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If there was ever a couple who exemplified “Southern at heart,” it would be Katherine and Evan! While they may share Northern roots and an Indiana address (even after Evan “had sworn on his life he would never move back north”), their commitment to hospitality, love for tradition, and soft spot for Dixie staples like bourbon and chicken and waffles mean that they, and their dreamy wedding, would be right at home anywhere below the Mason-Dixon line. After a Catholic ceremony, they gathered their loved ones at a family friend’s property, which they transformed through incredible blooms by The Empty Vase, custom linens (that they now use in their home!), and tableware that would make any Southern belle’s heart skip a beat. Along with being completely gorgeous, their reception was also quite the party–Katherine remembers, “There was so much joy and relaxation happening in so many different ways for so many different people! We were overwhelmed with happiness!”

Thank you so much to Melissa Schollaert for sending this stunning celebration our way!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Our calligrapher, Jane Farr, is a gem. I have always loved paper and knew that I would be so excited about these particular details. Every single item had custom calligraphy by Jane in a bespoke ink color (blue). Hand-drawn maps were carefully curated with places special to us – this was one of our favorite details! A favorite piece was probably the hand-drawn letterpress map that was included in our invitation suite – it displayed tons of hand-drawn places (from Indiana to Kentucky) and things that meant a lot to us (childhood homes, the Children’s Museum, where we met, Keeneland, Rupp Arena, the Tri Delta house, lake house, etc). It was so fun to be part of this creative process by sending her pictures of all the places we wanted her to draw/interpret. She did a different, abbreviated version as part of our itinerary bundle, which was placed in each welcome box. Both versions are framed in our office and we still receive comments about them to this day!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. What better excuse to get away to New York with two of your best friends (who just so happen to be your mom and sister) than to shop, eat, and drink lots of champagne? My family absolutely loves to travel, and my mom, sister, and I look forward to our annual “girls’ trips” (even though we all see each other almost every day as it is!). We flew to New York in early April and stayed at the Plaza for several nights. I only made appointments at small boutiques, and spanned them out over two days during our four-day trip. Careful to not rule too many styles out, I tried on a few dresses, and quickly fell in love with an A-line Oscar de la Renta gown with a sweetheart neckline and unique floral embroidery. According to my mom and sister, it was the only dress “I smiled” in. Ha! My hesitation over a strapless style was quickly solved, as the design team was able to create a customized gown from the initial design, but with beautiful, delicate straps. The dress was completed with a matching cathedral-length veil.

We went back and forth on whether or not we wanted to do a first look. We ended up going for it and are so glad we did! We knew that our private moments together throughout the day may be limited, so a first look was a great way to have that time together and to just temporarily freeze the day.

How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? Evan and I had several premarital sessions with our deacon prior to getting married. We really enjoyed these sessions and learned so much about each other, including what makes us strong as a couple (which just so happens to be a lot of our differences). Getting to know Deacon Paul so well really created a truly intimate ceremony.

The decisions for the church and venue were simple. Evan comes from a devout Catholic family, so we decided early on that we would be married in a Catholic church. We chose St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, a beautiful old Spanish cathedral made of gorgeous limestone. The church captured the elegance, history, and spirituality that we could have only dreamed of! The reception location was also an easy choice. We have always wanted an outdoor reception, and a family member’s property was ideal. The property sprawls over several dozen acres on the north side of Indianapolis. The alley of oaks leading up to the farmhouse, paired with the rolling hills and wooded forest surrounding the estate made for the perfect setting – central Indiana with a touch of Kentucky, just like us!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? My mom is from the South and moved to Indianapolis when she was a senior in high school. That said, she has spread a lot of that Southern charm and “way of life” throughout our family here in the Midwest! Between her Southern roots and my time spent living in the South, I have a special love and respect for Southern culture. We buried the bourbon for good luck, my sorority sisters serenaded me (a highlight of each Tri Delta’s wedding!), and everyone enjoyed quite an extensive bar with almost any type of bourbon you can think of. Evan was super surprised by his groom’s cake at our rehearsal dinner, which someone actually thought was a REAL Yeti cooler filled with ice, fish, and Evan’s favorite beer (all made out of cake and sugar!), while my bridesmaids enjoyed the cake pull at my bridal luncheon. Our cuisine was heavily influenced by the South, as well, featuring chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and braised short rib. Overall, I would like to think that the weekend had a strong sense of Southern hospitality. We were so blessed to have people join us from near and far and wanted them to enjoy the weekend. Not only were we excited to get married, but we were excited to show people our city!

