Southern Weddings

We hope you’re as excited about the new features we’ve been adding to the SW blog (remember Crystal’s stunning pre-wedding bridals, Erin + Patrick’s oceanfront rehearsal dinner and the mind-blowing awesome three-part Jessica Claire Workshop from yesterday?) as we are.  (Not surprisingly, Emily’s really excited.)  Since brides can get their wedding inspiration from almost anywhere, we thought we’d let you sneak a peek at one of the most incredible rehearsal dinners.  Ever.  (Special thanks to the phenomenal Sarah Rhoads for sharing this little gem!)  Though Cristin + Harpur celebrated their wedding in Washington state, we couldn’t help noticing that this intimate rehearsal dinner held in an wood-paneled barn had a wonderfully Southern sensibility.  As if hosting your rehearsal dinner in a barn isn’t unique enough, we just can’t get over the rustic details and fun, Western flair.  Frsesh hand-picked wildflowers and wheat stocks lovingly arranged by the bride and her mother?  Check.  An authentic, cowboy hat-wearing, banjo-playing quartet?  Genius.  A classic flatbed truck that transported guests from the barn to the local saloon for a round of beer and karaoke?  My father would be in heaven.  Pine cone place settings and a horse,  a beautiful chestnut horse?  Somebody stop me!  On second thought, don’t, because I’ve got another image board to share with you.  (Maybe I am as excited as Emily!)

How did the two of you meet: Tell us your story: Although our mothers grew up riding horses together, our first introduction didn’t come until our first day of high school.  We become a couple shortly thereafter, though our courtship only lasted a few months. After graduating from Gonzaga University in 2004, Harpur moved back to Seattle and we began an amazing relationship! Five years of dating and fifteen years of friendship later, we’re now happily married.
Describe the proposal.  Unexpected! Harpur proposed on January 24^th.  We decide to splurge a little and were able to snag a great little table at Canlis.  We were sitting there enjoying our first cocktail when I looked around the room I laughed at all the other couples gazing into each others eyes.  (Harpur and I, on the other had, were telling jokes!)  I said, “Isn’t it so cheesy when people propose at Canlis? I mean, how cliché!”  He quickly responded by saying, “Oh, totally, I bet it happens all the time.”  We continued to have a wonderful, perfect dinner.  As we were getting up to leave, he kept mentioning the fireplace in the entry way.  He knows that I love the architect of Canlis (Roland Terry) and the stone fireplace is very mid-century, very cool.  So he took me in front of the fireplace and got down on his knee.  Considering Harpur and I never once spoke of marriage prior to this evening, I didn’t have a clue what he was doing.  I kept telling him to get up.  He then pulled out the ring and everything became really blurry. Again, I said, “Harpur, get up, what are you doing?!” He said he couldn’t get up until I answered him.  Of course I said yes!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fast, surreal and comfortable.
What was the design inspiration for your rehearsal dinner?  Bohemian chic with a western kick.
What was your favorite design element of the day? The wooden C & H was a special element.
Our favorite detail of the dinner was: The authentic bluegrass band and the blazing full moon.

Stay tuned, because Part II of Cristin + Harpur’s rehearsal dinner is on the way!

Written with love by Lara Casey