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Today’s couple’s story is a little different from most of the brides and grooms who grace Southern Weddings! Jeremy proposed spontaneously in Vegas, and he and Ashley were married in a chic, casual elopement ceremony the very next day. While their whirlwind 36-hour engagement was perfectly them, they were excited to share their joy with family and friends, too. A year and a half after their first wedding in Vegas, these wedding industry cuties were pronounced “still married” at a beautiful Virginia barn.

Thanks so much to Justin & Mary for sharing Ashley and Jeremy’s wedding day with us!

Tell us all about the proposal! It was about 3 a.m. at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant inside the MGM Grand during the 2012 WPPI, a photographer’s conference (I am a wedding photographer and Jeremy is a wedding cinematographer). Through a crazy turn of events, Jeremy decided that he was going to propose to me as soon as I returned to the table. He borrowed a sterling silver ring from a friend, got down on one knee to the shrieks of our friends, and asked me to marry him! We were engaged and married within 36 hours in the most amazing elopement ceremony EVER! You can see our elopement film here and the images here. It was a complete whirlwind but SO us.

Even though our wedding was in the fall, I wanted pastels, pastels, and more pastels! I wanted our florals to feel lush, inviting, soft, romantic, and pretty, with a touch of glam. Rachel, our florist, did an absolutely amazing job with every single piece throughout the day. She even created a little flower collar for our dog to wear down the aisle! My favorites were the huge succulents and giant dahlias that she found and incorporated throughout the wedding!

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Of course! There were several reasons we chose to do a first look. One, of course, being a wedding photographer myself, I knew the value of having that extra time on the wedding day for portraits, which were so important to us. We did not have the weather on our side on our wedding day, and if we hadn’t done a first look, all of our portraits would have been in the rain. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing so many couples have a first look, and the emotions and love that comes from them cemented my desire to have one. Jeremy is my best friend and all I wanted to do was see him and hang out before the ceremony!

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Yes, we did! In my vows, I spoke about the book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and how, in that book, the ultimate answer to everything in the universe is the number 42. Through some strange coincidences, that number in particular is very meaningful to us, and I expressed to Jeremy that I was so thankful that “the ultimate answer to everything in my universe was you.”
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Our ceremony was short and sweet. We had one of our great friends, Dave, officiate for us, so it was amazing hearing him tell the story of how we met, offer some advice, and pronounce us “still married.”

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our food was most decidedly Southern–we wanted upscale, small-plated Southern tapas, and Jodi with Sweetwater more than delivered! We had an entire biscuit bar with homemade jams and jellies, mini mac n’ cheese, mini pot pies, mini grilled cheese paninis with tomato soup, butter beans with cornbread, mini shrimp po’boys…my mouth waters just thinking about it! So many people told us the food was the best they had had at any wedding. Our venue was also so beautifully Southern–a gorgeous home that dated back to the 1800s, tucked away in a tiny Virginia town. I also think our decision to keep the wedding as intimate as possible was Southern too–growing up, we had backyard BBQs and pool parties and were always surrounded by a close knit group of friends and family. I wanted to keep that same feeling alive by not “meeting” anyone at my wedding for the first time!

When we started planning our wedding, I wrote down in my notebook that my dream venue would be a barn with chandeliers. I stumbled across Silverbrook, immediately emailed and spoke to Dot, the owner, and when she said the chandeliers were part of the barn, I couldn’t arrange a site visit fast enough! We chose the venue based on the location and vibe, but we never expected to fall as in love with Dot as much as we did–she was such an amazing part of our day.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We had an entire table of Southern dessert favorites! My daddy made his famous banana pudding, which was served in tiny flip-top mason jars. Our incredible caterer, Jodi, put together hand pies on sticks (the chocolate ones were to die for!), miniature Coke floats, and mason jar strawberry shortcakes. We went this direction in lieu of a traditional cake and it was so much fun letting everyone pick their favorites (or try them all!).

