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It doesn’t get much more Southern than a front porch, and when said front porch is the namesake of a beautiful farm venue outside of Nashville, Tennessee, it’s safe to say that you have the attention of the Southern Weddings gals! Christine and Drew chose Front Porch Farms as the venue for their spring wedding, and they loved hosting their out of town family members and friends there. One of their most special guests? The pastor who officiated their ceremony–he had predicted Christine and Drew were perfect for each other a year before they met, and even set them up on their first date!

Thank you so much to our dear Blue Ribbon Vendor friends, Landon and Jordan of Landon Jacob, for sharing this lovely day with us!

The pastor who married us had been trying to set us up for over a year. As chance would have it, we were both in other relationships, but that didn’t stop Matt (our pastor) from still trying to get us together. Finally, when the timing was right, we went on a brunch date. After leaving our first date, Drew called his brother and said, “Mark my words, I am going to marry that girl.”

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Yes!! I’m a wedding photographer, so I know that the day can already be a bit of a blur. I think the first look can be even more intimate of a moment, and it takes nothing away from walking down the aisle. Drew was not sure about doing a first look, but now that we have done it, he thinks it was the best decision. We got sweet photos before the wedding, and we got to spend more time together by seeing each other before the ceremony. It was a favorite moment of the day!

We chose songs that had personal significance in our relationships with God. The wedding party walked down the aisle to “Before the Throne,” and I walked down the aisle to Phil Wikham’s “Divine Romance.” We also played a bluegrass version of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” They were performed by our talented friends, singer-songwriter Jake Ousley and songwriter Jeff Pardo. After we said our vows, we walked out to “Your Love is Lifting me Higher.”

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The pastor who married us is the man who predicted our marriage a year before we met, and the one who finally got us to go on a date.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Most of our guests were from out of town, so we wanted a venue that allowed our guests to stay in downtown Nashville and experience all that we love about the city. We also wanted a place that had good lighting, was beautiful and didn’t need much additional decor, and was budget friendly.

We had organic bouquets of peach, burgundy, white, and pink Juliet garden roses, ranunculus, anemones with navy centers, peonies, and Queen Anne’s lace, mixed with an assortment of greenery, including seeded eucalyptus and clematis vine. We tied bouquets with a variety of lace and ribbon, and the boutonnières were also all wrapped with different ribbon or gold wire. The table centerpieces were in wooden boxes, and we mixed in wood slices with milk glass, blue mason jars, old books, and brass candle holders. We also had greenery garlands around the menu and bride and groom chairs.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. This is one area where we saved money, but didn’t feel like we cut corners. We ordered three cakes, all with buttercream icing in different textures, and we added flowers for the decoration. The cakes were delicious, and they were from Publix! Drew LOVES chocolate chip cookies–he is literally a cookie monster! Chocolate chip cookies and milk for the groom’s cake were a no-brainer. We had 2%, skim, and almond milk available for guests to have with the cookies.

Tell us all about the proposal! I love to travel. Early one morning, Drew came to my house and woke me up, Starbucks in hand, and told me to pack my bags while he made us breakfast tacos, because we were headed to a destination that was 70 degrees. I was pretty confused and started to list off the design meetings and engagement session I had scheduled, but he assured me he had contacted all of my clients and taken care of everything. As we scanned our ID’s at the airport, San Diego came up on the screen! Once we arrived, we rented a convertible and headed straight to La Jolla beach, where Drew proposed at sunset. He had made three boxes representing when we met, when he fell in love with me, and then him asking me to be his wife. Each box had journal entries he had written and photos. It was extremely significant and special. After that, we got a glass of wine at Hotel de Coronado, followed by some late night McDonald’s. We were able to stay with some of Drew’s friends in San Diego and spent a few days exploring the city.
When did y’all get married? April 18, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 160
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Our first dance was to Tristan Prettyman’s “All I Want is You.” One of our favorite memories of the wedding day was our last dance. We had everyone clear out of the reception and we shared our last dance alone to “Wagon Wheel,” which was the first song we ever danced to together.
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I did! My something borrowed was my veil (which I only wore walking down the aisle); it belonged to one of my bridesmaids. My blue was my blue suede Cole Hann wedges. My old was the diamond on my engagement ring; it was my grandmother’s that she gave to me. My new was my Stella York wedding dress!
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We recently moved to Fort Worth, Texas from Nashville and bought our first house! Drew is working at Watermark Community Church as the director of student ministries, and I’m working on starting my photography company, Declare Photography, and my interior design company, Christine Zeiler Interiors, in Fort Worth.

