Google+ sky lanterns Archives - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Tag: sky lanterns

Can y’all believe there are just TWO sleeps until Christmas? I still have a few more gifts to wrap, but a few days ago, I spent the evening wrapping gifts and watching Gone with the Wind with my mama–it was the perfect #SouthernHoliday evening! Given my love for Gone with the Wind, it’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of plantation weddings, and Jillian and Marc tied the knot at one of my very favorites, Boone Hall! With a venue that is so lovely on its own, it’s a joy to see this understated decor style, complete with sweet Southern details. As an interior designer, Jillian sure knew how to visualize the space, and I’m certain they made the right decision to go with natural accents to complement the gorgeous surroundings.

Cheers to Paige Winn for sharing this beautiful day with us!

I decided I wanted Marc to be my something blue, since he was in a blue suit. My something old was my vintage beaded clutch from the 1950’s that I received as a bridesmaid gift at my best friend’s wedding. My something borrowed was an embroidered handkerchief from my mother that had belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. Last but not least, my something new was a ring my mother gave me that she had made. She has one made for her too, so we have matching mother-daughter rings.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? From Marc: As Jillian and her mother started their walk, the music changed and my emotions overcame me. The moment was ideal and the weather was perfect. I will never forget watching her walk towards me and thinking about spending the rest of our lives together.

We wanted to have a destination wedding that was still intercontinental. We planned a trip to Charleston to check out some places and fell in love with Boone Plantation. We loved that it was rustic, on the water, and told a story.

Marc and I are definitely a traditional couple in terms of design. We wanted everything to look natural and complement the gorgeous surroundings of the Plantation. Our flowers were a mix of succulents, dusty miller, silver brunia, crane kale, white chrysanthemums, lots of magnolia leaves, and some cotton.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The biggest challenge was being in Buffalo, New York, planning a wedding in Charleston. As an interior designer, I am able to visualize a space, but I still wanted to be at the Cotton Dock all the time, thinking about draping, seeing flowers in person, etc. Thankfully, we had a great team of people who we worked with closely to bring our vision come to life. Marc and I were able to make a few trips to Charleston for tastings and meetings–we couldn’t possibly miss a tasting, especially when it came to our cake!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We served fried green tomatoes, a raw bar, shrimp and grits, mac and cheese, and mini chicken and waffles, and Firefly sweet tea vodka and lemonade was passed at the guests arrived. Since we had a destination wedding, we wanted our food to reflect the South and really create an experience for our guests.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. From Marc: I had just joined Facebook when I came across a post from a college friend. I “liked” it, and one other person did as well: Jillian. We were not friends, but I clicked on her picture from my phone. There were a few visible pictures, and one in particular was a great picture of her holding a live octopus from the ocean. I messaged her about how neat I thought it was and we started up a conversation. A week later, we met in person, and the rest is history.
Tell us all about the proposal! We went skiing in our neighboring ski town, Ellicottville, NY, on December 23, 2012. It was a crisp, clear winter night, and after a few hours of skiing, we stopped at the top of a mountain. It seemed Marc was just looking for chapstick, but once he started talking about love, I knew something was up. The next thing I knew, he was down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. Marc had skied for two hours with the ring in his pocket, but after the proposal, we were both extremely nervous to get down the hill safely–I actually took it off, put it back in the box, and made Marc carry it down!
When did y’all get married? October 10, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 60
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I went to NYC for the weekend with my mom to look for a dress–it was a good excuse for a girls weekend in New York, and a chance to see one of my best friends. We had a ton of appointments crammed into a few days, and I ended up with a dress I never thought I would like. It seemed so busy, but my consultant was right. I knew it was the one when I put it on, even if I didn’t want to admit it at first!
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We didn’t do a first look. I really wanted Marc to see me for the first time on the day of our wedding when I was walking down the aisle. It just felt very romantic and sweet to me, and I am happy we didn’t do a first look.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We had our close friend read a poem, “The Art of Marriage,” by Wilferd Arlan Peterson.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. Our wedding cake was a simple and delicious two tier-ed cake, decorated with fondant. It was vanilla and alternate layers were filled with hazelnut filling and white chocolate mousse.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are enjoying being married and looking forward to starting a family.

