Southern Weddings

My sister and I just booked our hotels for our March trip to Paris! It made me extra excited, then, when Emily told me we’d be featuring Natalia + Levi’s wedding on the blog this week. When Natalia + Levi planned their Georgia plantation wedding, they had one thing in mind: the shabby chic combo of the style of Parisian flea markets and the warmth of Southern cotton fields. If Parisian flea markets look anything like this wedding, then I’m already a fan! I love how the couple’s pink and gold invitation suite was the perfect hint at what’s to come and how glitz and glamor still made an appearance in the small details — whether it was the gold foil envelope liners or the bejeweled bridesmaids’ dresses. I say this about a lot of things, but I really mean it when I say I’m completely smitten with N + L’s altar setup. The fireplace mantel and rug were finds that created the feeling of home at the altar and were repurposed after “I do.” We can’t thank Melissa Schollaert Photography enough for sharing!

Want to see more of this Real Wedding? Pick up a V4 to take a look at their feature on pages 190-198.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Levi and I met our senior year of high school during a college tour at the University of Georgia. We immediately fell in love, but not with each other (that comes later!). We both fell in love with Athens, Georgia. Four years later, we both graduated from UGA and started planning a Southern affair in the same town where we met and built our relationship.
Describe the proposal: In December 2009, Levi took me on a ski trip in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for my Christmas present. Being the Christmas freak that I am, Levi humored me by walking around the streets with hot chocolate in hand, enjoying the lights, decorations, and carolers. We walked along in the snow and next thing I knew, Levi was down on one knee! I, of course, acted like a doofus and kept asking him if he was joking. I hadn’t seen it coming! He reassured me that he was, in fact, not joking and for me to please stop asking if he was. I think his exact words were “Darn it, Natalia, it’s a real diamond! So, yes?” My answer was somewhere along the lines of “uh, YEAH!” (Alas, I’ve never been one with words).
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Personal, romantic, and surprise-filled.
How many guests attended your wedding? 125
Favorite design element of your big day: I’m still completely in love with the antique mantel that we used at the ceremony. Anything with white chippy paint pulls at my heart strings and the mantel is no exception. I can’t wait to find the perfect spot for it in our house. Combined with the heirloom rug, pitcher, pillar candles, and various floral elements, the end result couldn’t have been more romantic.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: Finding my wedding dress was by no means an easy process! I was completely jaded by wedding dress television shows. I probably tried on about 100 dresses and became extremely frustrated that I wasn’t crying or having any of the other emotions you see on TV. When I got to La Raine’s, my consultant gave me advice that completely changed my outlook on the process. She told me that sometimes you don’t have an “ah-ha!” moment. Sometimes, the dress becomes truly special because it’s yours. She was right. I bought a dress that day and made it my own by ordering a custom belt from Etsy.
Briefly describe your wedding flowers: The flowers were simply amazing! The personal flowers were exactly what I had envisioned. Pat was able to maximize my budget by using flowers with full blooms to create the biggest impact. She used peonies, hydrangeas, ranunculus, anemones, tulips, and baby’s breath throughout the reception. She knocked it out of the park! My co-workers in the floral department of Epting Events, Bart Scott and Leigh Frazier, provided the beautiful wreath and log arrangement for the mantle at the ceremony. They took my vision and propelled it to new heights
Bride’s favorite detail of the wedding: Our entire ceremony was perfect. From the aisle mowed out of the tall grass and antique fireplace mantle as the altar, to the mixture of bridesmaids and groomsmen on both sides of the aisle, the entire ceremony was very “us.” I was also able to surprise my mom, a huge fan of gospel music, with a choir performing “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” for the recessional. They sat among the other guest and surprised everyone at the end, Love Actually style!

Photographer: Melissa Schollaert Photography // Planner: bride, Epting Events // Designer: bride, Epting Events // Venue: Tucker Plantation // Florist: MG Floral // Wedding Cake Baker: Classic City Confections // Caterer: Epting Events // Bridesmaid Dresses: Paul & Joe Sister // Bride’s Dress: Casablanca // Hair Stylist: Scoobie West // Makeup Artist: Scoobie West // Bride’s Shoes: Max Studio // Bride’s Jewelry: earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane // Bride’s Veil or Hair Accessory: veil by Brenda’s Bridal Veils, hair flower by DK Designs // Bride’s Other Accessories: belt from Daniel Design // Groom’s Fashion: Indochino // Groomsmen Fashion: groomsmen’s own // Paper Goods: Red Table Stationary // Rentals: Epting Events // Linens: Epting Events and Cloth Connection // Table runners: screen printed by Satisfactory Print Shop // Reception Décor: cake mugs from Anthropologie, heart pine table tops from Epting Events // Lighting: monogrammed gobo from Epting Events and Live Event Solutions

If you love this wedding, check out our related Pinterest boards!
Southern Ceremonies
Pink Wedding Details

Melissa Schollaert is a member of our fabulous Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Nicole