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In 2015, we featured 187 beautiful, meaningful Southern weddings here on our blog. Every single one was SO special to us–it’s truly an honor to learn about each couple’s story, and the fact that they so generously invite us into this precious day of their lives is something we never take lightly. Every year, we love going back through each wedding (yup, every single one!) to round up some of the most unique, memorable details–those things that even months later, we remember the most vividly. I’m kicking things off today with my personal favorite category: bridal looks! A wedding dress holds a whole story within itself–the moment the bride realized it was the one for her, the second her groom sees her in it for the first time, and so much more. We love the way these ladies chose dresses, accessories, hair styles, and makeup that perfectly complemented the styles of their weddings and added to the stories of their wedding days. Without further ado, our most memorable bridal looks of 2015!

Allison‘s Gatsby-esque Jenny Packham (photo by Alisha Crossley)

Jessica‘s sparkly Hayley Paige (photo by Tracy Enoch)

Ellen‘s champagne Monique Lhuillier with delicate beading (photo by Mary Rosenbaum)

Lacy‘s undeniably classic, feminine style, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn (photo by Archetype Studio)

Lindsay‘s heirloom gown and lace appliqué veil (photo by Natalie Watson)

Mare‘s classic Southern belle style (photo by Brian Flint)

Mary Catherine‘s dramatic silk Le Spose di Giò (photo by Paperlily Photography)

Abigail‘s Tara Keely gown, complete with a big Southern bow (photo by Michelle Lyerly)

Anna‘s embellished and ruffled St. Pucchi (photo by Amy Arrington Photography)

Catherine‘s custom Heidi Elnora (photo by Mike Cassimatis)

Tracy Enoch and Amy Arrington Photography are delightful members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Dana reply

    that sparkly hailey page…so beautiful! But all of these are just stunning. What lucky brides!

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I’m convinced that deciding where to get married is either one of the easiest or one of the hardest wedding planning decisions. I relate so much to Erin and Sean’s decision to marry in Raleigh, where they would be starting their newlywed life, because Dave and I did the exact same thing! For their classic Southern celebration, Erin and Sean brought a little bit of their hometowns to Raleigh by filling their downtown venues with nautical touches that nodded to their childhoods spent on the coast. My favorite detail of Erin and Sean’s big day? While they were introducing loved ones to their new hometown, they were also giving family and friends mementos for their own homes: “We have our oyster shell place cards displayed on our coffee table, and we’ve visited with friends who kept their place cards and have them displayed in their homes, too!”

Thank you so much to Julie Livingston for sharing this lovely day with us!

My mom, grandmother, and mother-in-law were all with me when I found my dress. I had two appointments in Raleigh and ultimately found my dress at the last place we went, Maggi Bridal. I had no clue what I wanted, so I tried on quite a few dresses, but it ended up being so easy for me to pick the dress. My dress was just so elegant, timeless, and Southern, which is what I wanted our entire wedding day to exude! My favorite part of the whole day was seeing the reactions every time I came out of the dressing room. Of course, they loved every dress I tried on!

Describe your wedding flowers. We started out with the idea of using driftwood and oyster shells as part of our arrangements and decor, as both Sean and I grew up near the coast. Our florist was so on board with our ideas, and had so many ideas of her own. It was so much fun to collaborate with her and watch her bring our vision to life in ways we couldn’t have imagined! Our flowers had a coastal theme and were all shades of creams, ivories, and whites with lots of greenery. Anna, our florist, was also able to source snowball viburnum, which was used in our bouquets and floral arrangements. This was especially important to me, as my late grandmother had a snowball bush that she was so proud of, so including the snowball viburnum was such a special way to honor her. There was even a huge vase filled with it near the entrance to the Merrimon-Wynne House–it was one of my favorite pieces!

