Now this is my kind of wedding! Or, more accurately, this Monique Luillier gown is my kind of dress! Lace detailing? Check. Neutral-colored sash with vintage pearl detail? Double check! Katie + Andy tied the knot in a traditional Southern ceremony at the Carillon Beach Meeting House (check out those delightfully preppy green and navy details!) and, lucky for us here at Southern Weddings, Genya and Wesley Ann at Vue Photography were there to capture the Gulf Coast soiree.
How did the two of you meet? We both went to Mercer University in Macon, GA for undergrad. Andy was a member of the KA fraternity and I was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. All of my guy friends were in the same fraternity as Andy. We knew of one another through mutual friends, but had never really talked. One day, I was running with one of my sorority sisters—she ran really long distances and my limit was 6miles – and decided to head back to campus when I saw Andy at the red light ahead of me. I said his name and he waited on me to catch up with him so we could run back to campus together. We became fast friends and ran together every day. I was actually trying to set him up with one of my friends (mischievously trying to hide my interest in him) but he did not seem interested in dating her. I kept asking him why when he finally said he was interested in someone else. Luckily, he was interested in me! Pharmacy school in Atlanta took me to completing a clinical residency in Chattanooga, TN. This is close to my hometown of LaFayette Georgia. Andy moved to the Chattanooga area so that I could complete my residency and we did not have to be long-distance anymore (like we had been for the 4 years I had been in pharmacy school). After 7 years of dating and lots of memories, Andy proposed!
Describe the proposal: One of our favorite things to do on summer weekends is to take a pizza to the lake in our neighborhood and have a picnic. It was an exceptionally hot summer night for the North Georgia Mountains and we decided to stay in and make pizzas instead. We were both in the kitchen, I was looking exceptionally fantastic since it was so warm outside, when Andy said “I wonder how I was so lucky to find you 7 years ago?” We talked about our relationship and how much we had enjoyed our time together and I turned to continue working on dinner. Then Andy said “I wonder if I could get that lucky again?” When I turned to look at him, he was down on one knee with a ring in his hand. I was so surprised! I got down on my knees to hug him, when our Great Dane Hank tackled us both—he really likes hugs and wanted to be included.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Magical, surreal and enchanting.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? We wanted something that felt like a garden party but not all-white. I love color and wanted it to be bright and fun. We also wanted it to be comfortable for all of our guests and not at all stuffy. We are an extremely laid-back couple and wanted the night to represent who we are. Andy loves the outdoors, so we incorporates this into the night . . . hence his wonderful fishing cake. Pictures have been a huge part of my family’s life, so a photo booth also felt appropriate.
What was your favorite design element of your big day? We absolutely loved the various chandeliers hanging from the trees and the chaise lounge and bench that were propped under the chandeliers. This definitely created the garden party feel that we were going for. Our guests also loved the setting, which made it even better.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The homemade apple butter my mom and grandmother made as favors, the street signs that represent different roads in Macon—especially the head table because it was where Andy and I ran together on that first day – and the wonderful video put together by my aunt and cousin (they took pics while we were getting ready and compiled them all following the ceremony so that we could watch it during the reception).
Love the photo of the bride in the swing…so, so, so southern! http://www.southerness.blogspot.com
The pic of them walking on the beach with the sun shining through is gorgeous.