Photographer: Paige Winn / Planner: Natalie Knox of Boone Hall Plantation / Venue: Boone Hall Plantation / Florist and Rentals: Tailor and Table Event Design & Styling / Catering and Cake: DuVall Catering and Events / DJ: DJ Ben Felton / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Bride’s Gown: “Sofia” by Matthew Christopher / Hair Stylist: Carly Militello / Bridesmaid Hair Stylist: Ash & Co Bridal / Makeup Artist: Makeup by Nicole / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “7243” in Emerald by Alfred Angelo / Menswear: Kenneth Cole

marissa Written with love by Marissa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Nicole reply

    The photo of them dancing is the sweetest :) And I LOVE her necklace!

  2. avatar Caleb reply

    Beautiful photos! I love the venue.

  3. avatar Nicole reply

    I was lucky enough to watch these two beautiful people get married in this amazingly gorgeous location! I’m getting married soon and only hope my wedding turns out half as successful as theirs did!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

I’m not sure that I’ll ever tire of pretty pink blooms. Christina’s lovely bouquet reminds me of spring and Marie Antoinette. (Don’t soft pinks and greens remind you of Marie, too? Maybe it’s just my Paris brain.) We are loving the soft colors in Christina + Scott’s wedding, photographed by Haley Sheffield, but it’s the BBQ sundaes that really had us gawking! I had actually never heard of a BBQ sundae before (shame on me) so Emily had to fill me in on the details. Whitney was a bit skeptical, but I decided that it’s the best. Idea. Ever. Where do you stand?

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. My friend signed up for match.com and encouraged me to sign up as well. After much pleading, I eventually signed up for a 7 day free trial. Scott and I emailed back and forth until I finally worked up the nerve to ask him out for coffee, since he was taking so long to make a move. We met up at Atlanta Bread Company for coffee. We chatted until they closed the place down, and the rest is history.
Describe the proposal. Scott flew me up to Oregon to visit his family for the first time. The first day we arrived, we took a trip by ourselves to his family’s vacation house on the Oregon Coast. We took a hike to see a lighthouse, and on the way, he proposed to me on a huge cliff with the ocean crashing beneath us. It was incredibly romantic!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Romantic, Southern and charming.
In what month did you get married? October
How many guests attended your wedding? 150
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: My favorite detail was the beautiful (and giant) handmade lanterns I found at The Not Wedding event in Atlanta. They were so beautiful, and my favorite pictures are the ones underneath them.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? The reception was in a beautiful restored barn, and the girls all got ready in an old Southern home from the 1800s! There were BBQ sundaes, sweet tea in a few different flavors, and shrimp and grits! I wanted to give all of our wedding guests that had traveled from Oregon a taste of the South.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I went with one of my friends who was getting married to try on bridesmaid dresses. I saw a wedding dress on a mannequin and fell in love with it. Even though Scott and I were not engaged, my friends urged me to try it on. I fell in love with it, and the next week Scott proposed! I went back and got that dress. It was the only one I ever tried on.
Describe your wedding flowers: My flowers were light pinks and whites. They were very ruffled and fluffy, just like I wanted. My florist even managed to make my dream of peonies in my bouquet come true, even in October!
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: I’m a huge dessert girl, and while I wanted it to look great, I was even more concerned about taste. My cake was both gorgeous and delicious! There was an almond layer, and orange layer, and a strawberry layer. The cake was simple, with no actual flowers. It had vintage, pale pink floral cutout designs all over.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I was working, planning a wedding, and going to school full time. Finding time to get everything done was by far the biggest challenge!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? Definitely the venue! It was a gorgeous backdrop for the photos, and the staff made my day so memorable and stress free!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The moment I saw my future husband’s face as I walked down the aisle. I couldn’t wait to exchange promises of forever.
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We did not, because the part of the wedding Scott most looked forward to was seeing me walk down the aisle. I was thankful we didn’t, because the look on his face when I came out was well worth the wait.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Make sure it is everything you want. Don’t be bullied into other people’s ideas for your big day. It’s ok to say no!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We’re talking babies right now, and I’m very excited to start our own little family.