Photographer: Landon Jacob / Planner and Paper Products: Christine Zeiler / Venue: Front Porch Farms / Florist: Catherine Wilson / Cake Baker: Publix, Catering: Bacon & Caviar / Rentals: The House Nashville / DJ: Tim Hiber / Calligraphy: Four Hats Press / Print Layout: Arboreal paper / Invitation Template: How Lovely Paper / Bride’s Gown: “5703” by Stella York / Bride’s Jewelry: Jessie Jordan / Hair Stylist: Leslie from Katie Russo / Makeup Artist: Katie Russo / Bride’s Shoes: “Nike Air Wedges” by Cole Haan / Menswear: J.Crew / Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan

lisa Written with love by Lisa
4 Comments
  1. avatar Karena Dixon reply

    This is such cute wedding!

  2. avatar Loverly reply

    What a stunning ceremony venue!

  3. avatar Dana reply

    love so many details in this wedding!

  4. avatar darling dogwood details | Merriment Events™ Wedding Planning & Design l Richmond, Virginia reply

    […] image #1 cake by maggie austin, photographed by abby jiu for maria & josh’s wedding; #2 wreath via once wed; #3 cookies for megan + will’s wedding photographed by katie stoops; #4 maids with dogwood bouquets photographed by landon jacob via southern weddings magazine; #5 dogwood arrangement photographed by landon jacob via southern weddings […]

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Abby and Cameron may not remember exactly when they first met, but I’m sure they’ll always remember everything about November 2, 2013. From the sweet morning Abby spent with her family, to the letters the couple exchanged around a corner in lieu of a first look, to their prayerful ceremony, to the family reunion feel of their outdoor reception, joy radiates from Abby and Cameron in every single one of their wedding day moments, captured beautifully by Jess Barfield. Don’t miss Abby’s recollection of her most memorable moment especially–it’s a wonderful reminder that every detail doesn’t need to be perfect in order to have your perfect wedding day!

I knew I wanted our wedding to be outdoors, and we wanted everything to have a family feel to it, so our venue was a house! Friends of ours recently restored a farmhouse that’s over 100 years old. The family is so dear to my heart, and they were extremely generous to allow us to have our wedding there. I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect place.

I had always thought I wanted a very mature-looking, fitted lace dress, since I have a pretty youthful look. I tried on what felt like a million of those and nothing seemed to click. One of my best friends had me try on a different style (one that my mom and aunt were trying to get me into all day) and I immediately knew I had found the dress for me! It fit my personality–it was more whimsical, fun, flowy, a little vintage, and I could dance in it (hello, a must!).

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We didn’t end up going with a first look. I wasn’t opposed to it, but Cam really wanted to experience the moment he first saw me in the context of our ceremony and worship! It was really special. Instead, we exchanged letters before the ceremony, which was one of my favorite moments of the day. It also allowed us to get a few cute pics!

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? There were so many sweet moments I’ll never forget, like seeing Cameron tear up at the end of the aisle or the time with my immediate family the morning of the wedding. However, one of the funniest moments happened with my dad only minutes before we walked down the aisle. All of my bridesmaids had gone before me and my dad and I were waiting inside the farmhouse to go next. I stood up to peek out the window and snagged my dress on something on the floor! The whole bottom hem of my dress was hanging off. My dad looked at me to see how I was going to react and then we both just started laughing–what else can you do? He ended up cutting the hem off and we walked on out and down the aisle. We said we wouldn’t tell anyone (sorry, Dad), but it really helped me realize that not everything had to be perfect in order to have a perfect wedding day.

