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Let’s start with a secret, y’all. When my husband and I registered for our own wedding gifts, we registered for only black and white items. My thought was that we didn’t have a home at the time and this way everything would match with my future stylings. Let’s be honest, the real reason we did this is because I’m obsessed with black and white. It’s classic, sophisticated and oh-so-chic! Much like Meridith + Patrick’s wedding! I’m smitten with their black, white and cameo pink color palette, but also the incredibly sweet details M + P incorporated into their big day. Especially the needlepoint silhouettes Meredith’s mama made, and her grandmother’s banana bread with Texas pecans in the welcome bags. And of course some good ol’ Blue Bell Ice cream!

We’re so glad Alyse French was on hand to capture this gorgeous fete!

I am not a girl to spend months trying on dress after dress after dress. A perpetual list crosser-offer, I was on a mission to find “the dress.” In one day. With my mom and best friend (and dad!) in tow. My only criteria was that it wasn’t overly ornate or something that would date. The December after our engagement, I came home to Houston for a long weekend for my mom’s birthday and while there, made appointments at three different bridal boutiques. I found a viable option during the first appointment and an even better — timeless meets preppy with pockets — option at the second. I didn’t have an emotional, teary-eyed moment, but definitely thought the dress was unique and reflective of my personal style. It felt right. Yet, we had one more appointment to go. After a massive (but comical) fail at the third boutique, I immediately called back the second — just minutes before their five o’clock closing time — to see if we could come back immediately to buy the dress. With luck and the kindness of our amazingly wonderful stylist, Fortunata, at Belle Mariee, we were able to procure the dress and open some bubbly, all the while meeting my goal of securing “the dress” in one day.

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not?
Patrick and I did decide to do a first look for a couple reasons. First off, this is a really exciting moment for a bride and groom and one that we wanted to capture not only in our minds, but also in photographs, forever. Our church had photographer restrictions in the sanctuary, so a first look best enabled us to capture that moment up-close-and-personal. Second, it really helped with the flow of events for the day and alleviated some pressure on our timeline after the ceremony. We took bridal party photos in addition to the first look before the ceremony, which worked out really well.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I think we have a tie for two different reasons. For its symbolism, we really liked the tartan hair flower I changed into for the reception because it was made from the tartan of Patrick’s family’s Scottish clan. It represented the transformation of my joining his family through our marriage. For its sentimentality, we really liked the needlepoint silhouettes my mom made that hung from our chairs at the reception. It was really special to have this handmade touch from my mom at the wedding, and we are still enjoying them now because they are hanging above each side of our bed at home.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? When we first started planning the wedding, some of our biggest priorities were making sure that out-of-town guests felt at home, that family traditions were honored and that everyone had a really good time. In other words, that the event was chock-full of Southern (and Texas) hospitality. Sure, we also included many traditionally Southern details — Bluebell ice cream, seersucker bow ties for the groomsmen, pearls for the bridesmaids, “Texas” alcohol in the bar, Brennan’s pralines as favors and my grandmother’s banana bread with Texas pecans in the welcome bags — but I really hope what stays with guests the most is the genuine hospitality they received and a new or rekindled appreciation for both the history and modernization of the South.

Did you write your own vows? We didn’t write our own vows, however we did ask that our minister use the vows from the Book of Common Prayer, which is slightly different from the vows in the Presbyterian Church. The language from the Book of Common Prayer is both clear and weighty: “…To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.” That last part just has so much gravity and weight to it, reinforcing that you’re making this vow not just to your spouse but also to the Lord.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We tried to choose scriptures that brought to life several angles of God’s vision and design for marriage, so we had passages that spoke to Creation (Genesis 2: 4-7, 18-24), God’s love (1 John 4: 7-16), and the parallels between earthly marriage and that of Christ and the Church in eternity (Ephesians 5: 1-2, 21-33). We had two of our uncles and one aunt read these passages during the ceremony, so it was really meaningful for us.

