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Category: Southern Bride of the Month

Ladies, I just know you will love June’s Southern Bride of the Month. I loved her from today’s first interview question (what’s your name?), which she answered with an exclamation point! Anyone who’s that excited about answering basic questions is a winner in my book! Read on for more about Jordan and Steele’s upcoming Highlands celebration, and be sure to weigh in on her question at the end — definitely a common one!

Hi! What’s your name?
Jordan Easter!

What’s your fiancé’s name?
My fiancé’s name is Steele Taylor!

Paul Johnson

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Steele and I met during our freshman year at Auburn University. We were introduced by two of our best friends (they are married now!) who always told us we would be great as a couple. We were in the same circle of friends through our freshman and sophomore years, and I always had the biggest crush on him! I even took him to our sorority Christmas social, but we remained friends until the end of our sophomore year, when he asked me out on a date.

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
Steele and I had a birthday party to attend for a coworker on Saturday night (December 8th), and earlier in the week Steele had asked if he could take me on a surprise date before the party. When he picked me up, we drove to Piedmont Park in the middle of Atlanta, and I still had no idea what we were doing. When we got out of the car, he told me we were taking a carriage ride around the park. When he told me that the carriage was “just over the hill,” I definitely knew something was going on.

When we got to the top of the hill and after he had talked for a minute, I heard someone yell my name. I turned to the left, and saw my brother running up the hill wearing a shirt that said “Will” on it (his name is Will, so I was a little confused at that point). Then I heard someone else yell my name and on the other side, his sister was running up the hill with a shirt that said “You.” Then to my right, my sister was yelling my name and running up the hill wearing a shirt that said “Marry.” By the time I had turned around to look at Steele, he was down on one knee. Immediately, our parents came running up behind our siblings. Family is so important to both of us so I was so excited that not only had he included them but literally had them be a part of the proposal! He had called my coworker earlier that week to tell her we wouldn’t make it because he was proposing, and then made reservations for all of us at Watershed in Atlanta. It was such a fun night celebrating with our families! (History behind the sapphires: Steele chose to use that stone because both his mom and grandmother have sapphires in their rings!)

When’s the big day?
Saturday, July 6th. I can’t believe it’s so soon!!

Where might you two be tying the knot?
In Highlands, North Carolina at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn!

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
I grew up in Austin, Texas but my family moved to Rosemary Beach, Florida during my freshman year at Auburn. Originally we wanted to get married in Rosemary Beach. However, when we got engaged, we found out that our church and the venue I loved in Rosemary was booked until 2014, and we wanted a shorter engagement. We knew we wanted a destination wedding and since Steele grew up vacationing in the Highlands area, we gave Old Edwards Inn a call. They had two summer dates open and once we saw the space, it was an easy decision! Even though we were disappointed in the beginning to not get married at the beach, we are so glad that we chose The Farm at Old Edwards Inn.

From the Old Edwards website

Tell us a little bit about the wedding you’re planning: style, theme, feel, colors?
A classic, elegant, and FUN summer wedding! I love all white so I am using my great-grandmother’s white tablecloths for the table linens and all the flowers are white and green with a touch of lamb’s ear to match the surrounding area of Highlands. (Flowers are blooming everywhere in the summer in Highlands — hydrangeas literally on the side of the road!!! Amazing.) Groomsmen will wear navy suits with a custom green Vineyard Vines tie and my bridesmaids are wearing LulaKate short, navy bridesmaid dresses. I am pretty simple, so everything will be classic and clean-looking. I am excited about literally everything from the fabulous Old Edwards food to my coconut wedding cake from the most amazing bakery in the South, Pastry Art, to our awesome Mo-Town band! I am definitely counting down the days.

Ceremony set-up by Meg Smith via Snippet & Ink; low centerpiece photo by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty; tall centerpiece photo by Jen Fariello via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Who or what has been most helpful and/or inspiring in the wedding planning process?
Hands down — my mom! She has great taste, and has been so helpful with sharing ideas and brainstorming. She has been a lifesaver throughout the entire process!

How have you involved your “community” (friends, family, etc.) in the wedding planning process?
I have a pretty large family, so it has been fun to involve my sister, aunts, cousins and grandmother. My mom’s sisters have been so helpful and are always sharing ideas. Our friends and wedding party have hosted parties and showers for us made us that much more excited for our wedding day!

