Southern Weddings

There are lots of things I love about the real wedding interview we send to every bride we feature, but hands down, one of my favorite parts is reading each couple’s proposal story. I’m convinced that there is nothing quite like seeing the love of your life on one knee, and getting a peek into that moment for so many couples is an honor and a joy! The story of how Walker asked Haley to marry him is one not to be missed (let’s just say, the monogrammed tissue box on my desk came in handy), and if that’s not enough to make you fall in love with this adorable couple, I’m positive that their Georgia wedding, packed with lovingly handmade details, will!

Thanks so much to our Blue Ribbon Vendor Live View Studios for sharing this sweet celebration with us!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Walker and I met at Georgia Southern University. I was involved in a campus ministry called Chi Alpha, and had been leading the worship team. Walker had attended a few times, and since he plays guitar, he decided he wanted to join the worship team as well. I didn’t notice him right away, but once I did, it was hard to look away. Some time later, we met at the park for our first (unofficial) date. We threw the frisbee back and forth for two hours and just talked about family and our lives. On May 18, 2012, we decided being friends wasn’t enough, so he asked me to be his girlfriend. Exactly two years later, Walker decided that having me as his girlfriend was no longer enough, so he asked me to be his wife! Another year later, we were sitting on the balcony of our cabin in Pigeon Forge, sipping on coffee, and enjoying the second day of our honeymoon. We’ve been married for a whopping month and a half now, and it’s as blissful as ever!

I had my heart set on a flowy dress, so once I was in the store, that’s exactly what I grabbed. I tried it on and it looked awful! I decided to go in a different direction with a more elegant, timeless look. When I came out in a trumpet-style, lace gown, every girl I brought with me was in tears. I turned around to the mirror and the tears hit me too. It was obvious that this dress was mine!

We did not do a first look, but let me tell you, that wasn’t decided easily! We went back and forth on the subject for months. Finally, we decided to keep with tradition and see each other for the first time when I walked down the aisle. It was a magical moment to see each other in a crowded space, but not notice anyone else but each other.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? The ceremony and reception space were in the same location. This was an obvious choice for us, since it was in the neighborhood where my parents live!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? The location was very Southern! We also served peach tea and Coca Cola in glass bottles out of a boat.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? We made things ourselves! Also, any time we went grocery shopping, we would pick up a few cases of Coke bottles and tea. It helped to spread that cost out!

I walked down the aisle to “How Great Thou Art.” The arrangement was by The Piano Guys, and it had everyone in tears. Our first dance song was “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector. It was a song that we’ve both loved for a long time, and it’s the perfect song to waltz to!

Tell us all about the proposal! Our two-year dating anniversary fell on a Sunday. After spending the day together, he dropped me off at my place so I could get ready, and he planned to pick me up at 8 so we could head to Savannah for dinner. By the time 8:15 rolled around and Walker hadn’t showed up, I began to get a little worried. This man was never late for dates! I looked out the window for his car, but then, something else caught my eye. There was a shiny silver gift bag by my car with a piece of paper taped to it. I went outside, picked it up and began to read: “Two years is a pretty big deal, so I wanted to do a little something extra to set this date apart. I’ve arranged for you to take a trip to the places that are significant to our relationship. Sound fun? So here is how it works: I will give you a destination at the bottom of each letter. You are to drive to each spot and park as close to it as possible. Then you are to take out the numbered letter that corresponds to the stops you’ve made. So for the first spot, get out letter number one, and so on. Think back to the feelings and thoughts you had when our relationship was just beginning. I will meet you at the last spot and we will continue on to our date. First stop, the education building parking lot. Text me before you start!” He also included a CD that I was supposed to listen to while I drove, filled with songs that flooded me with memories. The journey continued to his first college apartment, where we shared our first meal together, the Mexican restaurant where he had met my family for the first time, and the park where we had had our first kiss. Finally, for the last stop, I pulled into the coffee shop where we had spent hours and hours over the last two years. Waiting for me there was the first man I’d ever loved: my dad. He escorted me through the empty coffee shop and out the back door, and with a kiss on the cheek and an “I love you,” he turned me over to the most handsome man I’d ever seen. There was Walker, standing on the patio all alone, under hundreds of Christmas lights, waiting for me! He said all the right things and got down on one knee and popped the question I had been so eager to hear! After a few moments alone and some ugly crying, he walked me around the corner for my final surprise. All of our family and friends were there to congratulate us!
When did y’all get married? May 16, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 70
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? We each read a book that taught us how to love when things get difficult, and we would discuss our readings together. At one point, we were so over wedding planning and were just ready for the marriage!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Money. Thankfully, my mom and I are very creative and resourceful when we’re together. We had to do a lot of out-of-the-box thinking to make things work on our budget.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? Less than $10,000
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Breathe. On the day of your wedding, stop and look around and take it in. Before you know it, you’re on your way to your honeymoon, so do your best to savor every moment, even the things that go wrong.

Photographer: Live View Studios / Videographer: Charis Films / Planner: Michele Hankey / Venue: The River House / Florist: Brooklet Flower Shop / Wedding Cake: Julie Evans / Rentals: Rental Party Shop / DJ: Bryan Evans / Bride’s Gown, Veil, and Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal / Hair Stylist: Keturah Brocatto / Menswear: MADE by Cam Newton

Live View Studios is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Lisa