Describe your wedding flowers: A black and white wedding couldn’t be complete without anemones, so we ended up using a blend of anemones and black berries to bring a “pop” of black to the bridesmaids’ otherwise white bouquets of vendella roses and hydrangeas. They were also used in Patrick’s boutonniere and the reception centerpieces with peonies, O’Hare roses, and hydrangeas. We wrapped the bridesmaids’ bouquets in black and white striped grosgrain ribbon, which was a detail we carried out in several places throughout the wedding. Our centerpieces were one of our favorite decor touches. We had two variations: three clusters of varying heights in black milk glass vessels, and fun black candelabras that gave several tables more height without obstructing guests’ views across each table. My bridal bouquet was also a lovely blend of peonies, Ella garden roses and hydrangeas with dusty miller, all wrapped in a blush satin ribbon to which we affixed my family’s gold wishbone pin. All of the women on my dad’s maternal side of the family (or marrying into it) have worn this on their wedding day, so it was really special to be a part of that tradition.

I’ve always loved Pachelbel’s Canon in D — it reminds me of ballet class from growing up — so my bridesmaids walked into the church with the organist playing this piece. My dad walked me down the aisle as Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary was played — a traditional choice, but we wanted a pretty traditional ceremony. For the recessional however, we followed a bagpiper, playing a traditional Scottish score called Scotland the Brave, down the aisle and out of the church. Patrick’s family roots are in Scotland, so having a bagpiper incorporated into the ceremony was a surprise that was meant to honor his family. At the reception, our bridal party entered to the up-beat song Walking on Sunshine, and Patrick and I entered to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E,” a favorite of Patrick’s. Although most of our decisions erred on the side of timelessness, one that could date was our choice for the first dance, “Lucky” by Jason Mraz with Colbie Caillat. The lyrics and score are just so darn cute and meaningful for us, and it was really fun to dance to! My dance with my dad was to Heartland’s “I Loved Her First,” which was a sentimental but appropriate choice for a girl who grew up on country music. We closed the night dancing to Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned the Night” — a really energizing way to end the evening and one of Patrick’s and my mutual favorite bands right now.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert: Being from the Midwest, Patrick didn’t have the same desire for a groom’s cake that Southern guys do, however he also wasn’t a fan of the almond cake I fell in LOOOVE with during our tasting. What’s a bride to do? Add chocolate to the wedding cake. Within each tier of cake, we had an almond layer and milk chocolate layer sandwiching chocolate buttercream frosting and enveloped by a buttercream exterior inspired by the pintuck detail from my dress. It was the perfect compromise for our wedding cake.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. I grew up in Texas and moved to Chicago in 2006 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Meanwhile, Patrick grew up in Chicago and, after graduating from Miami of Ohio, life took him to Africa, Texas and Notre Dame before returning him to Chicago in 2009. In May of 2010, we both — not having met yet — found ourselves attending a singles weekend retreat with our church in Lake Geneva, WI. As providence would have it, we both decided to join a group of friends-of-friends to rent a boat one day during the long weekend. We had actually eyed each other the day prior while playing ultimate Frisbee, but it wasn’t until we were on the boat that we had a chance to really talk and connect. Chemistry was instantaneous and after some expert sleuthing skills on Patrick’s part to get my phone number, we immediately started hanging out back in Chicago.
Describe the proposal. Patrick’s first visit to my home in Houston was in August of 2011. At that point, we had discussed engagement, but I knew before he would officially propose, he would talk with my parents. So, we arrived in Houston and after settling in, I took Patrick on a driving tour of my favorite Houston hot spots. On our way home, we swung by a local bakery to pick up a dessert that my mom had ordered (supposedly). Patrick offered to run inside for the dessert so I could stay cool in the car. He came back with a HUGE black and white hat box tied with a bright pink ribbon. I was suspicious, but again, didn’t think it could really be happening. We got home and my parents were strangely not there. Patrick insisted that I (an obstinate, unwavering rule-follower) open the dessert box. Of course, I said no. But he insisted and gave me a look like I really needed to just open the box. I did and I saw that our dessert was in the form of cupcakes spelling out “Will U Marry Me.” Patrick dropped to one knee and said some of the sweetest words a girl could ever hear. Of course, I immediately said “yes” and we called my parents so they could come back home and the celebrating could officially begin. It turns out that Patrick had asked my parents’ permission the month prior while they were visiting us in Chicago – completely unbeknownst to me.
In what month did you get married? August
How many guests attended your wedding? 123
