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Spring Wedding by Virgil Bunao and RiverOaks Charleston

by Lisa in Real Southern Weddings on February 26, 2014

I’m attending a wedding at RiverOaks Charleston in a few months, and since I’ve been admiring today’s gorgeous wedding ever since we accepted it for V6 last year, I am so excited to see the venue in person soon! After deciding against being married at Shannon’s parents’ beloved Lowcountry cottage, Shannon and Clay chose RiverOaks for its beautiful views and undeniable focus on Southern hospitality, which they were committed to showing their family and friends. With the help of an impressive collection of vintage tablecloths, delectable, locally-sourced food, and subtle star details inspired by Clay’s proposal, this wedding is as springtime-sweet as it gets. We’re so grateful to Virgil Bunao for capturing it so beautifully and sharing it with us!

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Tell us about finding your wedding dress. What was your favorite thing about it? I originally thought I would wear my twin sister’s wedding dress to help cut costs. Since we are identical twins, I wanted to alter it slightly to make it my “own,” so I consulted with an old friend whom I knew was now designing wedding gowns–Katherine McDonald, owner and designer of LulaKate in Charleston. Our meeting quickly went from altering my sister’s 12-year-old wedding dress to me trying on Katherine’s gorgeous gowns, which are pieces of artworks themselves. It took no time to decide on the dress for me. Her LaMour wedding dress was stunning–it had a pleated tulle bodice, cap sleeves, and embroidered floral detail. Perfect for a garden wedding! My favorite thing about it was knowing that I was the first bride ever to wear the newly-designed dress!

I got the idea to use two shades of green bridesmaid dresses from the “Virginia is for Lovers” shoot in Southern Weddings V5. I wanted the LulaKate dresses to be short, since it was an outdoor wedding, but I let each bridesmaid pick their neckline, which added a nice personal touch–they chose Zoe, Kristyn, and Jessica in the colors garden and grass.The wedding party was all family, so I just had to include the little ones as my sweet maidens! Since this wedding was held on the “royal wedding” weekend, I used the term “maidens” because that is what the English call their bridesmaids. I had five maidens that included my two step daughters and three nieces. My youngest niece was the flower girl, and my nephew was the ring bearer.

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I have spent lots of family time out at our country home on the water in Meggett, South Carolina, and it is truly a gem of our beautiful Lowcountry. Clay and I both spent time there together while dating. I didn’t want to burden my parents by hosting our wedding there, so RiverOaks was the perfect venue for a Lowcountry plantation-style wedding with a similar feel. The color scheme evolved into shades of green, gold, and ivory, with splashes of peaches and pinks. We wanted it to feel fresh, fun, and spring-inspired.

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Did you have a cocktail hour? If so, what was it like? The reception started with a cocktail hour on the front lawn by the pond. We had a self-serve bar with lemonade and ice tea in my mom’s vintage glasses and a specialty cocktail of blueberry lemonade vodka, garnished with mint and served in mason jars. A large community table covered in butcher paper displayed a spread of local cheeses, honey, jams, and chutneys, which were all family favorites from either Charleston, my hometown, or Asheville, Clay’s hometown.
What was the design inspiration for your reception? We were inspired by the “from the earth and home” feel that we enjoy so much at my parents’ cottage. A few words we used to describe our wedding were Southern, local, family, plantation, picnic, casual, and fun. The color scheme of greens, golds, and ivory with touches of peach and pinks was inspired by springtime and the colors in my mom’s vintage tablecloths. The star details were inspired by our shooting star proposal story.

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The food was local, Southern, and seasonal, and it was all sourced from farms on nearby John’s Island. At the cocktail hour, we passed around two appetizers of artichoke and goat cheese bruschetta and prosciutto-wrapped melon skewers. The seated family-style dinner began with a bibb wedge salad with smoked bacon, local tomato, cucumber, and a chive blue cheese dressing. Dinner proceeded with large dishes passing around a choice of local shrimp pasta in a caper, garlic, lemon butter and fresh herbs, or applewood bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with red pepper relish. For sides, we served garlicky local greens, creamy corn pudding served in husks, and a caprese salad with heirloom tomato and buffalo mozzarella drizzled in pesto.