Cocktail table photo by Joey + Jessica; hydrangea centerpiece photo by Katie Stoops via Southern Weddings

Has your vision for your wedding changed or evolved over the course of your engagement? If so, how?
I am and have always been OBSESSED with weddings. Before we were engaged, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. Once we got engaged and our location changed from the beach to the mountains, my vision definitely changed! I love a wedding that reflects the area, so everything from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the flowers changed once we decided on Highlands.

What part of wedding planning, if any, has made you the most anxious?
Without a doubt, the guest list. It has been the most stressful for both families! I am also very Type-A and have worked in event planning, so I am anxious that the day won’t go smoothly. Thankfully I serve a Father who takes that anxiety from us! I have spent a lot of time in prayer to give any anxiety and the entire day to the Lord. All that really matters when it is all said and done is that I will be Steele’s wife!

Bouquet photo by James Anderson; green and white bouquet photo by Martha Stewart Weddings; gardenia bouquet photo by Eric Kelley

What wedding-related decision have you been the most indecisive on?
Bridesmaid dresses! My roommate and I must have tried on every dress in Atlanta. It took me almost three months to decide, and every day I woke up and said “THIS is the dress!” …only to change my mind by the end of the day. It was a running joke with my roommate, who is also one of my bridesmaids.

One of Jordan’s lovely bridesmaids modeling her actual dress (!), and some bridesmaid bouquet inspiration by Fleur

Which part of your wedding have you been most intentional about planning?
The whole weekend! Since the Fourth of July falls two days before our wedding, we are starting the celebration on Thursday with Fourth of July party, then a welcome party for all of our guests on Friday night with live music from Tim Tyler, an Auburn favorite. Our goal was to make the whole weekend a celebration! We also both love good food, so we made sure our menu included all of our favorites.

How has the budgeting been? What’s your best budgeting tip?
Oh goodness! Budgeting is not my specialty! I have tried to do a lot on my own (example: programs, save the dates, etc.) and find the best deals I possibly can, but it isn’t always easy. My best tip is to keep track of expenses. I have kept a pretty detailed Excel spreadsheet, which has definitely helped.

Jordan + Steele’s invitation!

Tell us about the one that got away. Is there one dream thing or vendor you wish you could have fit into your budget?
Yes! I would have loved to have Inkspot Crow Films — they do fabulous work, but unfortunately they were booked and out of our budget. I chose instead to splurge on our AMAZING photographer, Paul Johnson Photography.

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
Yes!!! It was one of my favorite parts of wedding planning! My mom, sister, future mother in-law and sister in-law drove to Birmingham (they have great bridal boutiques!) for the weekend and made three appointments in one day (we were determined to find the one!). I tried on so many beautiful dresses but still hadn’t found my dress. Before our last appointment of the day, we felt a little discouraged that we might not find it that weekend. At our last appointment, I tried on three dresses that the store had shipped in for me. I loved all three but when I put the third out of the three on, my younger sister burst into tears! She never cries, so we all knew that was it. I also didn’t want to take it off. It is a Lela Rose gown and it is perfect for a summer wedding in the mountains!

Left photo by Kate Webber via Style Me Pretty

Do you have a favorite Etsy or independent store you’d love to tell us about?
Etsy has been great! Jewelry By Jim’s Granddaughter made gold knot rings for when I asked my friends and family to be my bridesmaids (“Help Us Tie the Knot” was the theme). We also ordered personalized wine labels for welcome gifts for our guests, and I have purchased flower girl and hostess gifts on Etsy. I even ordered a vintage enameled box for the ring bearer to carry our rings!

What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
I have always loved weddings, so the whole process has been so much fun! It has been fun getting to talk to my mom every day and plan everything together. Steele and I have also gotten a lot closer over and learned a lot about each other. The worst part has been the stress that comes along with wedding planning!

Paul Johnson

What do you wish you would have known at the beginning of your engagement?
To let the little things go and focus on the important things about a wedding! I have the tendency to dream big and go a little overboard on details that some people may not even remember. I have definitely had to learn to ask myself, “is this really necessary?”

Any plans for a honeymoon? Where do you want to go and what will you do?
We are going to Sugar Beach in St. Lucia! We don’t have any plans except to relax and enjoy a vacation together.