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding. I’ve always loved Pachelbel’s Canon in D — it reminds me of ballet class from growing up — so my bridesmaids walked into the church with the organist playing this piece. My dad walked me down the aisle as Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary was played — a traditional choice, but we wanted a pretty traditional ceremony. For the recessional however, we followed a bagpiper, playing a traditional Scottish score called Scotland the Brave, down the aisle and out of the church. Patrick’s family roots are in Scotland, so having a bagpiper incorporated into the ceremony was a surprise that was meant to honor his family. At the reception, our bridal party entered to the up-beat song Walking on Sunshine, and Patrick and I entered to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E,” a favorite of Patrick’s. Although most of our decisions erred on the side of timelessness, one that could date was our choice for the first dance, “Lucky” by Jason Mraz with Colbie Caillat. The lyrics and score are just so darn cute and meaningful for us, and it was really fun to dance to! My dance with my dad was to Heartland’s “I Loved Her First,” which was a sentimental but appropriate choice for a girl who grew up on country music. We closed the night dancing to Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned the Night” — a really energizing way to end the evening and one of Patrick’s and my mutual favorite bands right now.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Planning a wedding long-distance while having a demanding full time job was definitely a big challenge. I couldn’t be more thankful and appreciative of everything Natalie and Ashley at Two Be Wed did throughout the planning process and on the big day to bring our vision to life and make sure everything was executed flawlessly. I would also be remiss not to be eternally grateful for my mom’s help on the ground in Houston and her ability to step in when I wasn’t able to handle things. Planning a wedding in general is a big challenge, and I was very lucky to have a solid support system to help throughout the process.
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? Finding the right reception venue was one of our earliest challenges in the planning process. We were torn between a less expensive venue and one that would cost more. The less expensive venue would have freed up money to do other things but also required more investment to transform the setting into what we had envisioned. The more expensive venue would leave less money for “extras” but require less transformation to achieve our vision. We ultimately went with the more expensive venue and at the end of the day, we couldn’t have been happier because the food was not only fantastic, but the setting was exactly what we were looking for — traditional with a modern sensibility.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? We had a lot of memorable moments, but the most meaningful was probably our vows. In that moment, everything else slips away and you just look into each other’s eyes with all of the excitement and gravity of the moment, making the most significant vow you’ll ever make to your best friend in the whole world, in front of God and everyone who matters the most in your life. It’s thrilling and emotional and weighty all at the same time, and something you can never forget.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Create a vision up-front and stick to it; decision-making is easier if you know what the overall aesthetic goal is. Also, avoid the temptation to over-saturate your brain with wedding stuff. Catch up with friends. Enjoy life. Don’t drive yourself crazy by continually second-guessing decisions because you’ve seen yet another new pin on Pinterest (aside: I didn’t join Pinterest until after the wedding because I knew I couldn’t handle the additional sea of ideas. Don’t get me wrong, Pinterest is awesome. But know yourself well enough to know your limits and create some boundaries).
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? At 120+ days in and counting, we’re still trying to get settled in at home; I feel like we have piles of randomness in every corner of our condo that need to be sorted through and either tossed or put away. But it’s been such a fun journey so far! It’s so great to wake up next to your best friend every morning and come home to them at night — to always have someone there to talk to (or just be with) and support you in every way. In 2013, we’re hoping to take a big step forward in adult responsibilities and get a puppy :) We are REALLY excited about this prospect. In the longer term future, I think we’re just really excited to see where life takes us, together. We literally have no idea where life will lead but we’re really excited to face everything together with the confidence that we’re not in this alone on several levels.

marissa Written with love by Marissa
15 Comments
  1. avatar Sharon @ Red Poppy | Pink Peony reply

    I love the black, white and pink and all the pretty and special details of this wedding!

  2. avatar Abby Grace reply

    I LOVE Alyse’s work! She definitely did this wedding justice!

  3. avatar Lisa Quattrini reply

    Merideth did a fabulous job (though as Matron of Honor I may be biased…). The level of care toward her out of town guests was superb, and the Houston- and Texas-centric touches were a perfect complement to the sophistication and class of the whole weekend. Thanks, Alyse, for doing such a wonderful job capturing my best friend, and thank you Marissa for letting Merideth shine in such a public way! The amount of effort she put into the day definitely warrants the beautiful piece you’ve given her. Great job, Merideth!