We didn’t have any readings, other than what our pastor read in his message. Instead, we had a time of worship, which was really important to us. Our number one goal for the ceremony was to create an atmosphere where the Lord was receiving all of the glory, honor, and praise. Worship was the most practical way for us to do this. It was so powerful and I will truly never forget those moments!

From the cotton in the floral arrangements to the rustic barn filled with chickens, the whole night felt very Southern. We had Texas BBQ and drank Nashville sweet tea. The band was located off the back porch, Louisiana-style, which made the reception seem laid-back and more like a big, fancy family reunion!

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Probably the weather. We didn’t have a plan B, which, in retrospect, might not have been the best idea. I wanted everything outside, so we strung some outdoor lights in the trees and prayed for clear skies. It rained the entire week before my wedding and didn’t stop till Thursday–yikes! We brought in lots of hay and the groomsmen laid it down on some of the muddy parts of the land, which worked out great!

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. My grandmother, Omee, recently passed away. We were extremely close and I wanted her to be a part of the wedding in some way. Her favorite kind of cake was strawberry, and thankfully, Cameron and I both love strawberry cake as well, so we had “Omee’s Strawberry Cake” for our wedding cake. Cameron is also a lover of all things peanut butter, so his groom’s cake was chocolate peanut butter.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I remember first meeting Cameron at a spontaneous glow-in-the-dark dance party at a friend’s house during my first year at Baylor, but if you ask Cameron, he claims to have met me a year before, when I was visiting my older sister at school during my senior year of high school and his first year of undergrad. To this day, we still argue about who’s actually right–I always joke that it must not have been a very good first impression. We became really good friends throughout college, led a small group together at church, and attended several sorority/fraternity functions together. Cameron eventually asked me out on a date and I said no (whoops). He asked me two more times before I finally agreed. Needless to say, he won my heart and the rest is history!
Tell us all about the proposal! Cam knew I had always wanted to be surprised. I’m a tricky person to surprise though, so I knew I wasn’t going to be going on any random manicure dates with my best friends, or being asked to wear a pretty new dress on the day of my engagement. But at the very least, I was expecting to look somewhat presentable! The morning of my engagement, I was bombarded by my roommates from college sometime before the sun came up. I was blindfolded, thrown in a car, and dropped off on a bridge overlooking the river downtown. I know…creepy. But then, I took off my blindfold and there he was! He popped the question and I said yes! He planned out the whole rest of the day for us (which included my much-needed manicure and a new dress). The day ended with a HUGE party where my whole family surprised me. It really was the greatest!
When did y’all get married? November 2, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 325
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Originally, we had planned to write our own vows, but we ended up dropping the idea once we got closer to the wedding and went with traditional ones.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. I walked down the aisle to a mash-up of “What God has Joined Together” by Laura Hackett and “My Soul Sings” by Cory Asbury. The first song is filled with Scripture we wanted to be sung over our marriage. It was really powerful and paved the way for an incredible ceremony. The second song is my favorite worship song. The ceremony was my absolute favorite part of my wedding day, and these songs and the people that sang them really made it a dream come true. We walked out to “Colorful” by Will Reagan & the United Pursuit, which was super upbeat and fun! Our first dance was Frank Sinatra’s, “The Way You Look Tonight.” I LOVE that song and I’m not opposed to sharing it with the millions of other couples out there. My dad and I danced to “Save the Last Dance For Me” by Michael Buble, and oh my stars, it was quite a show.
Describe your wedding flowers. We wanted the flowers to match the feel of the farm–organic, natural colors, nothing extravagant, really raw and earthy. I guess you could say I’m a minimalist at heart. We used cotton and wheat and threw in some big garden roses, hydrangeas, and ranunculus. I wanted the natural beauty of the venue to speak for itself and I felt like the flowers helped do just that!
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: My favorite detail of the wedding was the words I attached to my bridesmaids’ bouquets. I wanted to honor all of them individually and intentionally. At my bridal luncheon, I encouraged each girl by giving them a descriptive word or characteristic that the Lord has taught me through them (ex. joy, humility, compassion). I then attached the words to their individual bouquets for them to carry during the ceremony.
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I did! I borrowed some lipstick (that counts, right?) and wore blue panties (risky, but they didn’t show through the dress!). My something old was a ring my grandmother who passed away had sewn into her own wedding dress, and my something new was my cute new Kate Spade earrings!
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? My photographer, Jess Barfield. At the beginning of planning, I knew there were only one or two things I was willing to use a good chunk of my budget on, and photography was one of them. It was well worth it! Jess was such a blessing the day of the wedding and leading up to the big day. She was peaceful and helpful, like a best friend! She also captured every moment beautifully! I was so happy to have her.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Stay thankful!!! I remember when Cameron and I were dating, all I wanted was for us to be engaged, and when we were engaged, I just wanted to be married. Looking back, I realize how thankful I am for our process and I wish I would’ve realized that more while I was experiencing it. There will always be something more you’ll want for your wedding that you can’t seem to make work, or something you plan that doesn’t turn out right. Stay thankful for the process you and your fiancé are in and for the details that are working out for your special day. It makes planning much more fun and stress-free!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Our next big adventure is law school! We’re excited to conquer a new city together and figure out married life at the same time. I think we both agree that we’re most looking forward to chasing our dreams together. It’s so fun to tackle a dream with someone else!

