Bride Hannah shares her romantic wedding at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn!
Please say ‘hey’ to today’s bride Hannah! Her wedding at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn to Nathan has me dreaming of perfect summer days and musing on the importance of blending families…
We often talk about incorporating family traditions, heirlooms, and even family members into your wedding day, but as y’all know, preparing for your marriage and blending your families starts long before your wedding day. I love how for Hannah and Nathan, not only was their wedding day a celebration of two families coming together, but so was their engagement! Hannah said, “As Nathan and I started our way back to the rooftop [after he proposed] we were greeted (tackled) by my family. The ten of us embraced into the biggest, happiest hug.” I imagine that moment was not only joy-filled for Hannah and Nathan, but their families, as well. Keep reading for more tender moments from these two!
Big SW hugs to Landon Jacob for sharing!
My mom and I did the wedding dress shopping together and made the time together so special. The very first wedding dress store that I ventured into put me into a dressing room labeled “Bella.” My mother, for as long as I can remember, has used the nickname Bella for me. We teared up when we noticed this, and felt overwhelmingly thankful to be together during the exciting time.
What was your favorite thing about wedding planning? It was just so much fun!! My favorite part of the planning were the weekends we spent up in Highlands planning. Every time we had to drive to the venue location (for the florist, walk throughs, cake testing, food tasting, etc.) we made a weekend out of it. These trips helped us make memories that will last forever!
What advice would you give to someone currently planning a wedding? When you walk down the aisle, make eye contact with your husband the whole way down. It is so easy to become side tracked by all your loved ones watching you, but then you will miss out on one of the most amazing moments of your special day. Also, plan a moment in your reception to step back with your husband and take it all in. Look at all your friends and family who came to love you, support you, and celebrate you. Take that moment it and never forget what it looked or felt like.
What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? We knew that we were going to get married in the summer and in the South, where we are both from. I only had one request — I wanted the ceremony outside. Nathan only had one request — he did not want to be hot and sweaty. Uh oh! Instead of having to compromise, we thankfully heard about an adorable mountain town called Highlands, NC where the summer months reach an average of 73 degrees — the perfect temperature for an outdoor wedding. Aside from the weather, we fell in love with the aesthetic features of the venue. It had so much raw beauty that left us in awe every time we visited. The final deciding factor of our venue was the staff at Old Edwards Inn. We absolutely fell in love with the events coordinator, Shayna Bigazzi. She was so kind, hard working, and made our entire journey SO much fun and easy. I never felt stressed planning the wedding because she took care of all the stressful aspects.
What were some of the most meaningful or special parts of your ceremony? The moment immediately following our ceremony when we got a few moments to ourselves was the first moment we had alone as a married couple. I remember Nathan wrapping his arms around me, and I just stared up at my new husband with the biggest smile. We kept looking at each other’s tear-filled eyes and giddily squealed, “we are married! We really are married!” over and over.
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? No first look for us. Nathan and I both wanted that moment to be special. We knew that the first look was something we wanted to save for the aisle. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions we ever made. That moment — that look on his face — will FOREVER be etched into my memory.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding? My favorite detail from the wedding was when I had the father-daughter dance with my Daddy. I was never the little girl who dreamed crazy dreams for her wedding. I never imagined what my dress would look like, what my cake would taste like, or what type of shoes I was going to wear. I did, however, dream about the day I would get to dance with my Daddy on the greatest day of my life. He (and Jesus) are the reason I found such a beautiful man to marry. My father’s love and example lead me to the man I got to marry. My dad rewrote the Jack Johnson Song, ” Angel” with lyrics for us. He asked my brother, who is an incredible musician, to play and sing it. The song was a surprise for me. Dancing to these lyrics in my father’s arms to the sound of my brother’s voice made this moment bigger than any dream.
Tell us all about the proposal! We were on a family vacation with my family in Aruba. Although Nathan had planned to propose in the middle of the week, he just couldn’t wait. He, along with his side kicks (my dad, brother, and brother-in-law), scoped out the island on day one to find the perfect spot to propose. Nathan decided to pop the question at sunset on the most adorable dock jetting out into the ocean. That night, we planned to have drinks at a rooftop bar that faced the ocean followed by dinner at my favorite restaurant on the island. Halfway through happy hour and minutes before a spectacular sunset, Nathan asked me if I wanted to go adventure out onto the dock that our rooftop bar was looking out on. Excitedly, I agreed to check it out and walked hand in hand out to the edge of the dock. He hugged me, spun me around, and fell to his knee, asking me the most important question of my life. Completely overwhelmed with joy and shock, I fell into his arms sobbing the happiest of tears. The second most special part of that moment was the cheers I heard from the rooftop in the distance. Realizing that my entire family was there to witness the best day of my life filled my heart with immense gratitude. As Nathan and I started our way back to the rooftop we were greeted (tackled) by my family. The ten of us embraced into the biggest, happiest hug.
When did y’all get married? July 8 2016
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 230
What did you serve for your wedding cake or dessert? We had a simple, three-tier wedding cake. I loved the look of a traditional, white wedding cake.
What was Southern about your wedding? The best way that I can describe my wedding as “Southern” comes down to the people. Everyone who joined in the celebration felt like a part of my family.
What was the hardest part about planning your wedding? The financial aspect was by far the hardest part for us. We had so many dreams for our big day and we wanted SO many of our friends and family to join in that it inevitably became more expensive.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? We had our wedding on a Friday. Our venue cut the cost on so many things for us just for holding it on that day of the week.
Photographer: Landon Jacob | Videographer: Neil Peterson | Planner: Shelley Legg for Chancey Charm Atlanta | Venue and caterer: The Farm at Old Edwards Inn | Florist: Floressence Flowers | DJ: Lethal Rhythms | Bride’s gown, bride’s accessories, and bridesmaid dresses: Bridals By Lori | Hair stylist and makeup artist: Beauty Asylum | Groom and groomsmen attire: Perno’s
What an awesome location. Bravo to the photographer too. These pics really show the day and how it unfolded.
Oh My that venue!!!
Such wonderful photography!