All of our amazing vendors and artists really created a day that had “us” written all over it. We had a tremendous amount of trust in all involved, specifically our event designer, David Jackson, and floral designer, David Strohmeyer of the Empty Vase. Both Davids (also known as “the Dream Team”) nailed it! In neo-English garden style, the bouquets and décor featured an eclectic mix of domestic European garden blooms, a smattering of exotics, and a variety of dark green foliage and vines. The design team also brought in trees, plants, and blooming plants to soften tent corners and to place around the property. A trellis was custom-made with green boxwood lattice squares to soften the back wall of the tent. One of my favorite parts of all the flowers was the stagecoach lantern in the cocktail tent that had blooms exploding from the top. We also had several large chandeliers in the dining tent overflowing with beautiful blooms. They were stunning, to say the least!

All of our linens for the cocktail tent and dining tent were completely bespoke. The coloring, embroidery, and fabric was all custom created. The hundreds of blue and white porcelain pieces and julep cups were all hand-selected for our wedding as well. It is so fun to use our linens to this day, and our home is affectionately dubbed “the House of Blues” because of all of our blue and white porcelain.

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We had a delicious, five-tiered Limoncello cake with fresh blueberries and lemon curd.

What was the most memorable moment about your day? As dinner was coming to an end and Evan and I were mingling with our friends and family, we stepped aside together and took a look around. There were people laughing and enjoying the lounge area in the cocktail tent, we could hear children laughing and playing games in the children’s tent, people were strolling along the oak-row, hand-in-hand, my cousins were climbing in one of the huge, beautiful trees, people were on the dance floor, my other little cousins were pulling each other around in a red wagon down the driveway, champagne corks were popping…there was so much joy and relaxation happening in so many different ways for so many different people! We were overwhelmed with happiness!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Evan was living in Nashville at the time and I was living back in Indianapolis. We are both from Indianapolis and both attended the University of Kentucky, and although we had many mutual friends, we never actually met in college. One weekend in July, he came home to Indianapolis to watch his parents’ dogs while they were on vacation. He found out a college friend of his was also in town and was staying with a friend: me. The next day, we were introduced at a festival downtown, and the minute I saw him, I was intrigued. We hit it off immediately. The first time I introduced him to my family, we quickly connected the dots and found that my mom was friends with his aunt, and my sister and I were friends with his cousins (we always joke that Indianapolis is a “big, small town where everyone knows everyone”). The only roadblock we had was geography – he was happy in Nashville, and had sworn on his life he would never move back north. Five weeks later, he was back in Indianapolis, and a year and half later, we were engaged!
Tell us all about the proposal! Evan’s proposal could not have been more perfect or meaningful. A little backstory: my family has been very civically involved with the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for seven decades, and of all the places I have been, I hold it closest to my heart. One evening in early December, Evan told me we were going to a private dinner at the museum that his boss had won at an auction. We entered the museum after hours through a side door and were led to the top floor, where the museum’s antique carousel sits. Evan walked me over to a horse on the carousel – Patty, named after my grandmother, who began my family’s love affair and involvement with the museum many, many years ago. He pointed out an envelope resting on top of the horse, and I was completely confused. He had me open the envelope and read the letter, meanwhile walking me to a balcony overlooking the museum’s atrium. Once I finished reading the letter (I have no idea what it said – my vision went blurry!), I looked down and saw Evan on one knee, with the entire museum as his backdrop. He proposed, and of course, I said yes. Once I came to my senses, I realized two of our closest friends were hiding in the background capturing the moment on film. We all laughed, and I cried, called my best friend (who had introduced us) and family and cried some more. As we made our exit from the museum, the most stunning snowflakes began to fall across the city, adding an exclamation point to the most perfect proposal.
When did y’all get married? June 13, 2015
How many friends, family and loved ones were in attendance? 300
Did you have something old, blue, and borrowed? Yes – I love a good tradition! My engagement ring is something old (vintage Harry Winston, circa 1960). My something blue was a monogrammed handkerchief (which came in great handy), hand-embroidered by a sorority sister. My pearl and diamond earrings were borrowed from my sweet sister.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Enjoy being engaged and try not to spend every second planning for the wedding; this made our meetings with David (our event planner) even more fun! We stayed off Pinterest and stuck to our vision. If you aren’t hiring a planner, rely on the expertise of your vendors, recommendations from people you trust, and your previous experience as a guest at others’ weddings. Keep things in perspective, and if you feel you’re getting stressed, remember, this is probably the only time in your life where your choices/obstacles will be around the perfect shade of French blue grosgrain or envelope liners. Lastly, no matter how big or small, grand or simple your wedding is, the best way to guarantee an incredible and memorable day for all is to let your love for each other show. If the bride and groom have fun, everyone is sure to!
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories do you have to look forward to? Our wedding was truly perfect! That said, once Evan and I got past the initial honeymoon weeks, our life opened up with this void of not having to plan a wedding, but we didn’t settle down at all. Within months of the wedding, we purchased our first home together – a historic Tudor just several blocks from the church…and the best brunch spot in town. Currently, our house is ruled by a chocolate lab named Tillie Padfoot, but our hope is that soon enough, Tillie will have another friend to boss us around, maybe one who looks a little more like Evan and me…until then, we’re living the life, doing what we love, and traveling as much as possible!

