Google+ church wedding ceremony Archives - Page 3 of 7 - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Tag: church wedding ceremony

Something we hear frequently from brides is how overwhelming the many sources of wedding inspiration can be. As wonderful as wedding blogs (yes, even this one) and Pinterest are, it can be far too easy to lose sight of what’s important after you’ve been scrolling through ideas for what seems like hours. That’s one of the many reasons we created the Sweet Tea Society: to remind us–and you!–what really matters when planning your big day. One of my favorite lines is “We believe in history and heritage, and honoring both to create a deeply meaningful beginning to married life.” Farris and Taylor did this in spades. From the big things like the chapel where they were married (Farris was the third generation in her family to say “I do” there!) to the little details, like the s’mores bar lovingly crafted by Taylor’s mama, everything about their Nashville wedding was personal and sentimental.

Hugs to Kristyn Hogan for sharing Farris and Taylor’s wedding with us!

We met through mutual friends during our sophomore year at the University of Tennessee. The attraction was definitely always there and it was obvious to the many friends that kept encouraging us to date. One night, we were watching a movie with a bunch of friends, and before we knew it, all of them had left and lit a ton of candles on their way out. We looked at each other and just laughed because I don’t think either one of us was ready for a relationship at that point. Fast forward a couple years, there was a girl who liked Taylor and would not leave him alone. She decided to come to town to visit him and he did what any man would do–asked me to be his fake girlfriend. Of course, I agreed, and our friends decided we should hold hands to “make it look official.” Believe it or not, that was one powerful hand hold…the rest was history. Funny fact: the girl did not even show up. ;)

Tell us all about the proposal! My family has a cottage in Monteagle that is very special to our family. Taylor and I were spending Thanksgiving apart, but we decided that he would meet me the day after Thanksgiving in Monteagle. When he arrived, he asked to take a walk to “The Point” (our favorite cliff top view). He laid out a blanket on the cliff and we were enjoying the views when he pulled out a book. He had written an entire book on our story! He read the entire story to me, and at the end, he read, “On November 23rd, Taylor proposed to Farris.” I remember thinking, “When is November 23rd??” but before I could finish my thought, he pulled me on my feet, got on one knee, and asked me to be his wife! Of course, I said yes, and after much rejoicing, he pointed out his brother hiding in the woods with a camera. We walked down the path to an opening where both of our families were there to congratulate us. It was absolutely perfect.

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Yes, we did! I get nervous easily and Taylor can always calm my nerves, so we decided to see each other and pray together alone before the ceremony. Best decision I’ve ever made.

My great grandmother and my grandmother were both married in the same chapel as I was. There is something magical about memories that happen in the same place over a period of time.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We started writing our vows when we happened to come across my parents’ vows and realized that they promised everything we wanted to promise to each other. We changed some wording in their vows and made it our own. My two favorite lines were “By God’s grace, I will affirm and challenge you in becoming all that God has purposed you to be to the church and the world, and will serve Him together with you as one, giving Him the glory and honor” and “I will support you in the pursuit of your dreams and cherish you above all the possessions and honors of this life.”
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8. The typical wedding scripture is usually verses 4-8 but I actually love verses 1-3 the most: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

I knew I wanted Kristyn Hogan as our photographer and wouldn’t budge on that and I am SO happy I didn’t…I mean, just look at these pictures! The pictures are the one thing you will keep from your wedding for the rest of your lives to help you remember what a blessed day it was!

Describe your wedding flowers. Amazing. My mom works at Village of Flowers and they are loads of fun! Everyone at Village of Flowers chipped in and made it all possible. I could not have been more happy with how beautiful the flowers made both venues look!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The s’mores bar and fire pit at our reception. My mother-in-law worked on every little detail from the s’mores bar inspiration I had collected on Pinterest and my dreams came true when I saw the final product! My parents brought in the fire pit to roast the marshmallows. It was a hit at the reception!