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Describe your wedding cake or dessert. Our personal wedding cake was an almond amaretto cake with buttercream icing and blueberries on top from Sugar Bakery, decorated with my parents’ wedding cake topper. Their cake topper had been damaged over time from storage, so Jill Templeton repaired it by sewing on a piece of my mom’s wedding dress fabric. Our wedding cake was the centerpiece on a large round table of local Southern cakes from our favorite bakeries. Our Southern Cake Bar was made up of coconut cake from SALT at Station 22, caramel cake from Carter’s Kitchen, seven-layer chocolate cake from Square Onion, and red velvet cake, carrot cake, and strawberry cake from Sewee Restaurant and Village Bakery. The little maidens were about to pop waiting to get into those cakes!

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How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We just so happened to live in the same neighborhood, right around the corner from each other! We were familiar faces due to the highly social nature of our young neighborhood. When we ran into one another at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Music and Food Festival on Daniel Island in October 2011, a little spark ignited and our love story began!
Tell us all about the proposal! The date was December 14, 2012. We had been out to dinner at Carter’s Kitchen in Ion of Mount Pleasant and decided to go to the beach on Sullivan’s Island to try to see the Gemini Meteor Shower. We walked out on Station 16, which has a perfect view of Charleston’s harbor and skyline. We stood there for a good fifteen minutes before we finally saw one beautiful shooting star out of the east. I think Clay was waiting on one, because then, he leaned over and asked, “So…what are you doing for the next 50 years of your life?” I replied, “Hopefully, spending it with this great guy named Clay,” not realizing he was leading into a proposal! That’s when he popped the question! I was so surprised and soooo happy!!!! Needless to say, I was truly floating on “cloud nine,” or should I say, “star nine!”
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Genuine, personal, loving
How many friends, family, and loved ones attended your wedding? 175
Bride’s favorite detail of the wedding: I did an ink drawing of an old oak tree on my parents’ property in Meggett, SC, which is quite the gathering place for my family on weekends and holidays. I included a tiny shooting star hidden in the foliage of the tree. I had the drawing letterpressed onto our invitations in gold ink by Reaves Engraving printing company. My framer, Carol Williams of A Simple Tree, surprised me with a framed collage of the original drawing, the silver plate, and the letterpressed invitation. We had it proudly displayed at the ceremony.
Groom’s favorite detail of the wedding: Without a doubt, the bagpiper that Shannon surprised me with! He played “Highland Cathedral” as she walked down the aisle. I have Scottish heritage and appreciation, and I belong to the McLean Clan of Duart. I was really pushing to have a bagpiper play at our wedding, but it wasn’t appearing to work out in the planning process. She got me good!
Describe your wedding flowers: My hand-tied bouquet held a very sentimental branch of kousa dogwood from my parent’s home, which will bloom every year on our anniversary. It also included a lush mix of white blooms, including scabiosa, fringe tulips, sweet peas, and peonies, with touches of blush pink in the rice flower, astilbe, and ranunculus. We also included patience and juliet garden roses, with a hint of super green roses. The bouquet was wrapped with a vintage satin ecru ribbon and I pinned on Clay’s mother’s white lace handkerchief with her gorgeous antique diamond brooch.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? No, we did the traditional Presbyterian vow exchange.
Were there any family traditions you included in the ceremony? We started a new family tradition at my ceremony. The ring bearer pillow was custom made by Jill Templeton of Circa Children. She designed and crafted it with a combination of fabric samples from my mom and sister’s wedding dresses. I plan to pin on a small piece of my wedding dress fabric to the pillow and then pass it down to the next generation of brides in our family, where they will each pin on their samples too.
Tell us a bit about your first dance. We danced to Zac Brown’s “Free” because we met at his concert and that song had a lot of meaning to us. Our first dance was the most I got to talk to Clay one-on-one all night!
Did you toss the garter or bouquet? No, I am an older bride (41), so most of my friends are married! This was my first marriage and Clay was well worth the wait. Good things really do come to those who wait!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We have just completed my art studio in an unfinished room over the garage. I am transitioning into step-motherhood and am enjoying my instant family. We also hope to have a child of our own if we are so blessed!
What advice would you give to someone currently planning his or her wedding? At some point during your ceremony, be sure to take a pause and look around, make eye contact with your guests, and remember that moment on your special day. It is all so busy and goes by so quickly that to simply stop and take in a sweet moment will live in you forever. My pastor, Rev. John Hage, gave us this advice, and I am so thankful for it! John also had us write letters about how we fell in love and why we loved and wanted to marry each other so that we could share them after the wedding. What a treasure to have and reread on our anniversaries! I would encourage couples to do the same.

