Southern Weddings

Oh my gosh, y’all. You know reading proposal stories is one of my favorite parts about writing these posts. Bethany + Caleb did not disappoint! Imagine Bethany’s surprise when Caleb popped the question in the middle of a shoot with Jose Villa and Joy Thigpen for OnceWed! (You can see it all here and here. It’s just too sweet.) It’s no surprise that this adorable couple would have an equally adorable wedding. Their colorful invitations and programs set the scene for a whimsical wedding in Freedom Park. Bethany looked lovely in her flowing Claire Pettibone dress and butterfly pinned to her hair, while Caleb looked smashing in suspenders and a mustard yellow bow tie. The couple exchanged vows under a willow tree in front of friends and family. Big thanks to Susan Dean for sharing!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. I was sitting at the dinner table at my aunts while playing an oh-so-competitive game of Phase 10 when my aunt says, “I know someone who’s so perfect for you. He goes to Liberty, sings and plays guitar, and wants to be a youth pastor.” It was my exact list from when I was a little girl of what I wanted in a husband! I sent Caleb a friend request on Facebook with a message telling him how my aunt and uncle loved him and we proceeded to message back and forth. I worked my schedule so I could go to his church that night. I walked in, saw him and sat down in a back pew reading my Bible as if I didn’t see him. (From the groom) I saw her walk in and sit down in the back. She pretended not to notice me but I noticed her. As I walked up to her, my heart began to race. I hadn’t even said hello to her but for some reason my heart started coming out of my chest, as if I had found THE girl. We said “Hi” and went to hug each other instead of shaking hands, which I thought was pretty genuine. As I walked on stage to get things rolling, I said to my drummer, “DAG ON, that girl is CUTE.” (From the bride) That week, I fell in love with him during a walk on the beach when he told me, “All the girls in my past were just trying to be what you are. I wake up thinking of you, can’t get you off my mind throughout the day, and go to sleep dreaming of you. You are the one I want to be with for the rest of my life.” I finally understood what my mom had always told me, “When you know, you know.”
Describe the proposal. We arrive at a shoot in California with Jose Villa. Talk about torture/complete fairy tale when given a wedding dress to wear with a smokin’ hot boyfriend who you want to marry and it’s all pretend. While Joy Thigpen and the rest of the ladies went to set up the next shoot, Jose, Caleb and I stayed at this amazing field with the prettiest sunset I’ve ever seen. Jose gives me a love note to hold that I think is so precious for a prop. We then sit down as he tells Caleb to “genuinely pass the love note to her and then open it.” In my head, I thought, “There’s actually a letter on it, wonder what it says. This looks like Caleb’s handwriting. This says my name! He’s pulling something out of his pocket…Omgosh, he’s proposing!” I jumped up as he bent to his knee and said YES!!!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Cheerful, whimsical, eclectic
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: It was Claire Pettibone, couture, detailed, lace, vintage-inspired and romantic. What more to say!? I found the pre-owned dress on OnceWed.
Describe your wedding flowers: I loved peonies and my favorite flowers are billy balls so what better to do than combine them? I picked a sea foam green fabric at Hong Kong Vintage store and my bridesmaids and I put them together leaving the stems long for more of a “picked them from the wild” feel.

Photographer: Susan Dean // Videographer: Adam Hobbs // Day of Planner: Favor Me Events // Venue: Freedom Park // Florist: Gallery of Flowers // Wedding Cake Baker: Cake Lady Jill // Caterer: Chef Henry Catering // Paper Products: handmade by the bride // Bride’s Dress: Claire Pettibone // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: butterfly from Hobby Lobby // Bride’s Shoes: Hong Kong Vintage, shoe clips from BHLDN // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: handmade

Written with love by Nicole