When did y’all get married? October 12, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 250
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Walking down the aisle, we had Matt Wertz singing “I Will Not Take My Love Away.” It is such a beautiful song about unconditional love, and it reminds me of the love of Christ that made our relationship possible. Walking back up the aisle, Sam Levine played “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, just because we love it and it sounds awesome with a band.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our venue was also quite Southern, as it was a gorgeous barn on a local Nashville farm.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Learning that nothing will be perfect. God had to teach me that the wedding was not the part we needed to be most prepared for…it was the marriage. I was so caught up in every little detail that I sometimes forgot that the whole reason for the celebration was my marriage to Taylor. I am a perfectionist, so it was hard to let go of the small stuff and begin spending time on the relationship stuff–the stuff that really matters AFTER the wedding!
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? It was very special to have one of our favorite artists, Matt Wertz, and my cousin, Joelle May, sing at our ceremony. It was breathtaking, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the chapel.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I knew there was something special about our first kiss after we became husband and wife, but later, we heard why from our parents. They told us that as soon as we kissed, the sun shown so brightly through the windows, straight on the two of us like a spotlight. I also loved walking down the aisle and seeing all the amazing people who have supported and loved us, and then looking up to see my amazing husband crying. I don’t think I have ever felt so much love!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? During the planning process, keep your sole focus on your relationship with your fiancé. We both got so much out of pre-marital counseling. Marriage brings about a lot of changes that you never had to deal with as a dating couple. No one can ever be fully prepared for marriage, but preparing yourself enough to get through it together is worth it.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We bought a sweet little house and have been decorating it together and making it our own. We love to travel and hope to travel around the world within the next couple of years. We looked forward to living together and boy, is it fun! It’s just like living with your best friend who you also happen to be in love with. It is amazing how much you learn about a person just by living with them. We have been surprised by how much we work as a team when cooking and doing dishes together. I love that no one has to hold the weight of any one thing–we have an equal-responsibility household. We love to go on walks together and have recently got into “juicing.” Our honeymoon in St. Lucia was absolutely amazing, and my favorite part about getting back to real life was returning to our new home together and being able to make dinner, eat by candlelight, and talk about all the amazing memories we had made over the past week.

Photographer: Kristyn Hogan / Videographer: Kip Kubin / Planner: Danielle Loeffler from Catalyst Weddings and Events / Ceremony Venue: Scarritt Bennett / Reception Venue: The Grange at Green Door Gourmet / Florist: A Village of Flowers / Cake Baker: B. Jacksons Bakery / Caterer: Sargents Catering / Rentals: Music City Tents and Events / Lighting: Bright Event Productions / Ceremony Musician: Sam Levine / Reception Band: AVENUE 615, David Deloach / Bride’s Gown: “Ebie” by Olia Zavozina / Programs: Darby Cards / Invitations: Emily O. Holmes / Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Barbara / Bride’s Accessories: Olia Zavozina / Hair Stylist: Leslie at Katie Russo Beauty / Makeup Artist: Katie Russo at Katie Russo Beauty / Bride’s Shoes: Gianni Bini from Dillards / Bridesmaid Dresses: Coren Moore in Blush and Joanna August in “All Tomorrows Parties” / Bridesmaid Dress Salon: Bella Bridesmaid / Men’s Attire: “Egara” suit from Men’s Wearhouse / Ties: Otis James / Rolls Royce Rental: Grand Avenue Worldwide / Trolly: FADDS Party Bus / Photo Booth: Shutterbooth

lisa Written with love by Lisa
13 Comments
  1. avatar Nicole reply

    That photo of the little boy taking the newlyweds’ picture is ADORABLE.

  2. avatar Kristyn Hogan reply

    Thanks so much for sharing this lovely wedding! Farris & Taylor are such a joy and their wedding day reflected every bit of that!

  3. avatar Amanda {Planning It All} reply

    I love the s’mores bar!

  4. avatar Plum Pretty Sugar reply

    A sweet beautiful wedding. We love these pretty details and the florals are to adore!

    xo

    http://www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com

  5. avatar Lindsay {Everistta} reply

    So stunning! Love the monogram clutches.

