I am SO excited to introduce November’s Southern Bride of the Month to y’all. Madelynne was a familiar face to the Southern Weddings ladies already, since she’s one of our lovely readers who comment the most (we love when you join the conversation!), and then she completely captured us when we read about her darling engagement story and fabulous wedding plans. I hope you enjoy! And married ladies, make sure you take a minute to answer Madelynne’s question at the end — as an engaged lady, as well, I’m interested to hear your answers, too!
Hi! What’s your name?
Sarah Madelynne Miller (on Twitter here)
What’s your fiancé’s name?
Corey Wayne Moulton (on Twitter here)
What do y’all do for a living?
We graduated in May from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and are both working as Intern Architects in Atlanta, GA.
Personal photo
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
We met in the summer of 2007 both trying to get into the highly competitive undergrad Architecture program. Luckily, we both got in! Our first semester following acceptance into the program, we happened to live in the same apartment complex and sat across from each other in our studio class. Needless to say, we were inseparable. We ate meals together, went to class together, studied together, and pulled all-nighters together. Fast forward 6 months of being in the “friend zone.” I took my big sister’s advice, and told Corey I was in love with him on my birthday, 11/11/07. We have been together ever since!
Photo by Chris and Adrienne Scott
Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
Corey really wanted me to have a ring I would love, so we started looking at rings in June 2010, with the anticipation of getting engaged in the summer or fall of 2011. We looked in Birmingham, Atlanta, and Tuscaloosa, but we both knew we found THE ring around August while visiting my sister in Tuscaloosa.
I had driven to Auburn at the end of January 2011 to visit Corey and interview at the college’s internship fair. That year, I was doing an off-campus thesis 2.5 hours away, so I took every opportunity I could to see him. I had some interviews scheduled after he finished his, so he headed back to his apartment while I continued my interviews. After dinner, we came home and sat on the couch so I could watch The Bachelorette. I got out my iPhone and started going through my wedding blogs on Google Reader. He frantically ran into his bedroom and I thought, “What is his problem?!” He came back out and sat down and I said, “Look Corey, there’s a blog post on here about a girl with the same name as me AND it’s the wedding colors I love!” I scrolled down further and there was a picture of HIM holding the ring! By the time I realized what was going on, he was on one knee in front of me!
It turns out he planned the WHOLE proposal the day before – he had made a faux wedding blog with pictures of us in it, hacked into my Google Reader, and subscribed me to the blog so it’d show up on my account. It was perfect and I wouldn’t change one thing – except maybe take pictures!! He decided to have one element of surprise by proposing to me way ahead of when I expected him to, and I was very surprised!
The ring is by Sylvie Collection, and is an oval cut diamond with a diamond halo around it.
When’s the big day?
April 14, 2012
Yellow shoe inspiration from Madelynne’s Pinterest! Yellow toenails photo by 1313 Photography via Style Me Pretty, yellow heels photo by Marianne Wilson via Wedding Chicks
Where might you two be tying the knot?
Downtown Birmingham, AL. I am from Birmingham.
How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
I insisted on getting married in a beautiful church and was determined to find one. As it turns out, my grandmother married my late grandfather in an amazing church downtown called Third Presbyterian Church. That realization made that decision very, very easy. I have always admired the love she has for him, even though he died over 30 years ago. It’s so symbolic that I can get married the same place they did!
The reception venue is an amazing art gallery downtown called Matt Jones Gallery. I wanted a space with an industrial/loft feel to it. Corey is an incredible artist, so the art gallery seemed fitting and the place is around the corner from some of Birmingham’s best bars, so people can continue the party after we leave. It was the only place I visited and I knew as soon as I walked in that it was the place!
Private photo of Madelynne and Corey’s art gallery space being set up!
Who or what has been most inspiring in the wedding planning process?
