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Bethany + Caleb’s reception in an open air pavilion in Freedom Park was a well-suited follow-up to their nuptials under a willow tree. Handmade details, like the vases the two made together and the burlap table numbers, adorned tables throughout the space. Guests were treated to breakfast for dinner with Southern staple, grits and then topped off the feast with a lovely cream cheese-frosted cake. The newlyweds took their first dance (in the rain!), partied with guests until nighttime, and then made their getaway. Special thanks again to Susan Dean for sharing these sweet images.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The handmade vases we made together.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Breakfast for dinner!
Describe your wedding cake: Cake Lady Jill is the best! Our first layer was vanilla butter cake with lemon curd and raspberry jam and cream cheese icing, our second layer was vanilla butter cake with cream cheese icing and fresh strawberries, and our third layer was toasted almond with cream cheese icing.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? A three-month engagement! It’s a lie that you need at least 6 months to a year to plan!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $15,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? My photographer and videographer!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Caleb pulling me into the pouring rain for our first dance to “Flightless Bird” by Iron and Wine.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Yes! I forgot my paper with what I had wrote so it truly was all from the heart. “I knew from the start that I’d forever be yours.”

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 // 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

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
7 Comments
  1. avatar Allison W reply

    I love that little shoulder wrap/shawl you wore over your dress! Where is it from?

  2. avatar black reply

    your concept in the post is really brilliant and i admire to you. i like your post and will share with my friend. support!!!

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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

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
10 Comments
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  3. avatar Corinne reply

    I was also wondering who designed these invites? Really cute stuff!

    • avatar Emily reply

      Hi Corinne! For this wedding, the bride designed them all herself! Impressive, I know!

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  5. avatar Lewis reply

    I am going to be a grooms man soon for a wedding, and I was wondering where the men got their outfit at. Especially the bow ties.

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  8. avatar Linda reply

    What a beautiful looking wedding. Lovely dress too.

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