  6. avatar Dana reply

    so many things to love in this wedding!

  7. avatar Rachel reply

    I’m currently planning a wedding, and I would LOVE to know where you purchased the flower girl dresses.

  8. avatar 6 cool flower girl ideas reply

    […] Whole flowers. Instead of flower petals, buy some fabric flowers at the craft store. […]

  9. avatar 6 cool flower girl ideas | Brooklyn Bride – Modern Wedding Blog reply

    […] Whole flowers. Instead of flower petals, buy some fabric flowers at the craft store. […]

  10. avatar Wedding Spot Blog – Wedding Inspiration and Ideas for Brides & Grooms reply

    […] Sources: Elizabeth Anne Designs, Intimate Weddings, Home Talk, Southern Weddings […]

  11. avatar Wedding Spot Blog – Wedding Inspiration and Ideas for Brides & Grooms reply

    […]   Sources: Andi Mans Photography via Buzzfeed / Fabmood / Kristyn Hogan via Southern Weddings […]

  12. avatar Eventive | Projected Wedding Trends For 2016 reply

    […] {Image: Southernweddings.com} […]

  13. avatar Decoracion de boda con campanas de cristal reply

    […] Créditos: foto 1 vía Accent Decor, foto 2 vía Wedding Chicks, foto 3 vía Southern Weddings, foto 4 vía United Love, foto 5 vía Mon Cheri Bridals, foto 6 vía Cedar Wood Weddings, foto 7 vía Ruffled, foto 8 vía Burnetts Boards, foto 9 vía Indulgy, foto 10 vía Bash Please, foto 11 vía Colin Cowie Weddings, foto 12 vía Comtesse du Chocolat, foto 13 vía Intimate Weddings, foto 14 vía Pinterest, foto 15 vía Southern Weddings. […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

It is sweet enough to know that Erin and Stephen are high school sweethearts, married in a small Georgia town just as spring began to turn into summer, but knowing how much love and thought they put into their wedding makes it all the better. As Erin said, “My number one goal of the wedding was to get married–-anything else would be a bonus! My second goal, however, was to make sure that each and every one of our guests felt appreciated and important.” From the personal, handwritten notes Erin and Stephen wrote to each of their guests, to the family-style meal that was served, we can only imagine how honored each guest felt to be a part of this special day. We were certainly honored to share it in V6!

Big SW hugs to Blue Ribbon Vendor Jeremy Harwell, of Harwell Photography, for sharing Erin and Stephen’s beautiful wedding with us!

We both enrolled in a program that allowed us to take college classes full-time while still in high school, and we met during the college orientation events leading up to the first week of classes. The first event was a meteor shower viewing, where we gazed at the stars until 2 a.m. and hit it off talking about everything from our favorite music and books to our life ambitions. After six years, we still haven’t run out of things to talk about.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. What was your favorite thing about it? I have always loved Grace Kelly’s wedding gown, so when I saw a similar-looking dress in the window, I had to try it on. It was perfect–it didn’t even need any alterations! I guess it was meant to be.

Tell us a bit about the wedding ceremony. What part was most special to you? We were so grateful that a longtime friend and minister was able to officiate our wedding. It made the ceremony that much more personalized and heartfelt. The most special part of our ceremony was taking communion together; it was the perfect way to begin our life as a married couple.
Were there any family traditions you included in the ceremony? My parents had displayed a hand-blown glass dove at their wedding in remembrance my dad’s deceased father. We displayed the same dove during our ceremony to remember him and other family members who have passed away.

Did you have a cocktail hour? If so, what was it like? Yes! We had a wonderful cocktail hour. Immediately after we exited the church, a bluegrass band that was waiting outside began to play. As the guests exited the church, the band strolled down the street playing music and leading our guests to the party! Once at the venue, our guests enjoyed pimento cheese and other local cheeses from Sweet Grass Dairy.