Photographer: Jess Barfield / Videographer: Jeff James / Planner and Florist: Alissa Neely / Venue: Magnolia Farms / Catering and Cake: JD’s Catering & Coffee / Bride’s Gown: Watters / Paper Products: Oh Ollie / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “204140” and “204150” by Mori Lee / Men’s Attire: J. Crew / Day-of-Coordinator: Allison McBrayer of Dot & Penny

lisa Written with love by Lisa
10 Comments
  1. avatar Mary reply

    I love love love this wedding! Such a sweet story of thoughtfully putting their special day together. I also ADORE Jess Barfield’s work and have a major crush over Joanna’s style and her restored farmhouse.

  2. avatar Beane and Company reply

    Beautiful! So soft and intimate…the photographer did a great job of capturing it!

  3. avatar Kristin reply

    Their joy is contagious and just leaps off the page and I ADORE the picture of Abby + Cameron reading their love letters.

  4. avatar Amanda {Planning It All} reply

    Beautiful wedding! The restored farmhouse was the perfect venue!

  5. avatar WrightBride reply

    So gorgeous! Love that they looked like they had a great time- and seems like they might’ve had a bit of a worship session during the ceremony..
    Hope they have a blessed marriage :)

    thewrightbride.tumblr.com

  6. avatar Dana reply

    what a joyful couple!

  7. avatar Kelly reply

    What style is the bride’s beautiful dress?

  8. avatar Life and Love in the South, Vol. 8 – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] Abby + Cameron‘s wedding by Jess […]

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    […] I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I […]

  10. avatar Inspiration Board No. 4: Whimsical Cotton Candy Pink Wedding – Kyla Mary reply

    […] (clockwise from the top left): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, […]

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By the time Sarah Jane and Brad’s wedding rolled into my inbox as a submission, it was almost like seeing the photos from a friend or cousin’s wedding. After all, anyone who read SJ’s Southern Bride of the Month interview probably felt like they had gained a new best friend — she’s just that chatty and warm! I’d venture to say her and Brad’s wedding turned out even more beautifully than she imagined; it was so fun to see ideas she discussed in her interview come to life, like the glowing cocktail tables! Huge hugs to Vue Photography for capturing the joy of this Florida beach wedding.

P.S. Want to be a Southern Bride of the Month, too? We’re looking for you! Take a peek at this page for application instructions and to see all of our past interviews!

Brad is a diehard UK Wildcat fan, and I bleed Volunteer Orange! The UK/UT football game always takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and when it’s a home game for Kentucky, our tradition is to go to the game together. He patiently takes relentless punishment from his friends for walking into the stadium with me, as I wear so much orange that you can probably see me from space! I also sing every verse of Rocky Top whenever the appropriate occasion arises (Brad would say that is never). 2011 was the magic year for the Wildcats, and they won the matchup with Tennessee for the first time in 27 years. He proposed that weekend, and I’m still trying to decide whether he wanted to commemorate their historic win, or balance what he knew would be a tough loss for me with a wonderful memory! I’m choosing to go with the latter.