My mother and sister are a constant source of inspiration for me; they are basically my creative assistants. The biggest inspirations are definitely blogs; I follow 25 different ones, no exaggeration. My favorites are Southern Weddings and Style Me Pretty.
Has your vision for your wedding changed or evolved over the course of your engagement? If so, how?
Not at all. I always wanted a contemporary, eclectic vibe with the main colors being yellow, grey, green, and white. I had a 2 day stint early in the process where I decided to change my colors to orange and grey instead of yellow and grey, but that didn’t last.
Lovely gray and yellow wedding inspiration (photo by Julie Harmsen)
Which part of your wedding are you most invested in?
Pictures, but I know Stephen DeVries is going to be amazing. Music is important to me, too, so I booked Odie based out of Birmingham. He’s an awesome singer/songwriter Corey and I saw over 3 years ago. The night we saw him perform, I said to Corey I wanted to book him for our reception one day, and we did! I booked both vendors within weeks of getting engaged.
Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
I found my dress 12 days after getting engaged, kind of on accident. Mom and I went to a consignment shop near our house one Friday. I had heard they had wedding dresses, so we stopped there to see how the selection was. I was browsing through the racks and there was a never been worn Carolina Herrera gown pretty close to my size and it was 75% off. It didn’t impress me on the hanger, nor was it even close to what I pictured myself in, but I tried it on and it fit beautifully and I cried. I looked elsewhere the next day, but I really couldn’t get it out of my mind. Mom went and picked it up 3 days later. It doesn’t match anything else about my wedding, but I really don’t care! I must mention my shoes while I’m at it – they are Kate Spade’s “Crown” and the same chartreuse color as one of the bridesmaid’s dresses! What a find!
Madelynne’s favorite hairstyle (photo by Cary Hazlegrove)
Who is your favorite vendor you’ve booked so far?
Chris and Adrienne Scott, Photographers did our engagement pictures in Nashville (Corey’s hometown) and they were a blast to work with. They are two of the most fun and laid back people that happen to take awesome photos. I’m also very excited about our future letterpress invites, which will be printed by The Aerialist Press. Our wedding photographer, Stephen DeVries, has been my dream to book since he photographed a girl from my high school’s wedding in 2009.
Do you have a favorite Etsy store you’d love to tell us about?
EmersonBindery makes beautiful handmade guest books that are reasonably priced. MollyGeeClothing made me a beautiful garter to match my hairpiece I found at The Villager in Auburn, which she also designed. DawnsCraftStore made a precious wedding dress hanger that my future mother-in-law gave me as an engagement gift.
Madelynne and Corey’s guestbook
Tell us about the one that got away. Is there one dream thing or vendor you wish you could have fit into your budget?
It’s amazing, but I have been able to find almost everything I want for the right price. You just have to research, a lot! I guess I would most want a videographer to capture the highlights of the day.
What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
The best part is seeing all of my ideas come to fruition. My mother sewed some amazing yellow chevron tablecloths for the bride and groom’s tables. I’m also very excited about the paper products Aerialist Press will be printing. Corey designed the chevron save the dates that we are printing locally and will be designing the invites and response cards as well. I love the LulaKate bridesmaid’s dresses too! Three different colors and all different silhouettes!
Bright bridesmaid dresses that partially inspired M + C’s (photo by Anne Marie Photography via Southern Weddings)
What do you wish you would have known at the beginning of your engagement?
How stressful guest lists would be! If I could, I’d invite twice as many people as we are, and we are already inviting around 250!
Any plans for a honeymoon? Where do you want to go and what will you do?
We are going to Secrets Maroma Beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We had a few strict rules for the honeymoon: 1. Ocean 2. Fruity drinks with umbrellas (yes, Corey wanted that too) 3. Do absolutely nothing.
Madelynne’s dream cake (photo by Meg Perotti and cake by My Sweet & Saucy via Grey Likes Weddings)
Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
Remember what the wedding is REALLY about: a holy sacrament to unite two people forever. At the end of the day, it’s you and him standing before God making a vow to each other and nothing else matters.
Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
For those who are already married, what details about your wedding stand out most in your mind? Or do you remember anything at all? I’m afraid it’ll all be a big blur!
Thank you so much for joining us today, Madelynne! I’m so glad we got to know better! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!
The Southern Bride of the Month header was designed by our Assistant Art Director Sierra, with illustration by Curious & Company!
y’all know I love to comment :)
A few of my favorite moments from my wedding day are when there were minimal people involved. When my mother and I stopped by the ceremony site, just after our hair was done but before a single guest was in sight -Remember, Marissa?? I loved being able to be in that spot, knowing in just a few hours that all my loved ones and my love would be there, watching me walk down our grassy aisle. Another moment was after our ceremony when Eric and I were standing in the park wondering how we were going to get to the reception – I had sent the limo on it’s way with our bridal party bc we wanted a few extra photos…whoops. But Eric’s older brother hopped in the pick-up and the 3 of us had a nice, “ahhhh” moment before the party began. Immediately after our reception was over, it started to rain, Eric and I stood on the veranda and just yelled “Wooooo!” {we were a little buzzed but just so relieved that we were married, finally!}. And finally, the Monday after our wedding, we re-created the wedding table-scape for Eric’s grandparents who were unable to make it to the wedding. We had a centerpiece all set up at their favorite table at the diner they eat at everyday, we ordered fried chicken and sweet tea, and I even had a corsage for his grandmother. It was our way of making them a part of the day.
So…yes, most of the wedding reception is a blur – lots of dancing, laughing. But I couldn’t tell you about a single conversation that I had. The ceremony is a sort of a blur, however, I requested that my minister give me the script that he used and Eric and I read it on our anniversary each year…kind of like a vow renewal. But, it’s the little moments {isn’t it always?} that I remember the most fondly.
Congratulations on your engagement, your wedding ideas are adorable and I’m sure it will turn out lovely! Make sure to hire a coordinator for the day of just so you and your creative assistants can relax and enjoy yourselves. God bless, Madelynne!!
I got married a month ago yesterday and already so much of it is a blur! The top 5 things I remember are 1. Having a quiet moment with my dad right before the ceremony. 2. The very first thing I wanted to do when I saw my husband for the first time that day was fix his crooked tie and kiss him all at the same time. 3. Taking a TON of pictures 4. Dancing my butt off at the reception 5. The relief of FINALLY being married.
Good luck and best wishes!
I so loved reading this about Madelynne! She is absolutely one of our sweetest clients and we are so thrilled to see her engagement and planning story shared. Totally lovely!
And to answer Madelynne’s question…Much of our wedding day was a blur but three things standout clear as day: 1) How attentive, thoughtful and genuinely thrilled for me by bridesmaids were the morning we got married. They were angels and spending that time with them was priceless. I will never forget Liz painting my nails an hour before photos and Emily running to the store for a toothbrush because mine was MIA. I can’t wait to return the favor someday! 2) My husband’s glee when we saw each other for the first time for our “first look”. His excitement, wonder and glow was so blissful I was completely engulfed in it. I couldn’t stop looking at him! 3) Seeing my mother standing next to my husband as I walked down the aisle on my dad’s arm. She officiated our wedding and looked so proud standing next to the man I was about to marry. It brought tears to my eyes. Having her guide us through the ceremony and to each other as husband and wife was the best wedding decision I made. I will never forget those moments!
Honestly the day goes by fast, it’s important to take a deep breath and step back at some point during the day. The first kiss (we hadn’t kissed for a month before the wedding), our vows (I bawled) and the speeches at the reception stand out the most! :) The details you forget will be filled in by other people as you share your memories of the day, my husband and I talked about it as we began our road trip honeymoon!
Such a clever proposal!
