Southern Weddings

After our dreary North Carolina weekend, I have to admit I’m more than a little excited about Aly + Justin’s cheery jewel-tone wedding at the Salt Lake City Temple, photographed by Kate Benson.  (Perfect timing, since it’s now bright and sunny here in the Tar Heel state!)  As a pink fanatic, it’s not surprising that I love the bright pink color palate, but what I’m really swooning over are the fun splashes of orange and blue in the bridesmaids’ summery Barbara Grant frocks and blooming bouquets from Hollyhocks.  Even the couple’s towering five-tiered cake (courtesy of the talented Marilyn Jenkins) has a fresh white-and-blue color scheme.  We only wish we could have seen the bride, in a vintage-inspired Abella Bridal high-neck gown, peddle away on the newlyweds’ get-away bike!  Adorable!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.  I met Justin at church in a singles ward. I noticed that he would always stare at me and then come over and talk to our mutual friend whenever I was with her. One night, we ended up hanging out after a ward activity. Justin found out that my birthday was later that week, so he took me skiing to celebrate that Saturday, which conveniently happened to be Valentine’s Day. The rest is history: he courted, we dated, we got engaged, and now we are married and happy as ever!
Describe the proposal:  We had traveled to Phoenix Arizona so I could meet his family for the first time. Halfway through the trip, Justin took me on a motorcycle ride to the White Tank mountains, but when we got there the gates were locked, so we started to hike up the mountain (I should mention that I was wearing a dress, heels and pearls!). When we got to the top, we looked out over the city and Justin began to tell me how much he loved and appreciated me. He also said he had spoken to my dad, and then surprised me with the ring I didn’t think he would be able to purchase for another month. It was such a perfect moment!
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Funny enough, I got the inspiration from a wedding I saw on a blog where the couple was from India. I just loved all the colors!
Favorite design element of your big day: Photography was one of my focal points in the wedding so I loved the pictures everywhere!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: It was definitely a process, mostly because I had just had neck surgery and the weight of all the dresses didn’t feel too great that soon after surgery. But I wanted something that was lace, modest and classic and I found just that! The dress was perfect!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day?  Being sealed for all time and eternity.
Scariest moment? Seeing Justin’s jeep decorated by all the groomsmen. A month later and it is still decorated!
Funniest moment?  Walking away from the SLC LDS Temple we were crossing the street and I jumped up to kiss my new husband and he tried to catch me, and instead he caught my dress causing me to flash everyone my underwear!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fun, exciting, and perfect!
What’s next for you as a couple? We’re planning on moving to Colorado to do summer sales (my husband is a business major), and I am launching my photography business!
What are you looking forward to in the future? Everything! First house, kids, vacations, and becoming a master cook!

Congratulations, Aly + Justin!  We can’t wait to hear more about your lives together!

Written with love by Lara Casey

Back to the barnyard: Thank you (thank you!), Sarah Rhoads, for sending this our way.  We’re kind of in love over here at Southern Weddings, and why shouldn’t we be?  While Emily’s all about the one-of-a-kind details, I personally just love how warm and laid-back this fun barnyard shindig feels!  Though Cristin + Harpur’s Western-inspired rehearsal dinner was just the warm-up for their big day, I’m already making mental notes of things I might want to use in my own wedding one day.  Do you think this ultra-cute couple would mind if I copy-catted?  Sigh…

Tell us about choosing your rehearsal dinner outfit:  I saw the dress, tried it on and loved it. It had that elegant, natural flow but was still very contemporary and very bright.
Describe the flowers:  Harpur’s mother gathered lots of simple white, green and other natural-colored flowers from around the property.
Describe the food and how you chose it: Harpur’s parents chose everything, which was great because we have very similar taste.
What was your most memorable moment about your rehearsal dinner.  The tractor ride to the local tavern for karaoke.
What’s next for you as a couple?  Planning the honeymoon! Uruguay and Argentina!
What are you looking forward to in the future?  Continuing to learn from each other, traveling and becoming successful, both personally and financially.  One day we’d like to build a farm, have more dogs and maybe even kids one day!

Congratulations, Cristin + Harpur!  Enjoy your honeymoon!

Written with love by Lara Casey

We hope you’re as excited about the new features we’ve been adding to the SW blog (remember Crystal’s stunning pre-wedding bridals, Erin + Patrick’s oceanfront rehearsal dinner and the mind-blowing awesome three-part Jessica Claire Workshop from yesterday?) as we are.  (Not surprisingly, Emily’s really excited.)  Since brides can get their wedding inspiration from almost anywhere, we thought we’d let you sneak a peek at one of the most incredible rehearsal dinners.  Ever.  (Special thanks to the phenomenal Sarah Rhoads for sharing this little gem!)  Though Cristin + Harpur celebrated their wedding in Washington state, we couldn’t help noticing that this intimate rehearsal dinner held in an wood-paneled barn had a wonderfully Southern sensibility.  As if hosting your rehearsal dinner in a barn isn’t unique enough, we just can’t get over the rustic details and fun, Western flair.  Frsesh hand-picked wildflowers and wheat stocks lovingly arranged by the bride and her mother?  Check.  An authentic, cowboy hat-wearing, banjo-playing quartet?  Genius.  A classic flatbed truck that transported guests from the barn to the local saloon for a round of beer and karaoke?  My father would be in heaven.  Pine cone place settings and a horse,  a beautiful chestnut horse?  Somebody stop me!  On second thought, don’t, because I’ve got another image board to share with you.  (Maybe I am as excited as Emily!)

How did the two of you meet: Tell us your story: Although our mothers grew up riding horses together, our first introduction didn’t come until our first day of high school.  We become a couple shortly thereafter, though our courtship only lasted a few months. After graduating from Gonzaga University in 2004, Harpur moved back to Seattle and we began an amazing relationship! Five years of dating and fifteen years of friendship later, we’re now happily married.
Describe the proposal.  Unexpected! Harpur proposed on January 24^th.  We decide to splurge a little and were able to snag a great little table at Canlis.  We were sitting there enjoying our first cocktail when I looked around the room I laughed at all the other couples gazing into each others eyes.  (Harpur and I, on the other had, were telling jokes!)  I said, “Isn’t it so cheesy when people propose at Canlis? I mean, how cliché!”  He quickly responded by saying, “Oh, totally, I bet it happens all the time.”  We continued to have a wonderful, perfect dinner.  As we were getting up to leave, he kept mentioning the fireplace in the entry way.  He knows that I love the architect of Canlis (Roland Terry) and the stone fireplace is very mid-century, very cool.  So he took me in front of the fireplace and got down on his knee.  Considering Harpur and I never once spoke of marriage prior to this evening, I didn’t have a clue what he was doing.  I kept telling him to get up.  He then pulled out the ring and everything became really blurry. Again, I said, “Harpur, get up, what are you doing?!” He said he couldn’t get up until I answered him.  Of course I said yes!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fast, surreal and comfortable.
What was the design inspiration for your rehearsal dinner?  Bohemian chic with a western kick.
What was your favorite design element of the day? The wooden C & H was a special element.
Our favorite detail of the dinner was: The authentic bluegrass band and the blazing full moon.

Stay tuned, because Part II of Cristin + Harpur’s rehearsal dinner is on the way!

Written with love by Lara Casey