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Y’all, I cannot stop staring at these pictures of Abbigail and Dylan’s incredible wedding venues! The only thing more lovely than the idyllic Tennessee farm where they said “I do” was their reception in the backyard of Abbigail’s parents’ home, which was modeled after one of their favorite houses in Charleston. That was just one of so many touching, family-oriented details at Abbigail and Dylan’s wedding–they also said a “joining of families” prayer at their ceremony (read about it below–such a great idea!), had the same poem read as Dylan’s parents had at their wedding, and drove off as newlyweds in Abbigail’s dad’s vintage truck. As if that wasn’t enough to love, did I mention their reception meal was ice cream? So fun!

Thank you kindly to Andrew Allen Morton for sharing this beautiful wedding with us!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. The first time I went shopping, I was just trying to decide what shape/look I was going for. The second time, I tried on a few dresses and, after going back and forth between two similar dresses, decided on “Dakota” by Enzoani. I didn’t cry or anything–I just loved the dress and felt great in it!

For my something old, my aunt gave me a beautiful pearl necklace when I graduated college that was given to her by my grandmother when she graduated college. I wore it as a bracelet. My something new was my earrings! I got them on Etsy and they were white drop druzy stones. I loved the contrast between the lace in my dress and the rough stone. I borrowed a piece of my mom’s lace to wrap around my bouquet, and Dylan gave me a promise ring for my birthday that is blue turquoise. A lady at my church also surprised me with a silver penny. They were only made in 1943 when there was a shortage of copper during WWII. I didn’t wear shoes, but I had it!

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We didn’t do a first look because we both liked the element of surprise. There is something so beautiful about the emotion of that moment walking down the aisle, and we knew from the beginning we wanted to go the traditional route. We didn’t see each other at all the day of, and it was definitely worth it!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? The ceremony venue immediately stood out to us. We looked at a few different places, and none of them seemed quite right, but Grace Meadows Farm had a little bit of everything–rolling hills, a beautiful white fence, and a pond. It was an easy choice! They actually have a beautiful red barn where a lot of people have their weddings and receptions, but we couldn’t pass up the beauty of the property.

What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? My brother picked “On Love” by Kahlil Gibran to read. Only after he picked it, Dylan’s parents said they had the same poem read at their wedding–such a wonderful coincidence!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? One of the details about the ceremony that we thought had a Southern feel was having a “joining of families.” Instead of me being given away, we had all four of our parents come to the altar and pray together, celebrating the new family being created.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I can’t pick just one! Some of our favorites were the arbor we stood under, the car we left in, and the guest book. Dylan and my dad built the arbor with wood that we gathered with Dylan’s parents from their farm, and it was decorated by my mom and some ladies that have known me since I was little, so it was a collaborative effort and something we are all very proud of. The car we left in was my dad’s 1972 royal blue Ford Bronco. It was so much fun riding it to our hotel after the reception! The guest book was a handmade journal from one of our friends. She has a small business called Ink+Honey, where she makes beautiful journals and jewelry, so it’s one of a kind! Definitely a keepsake.

