Southern Weddings

It’s true, I love “antiquing.” My mama and I frequently make complete days out of rummaging through the traveling shows looking for unique treasures (one of my best scores is a vintage chandelier for $15!). So when I read that Rachel + Stephen incorporated family heirlooms throughout their decor, I must admit I was a bit jealous! I love how they carefully weaved pieces from relatives into their furniture and centerpieces as well as incorporating meaningful little details throughout their entire wedding. R + S are definitely a couple after my own heart!

Big hugs to Nathan Westerfield for bringing their big day to life!

I love how Rachel used fun details to add personality to her gorgeous classic gown. Those Toms look like they’re made for dancing the night away!

It was about the third place I had gone to look for a dress. It was the only one I found that I liked and it was the only one I tried on. It was too perfect! I knew before I even put it on that I was in love with it.

Yes we did do a “first look.” I never thought I wanted to do that. I wanted to keep with the tradition of not seeing each other, but as the wedding got closer, the more anxious I got and I knew that I would need to see him before the wedding to calm my nerves. It was the best decision ever.

I can’t let BDK see this post or he’ll completly agree with Stephen on the best detail of this wedding!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: (From the groom) The shotgun that my groomsmen got me, and the knives I got them. Take that for wedding presents! (From the bride) The antique accents that appeared everywhere.

We had homemade apple butter and clover honey in little mason jars for favors. Instead of having a groom’s cake, we had a groom’s table that included three types of homemade cobblers and vanilla ice cream. Old quilts made by relatives were used as the backdrop for the photo booth as well as to drape over the old wooden pew that we used for gifts. Old Southern doors and doorframes were used as the backdrop for the ceremony along with old chandeliers and picture frames.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met in third grade at church right after I, Rachel, moved to the Nashville area. We grew up going to school and church together throughout elementary, middle and high school and even into college.
Describe the proposal. I had just gotten home from school for Christmas break and Stephen said he wanted to take me out on a date. We went to a nice restaurant in downtown Nashville and afterward we went to see The Nutcracker at TPAC. Afterward, we went back to his house. He had built a pergola with lights and flowers strung all through the top, and had hung pictures of special places that meant a lot to us through the history of our relationship. He then got down on one knee and proposed, and I said yes! He had invited all our friends and family to my house to celebrate, which was also a surprise!
In what month did you get married? July
How many guests attended your wedding? 500-600
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding. Our prelude was “Beautiful Things” by Gungor and “A Place Only You Can Go” by Needtobreathe. We played “Blower’s Daughter” by Damien Rice as we seated the grandparents. The processional was to “Best/Rest” by Bon Iver, the entrance of the bride was “Your Hand in Mine” by Explosions in the Sky. We did communion to “Rock of Ages” by Brooks Ritter and recessed to “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros. Our first dance was to “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding, the father/daughter dance was to “Tootie Fruitie” and the mother/son dance was to “My Girl.”
Describe your wedding flowers: They were blush pink peonies and cream roses.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: We had a mixture of yellow cake and almond cake with natural white icing.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We incorporated antiques from relatives for all the furniture and centerpieces as well as the little details throughout the wedding. We had homemade apple butter and clover honey in little mason jars for favors. Instead of having a groom’s cake, we had a groom’s table that included three types of homemade cobblers and vanilla ice cream. Stephen got a shotgun as the wedding gift from all of his groomsmen and he gave all the groomsmen hunting knives. Old quilts made by relatives were used as the backdrop for the photo booth as well as to drape over the old wooden pew that we used for gifts. Old Southern doors and doorframes were used as the backdrop for the ceremony along with old chandeliers and picture frames.
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? (From the bride) The favors. I’m glad everyone got to take something home with them. (From the groom) The little accents and decorations. They meant a lot to Rachel.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? We both agree that it was seeing each other for the first time.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Try not to stress when you get just a couple of weeks away from the wedding. It will all come together and stressing about it takes away from the joy you’re supposed to have.

Written with love by Marissa