My dear friend Andrea has a line of children’s clothing, and she agreed to custom design our flower girls’ dresses. I didn’t give her any specific requests–I just showed her samples of my dress, the bridesmaid dresses, and an overall feel for the wedding design. She eclipsed every single expectation I could have ever had! She incorporated the most beautiful fabrics and wonderful details. She put each girl’s monogram on the swiss dot skirt under the lace overlay, and there were so many pleats! She also used lace she’d been saving, which was handmade by nuns over 100 years ago!

Daddy was absolutely amazing in a three-piece blue seersucker suit. He wore a bow tie from Vineyard Vines that is inspired by jockey silks as a nod to Kentucky. When I saw him in his wedding day apparel for the first time, I just squealed because he looked so amazing! I’m a Daddy’s girl, and we had so many sweet moments before, during, and after the ceremony and reception. Brad and I decided not to see each other before the ceremony, so I asked our photographer and videographer to be there for a “first look” with Daddy. It was the most incredible, emotional moment for us both. I will carry that sweet memory with me forever.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. What was your favorite thing about it? The day we went shopping for my wedding gown was one of the most special days of my life! Mama, Brad’s mom, and all three of my bridesmaids joined me for a trip to Atlanta to make the selection. We had high tea at the St. Regis across from the bridal salon, and my darling sister (MOH) had the most beautiful bouquet of pink peonies made up for me to carry for the day. I had a very specific vision of what I wanted for my dress, because a couple of years prior, I had pulled a photo of a Monique Lhuillier design that I just knew would be perfect. It was lace, cut close to the body, and just beautiful. When we got to the salon, they still had the dress for me to try! I loved it, and was inches away from choosing it for the big day, when my sister, who had been perusing the other Lhuillier dresses on the racks, pulled one out and said, “You have to try this one, her name is Peony!!!” I tried it on for giggles, just because of the name, but as soon as I came out of the fitting room, I heard a collective gasp. I remained torn between the two for a bit, but there was really no competition in the end. I loved every minute of wearing that gown, and I didn’t want to take it off!

Monogrammed ring bearer bow ties — so fabulous!

We buried a bottle of Woodford upside down at the ceremony site, and the boys dug it up just before the ceremony. They toasted the occasion with the bourbon they had just retrieved–the bottle ended up empty, so I’m glad I didn’t bury a bigger bottle! New to this Southern tradition? Read our post on it here!

The first thing Brad said to me when we started planning the wedding was that he’d like to have sand in his toes while we said our vows. We chose the beaches of the Emerald Coast, because it’s about an hour south of where my sweet mama grew up. I have always known that I’d have to get married in May because that’s the month when peonies (my very, very favorite flower) are plentiful! We invited our families and friends to meet us down at the beach for the week before the wedding. We had the most amazing time with everyone, and the majority of our guests got to know each other prior to the wedding, so when the day arrived, we felt like one big happy family! The big day’s palette and theme were inspired by the way the beach looks just before sunset–the pearly beiges, pale pinks, and watery blues and greens.

Make sure you look closely at Sarah Jane’s program — her wording is so clever! More on having an unplugged wedding here.

Tell us a bit about the wedding ceremony. What part was most special to you? Did you include any special readings? One thing we did for the ceremony that was a little different is that we included a statement of support from the guests with the idea of including them in the vow ceremony. The officiant asked them to affirm their continued prayers and support for Brad and I in our new life together. It was one of the most inspiring moments of our ceremony.
Who participated in your ceremony? My uncle came all the way from California just to perform the ceremony. The evening before the wedding, he also baptized my niece in the ocean. It was such an amazing and inspiring time for my entire family!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Brad and I elected to use traditional vows for our ceremony; there’s something so meaningful about making our promises to each other using the same words that couples have used for centuries.
Did you try anything new? I have always loved the song “Nella Fantasia,” sung by Sarah Brightman. I know it’s a bit of an untraditional bridal processional, but I knew from the way it made me feel every time I heard it that it had to be the one. I had so many guests tell me that they had both goosebumps and tears when they heard that incredible voice and melody while I was coming down the aisle to Brad. It’s the one decision I had the most trepidation about, and was the one thing that I’m so glad I did!

