Southern Weddings

Emily and I just got back from a road trip to a V7 shoot, and there’s nothing quite like driving across a little stretch of the South to remind me how truly special, unique, and beautiful this place we call home is! I was further reminded of that fact by the beauty of Palmetto Landing, where Caitlin and Sam said their vows and then celebrated their marriage under the stars. From the palms and oak trees that are so signature to South Carolina, to the views of the river in the background, it was a breathtaking place for this outdoors-loving couple to start their new life together!

Thank you so much to Aaron and Jillian for sharing Caitlin and Sam’s special day with us!

Tell us all about the proposal! It was November 2013, and Sam and I were living in Greenville, South Carolina. We missed our friends in Colorado, so we planned a trip to go visit them. He took me to go see our former coworkers at the Trail West lodge, while unbeknownst to me, our friends were down at the barn hiding and waiting for us. After we left the lodge, Sam and I headed out for a horseback ride. Just as I was about to go get the saddle, Sam stopped me and said he had something to show me. I looked down, and he was holding the journal that I had given him in 2011 from Florence, Italy, where I had traveled abroad for a semester. I found out that he had been writing in it to me since the previous December. As I was looking at the journal, Sam got down on one knee, said some very sweet things to me, and asked me to be his wife.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I would relive that day in a heartbeat. Waking up that day was probably the best feeling ever, knowing that it was the day I got to marry Sam. Getting ready with my mom and all my friends was so much fun, but the best moment was probably our first look. I will never forget Sam’s face. It was so sweet and just the perfect moment–I’ll never forget it.

We had two readings that were both Bible verses. One was from Ruth, and to paraphrase, it says “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people.” The other reading, from 1 John, talks about the importance of making Christ the foundation of your marriage.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. It was very important to me that my mom was there when I found the dress, so she flew in during one of the last weekends of November and we prayed that I would find the dress then. After finding absolutely nothing at the first store, we went to an upscale consignment boutique for wedding dresses. I saw my dress hanging outside of my dressing room for me to try on, and immediately knew it was the one. Before I came out to show my mom, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece, I said “Y’all, just warning you, THIS is the dress.” I loved it…and it had pockets!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I loved the café lighting. Our entire wedding was outside, because Palmetto Landing is too pretty to do anything else. We had café lighting over the dance floor and the reception space, and it was just magical.

Sam and I love being from the South. We take it pretty seriously, and especially having a wedding in South Carolina, which I personally feel is the ultimate Southern state, we had to include some Southern touches! Our guests ate chicken and waffles as hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour, and we served our specialty cocktails out of a mason jar.

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Sam and I are big fans of the band Kings of Leon. One night, after we had just eaten dinner at Moe’s, Sam told me he had a song he wanted me to listen to for our possible first dance song. He played me “Beautiful War” and we immediately knew this song was it. We danced in the parking lot together outside of his Tahoe.

Sam and I aren’t huge cake people, so we bought several pies from Publix! It turned out to be a huge hit. A close family friend baked a mixed berry cobbler just for Sam and I to eat, and I wanted to devour it!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met in Buena Vista, Colorado in 2010 while working as horse wranglers at Trail West, a Young Life family camp. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was friends at first sight. We truly were just best friends for the summer. After a few more summers of working together and being apart during the school year (he went to Clemson and I went to Harding University in Arkansas), I finally decided to make my move! So in the middle of the summer 2012, I asked Sam to go get ice cream with me. Ironic, because neither of us really like ice cream. I told him I had feelings for him, and soon after that, it was apparent that the feelings were mutual. We started dating that August and have never looked back!
When did y’all get married? May 10, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 185
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? The fact that Caroline, our wedding planner, knew that I had a budget I needed to stick to was a huge help. She would switch vendors, find me the best options for our budget, and she just understood. Also, looking at a consignment shop for wedding dresses was such a great idea! It saved SO much money.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Married life is wonderful! We are still getting settled into our little tiny house in downtown Greenville and we are loving it. Marriage is tough, but it’s a beautiful thing. We are not sure what is in store for us, but we love traveling, eating at new restaurants, and being outside!

Photographer: Aaron and Jillian Photography / Videographer: Nat Gove / Planner: Caroline Wright of Palmetto Landing / Venue: Palmetto Landing / Dessert Baker: Publix Bakery / Caterer: Royal Grand Events / Band: The Company Band / Bride’s Earrings: BHLDN / Hair and Makeup Artist: Charleston Events Hair and Makeup / Bride’s Shoes: Copper Penny / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J. Crew / Men’s Attire: Smith & James

Written with love by Lisa