Southern Weddings

Yes, yes, the bride + the groom (and the photography, and the flowers, and the venue!) are drop-dead gorgeous!  I guess it’s not too surprising, then, that Emily + Nathan’s reception was equally breathtaking.  We love the simple hydrangea centerpieces and our lovely Art Director has already decided the couple’s four-tier cake is the cake (yes, THE cake) she would have at her own wedding.   A girl can dream, right?  Thank you again to Leigh Miller for sharing this California gem!

Describe your wedding flowers: I wanted to hold a classic bouquet of white roses. I also wanted the flowers to have a very airy, casual feel to them, so I thought my bridesmaids should carry baby’s breath, which tied in beautifully with the aisle flowers.
Describe your wedding cake: This cake really turned out just perfectly! It was very elegant, but simple. I found the inspiration for this cake from another wedding I had seen but my baker put her own flair on it. The cake topper featured two doves in honor of my husband’s Armenian heritage. Releasing two doves at a wedding signifies peace and happiness in the marriage, and the two doves made a beautiful cake topper!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Having a tight budget was somewhat challenging, but I would have to say that everything went incredibly smoothly, thankfully!
Were there any wedding traditions or new ideas you included in the wedding?  I wanted our wedding to feel very comfortable and real, rather than too rehearsed or forced. I had the girls wear the same color, but they were free to choose their own dresses and accessories. I think this made them feel very comfortable and it helped set the tone for the entire day!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I really enjoyed when Nathan and I went with our photographer to take our couple-shots. It was so nice for us to have time to get away from the crowd and excitement to really focus on what our wedding day was really about. The next most memorable moment was right before my father walked me down the aisle.  I was so nervous so he said a brief prayer. I will always remember that very special moment.
What’s next for you as a couple?  What are you looking forward to in the future? I am really looking forward to become a unit and having time before we start a family to bond and travel and have spur-of-the-moment getaways! But I am also excited to start a family in a few years.

Congratulations, Emily + Nathan!  Enjoy traveling together as husband and wife!

The first thing that needs to be said about this wedding at the historic Annandale Gold Club in California?  Hello, gorgeous bride! (And, while we’re at it: hello, gorgeous groom!).  The second thing?  Hello, gorgeous photography! (Thanks, Leigh Miller!)  The white dinner jackets and black bow ties, the bride’s classic Melissa Sweet gown, the clouds upon clouds of baby’s breath courtesy of Amy Smith Florist, the perfect white heels… le sigh.  We’re in love.  Reception details coming up soon!

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story.  I had seen Nathan at the gym many times and thought he was very handsome. I was far too shy to introduce myself, so my father took the liberty to do so. Nathan nonchalantly asked me to dinner and a movie about one month later, and the rest is history! We dated for five years before deciding to get married!
Describe the proposal: We had gone up to Annandale for an open house and afterwards Nathan wanted to play a few holes of golf, so we got in the cart and went on the course. When we got to the sixteenth tee, which overlooks the Los Angeles skyline, Nathan came around to my side of the cart, knelt down on one knee and asked me to be his wife! It was very personal and romantic.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? When Nathan’s dad suggested the guys wear white dinner jackets, everything else flowed from there. I wanted the wedding to be simple, elegant and classic. I also had a small budget so I tried to use things that were budget-friendly.
What was your favorite design element of your big day? I would have to say the flowers were just amazing.  The baby’s breath along the aisles and the roses lining the columns were just beautiful.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I went to a sample sale before I was even engaged! I knew the day was in the near future so I just wanted to see what was out there. Coincidentally, I found the perfect dress but it was still a little too pricey. I looked on Craigslist.com and found the exact same dress, once worn. It was as good as new once it was professionally cleaned! It was the best decision I made by far.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Elegant, romantic and old-fashioned.

Trust us: you need to see pictures of Emily + Nathan’s stunning reception!  Check back soon for Part II!