Southern Weddings

Though Victoria + Rusty met in law school, it wasn’t until their first summer working together in Savannah that they started dating. It was only appropriate, then, for them to come back to Georgia for a Southern wedding at the gorgeous Ford Plantation. The couple took full advantage of the scenic trees dripping with Spanish moss and held the ceremony under their shade. The two exchanged vows in between tall vases filled with hydrangeas and orange blossoms (a sweet nod to their engagement in an orange grove!) as a small group of their friends and family looked on. Victoria looked lovely in a Deborah Lindquist dress (how pretty is that bow in the back?!) and Rusty looked like quite the Southern gentleman in navy and khaki, topped off with a bow tie. I love that even their dogs dressed up for the occasion in a garland and bow tie. Big thanks to 1313 Photography for sharing!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. (From the groom) The sun was falling in the sky late that orientation day at Stetson University College of Law. The sweat glistened from my arched brow as my gaze fell upon a ravishing blonde awaiting her turn to submit her orientation documents. I dismounted the pearly white stallion upon which I sat make my way to the blonde which had become the subject of my undeterred interest. As I approached, the boisterous chatter of the large hall seemed to dampen. Our eyes met, and then locked, in a moment of pure, unimpeded, awesomeness. (From the bride) Let me tell you what really happened. It had been a long first day of orientation at Stetson. As I was sifting through all my paperwork, I could hear the conversation of the people in front of me. I didn’t look up, but I could hear a male voice talking about his recent ventures outside the U.S. The next thing I remember is this same male voice turning to me and introducing himself as “Rusty.” This guy wasn’t like any other guy I had ever met. This guy was different and I was in trouble, deep trouble. The next day, a group of us attempted to make plans to go for pizza and beer to help decompress from the stress of that day’s law school orientation. By the time dinner came around, everyone had backed out, leaving just Rusty and I on our unplanned and unofficial first date.
Describe the proposal. (From the groom) It was a lazy spring Saturday one morning in May. Victoria was not yet awake as I sat plotting in the living room of our home. Central Florida is surrounded by working farms growing all varieties of citrus fruit. Many of them are open to the public and allow you to grab a bag and go pick as much of their crop as you like. When Victoria awoke, we packed up a picnic, loaded up our two dogs, Doc and Lady, and headed out to the citrus grove. (From the bride) We didn’t know this at the time, but May is not really the best time for citrus. However, the people at the farm said that the oranges would be scarce but that they would be good. Eventually, Rusty had found some good ones. He was up in a tree and said he would need to hand the oranges down to me. “Here is the first,” he said and handed back an orange. I put it in the bag. “Here is the second,” he said. “Here is the third,” he said and this time, instead of an orange, he handed me the ring box with the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen. It took my brain a second to process that this item was not supposed to go in the bag. I screamed aloud as Rusty climbed out of the tree. As soon as he got to the ground, I wrapped him in a huge hug and he asked me if I would marry him. Of course, I said yes!!!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Southern, “Slap your granny” good food, and a good ole fashioned good time with family and friends.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: We went to Charleston, SC with Rusty’s family to celebrate the 4th of July. While perusing through one of the many shops on King Street, my sister-in-law came running up with a wedding dress in hand and forced me to try it on. A wedding dress was the furthest thing from my mind on that day, but I tried it on and fell in love. Unfortunately, it was way over budget and I left the store disappointed. As it happens, the next day we wandered back into that same store. As I walked toward the dress, the saleslady informed me that a particular rack was substantially discounted (70% off!). As luck would have it, the wedding dress was on that rack and with the reduction it was right on budget. I immediately called my mom and she put my mind at ease by saying, “Baby, these things don’t just happen. Buy it.”

Photographer: 1313 Photography // Planner: Caroline Carter Events // Venue: Ford Plantation // Officiant: Reverend Steven Schulte // Florist: Garden on the Square // Wedding Cake Baker: Two Cakes // Caterer: Ford Plantation // Paper Products: Lilah Paper // Bride’s Dress: Deborah Lindquist // Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Donna Morgan from Nordstrom // Bow Ties: Southern Proper

Written with love by Nicole