Southern Weddings

Now that I’m engaged (and getting married in September!), little details like bridesmaid bouquets and the endless shades and types of roses are surprisingly interesting.  As Emily knows, I’m really picky when it comes to flowers, and usually gravitate to rose-only bouquets, but there was something about the Gatehouse Flowers bouquets at Brooke + Nathan’s Alabama wedding that made me do a double take.  While I love the eclectic mix of roses and greenery, what I really love is the sophisticated pinks and peaches, a nice alternative to the ever-popular all-white bouquet.  What perfect contrast to the attendants’ coppery Coren Moore dresses, purchased at Bella Bridesmaid in Nashville.  Naturally, I’m a sucker for the ultra-glam embellishments on the bride’s striking Melissa Sweet gown.  Photographer Joy Marie really captured the fun, carefree atmosphere of the couple’s wedding day, without missing any of the sweetly Southern details.

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story.  In the Spring of 2005 on the Auburn University campus I took a seat next to Nathan on a bench, and we had a long conversation.  I had seen him around campus and thought he was handsome. We even had a class together (along with about 300 other students), but we never spoke again on campus except for the occasional hello. I never realized I was often at his sister’s house and that he lived in the other half of the duplex, nor did I know he had asked a friend about me. Two years later, we ran into each other again one night in Huntsville, where I had just moved after graduation. Nathan had just gotten back into town from working in Africa.  He said, “Hey you’re the girl from the bench!” A month later on St. Patrick’s Day, we had our first official date and were inseparable from then on.  He left to work in Africa in April and, despite the distance we stayed together. He returned to the U.S. battling Malaria and a very serious autoimmune disorder. For quite some time, it was difficult for him to walk, but none of that stood in the way of our relationship. It just made us stronger.

Describe the proposal. Nathan has been dropping hints that made me start to think he would propose on my birthday. Although he made sure I had the best birthday ever, there was no proposal. I laughed about how silly I was to think that and decided it would be awhile before he popped the question. The following day, he offered to spend the entire day shopping with me and buying me a new outfit rather than hunting (his big hobby) on the last day of the season. I thought it was weird, but didn’t give it much thought. When we returned to my house from shopping, he went in first and came back out with a rose. I thought that was strange, but still hadn’t caught on, but when I walked inside to a room filled with candlelight, flowers, chocolate-covered-strawberries and champagne, I started to get it. He got down on his knee and told me the last two years had been the best of his life before asking if I would be his wife? He took me into other rooms in the house, where I found other things waiting for me, including an issues of Brides! He had a dinner reservation at my favorite restaurant and we headed out to celebrate.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fulfilling, carefree and euphoric.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? I wanted two different atmospheres for the ceremony and reception. I wanted the ceremony to be super romantic and to have an element of tranquility, which I felt the classical music really brought in. For the ceremony flowers, I used Victorian influences and our minister really brought our guests into the ceremony by asking them to be more than spectators but to be actively engaged as we committed ourselves to each other. When it was time for the reception I wanted brighter fall colors, music that would cover all our guests interests, and great Southern food. We served sweet and mashed potato bars, beef and pork tenderloin, and amazing shrimp and grits!
What was your favorite design element of your big day?  I loved that I did it all and made it all happen! Every single detailed was important and carefully planned out. From the Japanese lanterns to the ring bearer’s pillow of flowers and everything in between, I couldn’t have been more pleased. I also loved the branches on our table centerpieces and the orchids our florist attached to them. I picked the best wedding vendors and they all came through and did a phenomenal job.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Our first dance song, “Free” by the Zac Brown Band!  It hadn’t even been released on the radio so it wasn’t a common song, but it was very special for us since we had listened to it at several special moments in our relationship. Nathan actually picked the song and our band, Nationwide Coverage, learned it for us.  
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: The first time I looked for my dress, I took way too many people and went to far too many stores. I was so exhausted that, by the last store, I could barely focus. My sister fell in love with a dress there, though, and almost cried when I put it on, but I wanted to take some time to think about everything. A few weeks later, I selected another dress, but wasn’t really in love with it. I simply was trying to stay within my price range. I later went back to the store, Bella Couture, where my sister had fallen in love with the dress. I tried on the same dress and I knew it was the one. One of my bridesmaids was with me to help and we were both so excited. I couldn’t wait to call my little sister and tell her I had gotten “the one!” Ironically, the name of the dress was Brooklyn by Enzoani and my name is Brooke.