Southern Weddings

One look at Lindsey + Drew’s lovely South Carolina wedding and I know exactly why our pretty Emily loves this wedding: Leo Patrone.  Indeed, Leo is a first-rate photographer and he definitely didn’t disappoint with this wedding.  (That said, it probably didn’t hurt that this couple had some equally first-rate details to shoot!)  If I’m in love with the flower girls’ (and groom’s daughters!) almost-peach frocks and the bride’s vintage-inspired J.Crew gown with sweet flower embellishments, I can only imagine how excited Emily must have been when this gem popped up in her inbox.  Emily would kill me if I didn’t remind you to check out the rest of Leo Patrone’s work, so be sure you visit. 

P.S. Leo tells us Lindsey found his work through the SW site — that makes us so happy!

P.P.S. Four more days ’till Christmas!  *Insert embarassing squeal of excitement here*

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Drew and I met shortly after I had moved to Nashville for a job. We knew of each other but had never met until the night we both attended a book signing for a mutual friend of ours. I arrived late, and the only seat not taken was one at Drew’s table. I nervously approached him and asked if I could sit there. He said I could, and the rest is history. We started talking that night, went out on our first date a week later, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.  Drew has two precious daughters from a previous marriage, and I have grown to love them like my own. So, our story is unique in that our wedding day was more than just the two of us getting married: it was the four of us becoming a family. It’s difficult to explain the special tenderness that comes with that. 
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Intimate, humble and momentous.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?  The venue was unbelievable. We were married at a home in South Carolina that has been in Drew’s family for generations. The place is so special and has a historic, rustic and magical kind of beauty.  You really can’t dress it up too much. You just have to let it be what it is. 
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I loved, loved, loved my dress!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: By the time we settled on a wedding date and venue, we were only two months away from the big day. That meant buying a dress from a bridal shop in town was out of the question; there just wasn’t enough time for shopping and shipping and fittings and alterations. I knew I had to find something — and quickly — since every detail of the wedding would be designed around the dress and I needed to start planning right away. I spent a couple of weeks poring over used dresses on OnceWed but, in the end, just couldn’t bring myself to spend so much money on a dress I wouldn’t be able to return.  So, I turned to J. Crew and finally broke down and ordered the dress I had been eyeing all along.  The dress was whimsical and unique, and I loved the flower detail on the waist, but just didn’t know if I could pull it off. I held my breath when it arrived: it was my last dress option and I didn’t know what I was going to do if it didn’t work. I was actually shaking because I was so nervous when I tried it on. But when I did, it fit like it was made for me, and in it, I just felt like me. I knew it was the one.
Describe your wedding flowers: Oh, man. They say something goes wrong in every wedding, and for us, it was definitely the flowers. I was going to do the flowers myself. In the end, though, I felt overwhelmed and decided to take a chance on a florist I didn’t know. It was a huge mistake. I ordered sparse, abstract arrangements of dusty-hued roses and lily of the valley for the centerpiece, but, instead, I got thick, tacky and hot pink arrangements. I was in such a rush getting ready for the wedding that I didn’t see the flowers until I came out to walk down the aisle. When I saw them I froze. The flowers could not have clashed more than they did, and they were bright and big and everywhere! At that point, however, the ceremony had started and it was too late to do anything about it. I was so disappointed; such a crucial element of the design was ruined. But I moved past it, realizing that, ultimately, the wedding day was about so much more than flowers. It was a lesson in accepting that things don’t have to be perfect to be lovely… and that if you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself!    
Describe your wedding cake: It probably sounds crazy, but I’m not a big fan of cake. Maybe that’s why I’ve never really felt sentimental about the tradition of cutting the cake. I knew I wanted something extremely simple and inexpensive with a homemade feel. We went with a tiny little buttercream cake and served plain cupcakes with vanilla frosting. It was very understated, but I did find the cutest vintage, pink glass cake stand that made it look pretty enough for me.?
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? There are two moments that stand out the most. First, the emotion on Drew’s face as I walked down the aisle to him. It was the sweetest, most vulnerable and holy moment.  I will never forget that as long as I live. Second, an impromptu slow-dance with my dad to a song we used to sing together driving in the car when I was a little girl.
What’s next for you as a couple?  What are you looking forward to in the future? We are living every day we’re given, loving each other, grateful for the journey that has brought us to this point and anticipating with hope the journey ahead.  

Congratulations, Lindsey + Drew!  We hope you enjoy your first holiday as a family!