Photographer: Melissa Schollaert Photography | Planner, Lighting, and Flooring: David Jackson & Company | Ceremony Venue: St. Joan of Arc Cathedral Church | Reception Venue: Private residence | Florist: The Empty Vase | Wedding Cake: Cake Bake Shop | Groom’s Cake: Rascia’s Creative Cakes | Caterer: Kahn’s Catering | Rentals: Indy Event Rental | Music: Stella Luna and the Satellites and Az IzZ via Music Garden Bands | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Traders Point Creamery | Calligraphy: Jane Farr | Letterpress Printing: Crane & Co. and Lemonseed and Co. | Postage: Edelweiss Post | Bride’s Gown and Veil: Oscar de la Renta | Bride’s Hair Accessories: Paris by Debra Moreland | Bride’s Jewelry: Harry Winston and Mikimoto | Hair Stylist: Jessica Warrix of JW Salon | Makeup Artist: Ashley Skirvin | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Groom’s Attire: Armani Collezioni | Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang for Men’s Wearhouse | Transportation: Carey Indiana and Antique Limousine of Indianapolis | Linens: Settings by Mona, Schumacher, and Stroheim

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

lisa Written with love by Lisa
4 Comments
  1. avatar Kelly reply

    Oh my stars! I’m absolutely gushing, from the linens, to the florals, to the vintage Harry Winston. This is perhaps my favorite wedding y’all have featured yet. And her advice! SO sweet, I just want to be friends, ha! Thanks for featuring ladies.

    • avatar Kristin reply

      Kelly! I couldn’t agree more. I want a set of those lovely linens for my house and want to invite Katherine over for coffee!!

  2. avatar NICKI reply

    Hands down, my favorite wedding you’ve ever featured. Such gorgeous, perfect details and florals. Swooning!