Photographer: Haley Sheffield // Videographer: Marke Foley // Planner: Delise Knight // Ceremony venue: Pineola Farms // Reception venue: Pineola Farms // Florist: Delise Knight // Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: LisaMae Cakes // Caterer: Katerings by Kelly // Linens: Delise Knight // Lighting: Oversized Lanterns from Brown Linen & Co. // Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil/Jewelry: Davids Bridal, Alfred Angelo Bridal, and Swarovski // Bride’s Shoes: Sam Edelman // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal

Hayley Sheffield is a fabulous member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Looking for more romantic weddings?
Meredith + Blake’s sweet Texas wedding here and here
Natalia + Levi’s plantation wedding here and here

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
19 Comments
  1. avatar Linda at Cedarwood Weddings reply

    Oh my goodness, we love this so much!

  2. avatar Delise Knight reply

    It was a pleasure working with Christina and Scott. Christina’s vision was a designers dream. We feel honored to have been part of the team. We just love the way Haley Sheffield captured the day.

  3. avatar Kimberly Martin reply

    I love everything about this wedding. My daughter is getting married at a 150 year old barn in Oklahoma in September. We are from Tennessee, the Groom is from Oklahoma and want to have Southern elements from both Southern states. This is wonderful.

  4. avatar Elizabeth reply

    Absolutely gorgeous wedding! I would really like to know where I could find those amazing giant lanterns for my wedding this summer. I was disappointed to find out my venue wouldn’t allow the kind you set off into the sky, but these might be a great alternative!

    • avatar Emily reply

      Hi Elizabeth! I LOVE those lanterns, too! Christina got them from Brown Linen Co, a company that does lots of custom work. I’m sure if you inquired she’d be able to give you all the info! http://brownlinengoods.com/index2.php

  5. avatar Tim Duncan reply

    Love love love all the pink details in this wedding!

  6. avatar inspired : 3.18.12 | beka stays reply

    […] the green straws, the “love is brewing” favors, the lampshades hanging from tree limbs…what’s not to love about this wedding?! […]

  7. avatar Weekly Wedding Favorites | Going to the Chapel reply

    […] be honest, I really love this couple’s entire wedding, which was featured on the Southern Weddings blog. However, if I have to pick one detail that […]

    • avatar BranDee reply

      OMG!! Where is the flower girl’s dress from? It is precious!!

  8. avatar Stunning Georgia Barn Wedding | Live What You Love reply

    […] Photography: Haley Sheffield Photography | Featured: Southern Weddings Magazine […]

  9. avatar Marshmallow Wedding | Sparkle & Swish reply

    […] Wed // Pink Lemonade from Hello Naomi // Pink & White Bouquet photo from Haley Sheffield via Southern Weddings // Marshmallow Pops by Armelle // Cherry Blossom by KT Merry // Marshmallow Decorations photo by […]

  10. avatar Eco-friendly Wedding & Party Decorations- Natural Design Blog reply

    […] These simple hearts can be made by cutting out old sheet music, maps or magazines and hanging on string. http://iloveswmag.com/2012/03/13/romantic-georgia-barn-wedding-by-haley-sheffield/ […]

  11. avatar Weekly Round-Up: Sweet Romance | Bride Ideas reply

    […] A romantic southern barn wedding. […]

  12. avatar Wedding Planning | A Rose is a Rose… Or is it? | Heart Love Weddings reply

    […] Bouquet by Delise Knight : Photo by Haley Sheffield via Southern Weddings […]

