Southern Weddings

Brittany and Ryan met in a (relatively) nontraditional way (Match.com!), but their wedding had all the hallmarks of a classic Southern wedding: traditional vows, a lace gown, garden roses, and delicious fare including pork sliders, mac and cheese, and biscuits (yum!). My favorite part of their celebration, though? That would have to be their dessert (glazed donuts and mini peach pie!). The Taylor Grady House was the perfect setting for their spring soiree, and Scobey Photography with Sara Harper captured everything beautifully!

I just love pre-ceremony shots. Can’t you feel the anticipation in the air?

Brittany’s scallop lace-edge veil is gorgeous!

My something blue was a garter that my sister-in-law made. My something old was a piece of my grandmother’s wedding dress that my mom pinned into mine. My something borrowed was a cameo that my husband’s grandmother let me borrow — I pinned it on my bouquet. My something new were undergarments my best friend Cindy bought me!

My wedding flowers were absolutely stunning. There were clusters of soft peaches, pinks, creams, pale grey and mint. It was an explosion of pastel, a variety of textures, depth and romance. I wanted to keep everything very natural. I didn’t want anything overly manicured. The peach David Austin roses were my favorite. I just wanted to bury my face in them, but I didn’t (at least while anyone was watching).

I walked down the aisle to “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles. This song just makes me happy — it’s like a modern day lullaby. Although I’ve been blessed with such a wonderful life, there have certainly been some rough patches. This song, in its simplicity and heartening melody, is a sign that everything is going to be okay. To me, it represents those little moments of clarity and reassurance, those signs that point ahead. Also, my dad is a huge Beatles fan, so I knew it would be a special moment.

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Ryan and I actually were married twice on April 13. We were married in a small Catholic ceremony in the local Catholic church in the morning. Then, we had our large outdoor ceremony that afternoon. Since we had already seen each other (sans wedding dress) that morning, we decided to wait for the “big reveal” as I walked down the aisle. It was the right decision.
Did you write your own vows? We said traditional vows. There is something so sacred, beautiful and romantic about speaking the same words as MILLIONS who have made this commitment before us.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? My bridesmaid, Lauren Cook, read “Love” by Roy Croft. It’s really simple, yet it strikes a chord with me. A little snippet: “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.”

My new last name is Mason, so that was a theme at our wedding. Drinks were served in mason jars, and we even had a mason jar emblem on our cocktail napkins. During our cocktail hour, we served a peach specialty drink as a nod to Georgia. We also had Southern fare reinvented, including pork sliders, mac ‘n’ cheese and cheese biscuits. Later in the evening, we danced the night away to the Answer Band, a good ole’ fashioned soul band.

These sweet notes to each guest remind me of our Something Old, Something New shoot from V5! What a lovely gesture toward your loved ones!

I love the shot of Brittany + Ryan practicing their first dance juxtaposed with their big moment! Looks like they did a great job :)

Wedding donuts: always a winner in my book.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. 
We met like many couples meet these days, on Match.com. I had gone on a quite a few unsuccessful dates and had actually decided not to renew my membership. But five days before my membership ended, Ryan walked into my life. I’ve never looked back.
Tell us all about the proposal! 
Two years prior to meeting Ryan, another man walked into my life and stole my heart. Finley, my wheaten terrier, is such a large part of our lives that Ryan knew he had to be worked into the proposal. On a rainy Tuesday evening, I arrived home to find Finley standing with the apartment door ajar. He led me down a path of “paw prints” with little love notes. As I winded around the apartment, I heard our song playing and was finally led into our dining room where Ryan was waiting on bended knee. There were tears, hugs and maybe even a few excited barks. Finley also sported a dog tag that asked, “Will you marry me?” It was lovely and perfect.
When did y’all get married? 
April 13, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 
120 people, 1 dog.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. 
My wedding dress was a lace, fit-n-flare Allure Couture, with a sweetheart neckline, satin ribbon and just a touch of bling on the belt. The dress was romantic and classic, yet the floral rosettes at the bottom added a touch of whimsy and fun.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. 
We had a variety of cupcakes, mini peach pies and glazed donuts, courtesy of Ike & Jane cafe.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: 
I loved all the vintage books that I picked up at flea markets over the past year. We had them scattered on the tables and it added such a lovely pop of color.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? 
Staying within the budget. The end.
What range did your wedding budget fall into? 
$25,000-$50,000
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? 
Sara Johnson, my wedding planner, was phenomenal. I wish she’d help me plan all the major events in my life!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? 
There were so many little moments that I cherish. My dad is a big golfer, so I gave him an engraved ball marker right before we walked down the aisle. That was a special moment. Also, my mom helping me put my veil on and watching Finley arrive were special, too. All the girls gathered around the window and watched him with his handler.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? 
Don’t sweat the small stuff. They should create that little bathroom book for weddings. And then when you retreat to the bathroom to have panic attacks, it’ll be there to give you perspective.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? 
We can’t wait to buy a house! And then we will most likely start a family.

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

Written with love by Emily