  3. avatar Sarah Tucker – My Sisters Wedding: Floral inspiration with Fifty Flowers – Sarah Tucker reply

    […] // bouquet // cross inspiration // ginger jars // grouping of chinoiserie // boutonnieres // garland // white floral inspiration […]

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Gracious alive, I think we hit the Southern wedding jackpot with Jennifer and Justin’s Virginia wedding! I could literally list each and every one of their details as the best part–I know Kristin would agree, considering their wedding is like a smorgasbord of our combined favorite things! While you must scroll down to completely understand, humor my list-making heart and let me share a few: monogrammed Jacks, pineapple centerpieces with magnolias, seersucker LulaKate dresses, hush puppies, and did I mention monograms galore? Yes, these two included so much Southern goodness in their wedding, and they did so with the best frame of mind: making their friends and family feel at home through sweet Southern hospitality and gracious love.

Hugs to Nikki Santerre for sending us this lovely day!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something borrowed was the pair of David Yurman pearl earrings my sweet new sister in-law lent me to wear on the wedding day. My something blue was my shoes, a pair of navy blue monogrammed Jack Rogers. My something old was my late grandmother’s handkerchief, which I carried around my bouquet. My something new kept up with our celebratory koozie theme. I asked all the girls to be bridesmaids with monogrammed koozies embroidered with “Will you be my bridesmaid?” so for my something new, my bridesmaid Heather, who does all my monogramming, surprised me with a matching monogrammed bride koozie. It was such a sweet keepsake and it fit perfectly in the pocket of my dress to save for the reception!

Describe your wedding flowers. The bouquets had pink peonies, which are my absolute favorite flowers, and white and green hydrangeas to go with our pink, green, and navy color scheme. We had the same flowers in half the centerpieces, and the other tables had pineapples with magnolias and Spanish moss on them.

Dear Sweet Tea Monograms, can WE be friends?

I am a huge history buff and loved the idea of having our wedding reception at one of the oldest and most historic plantation homes in Virginia. It was a great way to show our family and friends all the wonderful things the South has to offer. The Cathedral was important to us because the Monsignor that does weddings there also did my First Communion and First Reconciliation, so it was very fitting to have him marry us as well. It is also a historical landmark with beautiful architecture and intricate design.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: It’s tough to narrow it down to just one because we tried to reflect our personalities and who we are as a couple in almost every aspect of the wedding, but we both agree the location and the weather really helped make the day. The Plantation’s view of the James River and the magnolia and weeping willow-lined walkways made quite the picturesque setting. We could not have asked for better weather–being outdoors in the summer in the South is always a gamble, but we lucked out with sunshine and low humidity, which made for a beautiful day.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We wanted our family and friends to experience a taste of Southern hospitality at our wedding. We served some of our favorite Southern foods including mac and cheese, chicken biscuits, Old Bay shrimp, and my personal favorite, hush puppies. We incorporated the Southern symbol of hospitality, the pineapple, along with magnolias in many of our decorations and details. Every Southern girl loves her monograms, and one of my bridesmaids has a monogramming company, so we put monograms on everything from our favors (koozies, of course), to our cups, to our corn hole boards. We utilized several Southern companies for our wedding party attire and our Firefly and lemonade signature cocktail. Plus, we rocked the dance floor with some of our favorite country and Southern rock songs.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met in the summer of 2003. I was finishing up my freshman year of high school and got my first job working as a lifeguard at my neighborhood pool. Justin was finishing up his junior year at a neighboring high school, and was a veteran lifeguard who was assigned to the same pool. After a couple of dates, one of which included dinner at Arby’s and a movie, we have been together ever since! We dated all through college while we were both at James Madison University, stayed together when Justin went to grad school in Florida, then both ended up getting jobs back in Richmond, Virginia.
Tell us all about the proposal! Two of my best friends (and bridesmaids) live around Charleston. We love Charleston, so we could not wait to visit them. While we were down there for a long weekend, we planned a beach day on Sullivan’s Island. We were laying out on the beach looking out at Ft. Sumter and the Charleston skyline when my friends said they had to go back to the car real quick. Justin then asked me if I needed another drink from the cooler. When I turned around, he was on one knee with a koozie embroidered with “Will you marry me?” and my new married monogram on it. He had stuck the ring box in the koozie! Our friends were hiding getting pictures of it all. It was the perfect proposal for me because he made sure to incorporate all of my favorite things: monograms, koozies, the beach, my favorite Southern city, and even some Civil War history!
When did y’all get married? June 28, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 150
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I went dress shopping with my mom, my future mother-in-law, and my future sister-in-law in Richmond. A few friends had recommended their bridal consultant from Bella Rosa, so I made an appointment with her. She was so helpful in working with what I knew I didn’t want, and helped me realize what I did want. We ended up narrowing it down to three dresses and I was so indecisive. However, I knew I had found the one when I tried it on and someone in my group mentioned it reminded them of something from “Gone with the Wind.” Extra bonus: it had pockets!
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We did not do a first look. We are pretty traditional when it came to wedding details and I always knew I wanted the first time Justin saw me on our wedding day to be when my father walked me down the aisle. I love a good surprise!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did not write our own vows. Again, in keeping with tradition, we thought there was something special about using the same wedding vows that have been used for generations!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? One of the biggest challenges of planning a wedding is staying focused and within budget. In this age of technology, there are so many distractions; with all of those ideas, it is easy to get wrapped up in all the little details and stress about having a “perfect” wedding. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you are married to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Our advice to couples currently planning a wedding is to TRY to relax and enjoy it. It all goes by so quickly, and the next thing you know, you’ll be back at work after the honeymoon wishing you could re-live it all again!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are looking forward to settling into married life in the Richmond area and enjoying the rest of the summer with our dog, Stonewall. We recently built a house and can’t wait to finish decorating it.