Everything from our venue, to the food we served, to some of the traditions we kept was Southern! We buried a bottle of bourbon, which Sean and his groomsmen dug up the morning of our wedding while getting ready. To keep Sean and I from seeing each other, my brother brought me a glass of the bourbon! In addition to the tradition, the food we served was very Southern: mini chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, and shrimp and grits!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Sean and I decided we wanted to get married in Raleigh. We loved Raleigh and it was where we would be starting our lives together as husband and wife, so we wanted to choose a venue that would show all of our guests just how great Raleigh and North Carolina are. We started going to Edenton Street United Methodist Church in downtown Raleigh during the summer we were engaged and we loved it. We instantly felt like we were part of a family at EUMC, so there was no question that we wanted to get married there. Our reception was at the Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. My mother and I went to visit the venue and as soon we we walked through the front door, we knew this was where we wanted the reception to be. The Merrimon-Wynne House was everything I could have dreamed of for our wedding–Southern, classic, gorgeous light…and the icing on the cake was that it was only a few blocks from our church and had plenty of room for all of our guests. We were able to get ready there too, and it was so fun to hang out at the house all day with some of my favorite women!

We used driftwood that my mother collected from the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia on the dinner tables, with larger pieces on the porch and the mantle. Anna did an amazing job in incorporating the driftwood into our floral arrangements. There was also a large piece of driftwood draped with greenery, flowers, oyster shells, and candles that hung over our sweetheart table–it was stunning, and now hangs over our couch in our home! We saved oyster shells from an engagement party that my aunt and uncle hosted for us, and from other oyster roasts we had as a family, and used those as place cards for our guests and throughout the decor. One and Only Stationers, who created our programs and other details, wrote each guest’s name on an oyster shell in navy ink. We have our oyster shell place cards displayed on our coffee table, and we’ve visited with friends who kept their place cards and have them displayed in their homes, too! I just loved how all of these pieces were gathered by my family and turned into special pieces that Sean and I have kept and incorporated into our home.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Time management! I work for a public accounting firm and my schedule at work is not light! Some days, I felt like I would never be able to plan a wedding because I just didn’t have time. Luckily, I was able to lean on my mom for a lot of help. I know she sacrificed a lot of time to help me plan the wedding of my dreams–but I don’t think either of us would have had it any other way!

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Don’t sweat the small stuff, because on the day of your wedding, you will forget all about the small stuff! Something will definitely happen or go wrong (like the electricity going out at church, in our case!), but at the end of the day, you will still be married and it will still be the best day ever!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. From Sean: Erin and I met at a JV football game in high school through mutual friends. I was playing for the varsity team at the time, but decided to stick around after practice to see some of the underclassmen play. I remember being introduced to Erin and immediately having this feeling that I knew she was the one. We started dating shortly after that memorable Thursday night some nine years ago. After enduring a few years in a somewhat-long distance relationship, with Erin at NC State and myself at East Carolina, I made the decision to move to Raleigh, where we call home today.
Tell us all about the proposal! I had just finished my Masters in Accounting at NC State University and was spending all summer studying for the CPA exam. I had just finished taking one of the exams and was meeting Sean for lunch at Player’s Retreat, near NC State’s campus. It was a gorgeous day, so after eating lunch, Sean suggested we go for a walk. We walked down Hillsborough Street towards NC State’s campus and ended up in the Court of Carolinas. As we walked out into the Court of Carolinas, I saw this little puppy next to the sidewalk sitting in a basket. I turned to Sean, a bit worried, and asked, “Is that a dog? Who would leave a puppy out here by itself in the middle of July?” Sean then proceeded to walk over to the puppy, picked him up, and said, “Erin, I’d like you to meet Murphy,” and put him in my arms. I was speechless! While I stood there wide-eyed over my new puppy, Sean turned around, grabbed the ring box out of the basket, got down on one knee, and proposed! We were both shaking and tearing up, we were so excited! It was one of the happiest days of my life–I got a fiancé and a puppy!
When did y’all get married? August 1, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 200
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did not write our own vows. Instead, we opted for the traditional vows, which still hold so much meaning to us and the commitment we made to each other.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? My uncle Billy J read 1 Corinthians 13 and my Uncle Bill read Philippians 4:4-9. I love 1 Corinthians 13 because it not only tells how important love is in all aspects of our lives, but it also reminds us how to love one another. Philippians 4:4-9 is just a joyful passage and it was so wonderful to be reminded that the Lord was near, surrounding Sean and I, our families, and our friends with His love and grace. It was so special to have my uncles read these passages during our ceremony because I am so close to each of them, and Sean and I really look up to them!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I ended up with a multitude of borrowed, blue, old, and new items on my wedding day! I had a gold pin that my grandmother, her sister, my aunt, and my mother all wore when they were married. I also carried a handkerchief embroidered in blue given to me by a cousin on my mother’s side, who explained that all the women in our family had carried it, and I was to pass it on to the next cousin to get married. My mom and dad gave me a beautiful silver and diamond bracelet.
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? We attended a few marriage counseling sessions at Edenton St. United Methodist and with our pastor. Through these sessions, I realized more and more how ready and happy I was to be marrying this man.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We are living and working in Raleigh with our dog, Murphy. So far, we have just enjoyed coming home to each other, running errands together, cooking dinner together, and enjoying all that Raleigh has to offer. Being big college football fans, we frequent the NC State and ECU football games, cheer for the Panthers, and can be found hanging out with each other or our dear friends and family every weekend. We are looking forward to sharing new experiences together–we’d love to travel around the US and abroad and have a few long weekend trips planned in the coming months!