Jordan + Steele are planning to serve a coconut cake… yum! Inspiration from Salt Lake/Park City Bride & Groom (photo by Barrett Doran) and Martha Stewart Weddings

Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
Soak in every moment! Our engagement has flown by faster than I ever imagined, and it has taken me until now to realize that I only get to do this once.

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
Everyone has told me that the entire day goes by in a blur. I know that is probably inevitable, but any advice on how to soak in and really enjoy our wedding day?

emily Written with love by Emily
8 Comments
  1. avatar Kat reply

    Hi Jordan! I’m a July bride too :) I definitely struggled with deciding on the ‘maids dresses and still struggle with the question “is this really necessary” when it comes to all the little details! One piece of advice SW very own Emily blogged about after her wedding really stuck with me and I vowed to do it the morning after my wedding: write EVERYTHING down! What you ate, how you felt, who you saw, what made you cry, etc. The photographer will capture SO much but only you know your heart! I plan to journal it all out the morning after on the honeymoon flight. Best wishes girl!!! I hope your day is everything you dreamed it’d be… and more :)

  2. avatar Emily reply

    Kat, you are too sweet to quote my own advice… but I still stand by it :) My other best tip for slowing the day down (which I’ve also written about before) is to plan out every detail of your morning: what time you’ll get up, where you’ll be, who else will be there, what you need to get done, what the room will look like, what you’ll wear, when you’ll get dressed, what you’ll eat, what you’ll listen to, etc. I firmly believe that how you start the day REALLY affects how the entire day feels, and if you can start your day in a relaxed, intentional way, it will get you off on a great foot. Also, stay in the moment: don’t go NEAR social media in any form. It will all be there to look at the next day, but you want to be present with the people in front of you!

  3. avatar Sloan reply

    I would absolutely agree with writing everything down. My husband and I married on May 4 and the next day, we still had vivid thoughts about everything, but they have definitely faded over time. I meant to write everything down and now that is my biggest regret!

  4. avatar Alexandria reply

    I’m getting married July 6th too!! We loved the idea of spending the holiday with our family and friends and then getting married! Plus some years it will allow us to easily travel for our anniversary! It just seemed like the perfect date! We did decide on a beach wedding because we found the most amazing new venue, the Koru Beach Klub, in Avon. Cape Hatteras was my grandfathers favorite lighthouse too, so it really means a lot that we are getting married there! Congratulations to you and I hope your day goes off without any problems. You’re so correct that its the best feeling to give your anxieties to God because everything is in his control!!

  5. avatar Joyce Cunningham reply

    I am a `old` bride of 1960 but the advice I would give is : remember that you have 5 senses and they all can help you remember. Every so often during your big day stop and LOOK in such a manner as taking a mental picture of friends and relatives who have come to wish you joy. SMELL whatever is in the air, TOUCH the different items around you, TASTE the item of that hour (kisses, desserts, meals,snacks). And HEAR the sounds (birds, breezes, music and especially what your soon to be husband is saying! GIVE THANKS to God for each wonder of the day. Best wishes!

  6. avatar Southern Weddings Weekly Round-Up – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] Southern Brides of the Month–congratulations, Jordan and Steele! See Jordan’s interview here and more pictures (by Paul Johnson) from their wedding […]

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    […] viaJoey + Jessica / Southern Weddings […]

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Ladies, I am so happy to be sharing our interview with May’s Southern Bride of the Month! Lauren is getting married in just a few weeks, and I think you’ll love the inspiration she’s collected for her nuptials. Please make her feel welcome!

Hi! What’s your name?
Lauren Kelley

What’s your fiancé’s name?
Danny Evans

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Danny and I both grew up in North Carolina, attended UNC-Chapel Hill, graduated in the same year (2008) and never knew each other. He moved to Stamford, CT to work for GE Capital and I moved to Manhattan to work at The Wall Street Journal. One evening in February 2009, he met his friends (Janus and Carter, his best men) at a bar in New York, and I was already there in the booth with the boys and a few of my girlfriends. Janus and Carter still argue over who actually introduced us. He sat across from me, and the rest is history…

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
One of my college roommates got married on May 19th of last year in Edisto Island, SC. My family decided to make it a beach week after the wedding to celebrate my birthday. I had my suspicions of an engagement, but I did not expect the creativity he brought to it! After we were finished eating my birthday dinner on Sunday, Danny asked me to help him with a cake they had bought for my special day. I went inside and he told me to grab the napkins. Then he decided I should just bring out the cake. I went over to the cake to close its box, and that’s when I read, “Lauren, Will You Marry Me?” I of course freaked out and turned around, and there he was on one knee. It’s a pretty incredible feeling, and I can’t tell you how surprised I was! He had the cake made at the local Piggly Wiggly (hilarious!) and kept it a secret with my dad and brother from Thursday until Sunday. They knew not to tell my mom because I would break her instantly. She’s a terrible liar.