Photographer: Virgil Bunao Photography / Planning and Design: Marianne Caldwell, Lauren Heuber, and Jennigray Hewitt of RiverOaks Charleston / Venue: RiverOaks Charleston / Florist: Deborah Gibson Design / Caterer: Harvest Catering / Cake Baker: Sugar Bakeshop / Southern Cake Bar: Sewee Restaurant, Village Bakery, SALT at Station 22, Square Onion, and Carter’s Kitchen / Bride’s Gown: “LaMour” by LulaKate / Bride’s Shoes: Nina Culver and LulaKate / Bride’s Earrings: Skatells / Bride’s Bracelet: David Yurman / Bride’s Veil and Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate / Maidens’ Dresses: Us Angels / Flower Girl Dress: David’s Bridal / Hair Stylist: Dianna Reine of Salon Jolie / Makeup Artist: Kristin Pavao of Finger Paint Makeup / Men’s Attire: Jos. A Bank / Ties and Pocket Squares: Custom by Ben Silver / Paper Products: Reaves Engraving Inc. / Tabletop Rental: Event Works / Unique Rentals: Muster Branch Vintage Rentals and RiverOaks Charleston / Bar Service: Squeeze Onsite / Sailcloth Tent: Sperry Tents / Linens: RiverOaks Charleston and personal / Shuttle Bus: ACW Limo Service / Lighting: RiverOaks Charleston / Ceremony Officiant: Rev. John Hage of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church / Ceremony Musicians: Kelly Graham and Ben Drechsler / Soloist: Rev. Courtney Mills Jones Willis / Bagpiper: John Weed / Band: Tony Howard Band, The Willis Blume Agency / Apron and Invitation Artwork: Bride and Shannon Smith Hughes / “Southern Ground” and “Just Married” Signs: Sarah Jeffers Beauchene of Reclaimed Artistry / Getaway Car: 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday / Framing: Carol Williams of A Simple Tree / Bridesmaids and Maidens’ Jewelry: Felice Designs / Custom Ring Bearer Pillow: Circa Children

RiverOaks Charleston is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Lisa

Dana February 26, 2014 reply

what a sweet proposal! love her flowers, too!
Jehnel Oboza February 26, 2014 reply

Gosh, Virgil. Beautiful, as always.
Emily February 26, 2014 reply

I fell in love with those glittery star wands as soon as I saw them, but when I heard the significance behind them, my appreciation went to a whole new level! The shooting star references were my favorite detail from this wedding!
Lytle February 26, 2014 reply

Virgil is awesome!
Marianne February 26, 2014 reply

We could not have asked for a sweeter couple and family. Both the bride and her mother are artists so they embraced our planning, design and styling based on their vision with ease and appreciation. The relationships formed through this journey will always be treasured.
Mood Board Monday | Tulle Wedding Skirts March 17, 2014 reply

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Soulful Georgia Wedding by Anna K Photography

by Lisa in Real Southern Weddings on February 24, 2014

I think some of the best love stories begin in friendship, and Marenda and Jonathan’s story is no exception. After meeting in the dining hall during their first year of college and getting to know each over trigonometry class, they were friends for years as they each focused on growing as individuals. In time, they fell in love, and were married in a celebration that highlighted the two things most important to them: faith and family. I love the way they incorporated the traditions that were the most meaningful to them as a couple, from their sweet first look to their touching foot-washing ceremony.

