Southern Weddings

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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