The funniest moment for me was during the ring ceremony, when Brad couldn’t get my wedding band on my finger. He actually had to lick my finger to get it on!

We held our reception at the Carillon Beach Meeting House. It has the most charming high ceilings, exposed beams, and everywhere you look is white! I also loved the transitional space from indoor to outdoor, as the doors on either side can be opened to the patio space on the left and right. We set the feature table on one patio, and the dance floor and lounge area on the other.

We had several dozen distressed lanterns of assorted sizes that we used to accent the space. We also used six tufted slipper chairs covered in the most beautiful pale pink linen in the lounge area. One of my very favorite details was the distressed cane back chairs we used for the feature table. Our event designer took my breath away with how she styled the interior of the Meeting House. I was so afraid that the décor would be very busy, and take away from the simple splendor of the venue. When I walked in to see the tables done in white linens with tall vases and candles, I couldn’t believe how gorgeous it looked.

What kind of food did you serve? I have to say, the food at our reception was just incredible! We had passed appetizers at the cocktail hour, including the most wonderful cheese-stuffed deep fried olives–yes, they were just as amazing as they sound! We wanted to highlight fresh local ingredients, so we chose things like grouper sliders, fresh fruit, and platters of grilled vegetables. We also had fried green tomato sliders made from the recipe they use at the Greenbrier (my favorite!) and we substituted fried okra for croutons on the salad.

We used Mama and Daddy’s cake topper from their reception on our cake, as well as their cake knife. My sister had used both of them at her wedding as well. We had our names and wedding dates engraved on the knife blade so that my nieces or anyone else who uses it in the future will know the history!

I tasked a dear friend of mine with putting something together for the children to do, and she surpassed every expectation I had! She made the most charming activity book for them, complete with caricatures of Brad and I, bride/groom trivia, and a scavenger hunt. She also included a blank card for them to write and/or draw on and give to us. We had the most fun opening them up the next day–they were so precious!

My favorite moment of the night was during the last dance at our reception. Brad and I had danced to every song up to that point, but at the last second, we flopped down on one of the lounge chairs at the edge of the dance floor, just to soak in every sight, sound, and sensation. Watching all of our dear ones laughing, dancing, and celebrating in the glow of the lights strung over the dance floor was so magical!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met at one of our favorite local restaurants, which was hosting a benefit for autism that night. I had a girlfriend visiting from Southern California, and Brad was there with one of his buddies, who I’ve known for years because we work in the same industry. Jason stopped by our table to say hello, and immediately hit it off with my friend! As a result, Brad and I were thrown together for the remainder of the weekend, and by the time it was over, we had fallen hook line and sinker! We’ve been blissfully together ever since, and still marvel over the fact that we never met before that night, since Lexington is such a small town and we know so many of the same people. God’s timing is such perfection!
What was the weather like on your big day? The weather could not have been more perfect! The sky was a little overcast, enough cover to keep the weather cool and comfortable, and to provide the ideal light for amazing photographs.
How many guests attended your wedding? We shared the day with 50 of our dearest family members and closest friends.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while planning your wedding? The most difficult thing during the planning process was editing! I adored such an array of details and elements that it was really challenging to make sure that I chose wisely and kept everything cohesive. In the end, I made the decision to use only the ideas that I couldn’t live without!
What did the groomsmen wear? The groomsmen each chose a light-colored suit that they loved, and wore green pocket squares with their monograms. We wanted them to have a very relaxed feel, so we asked them to wear their shirts open collar, with no tie. The ring bearers wore khaki linen pants/shorts, and had linen bow ties with their monograms. Brad’s nephew also had a seersucker cap.
Bride’s bouquet: My bouquet was made of lovely, fringed white peonies, white lisanthus, lamb’s ear, and cotton. It smelled just like heaven!
Bridesmaids’ bouquets: The girls carried sweet nosegays of all shades of pink peonies, accented with ranunculus and lamb’s ear.
What was the design inspiration for your reception? I’ve always been a huge fan of contrasts in texture and formality. We wanted our reception to feel comfortable and warm, but also to elevate some of the details to make it a special event.
Did you have a cocktail hour? If so, what was it like? Brad and I missed the first few minutes of our cocktail hour because we were still taking a few photographs on the beach. I’ll never forget how everything looked as we were driving up to the reception site. Everyone was laughing, talking, and enjoying the food, beverages and décor. The moment we entered, we were immediately enveloped with their excitement and true delight for us as a couple.
What were some of the highlights of the reception? Because our guest list was so small, we got to celebrate some special milestones with a few of our guests. We sang happy birthday to four guests who had birthdays on or just before our wedding day. My friend who designed the flower girl dresses and her husband celebrated their anniversary, so we were able to highlight that by playing their first dance song at the reception.
What was Southern about your wedding? We included cotton in my bouquet, as well as the boutonnieres. My family believes that food is love, and so many things that are innately Southern are also things to eat! We thought the menu would be the perfect place to incorporate our love of all things below the Mason Dixon Line. We also scattered cushions around the feature table and lounge areas with Southern phrases on them.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Our wedding day surpassed every dream we had for it, but as incredible as it was, it’s really only a wonderful starting point for our lives together. We relive those memories all the time, but they simply can’t compete with the mundane fun of sharing our daily lives together. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for us as a couple!