I was lucky enough to get to pick the recipes I wanted to use for the menu, which were simple and delicious! We had all the dishes in big bowls on the table so guests could serve themselves and eat in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Groom’s favorite detail of the wedding: From Stephen: The whiskey bar was a really cool touch. The bartender was super friendly and knowledgeable, and he served small tastings so people could try several different whiskeys. Erin’s mom also made an amazing light fixture out of vintage olive baskets that we used above the bar.

What was your reception like? Our reception was in the backyard of the Bed and Breakfast on a grassy lawn next to a beautiful red barn. Trees surrounded the eating area, but the center of the dance floor was completely open to the night sky. We wrote handwritten letters to each of our guests, which also served as escort cards for each guest to find their seat. We had a mix of round tables and long farm tables. The tables surrounded the dance floor, where Goodwin Tents and Events had draped strings of cafe lights to illuminate the reception area. To the side of the dance floor, we had two bars: a “girls” martini bar and a “guys” whiskey-tasting bar! The reception was magical to say the least. I couldn’t believe all that Amy Osaba and our other vendors had done to make the space so breathtaking!

All of the design inspiration for the reception started with my dress! I wanted our reception to have an “organic elegance” to it. Amy Osaba really helped this elegance come to life by pairing silver vases with floral arrangements that looked handpicked from the garden. In terms of color, we used a lot of whites, greens, and gray, but we also included some pops of pink– a very fun and creative touch on Amy’s part!

What was the most memorable or touching moment about your wedding day? Besides getting to marry the man of my dreams, the best part of the wedding was being completely surrounded by the people who love and support us. It was such an overwhelming feeling walking down the aisle and seeing all of the family and friends who had traveled so far to celebrate our wedding. That love and energy was truly amazing.

Tell us about a date you’ll always remember. It was our second date–I was sixteen and had never dated anyone before. He was seventeen, and I thought he was the funniest, smartest, most handsome guy I had ever met. Naturally, I was very nervous. We had a picnic by the Chattahoochee River. He couldn’t have timed the date more perfectly–the sun was setting, the water looked gorgeous, and the crisp fall air had begun to settle in. We finished our dinner, and as the conversation drew quiet, he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. After I said “yes,” he went in for the much-awaited kiss. Our lips barely touched and I burst into tears out of sheer nervousness. Thankfully, he was unfazed, and after calming me down, we got to work “practicing” our kissing skills!
Describe the proposal: I knew we were going to get engaged that winter break, which made it hard for him to surprise me, but he still did! He picked a day full of family events so that I wouldn’t expect it–we had my little brother’s wrestling meet during the day and a family dinner party that night. I arrived home from the wrestling meet to find the house normal as ever, but in my room was a note to get ready for a special night for two. When I had finished getting ready, I opened my door to find the house transformed, with rose petals, candles, and hand-written notes lining the hallway and a beautifully set dinner for two in front of the fireplace. Hands shaking, he got down on one knee. Of course, I said yes!
Tell us about your beautiful engagement ring and how/why your husband (or the two of you!) chose it: My grandmother (who passed away April 2012) left me a beautiful diamond to incorporate in my engagement band. We wanted something that would accentuate the stone’s natural beauty in a classic but unique way. We chose a stunning J.B Star setting that frames the center stone with two pear diamonds.
How many guests attended your wedding? About 175
How did you spend the morning or afternoon before your ceremony? The guys spent their morning relaxing and then went to get old-fashioned, straight-razor shaves! All of the bridal party spent the night before the wedding at the Bed and Breakfast, and the morning of the wedding, we all excitedly strolled to downtown Senoia for a delicious breakfast!
Who was one of the most special guests at your wedding? Whenever I spoke with a wedding vendor, I always told them my number one goal of the wedding was to get married–anything else would be a bonus! My second goal, however, was to make sure that each and every one of our guests felt appreciated and important. In that sense, I would say that each guest was very special to us.
Tell us a bit about your first dance. We danced to “You and Me” by Dave Matthews Band. It’s a really sweet song about following each other to the end of the world and being able to do anything together.
What was the funniest moment? What was the scariest? I’d say the funniest moment would be the bouquet toss. In mid-air, the bouquet hit the lights strung over the dance floor, but that didn’t stop one bridesmaid and a good friend from literally diving onto the floor to get to the fallen flowers before anyone else. There were actually two points during the reception where the power went out completely, but that didn’t stop anyone from continuing to party.
Did you take a honeymoon? If so, where? We were very excited to have some stress-free time to ourselves after the wedding. We honeymooned on Peter Island, a small resort island in the British Virgin Islands. It was relaxing and isolated and serene.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We are adapting to life in New York City and are enjoying its vibrancy, but we plan to eventually return to the South to settle down and start a family. In the more near future, the things we look forward to most are the simple things, like getting to have breakfast together every morning and taking long walks through Central Park.

