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Monthly Archives: September 2016

Our hope for you is that your wedding day is not only one of the happiest in your life, but a touchstone that reminds you of the importance and sacredness of your marriage. When I look at photos or mementos from my wedding, I immediately am brought back to the promises I made, the happiness I felt, and the incredible warmth of our family and friends’ support. Of course, I also love having wedding mementos around because I chose my wedding details incredibly carefully, and am still a bit obsessed with our photos! :)

But plastering your walls with your smiling faces, even if beautiful, gets old after the seventeenth framed photo. So today, we wanted to share three more creative ways you can remember your wedding in your home, with the help of our friends at Framebridge!

P.S. Big hugs to Callie of Nancy Ray Photography for these photos, and keep reading for a discount code!

Idea No. 1: Frame special paper pieces like your wedding invitation. Lisa’s classic calligraphy wedding invitation looks beautiful in Framebridge’s silver Newport frame. Says Lisa, “Dave already jokes that our home is a shrine to our wedding, so I like that a framed invitation is a more subtle nod.” It looks right at home on their mantel, but would work equally well in a gallery wall, hallway, or bedroom. See more from Lisa’s wedding here.

Idea No. 2: Frame your wedding mementos. Callie is one of our all-time most-beloved brides (see her Charleston wedding here!), so we thought it would be fun to loop back with her for this feature. She opted to frame several of her wedding details, including her invitation envelope, her monogrammed cocktail napkins, a handkerchief, and a scripture card, then sprinkle them throughout her house. They’d look beautiful in a gallery wall, too! We used several gold Framebridge frames, including Richmond and Concord, for the collection. Framebridge’s “float framing” option is perfect for unique pieces like these, as it allows an object of almost any shape and size to be beautifully preserved.

Idea No. 3: Frame your wedding vows. We asked our Blue Ribbon Vendor Simply Jessica Marie to watercolor our wedding vows onto 16×20 sheets of paper, then framed them in Framebridge’s classic gold Richmond frame. The vows turned out more beautifully than I could have imagined (thank you, Jessica!), and they feel like the perfect artwork for the spot where we lay our heads. I love being reminded of our promises first thing in the morning and last thing at night!

Inspired to frame your own wedding memories? First time Framebridge customers can use code SOUTHERNWEDDINGS15 to save 15% off their order! In the meantime, I’d love to hear: In what ways have you remembered your wedding in your home?

This post is brought to you by Framebridge–thanks for your support of the brands that make Southern Weddings possible!

emily Written with love by Emily
5 Comments
  1. avatar Kyla Fetzner reply

    Your vow prints are beautiful Emily! I was excited to see this project when you shared a sneak peak a few weeks back. I want to do this in my future home!

  2. avatar Southern Weddings + Framebridge | Nancy Ray Photography reply

    […] Click here to see the full feature on Southern Weddings and get a discount code from Framebridge! […]

  3. avatar 6 Creative Ways to Display Your Wedding Photos At Home reply

    […] top image via Southern Weddings […]

  4. avatar First Anniversary Gift Guide • Hitched by Heather reply

    […] 4. Calligraphy Wedding Vows. Another option that a calligrapher would be perfect for is beautifying your wedding vows to hang in your home. We love this example from Southern Weddings! […]

  5. avatar Celebrating Southern Weddings | Nancy Ray Photography reply

    […] 2016 Robin and Jon’s Wedding on the SW Blog Abigail and Ben’s Wedding on the SW Blog Callie and Jamie’s Home Tour Southern Weddings + Framebridge […]

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Moving to a new city, no matter the circumstances, can be tough. When you pile moving on top of a newly established marriage and all the changes that come with it, life can quickly become overwhelming. While I was beyond excited to stop long-distance dating, for me, getting married meant packing up my life and moving it to a brand new city and state. Darling husband aside, I was exceedingly unprepared for how hard it would be to move away from the comforts of my life in NC. With three major moves under my belt in the first four years of our marriage, I feel like I’m becoming a bit of an expert on how to settle into a new city and make it feel like home, especially in the newlywed stage of life. Since you can’t rely on your partner for all your happiness, here are a few of my best tips for making that post-married transition a bit smoother!

