Southern Weddings

We’re ending the week with a little more eye candy from Heidi + Ryan’s Texas soiree, courtesy of Phose Photography.  Inspired by the opulent court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Heidi + Ryan’s French wedding (planned and designed by Jane Salos) brings high drama a lovely sophistication to the deep South that’s a bit different from your average barnyard shindig (though you know how much we love those, too!).  We’re still swooning over the garden portraits of the happy couple and the expansive infinity pool around which friends and family gathered to toast the newlyweds.  Tres chic, if I do say so myself!

Describe your wedding flowers:  For my wedding flowers, I used Lady Slipper orchids, white and green roses, white hydrangeas, hanging mossy tendrils and feathers.
Describe your wedding cake:  The wedding cake was four tiers anddecorated with fresh flowers and filigree accents.  We chose an orange blossom cake with bourbon caramel cream frosting.  Needless to say, there weren’t any leftovers! 
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding?  Communicating the vision I had in my mind was quite difficult.  None of my vendors had ever produced this type of French-inspired wedding.  there were many “firsts” in my wedding!
Were there any wedding traditions or new ideas you included in the wedding?  We excluded several traditions, like the bouquet toss and garter throw.  Instead, I made a toast and gave a special bouquet to someone who means very much to me. 

Congratulations, Heidi + Ryan!  We l.o.v.ed. your French-inspired Southern wedding!

Written with love by Lara Casey

One look at Heidi + Ryan’s French-inspired wedding at the Clark Gardens in Weatherford, Texas and it’s no wonder our lovely Emily is in love.  She’s been looking forward to this wedding from Phose Photography for the last two weeks, and with the couple’s sophisticated black-and-white color scheme (my personal fav!), dramatic feather details and green and white floral designs from Willow Creations, it’s not hard not to see why our Art Director is in wedding heaven.  Sigh.  But I have to say, while the bride’s paper-white Eugenia Couture gown is simply breathtaking, our very favorite part of this wedding is its uniqueness.  Just goes to show that there is no one true type of Southern wedding!   

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story.  Ryan and I met in the Emergency Department of a hospital in San Diego.  Several chance encounters and sideways glances later, we finally formally introduced ourselves.
Describe the proposal.  We were walking along the beach in San Diego on a Saturday afternoon.  As we were looking out towards the ocean, Ryan put his arms around me and pulled out a beautiful engagement ring!  I was so surprised! Ryan had to ask me twice before I finally said “yes.” 
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? I knew I wanted a garden wedding.  My inspiration for my special day included fabrics and hair styles of the French court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Petit Trianon and the gardens of Versailles.  I also wanted to incorporate a more modern, vintage feel, so threw in some couture elements inspired from the late 1950s.
What was your favorite design element of your big day? The Sevres-inspired china and sterling silver candelabras.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress:  I went with two of my bridesmaids to look for bridesmaids dresses.  To appease them after they had tried on countless dresses, I grabbed a dress off the rack and put it on.  The dress turned out to be “the one!”  

Like this French-inspired affair as much as we do?  We have more!

Written with love by Lara Casey