Hugs to Anna K. Photography for sharing Marenda and Jonathan’s special day with us!

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I had always planned to wear my mom’s dress and have it remade to fit me, but my mom insisted I find “my own.” I knew I wanted something simple and classy with some lace. I went to a place in Valdosta with my matron and maid of honor and my mama and fell in love with two dresses. After a few months had passed, I still could not get either dress out of my head, so I went back and tried both on again. The two were similar, and the one I ultimately chose had some beading on it that “sparkled.” The girls encouraged me by saying, “It’s the one day you are allowed to sparkle and shine; might as well make it count.” I absolutely loved my dress. It was perfect!

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Describe your wedding flowers. My bouquet was pure Southern elegance, and it was wrapped in lace from my mama’s wedding gown. The bridesmaids’ bouquets and the flowers throughout the ceremony were very natural and vintage. We used a lot of whites (garden roses, ranunculus) with peach/blush tones, as well as succulents throughout.

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Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Yes, we did! I never thought I would want to growing up, but it was what we both ended up wanting to do. I wanted time with him before we were with everyone else for the remainder of the day. We didn’t want to see each other for the first time in front of 300 of our friends and then not be able to tell each other our thoughts and express our love right away.

The venue was a farm, complete with pecan trees, horses, a stable, a farm house, a small cottage, and a pond–all of which remind me of growing up in the South. My daddy used wood from an old barn to build doors for me to walk out of and an altar. He also built the frame for a wagon that we used to pull my niece down the aisle.

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Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Jonathan chose “Nothing Fancy” by Dave Barnes for me to walk down the aisle to, which I loved and thought was wonderful. It was a “secular” song, which I was concerned about at first, but the musicians (very dear friends) encouraged me that Jonathan and I would reflect the gospel and we didn’t have to plan on a song doing that. During the washing of the feet, we played the song “Divine Romance” by Phil Wickham. We both love this song and the display of the gospel in it.

A memorable moment was when we washed one another’s feet. Right after we had made our vows and exchanged rings, I washed his feet first and then he did mine. We chose to wash one one another’s feet because in order to wash someone’s feet or have your own feet washed, you must be humbled and in the position of prayer. Once we finished washing one another’s feet, three couples prayed over us and the guests were all asked to join in prayer. It was overwhelming to feel this love and support from so many people that are dear to us.

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Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Our venue. I believe having the wedding outdoors on a farm really set the tone for our wedding. It was like a huge family reunion and there was tons of space for people to explore.

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Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We chose to do a smaller cake that was vanilla with buttercream frosting, decorated with rosettes, and an assortment of pies and cobblers, because it reminded us of family gatherings. Jonathan is not a huge dessert person, but he has a weakness for Oreos. I surprised him with a “groom’s cake” that was stacks of Oreos formed like a cake, accompanied by shot glasses of milk.