The reception venue was my house. My parents built our house about 13 years ago, so I did a lot of my growing up there. The original house plans were for a house in Charleston, South Carolina (which is still standing today) that my parents always loved, so it’s a very Southern-style home. Since I was little, I wanted to have either my ceremony or the reception there. It’s a beautiful place full of fond memories for me.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? Andrew Morton was our photographer, and we couldn’t have been happier with him. He is incredibly talented and he was so easy and fun to work with from the beginning! Looking back through our pictures allows us to relive the day, which is awesome because it all goes by so fast! He captured the sweetest moments and all the emotion you hope to see in your wedding photos. We can’t say enough about him!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met our freshman year of college through a campus ministry group. We have always been good friends–our friend group in college was really close. I had a boyfriend at the time, but Dylan and I both knew there was something special between us. We always knew if we ever got the chance to be together, it would last. After our sophomore year, Dylan transferred to a different college, but we always kept in touch. Eventually, the timing was right, and we jumped right into dating and never looked back! We were planning our wedding practically since our first date.
Tell us all about the proposal! Dylan surprised me with a nice sushi dinner, chocolate ice cream (my favorite!), and a sunset hike up Roan Mountain. When we got to the top, there was a quilt with wine and candles set up–I actually thought someone else was having a romantic evening and we were about to ruin it, so I said, “Someone’s on a date–we have to leave!” I quickly realized it was for me when I turned back around to see Dylan on one knee. My parents were actually hidden behind a rock taking pictures of the whole thing. After I said yes, they jumped out and lots of crying/screaming followed. :) Our friends and family were waiting at my parents’ house for a surprise engagement party.
When did y’all get married? May 31, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 300
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We wrote our vows together. I think our favorite phrase was “I promise to remember that your feelings are more important than my preferences, and peace is always better than victory.”
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. The bridal party walked out to “Out of the Woods” by Nickel Creek, which is just a beautiful song that we have both always loved. I walked in to “Heartbeats” by Jose Gonzalez, because we liked the untraditional sound and the ambiance of the guitar. We walked out to “The Valley” by The Oh Hellos, which is fun and upbeat! Our first dance was to “Ulysses” by Josh Garrels–it’s soft and beautiful and has always meant so much to us as a couple.
Describe your wedding flowers. We used silk flowers to decorate the entire ceremony so that we could save money and make all the arrangements before the big day. It was great because we didn’t have to worry about them wilting or being damaged. We used every ivory-colored flower we could find, and threw in a few tans and browns too. We decided to use real flowers at the reception and for the bouquets–we had ivory roses, baby’s breath, carnations, and a lot of greenery.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We had Ben and Jerry’s catering with four types of ice cream and five different flavors of cake. Since it was a late ceremony/reception, we thought ice cream would be good for a late dessert. The bride and groom’s cakes didn’t turn out quite like we were hoping, but they tasted great!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Definitely planning for 300+ people!
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $10,000-$25,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I sounds cheesy, but it was definitely when we saw each other for the first time at the end of the aisle. How could it be any other moment? It’s the one we’d always dreamed of!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Don’t sweat the small stuff! It’s easy to get overwhelmed with details and everything going perfectly, but just know that it’s impossible for every single detail to be perfect. Find peace in remembering what the day is truly about, and go for it!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are moving to the Nashville area and working towards grad school. We are most looking forward to all the adventures we have ahead of us and to see what God has in store for our lives.

Photographer: Andrew Allen Morton / Videographer: Sam Pierce / Planner: Luci Jernigan / Ceremony Venue: Grace Meadows Farms / Reception Venue: Private residence / Florist: Food City, Hobby Lobby / Wedding Cake: Cakebuds / Cake and Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry’s / Rentals: Rentals Rentals of Tennessee, East TN Rentals / Lighting: Holiday Lightscapes by Chuck Bennett / Guest Book: Ink + Honey / Bride’s Gown: “Dakota” by Enzoani / Paper Products: Smarty Had A Party / Bride’s Earrings: MamacitaStudios / Hair Stylist: Savannah Young from Parlour & Juke / Makeup Artist: MAC / Bride’s Shoes: Barmine (barefoot sandals) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal, Altar’d State, JCPenney, ModCloth / Men’s Attire: H&M

lisa Written with love by Lisa
17 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    Love that porch – couldn’t be a more perfect “getting ready” spot for a Southern wedding!

  2. avatar liam smith reply

    check out that house! lovely photographs Andrew

  3. avatar Shannon Bismark reply

    Dear sweet Abbigail! You look so lovely, as always. You make such a stunning bride. Congratulations on your marriage! I hope for a long and joyous life for you both!

  4. avatar Kat reply

    That house… gorgeous!!!!

  5. avatar Dana reply

    such a beautiful wedding! the venues are amazing!

  6. avatar Nicole reply

    Where did you find these flower girl dresses from?! They are darling!