Photographer: Harwell Photography / Floral and event design: Amy Osaba Events / Ceremony venue: Senoia United Methodist Church / Reception venue: Veranda Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn / Ceremony coordination and reception food design: Kathy Black / Bride’s dress: Sassi Holford / Bridal salon: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta / Bride’s accessories: Haute Bride / Bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Sung / Mother of the Bride dress: Mon Cheri / Bridesmaid Dress Salon: J. Andrews Bridal / Alterations: Betty Harrah / Hair and nails: Ici Paris Day Spa and Salon / Makeup: Katie Gant / Cocktail hour band: Sourwood Honey / Cocktail hour appetizers and cheese: Sweet Grass Dairy / Invitation print consultant: The Paperie at Sam Flax / Bartender: Mobile Cocktails ATL / DJ: BeatHouse Productions / Cake: Blooming Flour Bakery / Tables, chairs, dance floor, lighting: Goodwin Rentals / Bars, highboys, serving dishes: Peachtree Tent and Events / Paper Products: Designs by Robyn Love / Calligrapher: Donna Dow / Linens: I Do Linens / Gallery artwork and map watercolor: Georgia Water Color Society / Monogrammed napkins: Mactees Inc

Harwell Photography is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
12 Comments
  1. avatar Kristin reply

    Hand-written letters to each guest? I LOVE this personal detail. And of course, I an 100% on board with Erin’s goals in planning her wedding!!

  2. avatar Nicole reply

    This was such a beautiful story! Love the photos too! Added one to my wedding board on Pinterest! xoxo

  3. avatar Kat reply

    Beautiful wedding!! Such a perfect mix of classic & playful. Love it!

  4. avatar Emily reply

    So, so many details to love in this wedding, from their beautifully-wrapped bread to their citrus cake! Love them all, and this sweet couple!

  5. avatar Dana reply

    very pretty flowers and such a silly second date story!

  6. avatar Erin & Stephen | harwell photography reply

    […] Published in Print and online in Southern Weddings Magazine […]

  7. avatar Jeremy Harwell reply

    I am so honored to have this beautiful wedding on Southern Weddings! Erin & Stephen were such an amazing couple to work with, and the vendors involved provided such beauty for me to photograph! Thanks so much for the post!

  8. avatar . | pleasureweddingz.compleasureweddingz.com reply

    […] Source […]

  9. avatar Mood Board // Calming Dove Grey with Lavender Tones | Paper & Lace // Unique Wedding Inspiration reply

    […] Image Sources Placecards // Wild Flowers // Alfresco tables // Beaded Gown // Monogram […]

  10. avatar Tavaszi dekoráció- barack és arany – Wedding News reply

    […] Conde Photography via Fab You Bliss // Centerpiece: Amy Osaba Events Harwell Photography via Southern Weddings // Cocktails: Heart of Gold + Luxury // Mason Jars: Photo by Lola Elise via Grey Likes […]

  11. avatar Katie reply

    Such a beautiful wedding! I love the vintage get-away car. Can you please let me know that vendor?
    Thanks!!!