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met about eight years ago when I bought car parts from Jeremy and he installed them on my car. Romantic, right? We are both big car nerds and happened to have the same type of car at that time. It wasn’t until about three years later that we saw each other again when a group of our mutual friends organized a snowboarding trip. We annoyed all of our friends by staying up late and talking while everyone else was trying to sleep. It was pretty much “game over” after that!
When did y’all get married? The first time, February 22, 2012. This time, October 12, 2013!
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 75
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I wanted this particular Vera dress from the minute I saw it. My only fear was that it wasn’t going to fit me right, so as soon as we picked a date for the wedding, I ran to the store and tried it on. To my absolute relief, it was exactly what I had imagined! With a few tweaks (I added a sweetheart neckline), it was my dream wedding dress. I also picked out a fun BHLDN dress for the reception so that I could show off my favorite accessory, my sparkly gold Kate Spade shoes!
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Music is a huge part of our lives, so our music choices were very deliberate! The song I walked down the aisle to was “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros, and we walked back up the aisle to American Authors’ “Best Day of My Life.” Our first dance song was Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life,” and the rest of our playlist consisted of super fun old-school songs that kept everyone on the dance floor all night long!
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: We loved the overall combination of the items we chose to include in each part of the day–each choice was made with the intention to not only describe us and our relationship, but to provide a fun, Southern party for all of our best friends to come together at. I think one of the detail highlights was Jeremy’s signature drink–a “pickleback,” which is whiskey and pickle juice. Everyone was scared at first, but by the end of the night, everyone was requesting how to make them, and it was so fun seeing everyone cheers-ing with their newfound favorite drink.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The weather! I know that being in the wedding industry, I should know better than to get upset over the weather, but we had a freak nor’easter roll through Virginia the week of our wedding and it would NOT stop raining. I tried very hard to “let go” during the week, but I couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. However, when the rehearsal rolled around and I was surrounded by my friends and family, I realized it truly did not matter in the least what the weather brought–everything was going to be perfect no matter what. And truthfully, the overcast skies and the foggy mountains made our wedding absolutely magical.
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? I couldn’t pick just one! Our vendors were amazing and we chose them not only because of their talents, but because of who they are as people. They not only did their jobs, they treated us like family every step of the way, and when we looked around on the wedding night, it made us so happy to see them dancing and enjoying themselves just as much as we did. We had the best team of vendors ever!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? There was a point when Jeremy and I were looking around and we realized that even though we had invited lots of family and friends from all different parts of our lives, there was absolutely no sign that these people hadn’t known each other for more than two hours. All of our friends, from all over the country, from all different parts of our story, were dancing, laughing, and cheers-ing together. That was by far my favorite memory–seeing all of our favorite people meet and become friends with all of our other favorite people!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? As hard as it is, and as cliche as it is, at some point you have to let go and know that your marriage is far more important than your wedding. There are going to be things that are out of your control, but what is in your control is how you react, and how you communicate with your soon-to-be hubby in the face of a stressful situation. Know that in your heart, you are marrying someone amazing, and at the end of the day, that is what matters. I promise, everything will fall into place just as it should. You will look back and see the things that went “wrong” as sweet memories that made the day all the better. It will all be okay!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Married life has been incredible!! We are just looking forward to continuing to build our life together, hand in hand, side by side. He’s my best friend and he saves me in the smallest of ways, every day. I can never truly show him how much I love him, but I darn well am going to try! Oh, and hopefully purchasing our first home together soon–we can’t wait!

Photographer: Justin & Mary Photography / Videographer: Josh Gooden / Planner: Antonia Christianson Events / Ceremony and Reception Venue: Silverbrook Farm / Florist: Floral and Bloom / Dessert Baker and Caterer: Sweetwater Cuisine / DJ: Amanda pearl of Fat Cat Productions / Photo Booth: Liz & Ryan / Bride’s Gown: Vera Wang “White” / Paper Products: PaperDolls Design / Hair Stylist: Ian McCabe / Makeup Artist: Sarah Rillon / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Donna Morgan / Groom’s Attire: Levi Denim, J.Crew Shirt, Forever 21 Blazer, Etsy Bow Tie, and Aldo Shoes / Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew Shirt, Levi Denim, and H&M Shoes / Chalkboards, place cards, and window panes: Coastal Calligraphy and Design

lisa Written with love by Lisa
22 Comments
  1. avatar Ashley Mitchell reply

    Ahhhh! What an amazing honor and treat to see our wedding grace the “pages” of Southern Weddings this morning!!! We are so stinking excited!!! Thank you so much!!

  2. avatar Emilia Jane reply

    AHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Love you two and I just can’t get enough of your wedding photos :-D <3

  3. avatar Suzy VanDyke reply

    Justin and Mary are amazing photographers, and Ashley & Jeremy are a wonderful couple! I love this wedding!