  7. avatar Margaret Sams reply

    One of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended. Everything about it could not have been more perfect. The photography is amazing and captured all its beauty. A beautiful
    evening for a beautiful and special couple.

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  10. avatar mandy reply

    I love the bridesmaid’s dress to the left of you; the one that is long, white lace with the short under slip! Where did she find it?
    Also, the little “shoes” are amazing!!! I’d love to buy some for our upcoming wedding! Where can I find those as well?
    Thank you so much for sharing your wedding with us! It’s gorgeous!!!

  11. avatar Nicole Schipplock reply

    Hi firstly just want to say how amazing your wedding looks! I live in Australia but love southern styling. My daughter is getting married next yr and has chosen the same wedding dress by chance that you did. I was wondering if you would be interested in selling your dress to us?

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  13. avatar Patty reply

    Where did you find the flower girl dress?

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After working ten feet away from each other for six months, Lori remembers a moment when picking sour apples off the little tree behind her apartment as the first time she really “saw” Ryan. I love how this seemingly unremarkable moment of post-date fun will forever be imprinted in her mind. Not to overshadow such a wonderful memory, I’m sure Lori and Ryan’s wedding was full of moments they’ll remember forever, including their first look. Due to their very short time frame at their venue, Lori said “it was imperative that we focused on only the things that really mattered.” Focusing on what really matters? Yep, we’re all for that!

Big hugs to Mark Eric for sharing such a fun day with us (especially the second line)!

P.S. Looking for some memory-making dates for you and your beau? Check out our Spring Doins!

We had just arrived in Bluffton, South Carolina to visit Ryan’s dad and stepmom’s new home. He asked me to go check out the backyard with him, but he didn’t want to bring our dog, Squeaky, so that struck me as strange. He reasoned that the grass was high and there was no fence, so Squeaky was likely to run off in the woods. Made sense. When we had gotten about fifty yards from the house, Squeaky came bounding toward us with a neon green bow on his neck. When Ryan started untying the bow, I saw that my great-great grandmother’s ring (the one I had blatantly set on the dresser after we decided we wanted to pick out a diamond together) was tied to it. Ryan dropped down on one knee and asked me to marry him. His dad, stepmom, brother, and sister-in-law were inside taking photos and waiting for us with champagne. It was simple, sweet, and it involved our fur baby. It was our idea of perfection.

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Yes, a couple of each, actually! Old: On my right hand, I wore the ring that Ryan proposed to me with, which had been the wedding band of my great-great-great grandmother. New: My earrings, bracelet, and necklace were all new. Borrowed: My maid of honor borrowed a bracelet of mine at her wedding, so I asked to borrow something of hers. Around my bouquet, I entwined a necklace of hers with a locket that had been given to me by my childhood best friend, who passed away in high school. Blue: I wore royal blue shoes, as well as a label with my initials and the date in baby blue thread sewn into my dress. Also, right before I headed out, one of my bridesmaids grabbed my shoe and taped a penny in it. I had done the same for her a few years earlier, so she made sure to bring a penny to return the favor!

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Yes, we did, no hesitation and no regrets! We had a very short time frame at our venue, so to me, it was imperative that we focused on only the things that really mattered once the clock started ticking. Even if your time is a bit more flexible, why waste time standing around when you could be enjoying your guests and this fabulous event you spent so much time planning? Nothing could have been more intimate and special than experiencing that first look alone, when we could talk, laugh, hug, and just take our time enjoying the moment and appreciating each other.

We chose New Orleans because we wanted a place that was easy for my family and friends to get to, but that our friends in Michigan, New York, and Virginia would be excited to travel to as well–NOLA was an easy choice! Probably about 70 percent of our guests had never been to New Orleans, so I wanted to give them a true taste of the South. I looked at a dozen venues over the course of a weekend trip, and not only was Houmas House extraordinarily beautiful and set up perfectly to host weddings, they also allowed dogs–which was what really sold us, since we wanted to have Squeaky at our big day!