Photographer: Julie Livingston Photography | Videographer: Jared Cook Films | Coordinator: Gather Together Events | Ceremony Venue: Edenton Street United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: The Merrimon-Wynne House | Florist: Simply Elegant Floral Designs | Dessert Baker: The Cupcake Shoppe | Caterer: Catering Works | Rentals: Party Reflections | Band: The Magic Pipers | Paper Products: One and Only Stationers | Bride’s Gown: Maggi Bridal | Hair Stylist: Parlor Blow Dry Bar | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Mary” Top and “Tulip” Skirt in Umber by LulaKate | Bridesmaid Dress Salon: Bella Bridesmaids | Menswear: VIP Formal Wear | Koozies: Pink House Press | Transportation: Ecostyle and Classy Transportation

Gather Together Events is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Ashlee Little reply

    Thank you so much for sharing Erin + Sean’s wedding! We’re glad you loved the driftwood chandelier as much as we loved making it. :)

  2. avatar Brenda Parker reply

    This was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever seen. I was not at the wedding but have seen all the photos. It is obvious a lot of attention was paid to every detail to achieve an elegant southern wedding with a very personal touch. I enjoyed reading the back story of all the details of their story.

  3. avatar Dana reply

    a puppy and a proposal! not bad!!!

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Hi y’all! After the wedding of my dreams and an amazing first two weeks of marriage, I’m excited to be back in the SW office–I’ve missed y’all! :) And I can’t imagine a lovelier way to get back into the swing of things than Lindsay and Walker’s Charleston wedding. As the setting for this new chapter of their love story, they chose two venues with incredible histories–the first Baptist church in the South, and Hibernian Hall, a historic venue that dates back to 1840. With the help of their talented vendors, they added simple and classic details that made their venues even more personal, but never distracted from what mattered most on that day–their love and joy of becoming husband and wife!

Thanks so much to Jennings King for sharing this special day with us!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something borrowed was earrings that I borrowed from my best friend, who had worn them in her wedding. My something blue was my grandmother’s sapphire and diamond ring that I have always loved. My something old was lace taken from my mother and mother-in-law’s wedding dresses, which was wrapped around my bouquet. My something new was my pearl bracelet my father surprised me with on my wedding day.

I was not expecting to find my dress when I did! I had just left an appointment at another dress shop and was headed to lunch. We were meeting a few people for lunch, but got there early. The restaurant was located next to another dress shop, so we peeked our heads in to look around while we waited. I looked through the dresses and didn’t find one that I wanted to try on, but as we were leaving, I saw a dress hanging by itself that just spoke to me! I tried it on for my mom and couldn’t stop smiling…I didn’t want to take it off! The one thing holding me back from getting it right then was the fact that my twin sister was not with me to give me the okay. I wanted her opinion and reassurance before making the big decision, so I took her back and tried it on for her the next week, and purchased it before I left the store.

We got married at First Baptist Church, which is one of our favorite churches. We love the history behind it (it was the earliest Baptist church in the South), as well as its simplicity.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Our vows were traditional, Christian vows that we decided on prior to the wedding. However, we did write handwritten letters that we exchanged before the wedding, that included with our personal vows to one another.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Even though we loved every second of our wedding day, we both agree that the most memorable moment, hands down, was the moment when the church doors opened and we saw each other for the first time that day. We were both overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t stop smiling. We locked eyes and it was like we were the only two people in the entire church. It was truly the most amazing feeling.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? While we were extremely happy with all of our vendors, the two that we are extra happy we chose to be a part of our wedding were our photographer, Jennings King Photography, and our videographer, Artistic Eye Productions. They were both excellent to work with and did an amazing job. They were able to capture every single moment perfectly, as well as all of the details of our wedding.