When’s the big day?
Saturday, June 1st

Where might you two be tying the knot?
The French Protestant Huguenot Church in Charleston, SC

A classic inspiration board from Snippet & Ink that’s guiding Lauren’s style!

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
I am in love with Charleston. It has such a juxtaposition of old and new: a rich Southern history and amazing new restaurants and bars with a college feel. Our church is crazy beautiful, and I didn’t even get to see the inside when I chose it. I knew from the outside and the location in downtown that it was exactly where I wanted to get married. The reception venue is the historic rice mill right on the water. The inside is dark wood floors, a beautiful dark wood wrap around bar and tall windows that let in a lot of light. It has a perfectly-sized dance floor and a little outdoor space so guests can enjoy the view of the water.

Tell us a little bit about the wedding you’re planning: style, theme, feel, colors?
I like really clean and simple, so my wedding is a lot of white, gray, pops of Carolina blue and turquoise. There’s green in the flowers, but overall they’re clean and white.

In looking at Lauren’s Pinterest board, I love that she’s pulling inspiration from interiors and sources outside of weddings — always a great idea! (Bedroom by Armonia Decors and living room by Katie Rosenfeld)

Who or what has been most helpful and/or inspiring in the wedding planning process?
My wedding planner, Ellen Robinson from WED. She has made my life so stress free!

How have you involved your “community” (friends, family, etc.) in the wedding planning process?
My mom’s group of friends from my hometown are throwing my bridal luncheon for me, and Danny’s sisters are helping with the rehearsal dinner at Magnolias. I’m usually not great at delegating, but with this project I knew it was way too big to take on myself!

Lauren was also inspired by this invitation set from Dauphine Press. So pretty!

How has the budgeting been? What’s your best budgeting tip?
Ahem… I wish Danny was answering this question. It’s been a little difficult, and I’m so happy I have him to rein me in and really apply his Excel knowledge :) My best budgeting tip is hire him to help you! He’ll keep you in line.

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
Yes! It was the fifth dress I tried on at Hitched in Georgetown. It’s Amsale, and it’s named Lauren. Meant to be? Perhaps. My mom went with me, and we tried on her dress to see what it would look like after 20+ years. Needless to say it was a miss. She’s a little shorter, and got married in the 80’s. It made for a good time. I have sewn part of her dress in the lining of mine and am wrapping part of her veil around my bouquet.

Lauren loves this clean + smooth updo — I think it will look perfect with her gown! (Photos by Hyer Images)

What do you love most about Southern weddings?
The food! Low country boil and pimento cheese sandwiches? Yes please!

Do you have a favorite independent store you’d love to tell us about?
Maddison Row and Cacky’s Bride + Aid in Charleston have been amazing! A bug ran into me and died on the left top of my dress during my bridal portrait, and they tacked a pleat and were able to hide it. They’re also being so great and letting me keep my dress at their store so I don’t have to bring it back and forth from DC!

What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
Best part is seeing this event you have thought about for most of your life come together. It’s kind of indescribable. The worst part would have to be the technicalities of who you can/cannot invite and staying within budget. Both can be a little stressful at times!

Tell us about planning with your fiancé. Has it gone smoothly? Is he more involved, or hands-off?
Involved and amazing. Danny has been a trooper and when he says he wants something particular I listen. There haven’t been many things we disagree on.

Decor + rentals Lauren loves with a clean + preppy feel (photos by A Bryan Photo)

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
Seeing Danny and being surrounded by our friends and family. Also, all the dance moves. My dad loves to dance at weddings, so I know it’s going to be epic.

Any plans for a honeymoon? Where do you want to go and what will you do?
We’re going to St. John and I haven’t really planned much of that. Lots of relaxation!

Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
Enjoy the entire process. Sometimes I take a step back and think, “this only happens once and I need to appreciate this moment.”