Photographer: Genya Garrett of Vue Photography / Videographer: Joanna and Robert Banks-Morgan of Sixpence Productions / Planner: Avis Glenister and Victoria Volpone of Carillon Weddings / Florist and Designer: Christina Springfield of Events by Nouveau Flowers / Ceremony Venue: Carillon Beach, Walkover #7 / Reception Venue: The Meeting House at Carillon Beach / Catering and Linens: David and Donna Townsend of Townsend Catering / Bride’s Gown: “Peony” by Monique Lhuillier / Bridal Salon: Joan Pillow Bridal Salon / Bride’s Shoes and Clutch: Kate Spade / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale, assorted styles in Blush / Hair Stylist: Melia Schmidt, sister of the bride / Makeup Artist: Jamie Gummere of Paint Me Pretty / Groom’s Attire: Kenneth Cole / Groom’s Bow Tie: Vineyard Vines Lucky Julep in green / Groomsmen’s Pocket Squares: High Cotton Ties, Monograms by Sew Nice (Lexington KY) / Paper Goods: Miss Pickles Press / Rentals: Events by Nouveau Flowers and Townsend Catering / Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer’s Monogrammed Bow Ties: Custom by Pippy Frances Clothing / DJ: Paul Kirker of Gulf Talent Services / Children’s Activity Books: Emily Carlson

emily Written with love by Emily
11 Comments
  1. avatar Lindsay {Everistta} reply

    Where do I begin with all the stunning details?! I love her MOH’s dress. Gorgeous! Love the table linens on the cocktail tables. I had similar linens in silver. They add a pop of movement. Love it!

  2. avatar Lisa reply

    Sarah Jane is a girl after my own heart–love that she chose her wedding date based on peony season, considering I did the same! :) Their unplugged ceremony wording is so graceful, and the cake remains one of my favorites from V6. I’m glad she went with her instincts in choosing it!

  3. avatar Wedding Rental Supplies {Apex Tent and Party } reply

    Lovely wedding! The wedding venue is simply gorgeous and also the details done. The wedding chuppah is simply gorgeous and so is the reception area decor.

  4. avatar Caitlyn reply

    Just looking through these gorgeous photos, you can feel the overflow of love at this wedding! A beautiful and memorable day all around. :)

  5. avatar Sharon Gray reply

    Just wondering where the little white flower girl dress is from and also the tablecloth? I am looking for ideas for my daughters wedding. many thanks Sharon

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  9. avatar Sarah reply

    I think this is one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever seen! Came here from Pinterest as I adored the petal tablecloths with lights underneath them. I’m so glad I did, as looking through the photos made my heart sing. Just Gorgeous! I hope they’re still incredibly happy today. Sarah

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