  13. avatar Hochzeitstrend 2013 – Teil 4: Spitze | Verrückt nach Hochzeit reply

    […] Memento Design –  Brautstrauß: Haley Sheffield via Southern Weddings – Kleid: Ritzy Bee – Tischdecke: Our Labor Of Love via Ruffled Blog – Escord Cards: We […]

  14. avatar Marshmallow Wedding | To The Wildwood reply

    […] Wed // Pink Lemonade from Hello Naomi // Pink & White Bouquet photo from Haley Sheffield via Southern Weddings // Marshmallow Pops by Armelle // Cherry Blossom by KT Merry // Marshmallow Decorations photo by […]

  15. avatar Inspiration Board: High Tea – Bajan Wed reply

    […] My Sweet and Saucy, Chris Miller Photography, Style Me Pretty (Austin Warnock Photography), Southern Weddings (Haley Sheffield), Love My Dress (Sarah Gawler Photography), Style Me Pretty (Jill Thomas […]

  16. avatar Theme Thursday: Inspired By Nicolas Sparks | Oh, What Love Studios | The Blog reply

    […] Imagery via  Junebug Weddings 3.  Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty 4. Haley Sheffield via Southern Weddings Magazine 5. The Memory Trunk 6. Jose Villa via 100 Layer Cake 7. White Elephant 8. Shea […]

  17. avatar S+S Wedding: Mood Boards! reply

    […] / 2 / 3 / […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

Natalia + Levi’s wedding was a beauty despite the couple’s not-so-extravagant budget. It’s really an inspiration to many of us (myself and Emily included!) who love shopping flea markets for great surprises. Many of our favorite details were items that Natalia and her mother found while scouring flea markets and antique stores. French doors that displayed table assignments were a steal for $20! Natalia’s mother saw an old house being torn down and paid someone to have the doors delivered to her house instead of being discarded. We love how Natalia + Levi paid homage to the South with their dessert fare. A cake buffet and a “white spot,” a Krispy Kreme donut with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the middle, paired with Coca-Cola filled tummies all night until the gorgeous sky lantern send off. It’s food that we won’t see anywhere in Paris, but honestly, who’s complaining? That’s why we love the South. Thanks again to Melissa Schollaert Photography for sharing!

Groom’s favorite detail of the wedding: (From the groom) I thought the old cotton warehouse where the reception was held was really cool. I loved seeing how all of the wedding décor complimented the original architecture. Oh, and Hairy Dawg was awesome. Like, REALLY awesome. Go Dawgs!
What was the biggest challenge you faced when planning your wedding? My mom likes to tell me that I have champagne taste and a beer budget. With our big ideas and strict budget, she and I were forced to get creative. We scoured antique markets and found beautiful things in unique places. For example, she saw a construction team tearing down an old home and offered a guy $20 to deliver the beautiful old French doors to my parents’ house. We used the doors at the wedding to display table assignments. It wasn’t always easy, but we had so much fun together on our adventures!
Did you try anything new or untraditional? My godfather, who is like my second father, walked me part way down the aisle and then handed me off to my dad. It was a surprise to me and really touched my heart. My florist and I devised a plan to surprise the mothers. She left two peonies detached from the rest of my bouquet. When I got to the end of the aisle, I was able to pause and present each mother with a peony and a hug before stepping forward into the altar area. We mixed up our bridal party and had both bridesmaids and groomsmen stand on both sides of the altar. I didn’t want it to feel like they were here for only the bride or the groom, but rather for us as a couple.
Describe your wedding cake: Classic City Confections baked the most delicious assortment of cakes! Levi and I cut into a two-tiered red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting in a rosette design. Other flavors included French vanilla with raspberry and pistachio, coconut with lemon curd, chocolate hazelnut with sea salt caramel icing, strawberries and cream, and a chocolate turtle groom’s cake baked by Levi’s sister. Guests also had the option to have Coca-Cola floats and Krispy Kreme donuts – our homage to Atlanta!
Tell us about your grand exit. Our exit was one of my absolute favorite details. Our guests gathered outside the barn and formed a circle around Levi and I and we all released sky lanterns. The view of the sky lanterns floating across the night sky was nothing short of magical!
What advice would you give to someone planning his or her wedding? Hire vendors that you trust implicitly. Working with people who you know will follow through will save you so much stress. Also, never forget that the process is supposed to be fun! If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right. Don’t let anyone tell you a wedding has to have or be anything. Want to wear a purple dress and serve cotton candy instead of wedding cake? Do it! A wedding, as traditional or untraditional as it may be, should always celebrate the couple.