1. Wear your “I’m New” nametag with pride. Step outside your comfort zone and strike up conversation with people you interact with in your new city, be it a server at a restaurant or the checkout gal at the grocery store. Fessing up to being new can lead to quick conversations where you learn about places to go and things to do. My go-to questions are “Do you have a pizza/sushi place?” and “Where’s your favorite brunch spot?”. Be brave – remember, many of these conversations will be random one-time interactions with little pressure, but can lead to new places to explore and new things to do to help you fall in love with your new zip code. And, who knows: I met my first new friend in Blacksburg while I was getting a manicure on a dreary February afternoon. A simple “I’m new to town” conversation led to a follow-up lunch date and a full-blown friendship.

2. Go on friend or double dates. We live in the digital age, so use it to your advantage! Spread the social media word that you’re in the market for new gal pals and couple friends in your new city. Ask your friends and family if they can connect you with anyone in your new landing spot. Say yes to invitations for coffee or lunch. Take it from a girl who loves to make friends but spent the first few months post-marriage fairly friendless and moderately homesick – not everyone you meet is going to become your next BFF, but it’s worth it to keep trying. I could tell you a lot of stories about failed connections. (I distinctly remember being in a spin class and commenting on the pearls the girl next to me was wearing. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.) I also met one of my dearest friends in Florida because I shared about our move on Instagram prior to moving and she invited me to brunch once I got relocated. This works for double-dates, too. Couple friends are valuable assets as you settle into married life. Perhaps your new husband has a colleague at work or a new acquaintance at the gym. Having a few new friends in a brand new city can make you feel a whole lot less lonely!

3. Get cozy. All friendliness aside, having a safe space to retreat to after a long, hard day in a new place is invaluable. I’m a big believer in settling into your space no matter how temporary. Ikea has very inexpensive drapes. Command Strips let you hang pictures without putting hole into the walls. Candles, framed pictures, a few blankets, and a plant can do wonders for making any room feel more homey. While I am a card carrying extrovert, I understand the importance of having a place to rest and recharge. I also think that living among piles of moving boxes for too long can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, so get to unpacking fast! Being able to make coffee and scramble some eggs a few days after moving in can do wonders for your well-being and outlook on your new city.

4. Dig into your surroundings. Joining something is a great way to meet new people. Go to the gym – you can burn off some steam and meet people in a low-key environment. Find a church and investigate their activities calendar. Join a kickball league or look into volunteer opportunities. Research opportunities to take creative classes — these days you can find everything from hand lettering to cake decorating around the corner. Learning a new skill alongside someone who is also learning a new skill means everyone may be feeling little awkward! It’s really easy to hide away at home when you’re feeling lonely and homesick, but it’s also nearly impossible to make new friends that way. So, go out and pursue your interests, and be open to finding a new friend along the way.

5. Practice a “365 Days of Acclimation” mantra. A few months after moving to VA, I remember someone asking how long it had been since I’d moved to town. At the time, it had been a little more than five months, and while it was getting easier, I still didn’t feel ‘at home.’ She wisely said, “Give it a year – you won’t believe how different you’ll feel once you cross that 12-month line.” Remember, there’s a lot to figure out, from navigating the layout of your new grocery store to driving around your new city without using GPS 24/7, so show yourself some grace. Moving is hard. Give yourself 365 days to get settled and comfortable in your new location.

6. Make new friends, but keep the old. Just because you moved doesn’t mean you have to let go of all the great friendships and relationships you established in your former location. Schedule consistent phone calls, FaceTime dates, and Skype hangouts. Drop postcards in the mail. I averaged a weekly mini meltdown in the months following our wedding, so having regularly-planned times to connect with old friends was invaluable for resetting and regaining courage after a hard day.

My sweet grandma says, “Home is where you make it.” My granddaddy was in the Army and they lived all over the world for the first twenty years of their marriage, so I’m confident she is an expert on today’s topic.

Have other ideas for how to settle into a new city, especially after getting married? Please share them below!