“This only happens once” — such a good thing to remember, right, ladies? Amen. Thank you for joining us, Lauren! If you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

WED is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

emily Written with love by Emily
2 Comments
  1. avatar WED Bride Featured as Southern Bride of the Month | Wedding.Event.Design reply

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  2. avatar Meredith reply

    Wow, I love everything Lauren has planned for her big day (that just happend, congrats!)! I’m hoping to create a similar vibe for our wedding next spring – espcially the colors she describes above as I’m marrying a Tar Heel too ;) Thanks for sharing!

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Y’all! April’s Southern Bride of the Month is getting married THIS WEEKEND! Make sure to give her an extra hearty SW welcome, considering all that’s going on in her world this week. Meet Sarah!

Hi! What’s your name?
Sarah Scott

What’s your fiancé’s name?
Josh Peters

Concept-A Photography

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
When I first moved to Atlanta in fall 2009, I was waiting a few months for my job to start and living with my brother, who traveled all week for business. Since I didn’t know anyone else, I decided to get out and explore Atlanta and all its different neighborhoods on my own. I met Josh at a sushi restaurant in Virginia Highlands about a month into my time in Atlanta. I thought he was so cute and so nice! We were pretty much inseparable after our first meeting. A few weeks later, we took our first trip together, to Savannah (where we are now getting married!), and that’s when we both knew it was love!

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
By the summer of 2011, Josh and I were pretty serious and saving up money for our future plans. We talked about getting engaged first and then buying a house, sometime that fall after his sister’s summer wedding. We started looking at houses “just to get an idea” early that summer, and found the house of our dreams on our first trip! We looked at about 15 more houses, but there was nothing else like it. We decided we couldn’t pass it up, even though I had really wanted to be engaged first. On August 28, 2011, the day after the previous owners moved out, we went over to the house with champagne to walk through our empty house and celebrate being homeowners. Josh proposed on the front porch then carried me over the threshold, so we were engaged before moving into the house after all!

Concept-A Photography

When’s the big day?
April 20 (2 days!!)

Where might you two be tying the knot?
Gorgeous Savannah, GA! The ceremony will be at Christ Church Episcopal, and the reception will be at the Mansion on Forsyth Park.

The Mansion on Forsyth Park by Anna and Spencer

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
It was really important to me to be married in an Episcopal church. I also love the history of Christ Church — founded in 1733, the first church founded in Georgia, with the current building built in 1840. We feel very lucky to be getting married there. I also love the ballroom in the Mansion — very classic, with crystal chandeliers and gold leaf! And there’s even a chandelier in the marble courtyard for the cocktail hour! We both especially love the Mansion’s central location across from the big fountain in beautiful Forsyth Park, which is filled with azaleas and Spanish moss.

Tell us a little bit about the wedding you’re planning: style, theme, feel, colors?
It’s going to be a very pretty, very classic Savannah wedding! At first I was going for a very elegant/ understated look, with champagne, ivory, and blush hues, but I’ve progressively added more sparkle and brighter pinks to the mix, as well. We’ll have champagne linens and bridesmaid dresses, tons of pink flowers, lots of the color gold everywhere (both in the Mansion ballroom décor, and in our details) and lots of candlelight. We will also have an awesome jazz band that’s originally from Louisiana (like me!) and a big white cake with magnolias on it. Our ceremony and most of our reception details are pretty traditional, but everything we’ve chosen is very meaningful to us, as well, and an expression of our love for each other. I think (hope!) our guests will feel that a lot of love for them went into the planning as well. I can’t wait!

Caroline Ghetes via Ruffled

Who or what has been most helpful and/or inspiring in the wedding planning process?
I think what’s most inspired us is the city of Savannah itself… we want our guests to get a feel for all of our favorite parts of the city at our wedding — our church in one of Savannah’s old squares, our reception in Forsyth Park, and an awesome jazz band, shrimp and grits and oysters at the reception! Other Savannah details include pralines and taffy in the welcome bags, transportation in a Savannah tour trolley, and before the wedding, a ladies’ lunch in City Market, a beer-and-oysters brunch for the men on River Street, and drinks at our favorite Savannah pub!

Blush rosette linen photo by Teran Photography and monogram uplighting photo by Patricia Lyons

How have you involved your “community” (friends, family, etc.) in the wedding planning process?
Josh’s mom and sister, my sister, and my sister-in-law (brother’s wife) all live in Atlanta, and have been so helpful to me at all stages, from traveling to Savannah to visit our venues, to making drink stirrers on craft days, to stuffing welcome bags and tying ribbons around 90 satin napkins! We’ve also planned for our good friends to have special parts in the wedding.