We had a violin and guitar duo, and for the family processional, they played “Ashokan Farewell” (because it’s beautiful and Ryan loved the Ken Burns Civil War documentary!). For the bridesmaids, they played “Falling Slowly” from the movie/musical Once, and then I walked down the aisle to “Sweet Thing” by Van Morrison, because we both love Van and it’s just such a hopeful song. For the recessional, they played “Louisiana Fairytale,” which, besides having a perfect name for the situation, is just such a dreamy song, like something you would hear in a beautiful, sunny daydream!

I have to note that “Falling Slowly” is one of my very favorite songs, thanks to BDK! We saw Once in theaters on one of our first dates!

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. I used a lot of crowns throughout the wedding decor, so a vintage crown made the perfect cake topper. The cake itself was four layers of almond cake with praline hazelnut filling (can Southerners ever get enough pralines?) and white icing with white, gold, and champagne-colored beads. We placed it on a 17th century baker’s table that the venue’s owner had purchased in France. As for the groom’s cake, my husband is a huge Washington Redskins fan, so Royal Cakery made an adorable three-tiered red velvet cake decorated like a football field in Redskin colors.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met at a small-town newspaper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, in southwestern Michigan. Ryan was fresh out of grad school, and I was looking a six-month stint to hold me over before beginning grad school in Wales. We actually applied for the same job, which I didn’t realize until a few months later–I got the job and they just liked him so much that they hired him too! I figured this had to be the reason he never spoke to me, ever. We owe our first real conversation to a Taco Bell craving. I stood up in the newsroom one day and declared that I was going to run for the border. He offered to join me. What I thought would be a painfully awkward lunch turned into the first spark of friendship that continued for several months after each of our respective relationships at the time dissipated. Our first date was a tennis game, where Ryan mercilessly schooled me and I had no fun whatsoever, but later in the evening, he agreed to go with me to pick sour apples off the little tree behind my apartment. I can still see him, Cubs hat on backwards, jumping up to try to pick the biggest apple on the tree for me. A seeming unremarkable moment, but I remember feeling a little flutter. I had worked 10 feet from him for six months at that point, but I’ll always remember that as the first time I really saw him.
When did y’all get married? November 9, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 150
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. When I initially tried on my dress, I liked it, but thought it was too big. I literally said, “I think it will scare my fiancé,” so I didn’t even write down the designer’s name. Thankfully, the sales assistant took a picture. When I later scrolled through photos of the day’s hunt, I kept coming back to that one. Turns out, it was perfect for the venue and the festive atmosphere I wanted at the wedding–not to mention, I saved $1,500 by buying the floor model! I wouldn’t have bought it had I not taken a picture, so I would advise any bride to do whatever it takes to get snapshots of the dresses you try on. Mirrors and fancy store lighting can be so deceiving, but when the wedding is over, all you have left is your pictures, and to me, it was critical to know how the dress photographed. If your sales associate insists that no photos be taken, then I promise, you’ll find just as good options elsewhere.
Describe your wedding flowers. I wanted something that played into my “sophisticated swamp” theme that complimented the venue and used the natural flora of Southern Louisiana. My florist, Erik of Bee’s Wedding Designs and Florals, was amazing and created such a stunning, poetic look. There was lots curly willow intertwined with greenery–ferns, moss, jasmine vine, eucalyptus, succulents, scabiosa pods–for the rustic element, counterbalanced with metallic accents. The flowers themselves were a mix of white hydrangeas, white anemones, roses, brunia berries, and dusty miller.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? I’m not sure if it gets more Southern than having a wedding at an old sugar plantation, but I tried to incorporate as many tastes of the South and local traditions as possible. We had a second line, complete with a brass band, hankies, and Mardi Gras masks, that paraded through the French Quarter. The moment guests stepped off the bus, they were offered mint juleps as welcome drinks. Much of the food we served was Southern and Cajun, such as fried jumbo gulf shrimp, crawfish bisque, and shrimp étouffée. Before the cake cutting, we did a traditional New Orleans cake pull with all the ladies in my wedding party. Speaking of wedding party, I had both bridesmaids and a house party, which I’ve never seen anywhere above the Mason-Dixon!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Definitely distance and the limited setup window. I went to New Orleans a few times before the wedding to pick the venue and do food tastings, but other than that, I had to rely heavily on the advice of my coordinator and the internet to pick vendors. Also, the venue only gave us a two-hour window to set up, and everything had to come down immediately after. It took a lot of logistical skill to pull it off, which is why it’s so important to hire people you trust!
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? The first was buying the floor model of my dress. It needed hardly any alterations and I saved $1,500! I also saved about $600 by doing my own programs. I used a custom stamp I had made, bought some nice paper and card stock, and made them on my computer. I actually liked them much more than just about everything else I saw!
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? Without hesitation, our planner, Elyse Skansi of Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination. From designing the reception to following up with vendors, from sticking up for me when I needed it to providing Ryan and I with Colgate wisps to brush our teeth after our meal, she thought of everything, including things I never would have dreamed to plan for. Most importantly, she was a voice of calm and reason, support and levity for me. She had thoughtful advice for every question I raised, and no concern of mine was ever too small. This would have been a completely different wedding and experience in every way possible without her, and I can’t sing her praises enough!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Pick one thing a day to focus on, move on when you’re done, and don’t look back. Carefully choose your vendors, communicate well, and then let them do their thing. Hire a coordinator that is excited about their job and who you can be honest with. This person needs to be your advocate and ally, and the right person will listen to you and see that your dream is seen through. Take care of the small things NOW–whether it be writing notes to your bridesmaids or picking out a lipstick color, taking care of the small things sooner keeps them from piling up later. Put your money towards the things that matter most to you and skip the rest. And finally, have a receiving line! I spent so much time running around trying to make sure I got face time with everyone that I hardly spent any time on the dance floor. Shake everyone’s hand once early on, and then you’re free to enjoy the rest of the evening as you please!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Hopefully adopting another dog and moving to an apartment with direct sunlight. But that aside, I think it’s looking at everything in a “we” context. Even though we had been together for six years, we still kept separate bank accounts and didn’t talk too much about future planning. We’ve always been a good team, but now it’s like a whole new frontier, and it’s exciting and comforting to know that we chose such great partners to explore it with.

