Southern Weddings

Thanks again to Rae and Wes for these inspiring images. Check out Rae Leytham’s {Blog} for the complete slideshow. For the behind the scenes action from the Bliss girls be sure to visit the {Bliss Blog} 

More Details: Bar service {Ritchey’s East} [note: guests
were served spiked  “sorbet shooters” late in the night… shot glasses
filled with frozen mango, watermelon and mojito sorbet… yum!],
Cupcakes and Cinnamon Rolls from {J’s Pastry Shop}, Valet by {NWFL Parking}, Rentals {Kents Special Events}, {Blue Rents} and {Townsend Catering}, Linens {Bliss Event Group}, DJ {Marty Stanovich}

Describe your wedding cake:  Didn’t have one! We went with our
own personal favorites for sweet indulgences; Jarrod’s cinnamon rolls,
and my double chocolate cupcakes. We’ve been to weddings where there is
so much of the dessert left over, so we also provided bakery bags so
everyone could take home some sweets to enjoy the next day.

What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding?
Roll with the punches! Planning a wedding is always going to come with
some bumps in the road. Also, get an amazing coordinator/planner. Our
day wouldn’t have happened without ours, Bliss Event Group. Having
someone there that cares enough to not only help plan your day, but
also pull out every last stop to make it happen is priceless.

Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration. Someone
told me I was the happiest bride they’d seen!  [Editors note from Lara: “I agree with that person!  Your love for Jarrod and your family was so genuine and radiant.”] That really make me feel
great, because that meant everyone could see just how joyous I was.
What’s next for you as a couple? Well,
I’m hoping to go back to grad school starting next year pursuing my
Ph.D. in psychology. Jarrod is also working on finishing up school in
criminal justice. We want to travel, and also spend as much time with
friends and family as possible.

Congratulations Brittany + Jarrod!  We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Welcome to Brittany + Jarrod’s cocktail hour and reception.  The cocktail hour music was live classical guitar from Steven Adams.  Guest enjoyed passed fresh seafood and chilled cocktails.  Dinner tables were filled with burlap and ribbon-wrapped flower vases, rattan square chargers, white square dinner plates, custom burlap runners and loose sea shells. Dinner was served family style with long rectangular serving platters. Catering by Chef Bob Pride of Gotham Catering, Wedding Design and Production by {Bliss Event Group}, flowers created by {Kebbie Hollingsworth} for Bliss, photography by {Rae Leytham Photography}

Describe your wedding flowers:  Absolutely magnificent!  We had tuberose, cherry brandy roses, succulents, different types of orchids, and birds of paradise for a hint of drama. Like the rest of the wedding, we wanted them simple and natural, but with some drama and interest. They were absolutely perfect!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Intimate, genuine, and heartfelt.
Favorite design element of your big day: Our table settings. The bamboo chargers, bamboo chairs, square white plates… all very natural and simple, but the touches that we had with the flowers, coasters, etc. really put it over the top.
 

More to come in Part V!

It may not seem like this venue site could be “Plan B”, but it is. The end result was perfection. Lara’s family home was a spectacular venue.  How about Brittany’s gorgeous bouquet!? It included four different varieties of orchids, various succulents, mini white calla lilies, ranunculus, tulips, freesia and tuberose (which smell Heavenly!) and mini white seashells tucked into the petals.  The stems were wrapped in natural burlap and mother of pearl and silver charms. Aren’t they a stunning couple!?

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? It didn’t seem like we were really up against too much until right at the end. The height of hurricane season brought a lot of stress… We were glued to the weather channel, watching each and every storm that seemed headed our way. When Big Ike was originally projected our way, we really thought we might not have our day at all.
Scariest moment? I think we had a few. Thinking only a week prior that Ike was headed this way; having to change locations less than 36 hours before. Also, my grandmother passed out after the ceremony, and there was fear that it was something serious, like a stroke. Thankfully, she had only fainted, but having her whisked off in an ambulance was very scary.
The most unexpected event on our wedding day was: I have to go with the day before…The change in location was totally unexpected, but turned out to be the best part of the experience!

Click back shortly for the reception!