Love,
KNW

P.S. I’ll never forget having coffee with someone right after I moved to Blacksburg, VA. She gave me a “Welcome to Blacksburg” booklet to share some of her personal hints and tips about my new town. It was a handful of half-sized pages, hole punched, tied with a ribbon in the corner and overflowing with information – everything from the best local car mechanics, to recommendations for new doctors and her favorite restaurants (including some of her favorite things to order). I can’t tell you how many times I referenced it in the first few months. If you’re the one who is settled in – here’s your chance to help out a new friend!

kristin Written with love by Kristin
11 Comments
  1. avatar Kyla Fetzner reply

    One of my biggest dreams is to move to the Raleigh area someday and I’ve wondered how that would work as newlyweds (as I’m not yet married!) but this post offers so much encouragement. Thank you Kristin! :)

  2. avatar Kelly reply

    Oh I love these tips! I need to make a welcome to Knoxville bag! I’ve been here long enough now I want to share my wealth of information.

    • avatar Kristin reply

      Yes! I love this idea, Kelly! I have a list of CH favorites I send when I meet new friends moving to the triangle (even though I don’t live there. ha.) !!!!

  3. avatar Abby reply

    All of this is so true! I moved to Chicago right after we got married a year and a half ago and now just moved Durham! It’s so hard getting settled and acclimated-especially as you were just getting used to the last “home”! So glad to have these reminders now that I’ve hit the 2 month mark in NC- still feels so new! That said, anyone that wants to hang out/double date in the Triangle- call me! Insta:abbyenyquist

    • avatar Kristin reply

      Abby! I wish I would reach through the computer and give you a big squeeze! Moving isn’t for the faint of heart, and I feel you with a two moves in 18 months. Keep holding on to that ‘365 mantra’!! And go grab a Sutton’s milkshake on Franklin Street or a Merritt’s BLT when you need a little comfort :)

  4. avatar Justin DeMutiis reply

    I hope the adjustment to FL is going well! Please let me know if I can offer any help/advice!!

  5. avatar Liz-Tampa, FL reply

    I have moved a few times and your tips are right on. However, I will say moving is really hard and when you don’t have kids, & work from home it is so hard to make connections that are more than acquaintances. Three years later I feel I am still struggling.

    • avatar Kristin reply

      Liz! I couldn’t’ agree more that working from home + no littles makes it even more complicated to make connections. I’m right there with you. Sending you a big hug!

  6. avatar Your Favorite Blog Posts From 2016 – Vend Raleigh reply

    […] Our friend Kristin Winchester, newlywed and newly announced editor of Southern Weddings, offered to share her most personal post this year. “Having moved 3 times in the last 4 years, this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I remember crying at the dinner table once a week after moving to Blacksburg after getting married. I am a big believer in pretty and practical and this falls under the practical category. Sharing lessons learned and hoping to help someone else who might be going through a similar situation makes my heart swell.” Here’s Kristin’s pick for her favorite personal post from 2016: 6 Tips for Moving to a New City After Getting Married. […]

  7. avatar Gary Lun reply

    Great post! I really like the idea of making new friends as well as keeping the old. Especially when moving to a new city (or new country in my case) we need to reach out to new people!

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Wedding planing is filled with lots of decisions, and, of course, the occasional challenge. Despite a 17-hour time difference between them during their engagement, bridal party members who ended up being deployed overseas on their wedding date, and planning a move 2,500 miles across country, Amanda and Andrew prepared not only for their beautiful Lowcountry wedding, but also for a lifelong marriage. With a positive outlook and the help of their planner, Blue Ribbon Vendor Fox Events, they invited family and friends to The Mills House for a wedding day complete with old Southern charm and a so-very-special military sword arch exit.

Thanks to Aaron and Jillian for being on hand to capture all the magic!

Finding my perfect dress was quite a challenge. I had done so much research and tried on so many dresses that I had designed a mental image of what I considered to be my perfect dress. I even flew to New York with a few of my bridesmaids and we went to Kleinfeld for the “Say Yes to the Dress” experience, but I didn’t end up finding the one. When I got back to San Diego, I decided to revisit one of the first boutiques we went to, where they happened to be having a trunk show for Ysa Makino. I was going through all of the gowns with my consultant when I saw the train of one of them from across the room and immediately fell in love. I tried the dress on and found out that the designer was willing to create a completely custom look for me. We went over all of the details I had envisioned and came up with a sketch of my dress. I nervously waited for months while my dress was being constructed. When it finally arrived, I cried tears of joy! It was exactly what I had imagined, down to the last detail.

