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As soon as Caitlin and Davis’ wedding photos arrived in Lisa‘s inbox, she knew I would fall head over heels. A classic Southern church wedding filled with monograms and magnolias? You can bet your bottom dollar she was right! Magnolias are my very favorite flower–I not only love how gorgeous they are, but also how they seem to honor the South with every bloom. For Caitlin and Davis, the use of magnolia leaves and flowers throughout their wedding weekend had an even deeper meaning that makes my heart so happy: it was their way of honoring Davis’ parents. On Davis’ parents wedding day, Davis’ father and groomsmen had cut down and arranged magnolia leaves and blooms found on a neighbor’s tree to create the decor, so decades later, it was only fitting that Caitlin and Davis included magnolias in their day, too. What an incredibly sweet family tradition in the making!

Thank you so much to Landon Jacob for sharing this beautiful day with us!

On the day Davis and I got engaged, my mother had a “wedding survival kit” prepared for the two of us, complete with various wedding magazines to browse. Too excited to sleep after our family dinner, I snuck into my television room and spent hours looking at the various dresses, hairstyles, bouquets, and wedding colors. I fell in love with a classic, silk dress, complete with an Audrey Hepburn-esque bow on the front, but it ended up not being quite right for me. Back to square one, we went ahead and made a few calls to bridal boutiques in Raleigh. We squeezed in an appointment at one boutique upon the recommendation of a friend, and I described what I was looking for: an a-line dress, free of tulle and beading, with perhaps a bit of lace–very classic and sophisticated lines. After trying on a few dresses, I noticed a dress on the racks that called out to me. It had tulle, beading, a full princess-like skirt–all the things I had said I didn’t want–but I just loved it! I tried it on, and knew instantly that it was the dress for me. It fit me like a glove from the first fitting to the wedding day, proving how perfect it truly was.

Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? We did decide to do a first look. When we first began to think about our wedding, I placed a lot of emphasis on Davis seeing me for the first time as I walked down the aisle. The more we got into the planning process, the more we realized how equally important time with our family and friends was to us, and how much we wanted to soak in as many moments with them as possible on our wedding day. Doing a first look allowed us to keep that special moment between the two of us, but also allowed us to spend more time with family and friends at the reception. It was the best of both worlds!

We chose three readings: Proverbs 3:1-6, Corinthians 13:1-13, and Colossians 3:12-17. The first is one of our parents’ favorite Bible passages. The second, though used often, is one of my favorite passages, and the third passage was one we found while looking for readings–it really spoke to how we want to live our lives together in marriage. As much as I loved each of our readings for various reasons, I also loved the Bible passage we used at the end of our program, as I thought it was a wonderful final thought to impart to our guests: “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else” (Thessalonians 3:12). Furthermore, it really speaks to our love not only for each other, but for our family and friends who were celebrating with us.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? St. Paul’s was my personal church after I converted to Episcopalian about two years prior to our wedding. We held our reception at Old Town Club, which is the club I grew up going to in town. It was extra special because I was the swim coach there for many years, and worked alongside Jeana McLean, the special events coordinator at OTC, for various swim team events. It was such fun for me to move from planning a hot dog dinner for the swim team to planning my wedding with her!

My mom and I ADORE flowers, and have admired Reggie’s work for years. We were so excited to find out he was available to help us on our special day. He came and met with us for hours, fine-tuning the look we were going for, and learning all of our favorites. Magnolias, peonies, roses, tulips, hydrangeas, and ranunculus are all favorite blooms, and we knew we wanted to do some type of hanging greenery element to create a one-of-a-kind look in our tent for dinner. We also wanted a clean and classic look with all whites and greens to create an elegant setting for our cocktail hour, dinner and reception.

One of the best parts of wedding planning was the food, wine, and cake tasting! We decided on a play off of the clean and classic look of the flowers and event as a whole, creating a plain white cake with pearled edges, an oversized bow (I have loved bows since I was little), and a gold-edged magnolia blossom. Our flavors were vanilla with strawberry, almond with raspberry, and chocolate with cookies and cream filling. A fun fact about the cake was that it was “fake cake” in the tent! Getting married in June and having a seated dinner in a tent, we were concerned about the hot temperatures and the cake falling. Chloe and Becca helped us develop the genius idea to have one slice of real cake to cut, marked off by ribbon on the cake’s platform, and the rest be a fondant, styrofoam creation. This way, our cake in the tent would look amazing, while our cake coming out of the kitchen would be fresh and delicious.

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Take time to soak in the small moments. I still vividly remember gripping my dad’s arm before walking down the aisle; we remember standing in the club’s office, hearing everyone buzzing outside before the confetti throw; and we remember the looks on my grandmothers’ and mother’s faces as they danced on stage with my bridesmaids and me. Pictures can say a thousand words, but we love having our personal memories too.