  12. avatar Richard Photo Lab reply

    […] by Karson Butler Events) A Bryan Photo – Spring Auburn Wedding Harwell Photography – Classic Georgia Wedding Jamie Clayton – Tenessee Picnic […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

I can’t help but smile every time I see Jamie and Blake’s wedding in V6! Jamie, a University of Texas alum (like me!), and Blake bought their gorgeous house shortly before choosing a venue, and with just four months to plan their wedding, they decided to open their own doors to the 230 loved ones who joined them–the ultimate in Southern hospitality. This was no small feat, but with the help of Mary Beth Events, their wedding became a true celebration of their relationship and their love for the city of Austin. I always tell people that Austin is so easy to love, and likewise, it’s easy to love Jamie and Blake’s fabulously fun, lively wedding!

We’re so grateful to Cameron & Kelly Studio for sharing Jamie and Blake’s wedding with us!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met in 2011 at a little start-up called Facebook, where we both work. Ever heard of it? Our relationship actually started when I sent Blake a friend request (which he accepted in 2.2 seconds), even though we had never officially met. Blake was much more senior at the company and all of the girls had crushes on him. A few months later, we were both in NYC for a company event and I swear Blake followed me to get coffee so that he could say hello. And so the fairy tale began, with every weekend spent traveling between Austin and Westport, CT, where Blake was living at the time. Ten months later, Blake, along with his son Spencer, proposed in NYC at the Gramercy Park Hotel over Christmas. Not surprisingly, everyone’s Facebook news feeds were literally flooded with the news and pictures.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. This was actually fairly easy for me. My mom and I always thought we would find my dress in NY, but I was quite impressed with selection in Dallas and Houston. I ultimately purchased my dress from the original Neiman Marcus store in Dallas. Neiman Marcus is a client of mine at Facebook, so the decision to purchase there was an easy one. I did have to do an eight-week rush on my dress, and it arrived one week before the wedding. It was perfect though.

Tell us a bit about the wedding ceremony. What part was most special to you? The ceremony was very intimate, and one of our favorite parts of the weekend. A Facebook colleague and friend of ours, Kirsten Neville Manning, co-officiated the ceremony with Tarrytown pastor, Margot Perez-Greene, and was absolutely brilliant. It was very personal, heartwarming, and hysterical at times. Blake’s son, Spencer, walked me down the aisle and stood at the front as the ceremony took place.

I always knew that I wanted to get married in Austin, but finding a venue with less than year lead time is pretty impossible. When I called places in December 2012, they were not available until 2014! We had just purchased a new home in Austin that we are totally in love with, so it made sense to build a platform and put up tents and have everyone at our home. It was much more intimate and we could plan the wedding exactly the way we wanted to.

Did you have a cocktail hour? If so, what was it like? We had a ceremony with just our close family, so the cocktail hour was truly the start of our celebration. We arrived at our wedding reception greeted by all our wedding guests welcoming us in front of our home. It was incredible to see all our family and friends at our home at one time! The cocktail hour was hosted in the courtyard and featured passed appetizers, a signature cocktail (a Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita), pink mini-bottles of champagne, and a variety of cocktails. The passed appetizers included shrimp creamy cheese grits, shrimp scampi, red-eye gravy served in mini mason jars, beef tenderloin canapé with speck aioli, port gastrique, and sweet corn fritters with chipotle honey

What was the design inspiration for your reception? I love the contrast of fun and lively colors with pops of bright white. Mary Beth Events designed the decor around a gorgeous bright pink and orange ikat fabric, which was beautiful and fun at the same time.

What was the biggest challenge you faced while planning your wedding? There were two things. One was timing. We didn’t want a long engagement, which made it challenging with some timelines/vendors. We had four months to plan a big party! In the end, it was plenty of time, but we definitely had moments of panic because some things seemed so last minute! Second was logistics/space at our house. Our backyard is on the small side and we have a pool. We chose to put tables out there for the cocktail hour. The side lawn is huge, but uneven, so we ended up having a 13-feet tall floor/platform built in so that we could use the entire yard. No one knew they were dancing 13 feet in the air!