Photographer: Nikki Santerre / Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart / Reception Venue: Berkeley Plantation / Florist: Petals & Twigs / Cake Baker: Candy Valley Cake Company / Caterer: David Watson / Rentals and Lighting: Party Perfect Event & Party Rentals / DJ: Greg Haynes / Paper Products: Collins Printing / Bridal Salon: Bella Rosa / Hair and Makeup: Bombshell Salon / Bride’s Shoes: Jack Rogers / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Zoe” by LulaKate / Bridesmaid Dress Salon: Bella Bridesmaid Richmond / Men’s Attire: Southern Proper / Men’s Attire Store: Natty Beau Richmond / Monogramming: Sweet Tea Monograms / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: Kate Spade

marissa Written with love by Marissa
11 Comments
  1. avatar Loverly reply

    Swooning over those seersucker bridesmaids dresses!

  2. avatar Nikki Santerre reply

    Thank you so much for featuring Jen & Justin’s wedding day! xoxo!

  3. avatar Heather reply

    Loved seeing this gorgeous wedding featured on the blog today! As one of Jennifer’s bridesmaids and good friends, this was such a special day for all of us! And YES let’s be friends! :) xo Heather from Sweet Tea Monograms

  4. avatar Caught My Eye, Volume 25 reply

    […] and I are in full-on wedding planning mode.  I’m loving the bridesmaids dresses in this Pineapple and Seersucker wedding.  What do you think, […]

  5. avatar AC reply

    I LOVE Jennifer’s dress!! Is there any way you could share the name of the designer or collection?

    • avatar Marissa reply

      Hi AC! Of course, we tracked down the dress info for you. It’s “Diana” Dress by Kathy Ireland Weddings in ivory, but Jennifer did have a few custom alterations made. Best of luck! xx

  6. avatar Southern Weddings Weekly Round-Up – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] Madison and Brady fell in love with their charming farm venue from the first photo they saw of it. Jennifer and Justin filled their wedding with meaningful details that are oh so Southern. We couldn’t stop […]

  7. avatar Stacy {Woodsy Weddings} reply

    The church is stunning and the monogram details on everything are an adorable idea! It really makes the pieces special for that day.