  4. avatar Liz and Ryan reply

    Ahhh! We just love reliving Ashley and Jeremy’s special day! ;) (x2) So gorgeous! And so perfect! Love you A&J! Ohh and of course AMAZING photographs J&M!!! ;) Love all around! ;)

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    […] Louise’s wedding gown (above)–and so did we! See hers and Billy’s wedding here. Ashley and Jeremy were pronounced “still married” at their sparkly barn wedding. Lauren and Cole‘s […]

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    […] who declared Ashley and Jeremy the cutest couple ever after reading their story and admiring their sparkly barn wedding this week! That notion was only reinforced when Josh Gooden sent over their wedding video, which […]

  8. avatar Daniella reply

    Where are your bridesmaids earrings from….I love them!! Your wedding pictures are gorgeous!!

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  15. avatar Kat reply

    I love the necklace that your bridesmaid in the grey is wearing! Where did you buy it?

  16. avatar Julie DeFrancisco reply

    Hi!

    I also LOVE the necklace you bridesmaid is wearing. Where did you/she get it? I’d love for my ladies to have it for my wedding this October.

    Thanks!

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Six more days, y’all! We have a garage full of V6 in all her pretty, printed glory, and we are packing them up as quickly as we can to start shipping out tomorrow! You can order a copy here, or if you’re in the South, stop by your favorite bookstore or news stand in less than a week!

One thing we celebrate quite a bit in V6 is how dramatic, but completely natural, the contrasts in the South can be. I won’t give too much away, but I will say that Heidi and Garth are a perfect example. From their gorgeous wedding, you’d never guess that these two spent the day of Garth’s proposal working hard out on their dairy farm! Southern belles and gents can feel just as comfortable in jeans and boots out in the country as they do glammed up in Lazaro and seersucker on their wedding days. It’s one of our favorite things about the South, as well as one of our favorite things about Heidi and Garth’s big day!

Thanks so much to Cristy Cross for sharing Heidi and Garth’s beautiful West Texas wedding with us!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We were introduced at a family barbecue at my sister’s house in Friona, Texas in April 2012. Garth arrived at the event sweaty from mountain biking, wearing denim bib overalls, and with an uncontrollable case of the hiccups. Though I was not immediately charmed by this presentation, chemistry developed between us later that evening while playing the classic Gingg family dinner party game, Catch-a-phrase. The spark created that evening quickly developed into a love that inspired me to move to West Texas to be close to Garth. Though slightly out of character for me, I even learned to harvest green feed and grow steer calves at Del Rio Dairy.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. My mother and I planned a trip to Kleinfeld in New York City. Although we did not get to make an appearance on “Say Yes to the Dress,” it was an unforgettable experience. I have never seen so many beautiful dresses; it was overwhelming at first. Luckily Kleinfeld has got it together, and with just a few questions in regards to style and fit, I had five dress options before me. It only took three to find the one!

We did not do a first look. It was important to me to follow tradition. I wanted my dad to walk me down the aisle, for him to be the first man to hold me as a baby and the last to give me away as a woman. I felt as though the symbolism would be somewhat lost if I had seen and held Garth before my dad officially gave me away. The moments I spent with my mom and dad just before loading up to head down to the ceremony were full of laughter and tears. I will not forget those last few rushed, crazy and hectic moments, just the three of us. The decision not to do a “first look” provided a little more time with my parents.

While we may be a little bit more Southwestern than Southern, we still have tradition and definitely charm. We wanted to create an experience where every guest felt like family. It was a celebratory time for everyone to enjoy great drinks, great food, the great outdoors, and great love: the foundations of Southern tradition. For a little Southwestern charm, I have to mention country singer Will Banister and his band–they were absolutely phenomenal, with a traditional country sound. Oh yes, and we cannot forget Garth’s seersucker suit!

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? Equally my wedding planner and photographer. Parie painted a canvas of perfection, and Cristy captured its beauty for all of us to remember. In the end, it brought us great happiness to experience our hopes and dreams brought to life and to know those memories will forever be within reach.

Aren’t their flowers and tablescapes stunning? Parie of Parie Designs’ goal was to marry the coppery tones in the venue with Heidi’s glitzy, fun personality. To achieve this, she used cream garden roses, peonies, hydrangea, Lysimachia, succulents, cafe au lait dahlias, mini millet, and thornless blackberries against copper sequin linens and both gold and wood elements. So pretty!