Tell us about your wedding cake or sweets. I wanted to have a non-traditional take on desserts, so we opted for a dessert station that we called Ellie Mae’s Sweet Shop, in honor of our beloved maltipoo. Mary Beth Events created a gorgeous dessert station featuring a variety of delicious desserts that came from all around Texas—french macarons, brownie pops, Tiny Pies, pie pops, fabulously decorated cakes in a variety of flavors, lemon bars, mini cupcakes, caramel and chocolate popcorn, chocolate covered almonds and decorated sugar cookies, just to name a few! It was amazing!

What was your reception like? We wanted our reception to include elements of our personality and things we love, including Texas, Austin’s independent spirit, great music and lively dancing, the natural beauty of Austin’s landscape, and delicious drinks and cuisine. Since I’m a Southern girl from a big football school, I surprised the guests with a full cheer, featuring The University of Texas Cheerleaders (my alma mater) and me. We had a vintage airstream photo booth for guests to capture their memories from the evening. The Maxx played all night in the Boom Boom Room, a secret tent created by Mary Beth Events. We loved being outdoors on a beautiful Austin spring evening, and a clear-top tent allowed guests to celebrate under the stars. A Southwestern margarita was our signature drink. Guests also loved our Southwestern comfort food, especially our mac and cheese bar. Mary Beth Events seamlessly blended outdoor and indoor environments with a clear-top tent for dining and a draped tent for dancing. The reception featured various areas for seating and incorporated bright pink, orange and white colors.

We spent our wedding night at our house, but knew that we would have to leave so that our guests wouldn’t stay all night! Our guests lined our sidewalk with sparklers in hand as we raced to our pedicab and drove away carrying a large Ropollo’s pizza. We hung out around the corner eating pizza on the bike until the house was clear!

Describe the proposal: From Blake: It was during our “Christmas wish” weekend in NYC, where Jamie, my son Spencer and I each got a wish to do something. At the Gramercy Park Hotel, Spencer came up to me before dinner, after I had chickened out at the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, and told me it was time. He orchestrated the whole moment, including how I would drop my napkin to get on my knee in the restaurant.
How many guests attended your wedding? 230 people attended the reception. We could only fit 90 people into the Chapel for the ceremony portion.
Bride’s favorite detail of the wedding: There are so many details that I loved, but my favorites were either the hot pink bottles of Pommery Pop Rose that we passed to our guests as they arrived, or Ropollo’s, the late-night food truck that served pizza to our guests. It’s a 2 a.m. staple on 6th Street in Austin and brought everyone back to our college days. I loved that we chose to do a hashtag (#chandleepartyof2) that was printed on napkins and various signage. Now we have over 100 pictures that we can search on Instagram.
Describe your wedding flowers: They were romantic and whimsical florals consisting of peonies, roses, orchids, hydrangea, snapdragons, ranunculus, and stock in a bright spring palette of oranges, hot pinks, corals and pops of lime green.
How did you spend the morning or afternoon before your ceremony? I had a bridal brunch with all of my girlfriends and family that my aunts hosted at Z’Tejas. Since I didn’t have bridesmaids, it was nice to be able to spend the morning of my wedding with all of my closest friends. Blake hosted a large group at Abel’s on the Lake, one of our favorite restaurants, that sits on Lake Austin! Our wedding was the same weekend as the Masters, so we didn’t have to do too much entertaining during the day.
Were there any family traditions you included in the ceremony? My girlfriends from college and I have a white lace handkerchief that we pass down as each person gets married. It’s monogrammed with our names and wedding dates, and each girl carries it around her bouquet. Such a sweet tradition!
What kind of food did you serve? Our menu, coordinated by Mary Beth Events and created by Pink Avocado in Austin, featured delicious, Southwestern-style comfort food, including a build-your-own stuffed avocadoes station, a gourmet mac and cheese bar, and a beef tenderloin bar.
Tell us a bit about your first dance. We originally wanted our first dance to be “Stuck on You” by Lionel Richie, and we actually tried our best to have him at the wedding as a surprise for our guests. It ultimately didn’t work out and we opted for a song that our band knew, rather than playing one on our iPod. “Stand by Me” ended up being the winner.
What was the funniest moment? The funniest moment was that someone did a cannonball into our pool. Sadly, we missed it, but we were able to see pictures from those that caught the moment!
What was Southern about your wedding? We know a good Southern home is one that is open and inviting. We loved welcoming our friends and family to celebrate with us in our home.
Did you take a honeymoon? If so, where? Yes! We spent a couple of days in Dubai and stayed at the Burj al Arab. We were able to go on a desert safari and even had time for a little shopping in the gold souk. We then hopped on over to the Four Seasons Maldives where we spent nine days in total paradise. The flight home was a little rough. 30 hours—ouch!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Starting a family and settling into our home in Austin, although we split our time between there and NYC. We have exciting trips to look forward to over the next months, as traveling is one of our favorite things to do together.
What advice would you give to someone currently planning his or her wedding? Don’t sweat the small stuff. If those custom cocktail napkins don’t turn out perfectly, is it really going to matter? Make sure you trust your wedding planner, and have a great photographer and florist, as well as good food, booze and entertainment. The small stuff is just icing on the cake!