  8. avatar Mer reply

    In love with the pineapple centerpieces – such a brilliant idea. And Stonewall is just a perfect name for a dog!! :)

  9. avatar Pineapple Dreaming | Ses & Jen Stylefiles reply

    […] centrepiece, simple scoop out the flesh, fill with oasis and style your arrangement. Click here for more […]

  10. avatar KMD reply

    Hi! Love love love the Virginia monogram koozies! Any chance y’all know where the couple got them? Thanks!

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It is always so much fun to see a wedding planner’s wedding! In Leanne and Jason’s case, they were inspired by their love of the South, a collection of beautiful family heirlooms, their rival Texas college loyalties (y’all know I’m with Jason on this one–hook ’em!), and most importantly, their parents, who have both been married for over 39 years. The beautiful magnolias and preppy striped details are surely thanks to Leanne’s design savvy, but their touching ceremony and care for their guests was what made this day truly special!

Thanks to Sara & Rocky for sharing this lovely wedding with us!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I borrowed my mother’s monogram brooch that my father had given to her on their wedding day in 1970. I’ve always loved it. Jason gave me a monogram necklace for our wedding as well. My something blue was my clutch. My mother carried it to her prom and gave it to me, and I had been saving it since high school to carry at my wedding. My something old was my veil, which was handmade of Brussels lace that my mother purchased in Belgium in 1969. It cost $450 even back then, and is a priceless family heirloom. My mother and aunt both wore it at their weddings, and I made the wedding dress consultant swear she wouldn’t bring me any dresses to try on that didn’t match my veil.

I chose to walk down the aisle to an instrumental version of Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day.” She is my favorite artist of all time, and every time I’ve heard that song, I imagined it being played at my wedding. She is from Austin, so it was fitting to use a musician from Texas. One of my bridesmaids sung “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”–this is not only one of my favorite hymns, it also really explained how our waiting patiently for each other attested to God’s faithfulness in our lives. Every person in our wedding has already been married, so we stood by countless friends as they met and married their spouses. We feel so grateful to have finally found each other and we know that God’s faithfulness will continue in our lives, no matter what challenges may arise.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Yes, since we had a civil ceremony outside, we knew we wanted to write vows that represented our commitment to one another, and to really help our friends and family see our deep love for each other. My favorite lines from my vows to Jason were, “You smile at me when I am at my worst and turn my bad moods into fits of laughter… and who can forget your sense of adventure? You have turned my life into one giant, fun-filled ride.” My favorite line from Jason’s vows were, “I’ve waited for you my entire life; I’ve fought for you, and broken down the walls around your heart. I was always optimistic there was a future for us. You have been worth any struggle.”

Our entire wedding was over-the-top Southern. From the magnolias on our invitation, as a nod to my parents’ Mississippi roots, to the quilt that was displayed on the old church pew, hand-sewn by my great grandmother out of my mother and grandmother’s clothes. The cotton boll boutonnieres paid homage to my grandfather’s cotton farm. Our cocktail napkins said “Cheers Y’all” because we wanted our guests to know that every detail was about them feeling welcome and at home. Our first dances were all to country music, and we two-stepped, naturally. I even changed into my boots for the reception so I could really enjoy it all! We had custom cornhole boards made that represented the college football rivalry in our marriage–I’m a Texas A&M Aggie and Jason’s a Texas Longhorn. It must be a family tradition, as my parents went to State and Ole Miss!

Describe your wedding flowers. They were AMAZING!! Our flowers were white, ivory, and pale pink with touches of coral, green, and gold. Branching Out utilized roses, spray roses, garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, lisianthus, freesia, anemones with black centers, gardenias, magnolia foliage, clematis vine, jasmine vine, and Italian pittosporum to create natural, whimsical styles with of lots of texture and movement. We used a mixture of gold, white, and striped vases, urns, and footed bowls to create various heights of centerpieces throughout the reception space. Gold glittered rods were also styled with miniature magnolia wreaths with navy and white striped bows.

We had a biscuit bar at cocktail hour, complete with homemade strawberry jam, and also served sausage balls made from my grandmother’s recipe. Our dinner menu consisted of short ribs, jalapeno cheese grits, greens, squash casserole, cornbread, and parker house rolls with honey butter. We had coconut macaroons flown in from the Mississippi State Bakery as a surprise for my dad, and gave them out as favors with monogrammed stickers.