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How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We both attended Valdosta State University, where I joined Kappa Delta sorority and he joined Kappa Sigma fraternity during our freshman year. We met in our dining hall, eating with a huge group of pledge brothers and sisters. We then figured out we had signed up for the same trig class, which happened to follow that lunch! We sat next to one another in trig and our friendship grew. Over the next year and half, we liked one another off and on, but it was never “time.” Our junior year, Jonathan stayed home in Cumming, Georgia and commuted to a nearby school. During this year, my walk with the Lord grew more in that short time that it had in the 15 years leading up to it. In July 2010, I was the first person that Jonathan told he would be returning to Valdosta. We built a strong friendship with one another in the next few months, and Jonathan even spent Christmas day with my family when he couldn’t travel home. After this day, some of my walls started to come down. We spent more time with groups in fellowship and Jonathan began pursuing me, but I still only wanted to be friends. In June, I left for a weeklong trip to Haiti and Jonathan left for a week and half in Alaska. Once we arrived home, he drove to my parents’ house and we spent that afternoon talking about everything we had learned while overseas and on the mission field. It wasn’t until the next day that we both confessed our feelings and intentions.
Tell us all about the proposal! Jonathan and I were visiting his mom in Budapest during my week of summer break. Jonathan had been excited all week about visiting Matthias Church, so we decided to save it for the last day. That day, Mrs. Kelly joined us to go to the church, and once inside, Jonathan got a little upset because the church was being renovated. Once we had spent time in the church, we walked around the castle. I walked off from Jonathan to take some more photos of the church, which gave Jonathan time to come up with another plan. We took a walk to the park in front of the castle and decided to sit and chat while Mrs. Kelly attended to some other business. During our chat, Jonathan shared many words from his heart that the two of us will remember forever. He told me he loved me for the very first time, reached into a bag, and dropped to his knee. He told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life pursuing me as we pursued the Lord together. Then he said, “Marenda Kate Ricketson, will you marry me?” I honestly don’t remember saying “yes,” but Jonathan says I did!
When did y’all get married? September 28, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 325
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did not. We thought traditional vows would be a perfect way to honor God and the ones who have taken those same vows before us.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We used Psalm 34:3, Matthew 28:18-20, Ruth 1:16-17, 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 5.
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something borrowed was my jewelry (earrings and bracelet). My something blue was my shoes. I used lace from my mama’s wedding dress on my wedding bouquet and in my hairpiece. My wedding dress was my something new.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We used old antiques from my family to decorate, including my great grandmother’s old piano stool, her wooden sewing board, and handmade quilts. I also gave my mama, daddy, and mother-in-law hankies with embroidered notes. I think hankies are a thing of the past, but I love them so. They remind me of my younger years with my papa, because he has always carried one in his pocket.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? All of my vendors were PHENOMENAL! Anna Shackleford of Anna K. Photography was phenomenal. She answered countless questions and was just a true friend during the whole process. I can’t say enough about her! We also loved J&D Designs–John and Archie both know me, so they took my ideas and personality and made everything come together just as I dreamed! They made the day a fairytale and brought tears to my eyes.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Think about the words you want to use to describe your day and go from there. With Pinterest, it is so easy to get lost in all of the ideas and get confused about what you truly want. Make it yours. You don’t have to stick to tradition. This is your day, a day to worship the Lord and celebrate with family! Keep that in mind and take it all in.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are now living in Cumming, Georgia (where Jonathan is from) and working for our first year at our “real” jobs. We are looking forward to seeing how God will use us in this stage of life and where he will use the two of us now that we are married. Currently, we look forward to the weekends when we can sleep a little later, Jonathan makes breakfast, and we are able to spend a few hours just soaking in time together.

Photographer: Anna K Photography / Videographer: Andrew Lanier / Wedding Director: Wendy Cook / Planner, Florist, Catering and Dessert: J&D Designs / Venue: High Grove Farms / Rentals: Special Occasions / Lighting: Jimmy Ricketson / Bride’s Hairpiece and Alterations: Barabara Chestnut / Bride’s Gown: “Adalee” by Maggie Sottero / Bridal Salon: White Weddings Valdosta / Bride’s Veil: White Weddings / Bride’s Earrings and Bracelet: Steel’s Jewelry / Hair Stylist: Abby Hart / Makeup Artist: Brittany Wallace / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jasmine Bridal / Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply / Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank

Anna K Photography is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Lisa

Emily February 24, 2014 reply

Love the sweet dance photos, and the Oreo cookie “cake” is perfect!
- Marenda March 27, 2014 reply
  
  Thank you! I wish the day would have lasted longer so we could have all danced more! :) :)
Shannon February 24, 2014 reply