Photographer: Mark Eric / Planner: Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination / Venue and Catering: Houmas House Plantation and Gardens / Florist: Bee’s Wedding and Event Floral Design / Wedding Cake: Royal Cakery / Lighting: Luminous Events / Ceremony Musicians: Courtyard Kings / Band: Rockin Dopsie Jr & the Zydeco Twisters / Second Line Band: Smitty Dee’s / Ring Book: Secret Safe Books / Bride’s Gown: “Alcantara 119” by Rosa Clara / Invitations: Lucky Luxe / Bride’s Earrings and Bracelet: BHLDN / Bride’s Necklace: Tiffany & Co. /Bride’s Veil: Sposabella Lace / Hair and Makeup: Kiss and Makeup Beauty Services / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Attire: Sebastien Grey Clothiers / Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux / Favors: Pralines By Jean

marissa Written with love by Marissa
4 Comments
  1. avatar Hillary Greene reply

    Hi! Does anyone know where the flower girl’s dress is from? It’s so adorable!

  2. avatar Kristy reply

    I loved reading this article, even though I’ve been married for 22 years! If we could get married again I would model our wedding after this one. From the location at Houmas House plantation to the ” classy swamp” florals I loved it all!
    Congratulations!

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  4. avatar Lori & Ryan Tied the Knot | Tying the Knot BlogTying the Knot Blog reply

    […] When we started the design process, her vision was an Elegant Swamp Theme! Sounded like a contradiction at first, but then our team and I knew just what to do! And we loved designing something different- organic and glamorous! Turned out to be the perfect combination and Southern Weddings Blog loved it and featured it, too! See their national post here! […]

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