As Jason’s fraternity brother serenaded me, I knew this was my Southern wedding dream come true. Amazing food, family and friends, great music, and a well-stocked bar. It really was the perfect day.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Jason and I met through an online dating website. We’re both older in the midst of busy careers, so we eventually took the plunge. Never in a million years did we actually think we’d meet our spouses that way. Our first date was in fall 2012 when we watched a Dallas Cowboys game, and then ended up going to Central Market, a local market and cafe, to shop for some beer to pair with one of Jason’s new cigars. We decided you can learn a lot about someone at the grocery store, just based on what they like to eat and how they shop. Now we always reminisce about our relationship at grocery stores, which definitely makes it more fun! I knew Jason was special when he would stay up till 2 a.m. to talk to me while I drove home from weddings. Dating an event planner isn’t an easy task, especially during wedding season! He would even bring me dinner sometimes when he knew I was exhausted and didn’t have time to cook. By the spring, we knew this was the best relationship we’d ever been in.
Tell us all about the proposal! We went to a friend’s wedding Memorial Day weekend, and Jason whispered, “I don’t think this is our last walk down the aisle together,” as we left the church. We went ring shopping together after our friend’s wedding weekend. I fell in love with a setting, and he selected a stone. When he said, “We’ll take it,” I nearly fainted! He turned to me and said, “Well, of course we know we’re getting married!” The ring was custom made and took three weeks to be completed. Those were the longest three weeks of my life! After they were up, I told him that if he held onto the ring for much longer, I didn’t think I’d survive. One Saturday afternoon in June, I went to his place after work. When I knocked and walked in, he was on his knee in the living room, surrounded by dozens of flowers and our favorite music playing. He then explained the significance of all the flowers: red roses because I’m the love of his life, white roses because his love for me is pure and he never wants to hurt me, maroon for my Texas A&M, orange for his Texas Longhorns, and an array of colors because I’m the “most colorful woman he knows.”
When did y’all get married? March 16, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 175
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. Because I’m a wedding planner, I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of time to look for a dress, or find one that didn’t require a multitude of fittings. My mom asked me to go to a shop that sold samples when my aunt was in town, and I never in a million years thought I would buy a dress that day. When I tried on the fifth or sixth dress and saw their faces, then looked in the mirror, I knew it was the one. It fit so perfectly and didn’t even need to be hemmed. It also looked so lovely with my mother’s heirloom Brussels lace veil that all the women in my family have worn in their weddings, which sealed the deal.
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Jason and I wanted to do a first look so that we could have some time alone and get any tears out of the way before the ceremony. We didn’t want to “ugly cry” through our vows, which we wrote ourselves. We also knew that it would be so nice to take pictures beforehand and then spend more time with our friends and family who had literally flown in from all over the world to be there.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I loved the family photo table with the large magnolia wreath that said “Because He first loved us.” It was filled with pictures from our parents’ and grandparents’ marriages, along with photos of our relatives who couldn’t be with us. Not only did we get married because of God’s love, but because of all of the love that our family and friends poured into us, and the wonderful examples of marriage in the generations before us. Both mine and Jason’s parents have been married for over 39 years.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? It was definitely hard to design and plan a wedding as a full-time event planner. Because I’m exposed to so many amazing vendors, it was very hard to narrow down who to select and what design elements I could incorporate that wouldn’t feel reminiscent of other events I had planned. I really had to stay true to who Jason and I are as a couple and focus on what our family and friends would enjoy most. At the end of the day, I knew I wasn’t my own client–I was the bride. I learned that even though I wanted people to see my design talents, all that really mattered was that I was marrying my best friend and that everyone we loved would be there.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? One way that we saved money was with calligraphy. I thankfully inherited beautiful handwriting from my mother and grandmother, so I addressed all of our invitations and hand-lettered the magnolia leaf escort cards. We also purchased decor when we could get it on sale, such as some of the specialty vases, bar trays, striped straws, and decanters for the cigar bar. We tried to save money on any of the minor details that Jason and I could create by hand.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? We both stopped during dinner to stare at our wedding bands and try to soak in the fact that we were actually MARRIED! We looked out over the room and were filled with so much joy to see everyone we loved look so incredibly happy and having such an amazing time.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Hire a planner and try to get things done as soon as you can. The last few weeks leading up to your wedding should be focused on preparing for your marriage and enjoying your family and friends, not focusing on little details. It will help you go into your wedding with a sense of calmness that no amount of money can buy.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are getting settled into our house and enjoying projects to get it fixed up. We are looking forward to traveling, falling even more in love, and continuing to get to know each other even more every day. We can’t wait for a lifetime of adventures! Our journey is just beginning, and we are so excited about the possibilities.