Photographer: Melissa Schollaert Photography // Planner: bride, Epting Events // Designer: bride, Epting Events // Venue: Tucker Plantation // Florist: MG Floral // Wedding Cake Baker: Classic City Confections // Caterer: Epting Events // Bridesmaid Dresses: Paul & Joe Sister // Bride’s Dress: Casablanca // Hair Stylist: Scoobie West // Makeup Artist: Scoobie West // Bride’s Shoes: Max Studio // Bride’s Jewelry: earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane // Bride’s Veil or Hair Accessory: veil by Brenda’s Bridal Veils, hair flower by DK Designs // Bride’s Other Accessories: belt from Daniel Design // Groom’s Fashion: Indochino // Groomsmen Fashion: groomsmen’s own // Paper Goods: Red Table Stationary // Rentals: Epting Events // Linens: Epting Events and Cloth Connection // Table runners: screen printed by Satisfactory Print Shop // Reception Décor: cake mugs from Anthropologie, heart pine table tops from Epting Events // Lighting: monogrammed gobo from Epting Events and Live Event Solutions

Love this wedding? You might also like these Real Weddings:
Meredith + Blake (here and here)
Victoria + Michael (here and here)
Caroline + Tyler (here and here)


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

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
13 Comments
  1. avatar Laura reply

    I love absolutely everything about this wedding. From the cotton bouts to the sky lanterns to Krispy Kreme! Gorgeous, and so much inspiration for planning my own wedding.

  2. avatar Amy reply

    Absolutely beautiful wedding! I’m planning a southern destination wedding in Charleston, SC and I love every single detail! I hail from Colorado but I think I’m really a southern girl at heart. I am wondering what the source is for “The South” sign? That is a detail that I would love to incorporate into my own wedding if possible!

    • avatar Natalia reply

      Hey Amy! There are several online sellers, but this was the first website that came up. Hope this helps! :)
      http://store.finishingtouchesetc.com/southsign.html

  3. avatar {chicago wedding photographer] Caroline Ghetes reply

    Wow! I love that table runner. And the bride’s hair is so beautiful! She has a stunning face!

  4. avatar Tim Duncan reply

    Beautiful wedding! The last few photos are gorgeous!

  5. avatar Inspiration Board: Mirror Details | Going to the Chapel reply

    […] {credits: Cake: Style Me Pretty via Pinterest, Garland: Etsy, Table numbers: Etsy, Centerpiece: Martha Stewart Weddings, Seating Chart: Brides.com; Menu: Southern Weddings} […]

  6. avatar Floral Cotton reply

    SOOOO CUTE! Love the cotton place markers. We have cotton!

  7. avatar Wedding Sweets & Sips « thehighlifesuite reply

    […] Me Pretty Sparkle Rocktini – Champagne and rock candy. From Wedding Chicks Beverage menu from Southern Weddings Magazine. Check out the beverages on the menu. Champagne and popsicles. Perfect for a summer wedding or […]

  8. avatar Dorijean reply

    I absolutely love the personal touches. I am doing similar things and was wondering about the lanterns. I have always wanted to do it and thought my wedding would be perfect since we aren’t really doing a send off. So I was wondering if there was any laws you had to follow. Or if there were restrictions as per say a fire hazard or something? Thanks for the info and pictures.

  9. avatar Savannah Perkins reply

    Were the table numbers purchased or DIY?

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close
Top