  4. avatar Featured: Southern Weddings Blog | Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer reply

    […] a BIG day for me! Because the beautiful ladies over at ILoveSWMag.com are currently featuring Merideth and Patrick’s gorgeous wedding! It’s filled to the brim with Southern charm. And I am so, so grateful for the opportunity to […]

  5. avatar Michelle Hickey reply

    This wedding is beyond classy. The silhouette accents and the black candleholder centerpieces are my favorite details! Natalie did such a wonderful job using black as an accent color, while still giving the overall wedding a light and airy feel. Bravo!

  6. avatar Natalie Dawley reply

    Thank you, Ladies for sharing our work with the world! You are a light in this industry and it is an honor to be a part of the family. Merideth and Patrick’s wedding will be on my fav list for a long time!

    A special thanks to Merideth and her precious mother, Debbie (and Hal too) and to Recollection Vintage Rentals and Tamara Menges Designs for interpreting the vision. Hello and Co was brilliant yet again and the same for Susie’s Cakes!

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  11. avatar Jennifer reply

    Love the pictures! Would love to know where you ordered your wedding invitations. I love them!

  12. avatar Top 10 Colors for Bridesmaid Dresses | TulleandChantilly.com reply

    […] photo credits: 1/2/3 […]

  13. avatar Linen & Black: Wedding Colour Inspiration – Wedding Inspiration & Ideas | UK Wedding Blog: Want That Wedding – Wedding Inspiration & Ideas | UK Wedding Blog: Want That Wedding reply

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  14. avatar Annette reply

    Where did you find the black candelabras??

  15. avatar Genevieve Strycharz reply

    Hi! I love your black candelabras!! Where did you get them?!

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The way Mike proposed to Christie is similar to my dream proposal — simple, heartfelt and a little nod to how far they’ve come. I just adore that Christie was lucky enough to be able to wear the ring that was a part of Mike’s family for generations. How special is it know knowing that the ring on your finger was also a part of many love stories before yours? In my opinion, their gorgeous blue wedding was just the icing on top of the cake! We love these images from Tracy Timmester — especially how she makes biscuits look so buttery and delicious, even on a computer screen.

Check out more of Christie + Mike’s wedding in their video by Thomas Bowen right here!

Raise your hand if you love Christie’s bouquet ribbons! I adore the colors and textures. It matches perfectly with her flowers!

There was no question about who I wanted to do my wedding flowers. Holly Chapple is an amazing artist and I am so blessed to call her a friend. It is so important to let your vendors have the creative license to do what they do best: design. I asked Holly for pretty, soft, romantic flowers and let her take it from there. What we ended up with was so much more than I could have ever dreamed of. They were lush and romantic with tons of hydrangeas, cabbage roses, and delphinium.

I wanted finding my dress to be a really special day, so I decided to only take my sister and my mother with me. We found the dress at the same shop (Betsy Robinson’s) where my sister found her dress. I fell in love with how elegant it was and the detailing on the flower. Before we were done, I had to add one signature touch – the ivory satin ribbon tied into a bow in the back made the dress perfectly me!