Beautiful wedding!! Any idea where the bridesmaids’ necklaces are from? I love them!
- Emily February 25, 2014 reply
  
  Hi Shannon! Marenda said the necklaces are from http://www.aliexpress.com/ – she said the shipping takes awhile but everyone love them! :)
Stephanie February 24, 2014 reply

Goodness, this wedding is seriously beautiful in so many ways – I LOVE that the couple washed each others’ feet, the mint green dresses are so elegant, and I love how evident their love of each other + the Lord is!
- Marenda March 27, 2014 reply
  
  Hey Stephanie! Thanks soo much! It was a wonderful beginning to our marriage :) We couldn’t have asked for a better day! :)
Southern Weddings Weekly Round-Up – Southern Weddings Magazine February 28, 2014 reply

[…] that nodded to their families and their love story. We especially loved the prayerful traditions Marenda and Jonathan incorporated into their ceremony. Farris and Taylor were married at the same chapel where both her […]
Carolyn January 26, 2015 reply

I love the short sleeve button down bridesmaid/bride shirts worn to get hair and make up done. Do you know where they are from? Thanks!
- Marenda August 31, 2016 reply
  
  Hello,
  The shirts were from JC Penny, mens collection! I just got smaller sizes for my girls! :)
jennifer February 23, 2015 reply

where did you find the cake stand for the oreos and milk. I can’t find one like that anywhere.
Terri April 11, 2015 reply

I love their love and commitment to their faith. The fancy, yet down home style wedding was elegant and everything intentional. Im guessing its how they are. All the best. It looked like a beautiful ceremony. Im going to wash my husbands feet when I get married.
Sandra – Li’l Inspirations May 20, 2015 reply

I love the idea of personalized wedding handkerchiefs. It’s an elegant way to dry those happy tears.
Jessica July 18, 2015 reply

Everything is absolutely beautiful! Where did you get the bridesmaid necklaces???? I would love to have those for my girls !!!
Jen Aarni July 31, 2015 reply

What color were your bridesmaid dresses and where did you get you get their necklaces? I’ve been looking all over for the perfect green and keep coming back to your photo! Stunning! Do you mind emailing me?
- Lisa July 31, 2015 reply
  
  Hi Jen! Marenda’s bridesmaids wore Jasmine Bridal dresses, and I think the color is “Seamist.” She purchased the necklaces from http://www.aliexpress.com/. Hope this helps! :)
Wedding Cake Alternatives – Blush and Bowties October 14, 2015 reply

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23 Brilliant Wedding Bars From Couples Who Dared To Dream – Daily Trend April 8, 2016 reply

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Samantha September 4, 2016 reply

Your wedding colours are similar to mine. Really beautiful photos!

You mentioned the bridesmaid necklaces are from aliexpress in another comment. Do you have the exact listing by any chance? I would love to get these for my BMs.
Emily October 11, 2016 reply

I NEED to know where to buy those bridesmaids necklaces!

Colorful Farm Wedding by Lang Thomas

by Marissa in Main, Real Southern Weddings on November 22, 2013

Let me start by saying that one should not take the advice of today’s bride, Morgan, and listen to their first dance song, “Swept Away” by Avett Brothers. I recommend listening while reading their interview or looking at the joy that jumps right off the screen from her smile. She is right about one thing, this song will have you crying!

Somehow, Morgan + Jason’s wedding reminds me of our very own Nicole! While it may be the the colorful pennants or the romantic twinkle lights (she’s a big fan of both), I think it’s the pure sweetness of the whole day. From the amazing red front door and green shutters on Morgan’s family farm to the adorable suspender and bow tie combo on the groomsmen, the whole day feels like one big cozy (bright orange!) sweater, even through the rain!

Big thank you’s to Lang Thomas for sharing Morgan + Jason’s sweet day with us!

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Obviously, the above chicken photo had to be in this post!

