lake, somewhere outside. Sure enough, he took me away for a weekend to beautiful Shenandoah National Park, led me on a short hike to a waterfall and asked me to marry him. (That was the easy part. Getting back up the steep trail – not so much.)
What attracted me to my husband was: Richard is the kindest, most easy-going, affectionate, emotionally generous man I have ever known. He’s very even-keeled. He gets silly with me. I also love his pretty, rich brown eyes and divine foot rubs.
Why do you love your husband? Did I mention the foot rubs? Ladies. For real.
What attracted me to my wife was: There were several things that attracted me to Jen! She’s sassy, pretty, smart and talented. Every bit the art to my science. When I finally got to meet her in person after weeks of talking, it was like a scene from a movie. Her, standing on the top of the staircase of her apartment lobby, looking pretty in her skirt and knee boots. Her blue eyes, her voice, her presence. Everything really.
A date we went on that we’ll always remember: I’ll always remember our first date. Cliche, but true. He picked me up for Asian food (my favorite). I could tell he was nervous and it charmed me. After dinner, we went for a nice walk down Commonwealth Avenue – snow on the ground, white lights in the trees. (Yes, freezing cold, but magical). We went for coffee and tiramisu at a local cafe, and talked more. By the time we got back to my apartment and thawed out, I finally asked him if he was going to kiss me. That’s all the encouragement he needed!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I knew I would have a hard time finding a perfect dress. I didn’t want a formal gown, the traditional white or ivory color or something that didn’t feel completely unique. I also wanted it tea-length with peek-a-boo crinoline and slightly fifties in style. I opted to have my dress made by a bridal seamstress. I designed the gown, picked the fabric (champagne dupioni silk) and matched accessories like a birdcage veil with a fascinator I made myself, and a gorgeous vintage necklace. I really wanted to wear nude fishnets but it was too hot for that nonsense!
Were there any special family traditions you included in the wedding? My Mom raised me as a single parent, and I never had any doubt in my mind that she would walk me down the aisle. Not a tradition, per se, but it was a very special moment that I will always treasure.
Funniest moment? Our officiant read a line I was supposed to repeat, and it was just too long to stay in my mind in one piece. I totally had to ask him to break it down. Hysterical? No, but it did provide some comic relief.
Did you write your own vows? Yes, we did. We scoured lots of different resources and just put together what felt right for us. We had family and friends read a few special passages and that was really nice. Our vows were so meaningful and truly authentic – it was an emotionally charged moment!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Looking at my husband, saying our vows under two huge pecan trees swaying in the breeze.

More to come from Jen + Richard…