Both Mike and I felt strongly that we wanted the first time we saw each other to be when I was walking down the aisle toward him; that moment is so powerful and special. I am so happy we stuck to our guns on not seeing each other before the ceremony. Our guests got to share in the genuine emotion of the moment we saw each other. When I got to the end of the aisle, we were both all smiles.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We love the beauty and tradition of the Catholic ceremony so we used the traditional vows. Our absolute favorite part is where we promised “to love and honor each other all the days of our life.” We really try and live that vow every day.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Sirach 26, 1-4. 13-16 This has been one of my favorite Bible passages my whole life. It sums up who I hope to be as a woman and as a wife. Philippians 4, 4-9 — This reading reminded us that God is at the center of our lives and should be at the center of our marriage. The Gospel was Matthew 22, 35-40 — My absolute favorite reading. When it all comes down to it, all we need to remember is to love God with our whole hearts, minds and souls – and try and love each other in that same way. It’s simple and profound.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? The most important aspect of our wedding was that Mike and I wanted our guests to walk away from our wedding feeling like they were treated to the best Southern hospitality and are surrounded by lots of love! I knew that I wanted to focus on making sure our guests had the best experience for our wedding weekend. We chose a location that would be great for our big families and vendors who we loved as artists and people. That Southern hospitality began with our welcome bags. We included a personal note in each bag and stuffed them with two family favorites, candied pecans and Grandma’s lemon pudding pound cake, both baked from scratch in my mother’s kitchen! When guests arrived at cocktail hour, they were treated to our “Southern Charmer” cocktail (a champagne mint julep) and shrimp and grit fritters. Dinner included a candied pecan salad with goat cheese and red wine-braised short ribs with home-style mashed potatoes and cornbread. The late night Biscuit Bar was perfect for all of our guests who had literally been on the dance floor for hours. Our personalized signs helped guests load up fresh biscuits with all their fixings. I also wanted to honor all the special women in my life in some way, so I wore a little memento for them on the wedding day. My engagement ring was an heirloom from women in Mike’s family, I wore my great-grandmother’s earrings, carried a handkerchief hand-embroidered by my grandmother, my pearl necklace and bracelet were gifts from my mother, and my sorority badge was pinned to the inside of my dress.

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding. The amazing organist at my church agreed to learn the Wedding Processional from the Sound of Music AND he brought in a trumpeter to make it extra special for my entrance. There was not a dry eye in the church! That movie was very special to my grandmother and me. We used to watch it together all the time when I was a little girl and it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear how regal and beautiful the song is. Our first dance was set to “Making Memories of Us” by Keith Urban. The song talks about everything we want in our marriage – to honor each other’s families and to spend a lifetime together making incredible memories. My father-daughter dance was extra special. My dad and I danced to Josh Turner’s “I’ll Be There.” The lyrics of that song perfectly express what every parent hopes to be for their child, and what my dad and mom have meant to me over all these years. Mike and his mother’s song was “Young at Heart” by Frank Sinatra which perfectly captured their playful and fun relationship!

Whoa. How delicious does C + M’s biscuit bar look? We’re not surprised that it was a total hit and C + M’s favorite detail of the wedding.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Mike and my brother Kevin have been friends for years, but I never got a chance to meet Mike. I remember when I finally did run into him at a golf course, I spent almost a half hour joking around with him and thinking how funny he was! My brother ended up setting us up on a date, and after that, Mike and I were pretty much inseparable. (You know you have a great guy when your baby brother gives it a thumbs up!) Mike is funny, kind, and makes me so happy, so of course I was thrilled when he decided to propose!
Describe the proposal. On our first date, Mike invited me over to his house and cooked me an amazing meal. Over the hours that we spent talking, I started to realize just how kind, funny and sweet he was — not to mention a fabulous cook! For the proposal, he recreated that first date and then we took a walk around the neighborhood. He got down on one knee right at the spot where we had shared our first kiss and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. He gave me a beautiful ring that has been a part of his family for generations. I am so honored to wear that ring and to be a part of such an incredible family!
In what month did you get married? March
How many guests attended your wedding? 171
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: The wedding cake was absolutely delicious! We went with two flavors, Viviacious Vanilla and Caramelicious. Most guests had a slice of each because it was so yummy!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Mike and I have so many special people we wanted to share our wedding day with, so keeping the guest count down without leaving out important friends was our biggest struggle. We decided to remove a few design elements in order to make sure that we could accommodate all of those people in our budget. In the end, we were so honored to have so many of our friends and family travel in from all over the country to be with us on our wedding day.
What range did your wedding budget fall into? We were in the $25,000-$50,000 range.
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? The band! We had the BEST TIME EVER dancing at the wedding thanks to Snackbar Jones. The energy they brought to our celebration made all the difference in the world I really don’t think I have ever seen a dance floor that packed for every song of the night. Our guests left raving about how awesome the music was.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? We had the most amazing toasts at our wedding. Mike’s brother, my sister, and my dad were sweet and so funny! My dad had saved a Father’s Day gift from my childhood – I gave him a book of coupons good for a hug, a kiss, and a silly dance. At the end of his speech, he ripped out the coupon for the silly dance and traded it in for our father-daughter dance. I will never forget that moment!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? The best advice I can give is to hire a wedding planner! I have no idea what I would have done without the support of the planning team. My family was able to spend time with me and Mike instead of having to run around to check on the details and put out fires. Consider your planning team an insurance plan for one of the most important expenses and days of your life!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We are having so much fun settling into our new home together and getting used to calling each other husband and wife! We can’t wait to start a big family and are so excited for all the fun milestones to come.

