Southern Weddings

If you’re from the South and like country music even half as much as I do, you know anytime someone talks about “Miranda and Blake,” they’re talking about THE Miranda and Blake, as in country royalty Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.  As a diehard boots + blue grass kind of girl, I couldn’t have been more excited when M + B’s engagement party at the Front Porch Farms in Nashville, TN crossed our desk.  (Like, seriously over-the-top excited.)  For how famous these two country cuties are, we were pleasantly surprised with how laid-back and down-to-earth their outdoor celebration was.  What’s even better?  The beautiful bride-to-be even shared a few behind-the-scenes secrets from her low country celebration and upcoming nuptials.  If I could hug photographer Kristyn Hogan for sharing this star-studded soiree with us, I totally would.  Totally.

What was your experience like at your engagement party?  Blake and I didn’t sit down at all.  We wanted to make sure we talked to everyone who came, so we ate on the run and just made the rounds.  This was actually the first time we have gotten to celebrate our engagement with friends, and it seems like it made it feel official, like, ‘Hey y’all, we’re really getting married!”

 Why was incorporating karaoke into your celebration so important?  Blake is crazy for it!  When the karaoke started, that was it.  I think it was the most fun party I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been to a lot of parties.

I knew without even checking that lovely Meghan was wearing the Melissa Sweet “Fern” at her Mercury Hall wedding in Austin, Texas.  The simple lace gown is sweet  and vintage – and totally not me – but I can’t help but smile every time I see it.  (For the record, this bride wears it very well, especially when paired with those throwback Anthropologie heels.)  Table 4 Weddings photographed Meghan + Patrick’s intimate ceremony, and the bride herself (with some welcome help from her family!) designed the bouquets all on her own!  For more from M + P’s laid-back Texas wedding, visit Table 4’s blog post here.

How did the two of you meet? Patrick and I first met at a college graduation party.  He and a mutual friend had just begun playing in a band together.  Several months (and shows) later, Patrick and I finally went on our first date.  As they say, the rest is history.
Describe the proposal: The proposal was casual and understated, just like we are.  Being the gentleman that he usually is, Patrick had already called my parents to let them know of his plans.  He thought he might wait a little while to make his move, but as soon as he purchased the ring it began to burn a hole in his pocket.  We were making breakfast on a Sunday morning in our pajamas when Patrick popped the question.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Heartwarming, laidback, and fun!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? We tried to include some of our favorite things about the South – particularly where food and music were concerned.  Our menu was comprised of many Southern staples, such as deviled eggs, mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes, while our Austin-based band, Mike & the Moonpies played honky-tonk inspired country tunes.
Describe your wedding flowers: I arranged all of the flowers with the help of family.  The result was a sort of unique hodge-podge, just like I envisioned.  Though it was a lot of work, the added stress was actually a welcome distraction; it kept me from getting too nervous about the upcoming ceremony!
Describe your wedding cake:
We decided to skip the cake, opting for cupcakes and miniature pies instead.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding?  Planning a “destination” wedding was difficult at times.  I relied primarily on the internet when researching vendors, having only two weekend visits set aside for tastings and walk-throughs.  Also, getting everything to Austin required some strategic planning and the help of a few instrumental family members in Texas.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The groom’s speech!  Patrick could not have done a better job expressing the joy and immense gratitude we felt that day.  To have all of our family and friends from different walks of life present really meant the world to us, and that showed in his heartfelt speech. Funniest moment? My stepdad completely forgot he was supposed to accompany my mom down the aisle and took his seat in the front row without her.  Once he realized his mistake, he quickly (though probably not discreetly) ran back to escort her.  So, the error did not go unnoticed.  I could hear the laughter and clapping as they walked down the aisle from the room where I was waiting.  It was very befitting!
Did you write your own vows?  The judge who performed our wedding provided us with some sample ceremonies.  We borrowed from those and others we came across until we came up with a ceremony that suited us.  The vows themselves were pretty traditional, the words a tried-and-true formula we didn’t bother changing.  We used readings to personalize the occasion instead.
What’s next for you as a couple?  The usual stuff (in order): a house with a yard, more puppies, and, eventually, kids.

Congratulations, Meghan + Patrick!  Thank you for sharing your day with us!