We had three cakes! The middle cake had three tiers and the cakes on each side had two tiers. Each cake was a different flavor: dulce de leche, carrot cake, and coconut cream.

The reception was at Hibernian Hall, which was perfect for the reception we had always dreamed of. It had beautiful gold chandeliers, a stage for a live band, and a huge dance floor for all of our guest to dance the night away on. What else could you ask for?

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I first noticed Walker when he came to the office where I was working at the time for an interview. I was the only single one in the office, so when he, a good lookin’ single guy, walked in, everyone immediately started scheming. Later that week, I was at Midtown Bar and Grill celebrating a friend’s birthday when I spotted Walker across the bar. My best friend, Morgan, talked me into going over and talking to him (even though Morgan did all the talking). This was our official meeting and as fate would have it, Walker began working at my place of employment two weeks later. We were hesitant to take things to the next level, and it wasn’t until December 18, 2010 at the company’s annual Christmas party that we hit it off. Thankfully, I was ending my time working there and starting dental hygiene school that January. The rest was history!
Tell us all about the proposal! Dewees Island, where my parents have a place, is where we have shared birthdays, holidays, weekend getaways, and lots of memorable family time. Over the years, Walker explored many areas of the island to find the best fishing spots. He came across a dock that extends into the waterway and has a view that could never get old, and it has become our favorite go-to spot. When Walker decided that I was the girl he wanted to call his wife, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind where he wanted to propose. It was an extremely windy Saturday in February, the day after Valentine’s Day, when he decided to pop the big question. I thought that some friends were coming to town, and we were going to take them to Dewees Island to go fishing (or rather, the boys were going to go fishing while the girls caught up). Matt and Allison ended up “not being able to come,” but Walker and I decided to go to the island anyway. My mother had arranged for a friend to take pictures and capture the moment, and family awaited us at the ferry dock to celebrate.
When did y’all get married? March 28, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 250
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? The main way we planned for our marriage while planning our wedding was going to pre-marital counseling. This is something we both wanted to do before the wedding and we are glad we did it!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Stay calm and do not stress about the little things. This is such a special time in your life, so enjoy it! Also, have fun the day of your wedding. You will be a little anxious the day of, but don’t let that prevent you from being yourself, relaxing, and having fun with your bridesmaids. Figure out what means the most to you and make your budget around those things. For me, it was the photographer/videographer, entertainment, and food. We originally were not going to have a videographer, but changed our minds closer to the wedding and we are so glad we did! Having a video to watch allows you to relive the best day of your life over and over again. We have watched our video so many times!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are looking forward to so many things…we definitely hope to do some traveling during the next few years, and we plan to start a family down the road. We want to focus on growing our relationship together and enjoying the fruits of marriage.

Photographer: Jennings King Photography / Videographer: Artistic Eye Productions / Planner: Katie Foreman / Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Church / Reception Venue: Hibernian Hall / Florist: Pat Irvine / Cake Baker: Charleston Cakes Etc. / Caterer: Aberdeen Catery / Rentals: Snyder Events / Band: The Mighty Kicks / Calligraphy: Page Palmer / Paper Products: Lytle Fober / Bride’s Gown: “6319” by Justin Alexander / Bride’s Veil: Bridal House of Charleston / Bride’s Bracelet: Berlins / Hair Stylist: Jenelle Gordon at Fix Salon Studio / Makeup Artist: Jonny Cosmetics / Bride’s Shoes: “Jutte” by Rsvp / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Joanna August / Maid of Honor Dress: Adrianna Papell / Bridesmaid Dress Salon: Bella Bridesmaid Charleston / Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

lisa Written with love by Lisa
4 Comments
  1. avatar Southern Weddings by Jennings King Photography reply

    […] Lindsay & Walker – Southern Weddings […]

  2. avatar Andreina – Fly Away Bride reply

    Love the bride’s dress. So elegant!

  3. avatar Bridget reply

    Ooh, those cakes! That lattice cake is perfection.

  4. avatar Earcandy reply

    What a wonderful love story! I think my favourite thing about this wedding is that everything seemed to be so easy, smooth and fun loving. I love that everything is white including the cake and flowers. It’s simple, it’s elegant, and it’s beautiful.

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