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
4 Comments
  1. avatar Lisa reply

    From the bouquet ribbons to the biscuit bar, this wedding is a dream!

  2. avatar Christie & Mike’s Wedding Featured on Southern Weddings » Timmester Photography reply

    […] lovebirds.  And clearly, Southern Weddings agreed!  Check out the full Southern Weddings feature HERE or see a few snippets of it below.  You can also see Christie & Mike’s full wedding blog […]

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    […] {These bouquets are my definition of perfect. From the flowers to that incredible ribbon, I’m quite in love! By Timmester Photography via Southern Weddings} […]

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    […] my gosh, a biscuit bar? This could not be a better way to represent our southern […]

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What is it about ceremonies under giant trees that are so romantic? Ansley + Carlton decorated with a simple streamer backdrop and we think it’s all they need to create a lovely space. The couple looked mighty sharp with the bride in an Essence of Australia dress and the groom in a slim fitting tux, but a late night wardrobe change added a punch of fun to the getaway. We’re dishing out hugs to The Reason who shared this wedding with us!

For a bridal party that looked so sharp in the end, it was a rocky road to sartorial splendor: Two days before the wedding we went to pick up the groomsmens’ tuxedos only to find out that the tuxedo shop had gone completely out of business. We were not notified by anyone, the lights were off, and (literally) one pair of shoes and a sewing machine were all that was left behind! Luckily, after a lot of stress, a logistics miracle, and a team effort by our families (with a special “shout out” to the mother of the groom!), everyone had a tux on wedding day.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our wedding was on a pecan farm in middle Georgia. The ceremony was held in the midst of the orchard. We enjoyed our first meal on the candle lit back porch of an old Georgia home originally built in 1804. We added some Southern fun into the cocktail hour with corn hole, bocce ball, and bourbon-based Manhattans. Our guests chowed down at the grits bar, on pork tenderloin sliders on sweet potato biscuits, and on braised beef brisket with Coca Cola gravy.

From the groom: Our first dance was amazing, and a little bit surreal. We took a few lessons at Firefly Studios in Decatur and our first song was “I’m Your Man” by Michael Buble. It felt as if we were floating in time… there were several big dips and, fortunately, I didn’t drop her!

We adore these next photos because they seem to represent the best of the South, and, really, the goal of most weddings: enjoying time with the ones you love (bonus points for involving a porch and rocking chairs!). And the late night snacks of PB&J, milk shooters, and a nacho bar? THAT is gooder than grits.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We bumped into each other at Georgia Tech our freshman year of college and met again later that year through a mutual friend. We instantly became friends and were just that for three years. Gradually, our feelings grew for one another. Nights out with big groups turned into long talks, lunches, and romantic dates by ourselves. It was almost strange when we realized how much time we were spending thinking about one another and that our relationship had become more than “just friends”.
Describe the proposal: Carlton proposed in black tie, in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, in complete darkness…the only glow coming from the flashlight aimed at the ring! We then left immediately and spent the next three days in different locations throughout Georgia: The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, and Cedar House Inn & Yurts in Dahlonega, where our immediate family members joined us for two days in North Georgia wine country.
In what month did you get married? October
How many guests attended your wedding? 220
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: (From the groom) The lighting from the hanging lanterns and string lights to the lamps at the bar. (From the bride) The dessert area with the antique doors, suitcases, and lace doilies followed by a really close second: our late night snack of a nacho bar with all the toppings imaginable, and Carlton’s PB&J with milk shooters.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I never would have tried on my wedding dress had my mom not insisted. After trying on what felt like hundreds, I put it on and actually used the word “love.” I changed the crystal beading in the flowers on the dress to a matte black to give it a little more personality. Knowing that I wanted to be able to let loose and dance, I had to have a short dress for the reception and was able to find the perfect one at Urban Outfitters.
Describe your wedding flowers: I don’t know a lot about flowers, but the one thing I did know was that I wanted something bright and wild flower-esque. Technically we didn’t have “colors” for our wedding so this was our way of adding a bright pop. They turned out even better than we could have imagined.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: Neither one of us felt like we had to have a wedding cake, so we decided to go with cupcakes. We had red velvet, Guinness, vanilla, and carrot cake. They were out of this world!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $50,000-$75,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? For Carlton, it was the band. For me, the photography and videography.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? (From the bride) I had about 15 minutes alone, sitting on the back porch of the house drinking a beer. I was watching all the guests walk down the path into the field to be seated for the ceremony and I could almost see Carlton standing at the front. It was the one moment of calm where I was really able to take it all in.
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We decided to do a “first look” or as we liked to call it, “the Big Peek.” We thought this would calm our nerves a bit pre-ceremony and would give us time to spend together before the wedding. The biggest reason of all, though, was so that we could take pictures beforehand and start the celebration right after the ceremony.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? There is a significant amount of small details that add up quickly as the wedding approaches. Plan as much as possible as early as possible! Also, having a wedding planner, if for nothing other than the day of the wedding, will allow you to relax and live in the moment while she/he handles the many inevitable crises, large or small.

