Southern Weddings

Ready for a fun splash of color that is sure to make you sad to see the hot summer months go?  The bright reds and cool aquas of Mary + Mark’s Tennessee wedding already make me miss the long days at the beach and afternoons by the pool.  We have to say that Dixie Pixel Photography did as phenomenal a job capturing the fresh and contemporary look the couple was going for with their Ridge Valley Farm nuptials as their planner, Sonya of A Perfect Day!.  The bridesmaids looked summer-perfect in their sheer Mori Lee slip dresses and contrasting bold red bouquets from Whimsical Gatherings while the crisp, three-tiered cake and delicate floral detailing from Party Perfection added just the right hint of simple elegance.  Clearly, judging by our apparent obsession with the dreamy dessert bar from Abner’s Attic, we are loving the catering (and especially the sweets!) from the tented reception.  Is it even possible to pick just one favorite from this to-die-for spread?

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Mark and I met through a mutual friend named Steven. Steven and Mark were best friends in high school and I had met Steven in the dorm the two of us shared. Mark and I hit it off pretty quick and never looked back. In November 2007, Steven was killed in a car wreck on his way to hang out with Mark and another close friend. As we mourned, we realized how special our story was and how our story would always be intertwined with our memory of Steven. 

Describe the proposal: Oh man did he make me work for it! I basically drove all the way around Birmingham going to memorable places and asking strangers for “clues.” I eventually ended up at the base of Vulcan, a statue overlooking downtown Birmingham. There, Mark handed me one final “clue” stating his love and asking me to marry him. As I looked down at him on his knee with tears in his eyes he said, “Will you?” It took everything I had notto give him a hard time and say “Will I what?” But after making him sweat for a few seconds, I gladly accepted. We chose to celebrate our new engagement by eating at the Cheesecake Factory and going to see the movie Baby Mama. (I now realize what a strange choice that was!)

What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Our inspiration was the colors red and aqua. Once we picked the colors, the rest of the design fell into place. I wanted something contemporary and fresh.

Favorite design element of your big day: All my beautiful red flowers! I knew that the bold red would be gorgeous against the light aqua shade, butt he colorful flowers managed to set the tone for the whole wedding.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I went casually browsing one day with my mom and ended up ordering a dress without even trying on a sample gown. I fell in love that fast! My dress was simple with no beading or lace, but the raw silk material made it unique and stunning.

Describe your wedding flowers: When I first met with my florist, there were only a few things I knew I wanted and didn’t want. Anything traditional was out of the question, so roses and lilies were really not what I had in mind. Also, I wanted every single flower to be red. I ended up choosing peonies, anemones, ranunculus and tulips. I hate to admit it but I did let some lilies and roses into the mix.

Describe your wedding cake: This was one of the easiest choices we made. Red Velvet cake with cream cheese icing is both Mark and my favorite. My mom learned to bake one when we would come visit to bribe Mark into doing chores. We added a white ribbon around the base of the cake as well as a few decorative clay flowers.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Not making the planning process a full time job. Mark was working full time and I was working and trying to finish my last semester at school. It was a challenge to focus on homework when I could browse through wonderful wedding inspiration.

Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fun, relaxed and too fast!

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/line? Mark’s vows were perfect. I can’t pick just one line or phrase because the whole thing was so special. Knowing that every word Mark said to me that day was from his heart and was the truth made it incredibly sweet.

What’s next for you as a couple? Life. Pure and simple, Mark and I want to spend our lives together. We don’t know what’s next, but we’re glad to be able to experience it together. 

Congratulations, Mary + Mark!  Enjoy your time together as newlyweds!