Has your vision for your wedding changed or evolved over the course of your engagement? If so, how?
Yes, it took us months to make up our minds between the Mansion and a smaller venue (our favorite Savannah restaurant), so I had two different weddings sketched out in my head -— the big ballroom wedding and the intimate restaurant wedding -— while we were still deciding. Once we decided to pull the trigger and go with the ballroom, I was able to dive into planning and develop that vision into the wedding we’re going to have. We are both so happy we decided to go for the wedding at the Mansion, and the wedding we’ve planned truly is going to be the wedding of my dreams. Also, generally, as time has gone on, I’ve gotten less stressed about making every detail unique and creative, and just had more fun picking out things that I like and that will enhance our guests’ experience. At the beginning, I wanted to incorporate every cool idea I saw online into our wedding, whether it really fit us and our wedding or not. I got a hold of myself, though, and reined in my wedding craziness to focus on us and only choose details that meant something to us and fit with our wedding.

Two of Sarah’s favorite bouquets: from Elizabeth Anne Designs on the left (photo by Photographix), and from Martha Stewart Weddings on the right

What part of wedding planning, if any, has made you the most anxious?
Sticking within budget, definitely! I dream a little bigger than we budget, but Josh has kept me grounded and helped us stick to a monthly payment plan. We succeeded at staying on-budget, and the closer we’ve gotten to the wedding itself, the more I realize that many of the little extras won’t really matter and that no one will miss the things we don’t end up doing.

What wedding-related decision have you been the most indecisive on?
Videography. We booked our photographer 14 months before the wedding, but just booked a videographer one month before the wedding because I couldn’t stop wondering whether we’d regret it!

Which part of your wedding have you been most intentional about planning?
The way we incorporate our family and friends into both the ceremony and reception. We’re having just our sisters and brothers as official bridesmaids and groomsmen (which is three on each side with Josh’s dad as best man), but I’m having my close friends walk down the aisle to music at the beginning of the ceremony and play other roles in the wedding. I’m also doing a few things to honor my mom, who passed away a few years ago. And at the reception, we will have a family picture table and meaningful songs for family played.

Beautiful table design by Laurie Arons (photo by Meg Smith) via Style Me Pretty

How has the budgeting been? What’s your best budgeting tip?
I wasn’t the best at it, but Josh helped me a lot and we did stay within budget. I’d say to get a good idea of your budget and make the big decisions before deciding on smaller expenses and details, and that details related to guest comfort are more important than details that look pretty (i.e., for us, trolley to transport guests and welcome bags stayed in the budget, but professional calligraphy ended up getting cut). And if you have a long engagement, wait to buy jewelry for your dress—I ended up with two sets I’m not wearing! And, since other brides end up doing the same thing I did, Ebay is a great source for accessories, even if you don’t want to buy used. I got both an unworn designer headpiece and a designer bolero for a fraction of the cost!

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
It was the first thing I did! I might have been googling wedding dresses even before we got engaged and might have found a picture of my dream dress. I thought it was out of budget and might not be available anymore, since it was a 2008 design, so was planning to look for something similar. But, shortly after I got engaged, the designer had a trunk show in town. I called, and they had the dress, and for a better price than I’d thought! My sisters and mother-in-law made me try on another dress first at the salon, and many other dresses after, but my dress was the second dress I tried on and it was perfect! I bought it right away, even though everyone told me to look around more, and I haven’t seen any other dress I’ve liked as well since!

Two of Sarah’s favorite hair styles: photos by Matt Edge on the left and Jose Villa on the right

What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
I’ve honestly really enjoyed the whole process — I love pretty things and details, and as a complete romantic, I’ve enjoyed having a year and a half to dream about the day I marry Josh. The best part has been that the planning really does allow the most wonderful day of my life -— when I’ll marry the man of my dreams — to last longer than just a day with all the planning and anticipation. The hardest part for me personally has been wedding planning without my mom, who passed away a few years ago. Not having her at this important time really makes me miss her sometimes. But my mother-in-law has stepped in and been a great help to me with a lot of the traditional mom-tasks, and my family and friends have been great, too.