How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? There was a lot going on in our lives while we were planning our wedding. We went through the traditional premarital counseling with the Catholic Church in a very non-traditional manner. Andrew was stationed in Japan for a few months and I was able to fly overseas to meet with his chaplain, who really helped us to prepare for a lifelong marriage.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was the military sword arch. I love that we were able to include a tradition that is unique to military weddings. Six of our Marine friends lined up outside the church and raised their ceremonial swords into an arch. As we approached each pair, they would lower their swords to block our way and we would have to “kiss to pass.” At the final two members, I got a hefty swat on the backside. accompanied by a “Welcome to the Marine Corps!”

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? My father-in-law and I visited almost every reception venue in all of Charleston. When we got to Hibernian Hall, I immediately loved the old Southern charm. The exterior had a beautiful, classic, iron gate and colossal Greek-style columns. The interior had an amazing, grand staircase leading to a gorgeous ballroom. I saw so much potential with the space, I couldn’t wait to start planning a party!

The wedding florals were my favorite part! Our wedding planner was also our florist, and I cannot say enough good things about their work! We used a mixture of mostly white, peach, and blush, with a few green accents. The were a variety of flowers, including dahlias, garden roses, antique hydrangeas, peonies, and stock. The entire ballroom smelled incredible! The highlight was an amazing 24-foot floral runner on the head table.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our wedding was in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, which is full of Southern charm. We had our ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, originally constructed in 1821 and rebuilt in 1890. Our reception was at Hibernian Hall, a National Historic Landmark. The attire for our wedding was “Lowcountry elegant,” so our guests wore lots of seersucker suits and floral dresses.

Creating our cake was such a fun process. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted when we met with our baker, but she helped us come up with something perfect. We had four tiers–the bottom tier was covered in metallic gold beading and then the top three tiers were buttercream with gold foil lines. Each layer had blush garden rose accents.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Andrew and I met in Michigan in the fall of 2008 through mutual friends. We stayed in touch as friends over the next few years as Andrew entered pilot training with the Marine Corps. While he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, he mentioned how nice the weather was and that he was going to the beach. Meanwhile, I was freezing my butt off in the Michigan winter, and jokingly asked him to take me with him. You can imagine my surprise when later that day, he called, offering to fly me to Florida for a week! Of course, I accepted! I have been following him around the country ever since.
Tell us all about the proposal! I was living in California and Andrew was living in South Carolina. He was about to leave for his first deployment, so I flew across the country for the send-off. We were walking along the waterfront, waiting for our dinner reservation, when he proposed! He deployed overseas three days later.
When did y’all get married? July 16, 2016
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 130
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? No, we decided to keep it traditional. The first time we saw each other was as the doors to the church opened for me to walk down the aisle.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? We were faced with quite a surprising amount of challenges while planning our wedding, the biggest being the 17-hour time difference between Andrew and I. We were also trying to simultaneously buy a house and arrange a move 2500 miles across the country. On top of that, one of our bridesmaids and one of our groomsmen were told that they would be deployed overseas on the date of the ceremony.
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? We were so happy to have the team at Fox Events with us for the entire process! They really helped us make sure that all of our bases were covered. I was especially glad to have them to bounce ideas off of when Andrew was not available.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? My recommendation for couples is to be present in the moment. All the planning is done and the day is here! Make sure to soak it all in and not worry if everything isn’t perfect. Everyone is there for you!
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? Next for us is the honeymoon! We had to take a few months in between the wedding and honeymoon due to time constraints with the military, but we are so happy to finally be able to relax as husband and wife. After that, we’ll be preparing for the next deployment.

Photographer: Aaron and Jillian | Planner and Florist: A Fox Event | Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist | Reception Venue: Hibernian Hall | Cake Baker: Delicious Desserts | Caterer: Cru Catering | DJ: Palmetto Mobile Entertainment | Paper Products: Studio R | Bride’s Gown: Ysa Makino | Hair and Makeup: Lashes and Lace | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Style 8079 in Clover by D’zage | Groom’s Attire: The Marine Shop | Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Rentals: Innovative Event Services and Snyder Rentals | Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen

A Fox Event is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
2 Comments
  1. avatar Stephanie reply

    Absolutely stunning! The florals are breathtaking!!

  2. avatar Greg Coltman reply

    Great set of photographs. Colours are amazing!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

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