Photographer: Sara & Rocky / Videographer: Lynn Films / Planner: Catherine Ball Events / Venue: The N at Hardway Ranch / Florist: Branching Out Floral & Event Design / Wedding Cake: Ginny Stewart Designs / Caterer: EuroCater / Rentals: Gold Dust Vintage Rentals / DJ: Glenn Roush, Le Force Entertainment / Bride’s Gown: Casablanca / Paper Products: Inscriptions on the Boulevard / Bride’s Bracelets: J.Crew and Stella & Dot / Hair Stylist: Liz Hernandez / Makeup Artist: Adina Wright / Bride’s Shoes: “Antigravity” by Easy Spirit / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein / Tent: Dallas Party Tent & Event / Linens: Fabulous Events / Chalkboards: Eclectic Viv / Coconut Macaroons: Mississippi State Bakery / Menus: Minted / Monogrammed Napkins: One Kings Lane

lisa Written with love by Lisa
14 Comments
  1. avatar Wedding Rental Supplies reply

    Beautiful wedding! Loved the unique and pretty details of this wedding.

  2. avatar Erica reply

    Where was this wedding held?? I’m looking at venues in the area and this looks like a beautiful setting!

  3. avatar Emily reply

    I love all of their magnolia details – the wreaths + garlands are gorgeous!

  4. avatar Occasions In Print reply

    There is so much to love about this wedding: the outside seating is awesome, the pick up truck is a great idea and of course, the bacon with gravy and biscuits, I am sure was delicious!

    • avatar Hannah reply

      Beautiful wedding! Any idea where that guest book is from, I love it!

    • avatar LeeAnne reply

      Hey Hannah! My husband’s uncle actually made our guest book, but there are vendors on Etsy that make similar options. Good luck!

  5. avatar Rachel reply

    A beautiful wedding and an even more beautiful bride and person. I love you, LA! :) It was an honor to stand beside you on your wedding day.

  6. avatar Charmaine (Rustic Folk Weddings) reply

    Adore the way the couple paired their bold color palette throughout their wedding.

  7. avatar LeeAnne reply

    Hey Erica! The venue is The N at Hardway Ranch, in Bluff Dale, Texas. Good luck with planning and thanks for your sweet words!

  8. avatar facefacei87.com reply

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  9. avatar Louise reply

    I would love to know how the champagne bottle was made – is that a sticker or engraving and who were the suppliers? Thank you!

  10. avatar Kayla reply

    Hi there. Where did you get your wooden Texas-shaped guest book? It is beautiful!

  11. avatar LeeAnne reply

    Louise – we ordered the champagne through a company in California, Miramonte Winery.

    Kayla – my husband’s uncle made our guest book. It is solid Maple, so will last a lifetime. You can definitely find similar items on Etsy that can be made to order.

    Best wishes to you both!

  12. avatar Pretty Palettes #98 reply

    […] But!  This color palette isn’t reserved solely for nautical weddings.  These wedding colors can be used in summer weddings anywhere!  In fact, these photos are actually from a wedding at a ranch in Texas!  You can check out the fill feature over on Southern Weddings. […]

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