The best advice I got was to take a step back from your reception with your husband and take everything in. We chose to eat dinner by ourselves in a boat house near the reception. It was wonderful because everyone says you never get to eat and we were able to watch our reception and take it all in without any distractions. Congrats and enjoy your engagement!
When I look back at my wedding… there were so many little things that I loved and stick out in my mind. But the best feeling in the world was walking down that isle. It was a feeling that I have never had before. Very surreal. All I could do was thank God for that moment of having everyone there to witness me marry the best guy a gal could ask for on such a beautiful day. Everything I had planned for the wedding fell into place perfectly…. and at that moment, I could breathe and take it all in. Walking down that isle was a moment I will never forget. Congrats on your engagement and enjoy every moment of the big day!
From Madelynne’s future granny-in-law (that doesn’t sound quite right?!?):
I love the story and the whole layout! We’re so excited that Madelynne will be part of the family soon! I can’t wait till the wedding.
I love those cakes! So beautiful.
I would definitely recommend what Jessie said – take a step back with your new husband and just try to take everything in. And get a way for a few minutes to eat some dinner!
I love her dress in her engagement pictures! So cute!!
We were married about a month ago and a few things that most stand out would definitely be how fast the day goes by, definitely the surreal feeling of walking down the aisle – there’s nothing like that! We did a first look and read our personal vows to each other and am so thankful for that. We decided to do that only a few weeks before the wedding and we really did have so much more time for pictures following the ceremony, and it is something neither of us will ever forget! It was nice to have that special time just us to collect our thoughts and it really helped with the nerves of being in front of all those people! Love your colors, they’ll be perfect in April, enjoy and don’t sweat the small details towards the end, best advice I got the week before was “let go and let it happen.”
Madelynne,
I think you and Corey are the most precious couple I have ever seen, except for maybe my Mom and Dad. My Dad adored my Mom. I am so thrilled about your engagement, and upcoming wedding. I love all of the things you have picked out, and I am sure that it will be spectacular on your special day. I am so proud of who you both are, and will become together as husband and wife. Speaking of which, remember the moment that you are pronounced husband and wife……no sweeter sound will permeate your being as the first moment you realize that you are no longer two but now one. My favorite part is when they say….”What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Treasure the moments. God bless you both. Oh, and what an extra special treat for me that you chose to have your wedding on my birthday !!!! Thank you !!! You know, I was born on Easter Sunday that year, so the 14th has special meanings throughout history. OK, now that I have pointed out that I wasn’t born yesterday, since I used the word HISTORY, I will take my leave from this comment box.
[…] welcomed a familiar face to the blog as our Southern Bride of the Month! Madelynne is a frequent commenter and now we get to hear all about her big day with fiance Corey. […]
A little girl grown into a beautiful,funloving young woman who enjoys all life has to offer,this is MADELYNNE.I remember her visits to the lake where she would sit on the porch talking to two of her favorite people, her Mom and Dad. Your wedding plans reflect you and COREYS personalities,just the way it should be. My thought for both of you ‘IS TO ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR EACH OTHER AND TO ALWAYS HAVE FUN TOGETHER’. Love, Aunt Susan se
[…] and the second from the right. Let your man wear the tartan in his tie like the top right and the far left in the second row. How about a cool getaway car like this yellow convertible with red tartan interior. The plaids on […]
[…] 11. Chevron and succulent cake, photo by Meg Perotti and cake by My Sweet & Saucy via Southern Weddings […]
Where do I find that yellow and gray plaid tie?!
Hi Steve! I didn’t think I’d be able to track it down for you, but I did! That tie is from Express, but I’m not sure when it was bought. You can see more of the wedding that tie is from here: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/07/06/saguatuck-wedding-by-julie-harmsen-photography/
Having a gray and yellow themed wedding also. Saw the tie and loved it. Could you let us know where you got it or what brand it is? Congratulations on your wedding – it looked beautiful!
Where did Corey get the yellow plaid tie from?