Southern Weddings

In the Southern Weddings office, we often go to Emily for special writing tasks. Her handwriting is lovely and none of us can come close to it (though Sierra has a fun scripty handwriting that I adore, too). I’m a bit jealous, especially when I see pretty signage like the ones that decorate Callie + Paul’s wedding. The fun cursive is the perfect addition to their colorful palette and springy flowers. I’m just crazy for the way the simple signs bring the wedding design to life and effortlessly tie together the whole shindig. We’re delivering big virtual hugs to Kelly Hornberger for sharing this with us!

Y’all. How adorable is this ring bearer with his yellow seersucker tie??

The ring bearer pillows that my aunt made were our favorite detail of the wedding. She made them to look like our invitations and she used buttons from my great-grandmother’s black house dress. It was so special. Additionally, we loved all of the painted signs and fabric banners, the black and white dance floor, the buttons that guests wore and that my dad married us.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I got a bit overwhelmed with all of the possibilities. What kind of food should we serve? Band or DJ? Which creative details should we include? I was trying to be creative in every way, and there are just so many creative possibilities across the board! My fiancé and wedding planner helped me make firm decisions and move forward.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Check blogs for ideas (but don’t get bogged down with all the possibilities!), enlist the help of friends and family (they want to help!), and have fun.

Our wedding cake was red velvet and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. We also had a dessert bar with pumpkin pies, apple pies and snickers pie.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Paul and I met over a year ago at a Rice football game. We had heard about each other through our close mutual friends, the Hornbergers. I had been working for Kelly and had heard a lot of Paul recently and was very interested in meeting him. We met at halftime, hit it off immediately and talked the rest of the game. I thought to myself, “Life with him would be so fun!” I went home and told my friends and family how I had just met the most amazing man! He asked me on a date a few weeks later, and within weeks I knew I wanted to marry him.
Describe the proposal. I was in Napa Valley at a photographer’s workshop with Kelly. On the last day, the girls had me wake up SUPER early because they said another photographer was going to take pictures of us for the new website. When I opened the front door of the car, there was the “I like you” pillow I had made for Paul with an envelope that had my name on it. I knew right then that it was the day! Inside the envelope was a map and note from Paul telling us where to go. We drove up to the Napa general store and there was Paul! We went for a hike and Paul proposed at the top of Mt. St. Helena. I cried jumped for joy. We had a beautiful walk down the mountain, lunch at a nice restaurant overlooking a valley of vineyards, then a fun photo shoot with Kelly and Claire!
In what month did you get married? November
How many guests attended your wedding? 320
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I went shopping with my mom and a few of my bridesmaids. I absolutely LOVED the first dress I tried on, but then was torn between it and another less expensive dress. I had to make a decision by the end of the day because there was a trunk sale that day. Right before the salon closed, my dad came in, saw me in the first dress and said, “That’s it! That’s the one. Paul will love you in that dress.” Decision made!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? The band, the Smilebooth and the catering.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The most special moment was during the ceremony when my dad read what Paul and I wrote about why and how we fell in love with each other.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Living on mission together for Christ and having lots of adventures! We’re also looking forward to starting a family a few years down the road.

Photographer: Kelly Hornberger Photography // Videographer: POP Video Houston // Planner: Paula Santagata // Venue: Private residence // Florist: Paula Santagata // Wedding Cake Baker: Bella Cibo // Caterer: The Grotto // Rentals: Swift & Company // Linens: Swift & Company // Paper Products: Invitations and thank you notes by Rifle Paper Co., save the dates, programs and sign-in poster by Tricia Lowenfield Design // Bride’s Dress: Watters // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: Twigs & Honey // Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: bridesmaid’s own

You might also like:
Paige + Adam’s colorful Texas wedding from V4 here and here.
Kate + JoJo’s sherbet-colored outdoor wedding here and here.
Towne + Andy’s multicolored Savannah wedding here and here.

Written with love by Nicole