Photographer: The Reason // Videographer: The Reason // Planner: Simply Charming Socials // Design/Décor: Simply Charming Socials and Ashley Pepitone Design // Venue: Specht Farm // Florist: Birch Blooms // Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: The Little Cake Bakery // Caterer: Endive // Rentals: Don’s Special Event Rentals // Linens: Endive // Lighting: Don’s Rentals and Simply Charming Socials // Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Essence of Australia // Bride’s Reception Dress: Urban Outfitters // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their own

Simply Charming Socials is a fabulous member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

We love these weddings, too!
Meg + Josh’s colorful barn wedding here and here.
Laurie Anne + Taylor’s intimate ceremony and string lights reception here and here.
Meghan + Michael’s outdoor afternoon wedding here.

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
17 Comments
  1. avatar Ashley Pepitone reply

    Carlton and Ansley are such a beautiful couple, inside and out, and this was such a fun wedding to be a part of. I loved being able to work with two of my very favorite vendors in the industry- Simply Charming Socials and Birch Blooms. Thank you so much for featuring this wedding, it was one I will never forget! xoxo

  2. avatar molly reply

    OHILOVETHIS! we had corn hole at our wedding, too… so i can relate to that awesomeness. but i just love the personal touches. beautiful!

  3. avatar Chris + Allie Bartelski reply

    One of our favorite weddings! Loved everything about it – the couple, vendors, details, everything! Thanks for featuring. :)

  4. avatar Featured . Southern Weddings reply

    […] loved everything about this wedding and are so glad it’s featured today on Southern Weddings. Check out the full post here! See more of Ansley + Carlton on their Engagement, Details, Wedding, and Video […]

    • avatar Caroline reply

      Featured . Southern Weddings: This wedding is beautiful!! How can I find Specht Farms as a possible location for my upcoming wedding? Is there a way you can send me contact information for the place?

  5. avatar Plum Pretty Sugar Loungerie reply

    Such a dreamy wedding!!

    xo

  6. avatar Coretta/Stella & Dot Jewels reply

    Really well done event! There is a LOT to love about this one. Congrats!

  7. avatar Tim Duncan reply

    Love the details of this wedding. The hanging lights and cupcakes were so cute!

  8. avatar Jenny (Captured Photography) reply

    What an adorable couple. Her laugh is so stinkin cute!

  9. avatar Jayson @ Jayson and Rachael Photography reply

    Beautiful wedding and the details are simply stunning. However, I would have liked to see a couple more of the bride and groom. The details are beautiful but the day is about the couple. -Jayson and Rachael

    • avatar Emily reply

      Hi Jayson and Rachael! Thank you so much for offering your feedback! The mix of detail and couple shots is definitely a delicate balance, and one that we’re always working on. We try to include enough couple shots so that readers can get a feel for the day, but enough detail shots so that it’s a useful feature in terms of inspiring their own planning. And of course, we couldn’t agree more that the DAY is about the couple, but the blog post is a bit more about their wedding day details! :)

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