Photographer: Cameron & Kelly Studio / Planning, paper, lounge furniture, lighting and linens: Mary Beth Burrow of Mary Beth Events / Ceremony venue: Tarrytown United Methodist Church / Reception venue: private residence / Florist: Posey Floral and Event Design / Caterer: Pink Avocado Catering / Cake and desserts: 3 Brothers Bakery / Bride’s gown: “Amaranth” by Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s veil: Toni Federici / Bride’s ceremony shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s reception dress: Jovani (jovani.com) / Bride’s reception shoes: Yves Saint Laurent / Hair and makeup: Miss Z / Rentals: Swift Events / Tent: Aztec Party Rentals / Band: The Maxx / DJ: El John Selector / Photo booth: Airstream Photo Booth / Getaway car: Capital Pedicab / Pizza truck: Roppolo’s Pizzeria

lisa Written with love by Lisa
9 Comments
  1. avatar Cameron Clark | Cameron & Kelly Studio reply

    It was an absolute delight to work with Jamie & Blake and photograph their true love and special day. Pie pops in the shape of Texas? Yes, ma’am. Mary Beth Events and Posey Floral outdid themselves this time.

  2. avatar Lindsay {Everistta} reply

    Oh wow! This wedding is simply stunning from beginning to end! I absolutely love the fun color scheme. Stunning!

  3. avatar Emily reply

    I adore their cake wall and Texas pie pops! Very good looking sweets at this wedding :)

  4. avatar Wedding Rental Supplies reply

    Gorgeous wedding! Each and every details looks just so pretty! Loved the pretty bright pink used for the decor and also the floral details looks so beautiful.

  5. avatar Surprise Engagement Session by Love, The Nelsons and Hey Gorgeous – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] is a good week for me–the Southern Weddings blog has been full of Austin love! First, we had Jamie and Blake‘s fabulous backyard wedding earlier this week, and now, we’re delighted to share this […]

  6. avatar Jamie and Blake AustinTexas Backyard wedding-Austin Wedding Photographer-Cameron & Kelly Studio reply

    […] this wedding with you. It was accepted as a feature in Southern Weddings Magazine V6 and also on their blog This couple could not have been easier to work with! They just wanted to have a fun wedding day and […]

  7. avatar colorful bouquet @ wish-upon-a-weddingwish-upon-a-wedding reply

    […] Thanks southernweddings.com […]

  8. avatar Happy Valentines Day, xoxo Everthine – Everthine Bridal Boutique – a bridal shop serving Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Boston, and Beyond reply

    […] by Tim Gibson via Oh Happy Day  *Mini champagne bottles image by Cameron & Kelly Studio via Southern Weddings *Heart wall decals available via Darling Clementine *Pink and red centerpieces image by Lauren Ross […]

  9. avatar TX wedding musician reply

    What a great couple and wedding party. Looks like everyone had a blast. And spectacular reception decorations!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close
Top