Tell us all about the proposal! It was a sunny afternoon in good ole Muleshoe, Texas. After a day of green chopping on the farm for me and pregnancy-checking cows for Garth, he came home with what he often refers to as a surprise present. Lucky me…there was a bike helmet, biking gloves, and there may have even been some spandex bike shorts involved. After some arm twisting by Garth, I tried on the helmet and gloves (not the shorts!) and rode my mountain bike up and down the street. After the joyride, Garth had another surprise, which went like this. Garth: (hand into jean pocket, awkwardly) “So I was thinking… we should get married.” (Ring appears) Heidi: (Ooooh, ahhh, so excited!!) “…Well aren’t you going to ask me?!?!” Garth: “Will you marry me?” Heidi: “YES!”
When did y’all get married? July 11, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 64
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did not write our own vows for the wedding. However, we made sure to take time during our honeymoon to share our vows and promises to each other. I loved that it was a private moment just for Garth and I. Added bonus being that I avoided crying uncontrollably in front of our guests. :)
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We did not have any special readings. We had a very traditional religious ceremony performed by our pastor, Kurt Borden of Friona Methodist Church. In lieu of a reading, we took communion together for the first time as husband and wife, along with all of our guests. It was a beautiful time to share our union, love, and commitment to each other and God with the community that supports us.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Processional: Etta James, “At Last.” Pretty classic. Recessional: Ziggy Marley, “Love is my Religion.” I loved the funky sounds of the reggae, and I think it set a playful mood. Also, I love the lyrics. To me, it means to have faith in love, and love is all that matters. First Dance: Garett Hedlund/Leighton Meester, “Give In To Me,” my all-time favorite song (from the Country Strong soundtrack). It is about letting go of our fears and pride, allowing ourselves to truly experience love. Father/Daughter: Rascal Flatts, “My Wish.” My dad chose this song. It was a perfect choice, as it put into words the many hopes and dreams my dad has always had for me. Mother/Son: George Strait, “Amarillo by Morning.” This was a spur-of-the-moment choice that worked out just perfectly. So Texan! Also, our wedding venue, Palo Duro Canyon is just south of Amarillo. It was the perfect tempo for Garth and his mom to share their first dance!
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Having Garth’s parents and brother there to share our special night. It was a blessing to be able to express our love and commitment for each other with them by our side. Seeing the beauty of the love they have for one another was my favorite detail.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? It was very difficult for me to make final decisions on small details. The possibilities are endless, and Pinterest begins to work against you eventually. My mom and sister were my saving grace. The wedding would not have been above and beyond perfect without their hard work.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Walking down the aisle on my dad’s arm to be joined with Garth. I remember feeling the strength and confidence from my dad and seeing the love and excitement in Garth’s eyes. The overwhelming joy and love I felt for Garth in those moments was indescribable. I will never forget how it felt to know that my dad was proud of Garth and I. I felt blessed to have him there to lead me down this new path and honored to have him represent the merging of my past, present and future.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? If you do not have my mom or sister, if at all possible, hire a wedding planner! I am not much of a DIY kinda girl, so I needed reinforcements. In addition to my wonderful mom and sister, Parie, my wedding planner, kept me sane. If a planner is not in the cards, I would suggest a meticulously updated weekly and monthly calendar/planner. Setting up alerts and reminders on Google calendar is a great tool. Have a notebook and pen on hand at all times — you never know when the next great idea will pop/pin up! And always stay true to your own ideas and personal style. It is important to be a little selfish, while always remembering the very simple reason you are planning this wedding. Be sure that your love is reflected in all of the details: love for yourself, your to-be husband, family and friends.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Garth and I are moving into our first home… on the farm. We will be living in Friona, Texas on our family dairy. I will be going back to my roots by living on the dairy and Garth will get to experience all of the adventures and opportunities that farm life has to offer, as well as contribute his knowledge and skills as a veterinarian. We will also be visiting Garth’s family and hometown in Colchester, Vermont. I am so excited to see where Garth grew up and experience firsthand what was such an important part of molding him into the amazing man he is today. We look forward to days of hard work and challenges and the joy that love provides no matter what the day may bring… hopefully soon, it brings a baby. ;)

lisa Written with love by Lisa
9 Comments
  1. avatar My Love Wedding Ring reply

    beautiful day

  2. avatar Dana reply

    the seersucker suit, the cute little boys, and the flowers are all so perfect!

  3. avatar Kristin reply

    I have to agree with Dana on the cute little fellas. They are darling.

  4. avatar Cristy Cross reply

    What a beautiful and sweet story Heidi and Garth.
    Y’all were a blessing to work with, and your wedding rocked.

  5. avatar Abby reply

    In love with this theme! Does anyone know where the tablecloths came from or where I can find one similar? I’m obsessed with them!

  6. avatar Samantha reply

    Where did you get the sequin linens?