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As a nurse, I work one weekend a month. While dating, Jason would plan dinner every Sunday night after I got off from working the weekend, since we hadn’t seen each other in a few days. He planned to pick me up as usual and take me out to eat at my favorite fancy restaurant, Jack Fry’s. We had been trying to go there for some time, so this choice didn’t cause any suspicion. Once he arrived, he waited for me at the front door (yes, he may have waited ten minutes or so). When I came downstairs, he was standing there surrounded by candles and flowers. He pulled me in close, said all the kind and amazing words that no one can ever remember, then got on one knee and proposed! I said YES! We then went and ate our fancy dinner, called our family and friends, and headed to Garage Bar to finish the night with our favorite cocktails. Once we arrived, I was surprised by our family, dear friends from college, and even his sister Melanie, who had just flown in from D.C. It was magical. Here is a link to the photos from that night (taken by our wedding photographer Lang, who also happens to be one of our best friends).

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Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Originally, Jason didn’t want to do a “first look” because he wanted to see me for the first time when I was walking down the aisle. However, Jason reevaluated after watching his good friend sweat bullets and nearly pass out as his bride walked down the aisle. Jason knew it’d calm him down to see me beforehand, and we sure are glad we did it! It gave us moments together on our wedding day that we will remember forever. These moments felt slow and relaxed, allowing us to soak up that time before the wedding began. Looking back, I don’t know when we would have taken pictures if we hadn’t done a first look, since it started pouring rain right after the ceremony!

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What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? It’s true that no matter what happens (planned or unplanned) on that day, you are married when it’s all said and done. On our day, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for the ceremony. Then as soon as we said “I do,” the flood gates opened and it poured rain during our reception. Of course, that wasn’t the ideal scenario, but it was indeed the happiest and most joy-filled day of our lives (storm included). So, keep on top of your lists, plan well, spend smart, be patient with your family and your soon-to-be-spouse, and rest in the fact that it’s going to be the happiest day with the people you love the most. Rain or shine!

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What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Two passages from the Bible: 1 John 3: 1-3 and 1 John 4: 7-12. Our desire was that our wedding ceremony would show a picture of Jesus’ love for His church to our guests.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. I walked down the aisle to “All Glory be to Christ” by Kings Kaleidoscope. During the ceremony, there was a corporate hymn, “It is Well.” I walked back up the aisle to “Absent from Flesh” by Sojourn Music. We chose these songs because the wedding ceremony is a celebration, just as seeing in Jesus in heaven will be! Our first dance was to “Swept Away” by Avett Brothers. Listen to the words in this song–you’ll cry. Promise.

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Isn’t that just way too much fun?! They had a bell ringing to celebrate! Love it!

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I let my friend Julie take the reigns on the design. She’s super talented, I love her taste, and I was confident that she understood the vision I had for the wedding. She used the bridesmaid dresses as a springboard and added in a few funky touches (like the purple flowers in the bouquets). My bouquet was wrapped in my Grandma Anne’s handkerchief. I never met her, but my dad says I’m made out of a very similar mold.

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My favorite moment of the day happened during our first dance. If you can’t tell by the photos, it began to pour during our reception. Thankfully, we had a wonderfully huge and sturdy tent to keep all our guests cozy while they ate and mingled! However, due to the rain, the band couldn’t play outside like we had originally planned, and rewiring for them to play under the tent just couldn’t happen. This led to the most amazing acoustic rendition (with the help of their iPhones) of “Swept Away” by the Avett Brothers. All 350 of our guests surrounded us in the tent and sang along as we danced. It felt like time stood still (yes, so cheesy… I know!). I just remember looking into Jason’s eyes as we danced, almost unaware of everyone else as they watched and sang along. It was perfect.

