Southern Weddings

McCall and Jay’s mutual friends played cupid perfectly! After meeting on a blind date, it took very little time for these two to know that they were not interested in dating anyone else. Their solid foundation helped navigate both their relationship and their wedding planning. McCall’s advice for future couple’s is right on point–she said, “Remembering that your love for each other and your marriage is the most important thing can help keep things in perspective when they start to get overwhelming.” Amen, friend! And, I must add, the reception barn at Mint Springs Farm is slowly sneaking up on my list of favorite venues!

SW hugs to Declare Photography for sharing this joyful day with us!

Jay proposed on November 8, 2013, just a few weeks before our first dating anniversary. It was a Friday night, and I had to work until about 7:00 P.M. When I got home from work, music was playing, Jay had a glass of wine and some snacks ready, and he said he was about to cook dinner. All of these things were not too unusual, so I was not suspicious at all. We sat on the back porch and built a fire in the fire pit. While watching the fire, Jay kept the music on and we sat close to keep warm. We were talking quietly about how much fun we had been having together when suddenly, Jay got out of his seat, got down on one knee, and proposed! I don’t remember exactly what he said–I was completely caught off guard! I saw the ring and was speechless, until Jay said, “Would you mind giving me an answer, I’m kneeling a little too close to the fire.” Needless to say, I said “Yes!” and we went inside. Unbeknownst to me, Jay had already figured out the perfect size for the ring, visited my father to get his blessing, and arranged for my parents to come to Nashville from Birmingham to celebrate with us.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I started out with a specific idea of the type of dress I wanted, and found one or two dresses that fit that vision. After trying several places in Nashville, I tried one more–Modern Trousseau in downtown Nashville. My mother and maid of honor were with me when I tried on the dress I ended up choosing, and it was nothing like the idea I had started with! It helped to have two people I trusted to help me figure out what looked best on me, but it was not too many opinions. My dress was all about small details–it was full ivory Alençon lace with a V-neck, satin lining, and small godets on the sides and in the back.

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. I had a string quartet play for the ceremony, so I chose more traditional, classical pieces of music. For the seating of the mothers, I chose “Ave Maria” by Bach/Gounod. I am from a Catholic background, so I though it fitting. Jay loves Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” so I chose that for the wedding party processional. I have always loved “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” so I walked down the aisle to it. For our recessional, I chose “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by Handel. The name is daunting, but the piece is so joyful, I just loved it.

My wedding flowers were mostly in shades of cool greens, whites, ivories, and pale blush pinks. I used succulents and jasmine vines for greenery in many places. We used heirloom roses, traditional roses, café au lait dahlias, and even some large surprise orchids in my own bouquet.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? I wanted to make sure that the reception was informal, so rather than a sit-down dinner, we provided food stations and bar stations for guests to mingle and eat at as they chose. These types of receptions are very Southern, in my opinion. I also hired a band to play old South Carolina beach music for the wedding–songs I’ve grown up listening to and have always associated with the South.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Jay and I met on a blind date. Two mutual friends who knew each of us separately played cupid and set us up. After one phone conversation, Jay and I went out to dinner on November 20, 2012. On our second date a few weeks later, Jay asked to see me for three different future dates (he had tickets to go see a few concerts and shows in Nashville)! From that point on, neither of us was interested in dating anyone else.
When did y’all get married? August 16, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? About 160
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We decided to have a “first look” in order to have a small amount of private time together before the ceremony and reception. I also wanted to have as many pictures taken prior to the ceremony so we would not be gone for too long after the ceremony before joining the reception. It was nice to have a little quiet time with just the two of us to talk before the wedding.
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! For something old, I wore my great-grandmother’s lavalier (a necklace). It was given to her by my great-grandfather at their wedding and is over 100 years old. All of my aunts and girl cousins have also worn it for their weddings. My something new was a pair of pearl stud earrings that Jay gave me for our wedding. For something borrowed, I wore a pearl ring belonging to my mother on my right hand. My something blue was a freshwater pearl and lapis bead bracelet that my aunt Frances gave to me for my confirmation when I was younger.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Our first kiss as husband and wife. I had lots of butterflies!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? The most important thing to remember is that something will not go as planned, but the end of the day, you will still be married. Remembering that your love for each other and your marriage is the most important thing can help keep things in perspective when they start to get overwhelming.

Photographer: Declare Photography / Videographer: Cardboard Films / Planner: Angela Wilkes / Venue and Florist: Mint Springs Farm / Cake Baker: Signature Cakes by Vicki / Caterer: Chef Penelope / Band: Pat Patrick Band / Paper Products: Designs in Paper / Bride’s Gown and Veil: “Lauren” by Modern Trousseau / Hair and Makeup: Katie Russo Beauty / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Arabelle” in Dusty Shale by J. Crew / Menswear: Jos. A. Bank

Written with love by Marissa