  7. avatar Amy reply

    I am in love with the sequins tablecloths. Where did you find quality sequins? I don’t want it to look cheap

  8. avatar Megan Oliver reply

    I am obsessed with your table clothes! Where did you get them???

  9. avatar Wedding Ideas to Make Your Event Sparkly with Glitters & Sequins | Stylish Wedd Blog reply

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Y’all, there are so many sweet Southern details I could gush over from Julie + Shane’s wedding! Like the amazing estate tables with monogrammed burlap runners, the glorious gold accents, the Arnold Palmer bar (I die!), and Julie’s custom lace gown, to start. But of course, my favorite part is that J + S’s reception took place in a real life, working hay barn! What?! Seeing how Julie and her planner, Erica Weddings, literally worked from a completely blank canvas to create a ranch wedding that was sophisticated Southern at its best is mighty impressive! And I’d be remiss not to mention that the caterers worked it out with a sit down dinner for over 200 without any power at all!

We’re dishing out big hugs to Josh McCullock for helping us feel like we stepped right into Julie + Shane’s soirée!

Shane and I were able to do a first look before the ceremony, and that time spent alone together in the quiet before all the festivities began was easily one of the best moments of the day. It was such a special moment for the two of us to anticipate what was to come. Not to mention, our wonderful photographer, Josh, got some stunning portraits during this time that we will always treasure.

I’m a big fan of these mixed bridesmaids’ dresses! They’re relaxed, classic, and compliment each other perfectly!

Describe your wedding flowers. 
Our florist (and wonderful friend!) Lindi with The Bridal Garden did such a fabulous job. I wanted the flowers to reflect all of the textures and the layers that were driving much of the design of the day. She nailed it. From our ceremony arrangements (placed on the stumps of a fallen tree off the ranch that my Dad cut for us), to the bouquets that were each a bit different and unique to each bridesmaid, and the countless table arrangements where no two arrangements were the same. I borrowed the milk glass that my sister had collected for her own wedding, and collected my own gold glassware to add to the “layered” look and add some sparkle.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? 
We were married under a giant oak tree. Our reception was in a barn — a real life, working hay barn. And it was 100 degrees. Does that count?! Kidding aside, one of my favorite Southern touches was the Arnold Palmer lemonade/sweet tea bar we had. Though Shane isn’t necessarily Southern by birth, he is definitely Southern at heart and loves his sweet tea. Our caterers set up assorted flavored lemonades and teas and our guests mixed and matched them as they pleased. They were served in vintage milk bottles we found, salvaged in their original crates from the University dairy at our alma mater. (Go Pokes!!!)

Josh, our photographer, stole us away immediately following our ceremony. Shane and I spent time just talking and soaking up the moment as the sun set over the ranch. I will never forget the way I felt in that moment, as we sat on the dock at the pond and watched our dearest friends and family gather to celebrate our marriage. It was a super powerful twenty minutes, and I am forever grateful for that time. Josh was able to snap a few of my most favorite pictures during this time, too.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? 
I am a bit of a foodie, and it was so important to me to have great food at our wedding. Our incredible caterers tackled the impossible task of serving a seated, three-course meal to more than 200 people in a barn without electricity, without any semblance of a kitchen nor anything a caterer should need! They went above and beyond my expectations, and served the most delicious meal. We are still getting rave reviews to this day. Of course our photographer (and now friend!), Josh McCullock is hands down the best around. I began online stalking his website before Shane and I were even engaged, and I knew he was a perfect fit for the style we were looking for in our wedding photography. I literally did a happy dance when he responded that he was not booked for Labor Day, and would indeed be available to shoot our wedding. He is beyond talented, and fabulous to work with.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. 
Shane was never a huge dessert eater before I entered his life and showed him the path to happiness by way of cake (and pie and cobbler…). We had a traditional white wedding cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream. And as a “groom’s dessert” our caterers served a dessert course of fresh berries and real whipped cream with a honey drizzle in mini stemless martini glasses. For the record, neither of us were able to have any dessert that night!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: 
One of our favorite elements of our wedding day were the family and friends in attendance! People traveled from all over the country to Oklahoma to celebrate with us. As a nod to all of our favorite people traveling, our favors were two sugar cookies: one Oklahoma cookie and one California cookie, each with a heart on our hometowns. Attached to the box was a thank you note featuring a US map with tiny hearts all over the country showing where guests had traveled from.