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How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Jason and I met through his sister, Melanie, when she began to date a friend I’ve known since grade school, Alex. Melanie quickly became my close friend as she and Alex dated, got engaged, and then were married in September 2012. Throughout this process, I got to know Jason and Melanie’s friends, as I was reacquainting myself with Louisville after graduating from Samford University in Birmingham, AL. It became pretty clear to our friends that Jason and I liked each other, so the pressure was on for him to ask me out! Once he finally did, we went on a very fancy date and it was horrible on all accounts. I’m not sure if it was the pressure we were under from friends, the fact that I liked him so much, or that it was just not the “right time,” but it was the most awkward two hours of my life (and he agrees)! We quickly and mutually decided that we were “only” friends. Fast forward 8-9 months (right after Melanie and Alex wed)–Jason asked me out again, for a second first date. Let’s be honest, I never stopped liking him, so I said yes to his invitation to go out for a burger and beer. Seven months later, he proposed. three months and three weeks later, we got married. Needless to say, the SECOND first date made quite an impression!
When did y’all get married? August 31, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 350
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. Thankfully, this was a simple process. I knew exactly what I wanted: an off-white dress with straps that was completely made of lace. My mom and I only looked for one day (I only wanted to shop with my mom, since I value her opinion most). It was the sixth or seventh dress I tried on. BOOM. Found it. The following week, my sweet Nana, dad, and 11-year-old sister, Abbie, came to see it. My Nana cried!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We sure didn’t. We just went with the tried and true traditional vows.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. Our wedding cake was a standard round double-layer chocolate cake with bourbon icing, served on my Nana’s vintage crystal cake stand. It was simple and delicious. I wish we had eaten more!
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: How to even answer this question? I’ll say the fabric pennants strung every which way across my parent’s farm. I not only love the color they added to the wedding, but I adore all the ladies that spent hours cutting, stringing, and sewing these pennants together. It was a labor of love. I am so thankful!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Yes! I borrowed my grandfather’s (Bumpa as we call him) handkerchief, which I actually used to wipe away tears during the ceremony. My something blue were my shoes and nails. My something old was Grandma Anne’s handkerchief around my bouquet. My something new was my wedding dress.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our venue was at my parents and grandparents’ farm in Louisville, KY. My grandparents live at the bottom of the property and my parents live toward the back. While the houses have very different layouts, they are both painted white, with green roofs and red front doors. We took full advantage of the barn (also painted to match), where we placed all the homemade pies and cakes. They were made by close family and friends. We used our canoe as the drink/beer cooler and drove the old red tractor around by the barn as a photo backdrop. This wedding only came together because of the hard work of our family and dear friends. We were blessed by the giving of so many peoples’ time as they painted, planted flowers, hung pennants, wired and strung the lights, and landscaped. Without them, this day would not have happened.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Since our engagement was just shy of four months, we didn’t have the ease that comes with lag time between all the “big decisions” made at the beginning of an engagement (like guest list and budget, etc). Even with our timeline, I still wanted to send out save the dates, so Jason and I compiled our guest list quickly. We were shooting for around 200, however, our list topped out at 400. We made it work and it was awesome, but it would be stretching the truth if I said planning for 400 wasn’t a challenge. :)
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? Lang Thomas Photography. Hands down, Lang and Kate are such a talented photography duo (as well as an amazing couple and dear friends of ours). Lang not only shot our wedding, but was also a groomsman! Kate shot the ceremony and then tag-teamed with Lang for the rest of the day. We couldn’t imagine our day without them.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are loving this process of learning how to do marriage. We are so content in our little apartment near downtown Louisville. Jason and I aren’t sure what’s next, but we are dreaming and saving for whatever and wherever this next season brings us. As far as what we look forward to about married life, Jason would say spending Saturdays together (making breakfast and watching college football). I would say planning our next trip together (NYC, and hopefully a backpacking trip throughout Europe next fall).

Written with love by Marissa

Nicole November 22, 2013 reply

Oh, I love this so much! Lang did such a great job capturing the sweet little moments and I just ADORE the colors and twinkle lights!
Emily November 22, 2013 reply

Their bridesmaid dresses are so sweet! And I love the bell ringing, too!
Alexandra | Foiled Invitations November 23, 2013 reply

This is all kinds of perfect! I love that shot of the rings on the eggs :)
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