What do you wish you would have known at the beginning of your engagement?
It’s okay if not every detail about your wedding is 100% unique, creative or blog-worthy, and while pretty details are important to the bride, they really aren’t so important to everyone else. It’s important to focus on your guests’ comfort, if you have to choose where to spend your money, and more important than anything is to focus on the love and the marriage that is the reason for the day rather than all the details of the event.

Definitely a guest-pleasing detail: Sarah and Josh’s magnolia wedding cake!

Any plans for a honeymoon? Where do you want to go and what will you do?
We are taking a mini-moon, a few days after the wedding just to decompress in the mountains. We’ll take an extended tropical island honeymoon later this winter; it gives us something else to look forward to!

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
A few things! Our german shepherd mix, Miss Mae, will be staying at the hotel and taking family pictures with us. I’d love for her to make an appearance at cocktail hour, but she might jump up on people, and that might not be appreciated (she is about 40 lbs). For those who’ve been to weddings with dogs, what have your experiences been? Is this cute, or annoying (or both)? Also, married readers, what is one thing I should make a point to do on the wedding day? Is there anything you’re really glad that you did that day to make it even more memorable, or anything you regret that you didn’t do? Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Sarah! We wish you all the best this weekend!! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

emily Written with love by Emily
6 Comments
  1. avatar Lisa reply

    Happy wedding week, Sarah!! That cake is going to be an absolute stunner, and the inspiration pictures are all so beautiful and chic!

  2. avatar Katie C. reply

    Best wishes, Sarah! I know your day will be perfect!!

    I love that you’ll include your dog in your family pictures post-wedding. You’ll always cherish those. As someone who is timid around dogs, I would be pretty uncomfortable if a good sized dog was walking around the reception…especially concerned that Miss Mae might jump up on my new dress or start barking.

    But it’s still your day…so if having her there makes YOUR day perfect, then remember it’s all about you and your groom!!

  3. avatar Madelynne Moulton reply

    AHH!! We just got back two days ago from visiting Savannah for the 1st time and celebrating our year anniversary and we both kept saying, man, we wish we’d gotten married here! It is safe to say, I am very jealous! Such a beautiful and inspiring city!!

    Make a point to EAT! That is critical! Also, be sure and LOOK AROUND. At the people, at the places, at the details, and most importantly, at your husband!

  4. avatar Kate Collison reply

    I just can’t handle the cuteness of the “wedding proposal + perfect house” story! Too much! Congratulations, Miss Bride Sarah! :) Re : Miss Puppy Mae! – I say go with your gut. You did that with the house, with the dress, and with the guy! ;) As someone who is a “dog person”, I think it would be useful to check to see if a family member or dear friend who is familiar with Miss Mae (or her size dogs) would mind walking her around the cocktail hour on leash for a bit. If her leash is pink and sparkly with a magnolia flower to match your cake (ok, now I’m just projecting ;) and she is well behaved, I’m sure it would be a big hit. If for whatever doggy reason she gets too excited and thinks ladies’ purses are chew-toys, then the puppy-leasher-person can always take her back post-pictures. Not every guest is going to want to greet Miss Mae, and if there are guests who are timid around pups, that’s not a problem if she’s on leash, happy to be near you and petted by flower-girls and dog-lovers. I’ve been at weddings where multiple dogs made an appearance on leashes for pictures and to say hello, and it was glorious for dog-lovers but understated and virtually unnoticed by timid folks. Honestly, I would also probably offer to BE the dog-leasher-person myself if I was a friend of yours, so you may have a bridesmaid or family member dying to have the honor, themselves! Felicitations! Bonne chance, darling! :)

  5. avatar Kristin reply

    Sweet Sarah!! Best wishes on your big weekend. My advice to ALL brides: Remember to stop and smell the (proverbial) roses. Remember to take the time to stop, take a deep breath and take it all in. Then, do it a second time. And a third. It is a very special day, a day that you have put your heart and soul into making happen. Make yourself a mental note to literally stop, look around, make memories, and enjoy each and every moment!!

  6. avatar Madi reply

    Congrats Sarah! You will make a stunning bride!
    Advice to you on your special day: If possible, include a moment at the beginning of your ceremony to look out and take that mental picture of all of your guests. Our pastor did this for my husband and I in our January nuptials and were so humbled by the smiling faces supporting us and great love that we felt in that moment as we were surrounded by all those we held dear.
    As everyone has said above… soak it up! Take it in! Enjoy each and every little detail because it goes by so fast. :)

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