Y’all know we love a good sorority sing, and this one looks like it was a complete blast!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. 
Shane and I met in college. A mutual friend introduced us the weekend prior to the first week of classes our freshman year. He was this very tall, very cute boy from California who seemed very much out of my league as a girl from small town Oklahoma. We chatted for a short bit then went our separate ways that night, and I half expected not to speak to him again. Wouldn’t you know it, I walked into my first class Monday morning, and there sat that handsome curly headed boy I had been introduced to. We spent that next semester in class together — me doing the daily crossword puzzle, and Shane taking meticulous American Government notes. Over the course of the next year we had become the very best of friends. About a year later, we went on our first date. And the rest is history. We’ve been together ever since!

Tell us all about the proposal! 
It was an unusually beautiful and sunny January day. Shane asked me to take a walk in the park. We brought along our adorable dog Eleanor. Towards the end of our walk, Shane very simply asked me if I would be his wife and spend my life with him. He gave me the most beautiful ring, and I said, “YES!”

When did y’all get married? 
September 1, 2012

How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 
About 225

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. 
I had been to a handful of bridal stores, tried on many dresses, and just was not pleased with anything I had found. I would like the skirt of one dress, but the top of another. I would like the lace of another dress, but the shape would be wrong. Let’s face it — I’m as picky as they come. I finally found Kristine, the owner of a local bridal boutique. We worked together off of a rough sketch I drew that combined the elements of what I was looking for in a dress. She custom designed the perfect dress for my wedding day. Every last detail was more than I could have dreamed!

Did you write your own vows? 
When it came to our vows, we opted for the traditional, Christian marriage vows. I just love the traditional vows. Talk about powerful! “To have and to hold from this day forward…” Does it get any better than that?!

What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? 
Two of our dearest friends read passages from my late grandfather’s bible: Romans 8:31-39 and Philippians 4:4-9. An excerpt from Romans: “In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. 
An acoustic version of “Come Thou Fount” was played during the processional. We exited to Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams (Come True).” Our first dance was to Little Big Town’s “Bring it on Home.”

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? I borrowed my sweet mother’s tennis bracelet, a gift to her from my Dad many years ago. The brooch on my belt was vintage. My mom made my veil herself for my something new. And we just plain forgot about blue!

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? 
I searched for a venue. I tried, I really did! But nothing appealed to me more than the blank slate of the giant hay barn with the beautiful backdrop of our close family friends’ working ranch in rural Oklahoma. With my background in design, I really wanted to design the entire event from the ground up, exactly as I envisioned it. Most of our family and friends thought I was crazy, and I probably was. With the help of my momma (she’s a saint!) and countless other family members and friends we transformed the barn into a pretty stunning reception space. We swept the dirt floor, we draped all the walls and ceiling beams in fabric, we brought in lighting. It was unbelievable. Shane and I will be forever indebted to all of those who put in hours of hard labor to help my vision become a reality!

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? 
Be organized. And EDIT. No one will notice those teeny details that you are losing sleep over. As a details-obsessed bride, I KNOW it’s hard. Don’t forget to take time for you and your fiancé and enjoy your engagement!! Also, if there is any way you can fit it in the budget, hire a really great day-of coordinator. There is no better gift you can give yourself.

What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? 
We are enjoying married life in our new home state of Kansas, settling into our first house, and contemplating adopting another dog-child. We are looking forward to the West Coast reception my husbands’ parents are hosting in California this summer, and seeing those that couldn’t make it to our wedding.

Photographer: Josh McCullock | Planner: Erica Weddings | Ceremony Venue: Private Ranch | Reception Venue: Private Ranch | Florist: The Bridal Garden by Lindi | Wedding Cake: Merritt’s Bakery | Caterer: Ladyfingers Catering | Rentals: Party Pro Tulsa | Lighting: Zach Downing/Empire Lighting | DJ: Zach Downing Entertainment
Special Details: Signage/Paper Products/Calligraphy: Bride’s Own, Etsy Shop: Lovely Letter Inc | Bride’s Gown: Abelina’s Bridal | Invitations: Paper Girl | Hair Stylist: Kiersten at identity salon | Makeup Artist: Faccia Bella

Josh McCullock is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
4 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    All of these photos are so sweet! Love the ones of Julie + her dad and Julie + Shane!

  2. avatar Rayna {Colorado Wedding Photographer} reply

    Wow, what am amazing wedding and beautiful bride! Love all the advice too. :)

  3. avatar Lisa reply

    Gold details are my weakness, and these ones are perfect!

  4. avatar Wedding-Party Style – Weddingbee reply

    […] Photo by Josh McCullock  / Image via Southern Weddings […]

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