Don’t miss Caitlin and Davis’ wedding film by our Blue Ribbon Vendor Inkspot Crow below!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I moved home to Winston-Salem, where Davis was in law school at Wake Forest University. I needed a roommate and, through friends, was set up to room with a childhood friend of Davis’, Ellery. Through Ellery and her boyfriend (now husband), Wes, Davis and I got to know each other. The greatest part about the start of our relationship was that we were friends first, and then began dating about seven months later.
Tell us all about the proposal! Once Davis graduated from law school, we dated long distance for about two years, as he got a job at a law firm in Raleigh. We often alternated travel between our two cities on the weekend, and we had already planned to spend the long Easter weekend together in Winston. I’m a teacher and often get to school early in the morning, but knew Davis was traveling to town, so I decided to take my time picking up the house and doing laundry before getting to school. Finally, I arrived, turned on the lights, set my coat down, and went to pull up my morning message on my white board. To my surprise, there was already a note written that read, “Will You Marry Me?” I stood at the board, pondering this message, wonder what student was playing a trick on me. I turned to head into the hall to find my trickster, when I heard a voice from the reading loft call out my name. Davis came down, flowers and ring in hand, got down on his knee, and asked me to marry him right there in my classroom. It was a special moment between just the two of us, but that special moment was made even sweeter when parents, colleagues, friends, and students celebrated with us in my classroom that day. The icing on the cake of our engagement day was Davis arranging a private dinner for both of our families at one of my favorite Winston restaurants. He spoke with the chef to create a personalized menu, ensured our siblings and grandparents could travel in from various parts of the country, and even had my favorite flowers arranged in the middle of the table. It truly was a perfect day!
When did y’all get married? June 20, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 340
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did not. We thought we would be too nervous to remember them! :)
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Our first dance was to “You are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. We loved it while we were dating and it seemed fitting for our first dance as husband and wife. An additional special moment involving music was when our horns section of the band came down into the tent as a second line, playing “When the Saints Go Marching In,” to get people out of their seats and up to the dance floor. This second line moment was a surprise for Emily, Davis’ sister, who lives in New Orleans and loves the tradition of a second line. Tears welled up in her eyes as she mouthed her thanks to us, and joined the crowd processing upstairs. It was so fun for us to create special moments for not only ourselves, but also for our family members on our wedding day.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: There were SO many elements of our day that we loved! However, probably most special was our use of magnolia leaves and blooms throughout our weekend. They were included in everything from our invitation suite and flowers to our embroidered cocktail napkins and cake decorations. Davis’ parents planned and executed all aspects of their own wedding, down to gathering and arranging flowers themselves. Days before their wedding, Davis’ father and groomsmen packed into a pick up truck and headed to a nearby neighbor’s farm, where they cut down and arranged many of the magnolia leaves and blooms found on the large trees in the yard. These were the only flowers for their special day, so we loved the idea of highlighting the magnolia in our design for our wedding day, too.
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? While planning our wedding, we took part in premarital counseling. While we feel like we communicate well and have discussed many important elements of our future–such as finances and a future family–it was nice to have a third party bring up new ideas for us to consider. I also kept a journal for Davis for the entire year leading up to our wedding day, sharing quotes, Bible passages, funny stories, and things I was looking forward to as a married couple. This was a part of his wedding gift, and I gave it to him days before our wedding so he could read it and share in the excitement I felt before our special day. Davis still claims this as one of his most cherished possessions.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We have jumped into marriage head first! We are currently building a house and love going through the process. We have always heard about the stress it can bring, but we have truly enjoy making decisions and selections together. Beyond that, we look forward to continuing to travel and, someday down the road, having a family. We grew up with such wonderful examples of marriage and parenting in our own families, and can’t wait to hopefully set the same example for our children in the future.

Photographer: Landon Jacob Photography | Videographer: Inkspot Crow Films | Planner: Rebecca Rose Events | Ceremony Venue: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | Reception Venue and Caterer: Old Town Club | Florist: Reggie’s Flower Shoppe | Cake Baker: Cakes by Chloe | Lighting, Tenting, Chairs, China, Glassware, and Flatware: Party Reflections | Band: Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters | Cocktail Hour and Dinner Music: Jazz Trio by Allegro Music | Paper Products: Rebecca Rose Creative | Bride’s Gown: “Amour” by Kenneth Pool | Bride’s Veil: Alexia’s Bridal | Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist: Makeup for Your Day | Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Style #740 in Navy by Bill Levkoff | Bridal Salon: J Major’s Bridal Boutique | Menswear: Jean Yves | Linens: La Tavola and Nuage Designs | Envelope Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones

Rebecca Rose Events is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Sarah Chancey reply

    Everything Landon does is absolute gold, and this wedding is no exception. I love the clean lines and elegant floral installations. The navy bridesmaid gowns also pair well with this elegant affair!

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Caroline knew her beautiful lace gown was the one for her as soon as she saw it in the window of Maddison Row while she passed the store on her way home from work. She also knew right away that since one of her favorite things about weddings is how couples incorporate special touches throughout their day (us too!), it was important to her that on her own wedding day, meaningful details were woven in. One of her favorites was the ranunculus halo worn by their flower girl–it had seven individual blooms on it in memory of their seven late grandparents who weren’t physically present at their wedding. We also love the sweet favors that Caroline and her mama canned themselves, using a family friend’s pickle relish recipe. I’m sure guests loved being able to witness a new chapter in Caroline and Luke’s life, and then take home a piece of their family history!

Big hugs to our Blue Ribbon Vendor Courtney Dox for sharing this sweet day with us!

During our engagement, I was working in downtown Charleston. Every day, I would take the same route home from work, and luckily for me, Maddison Row was on that route. I loved getting stuck at the Maddison Row intersection and inching my car up as close to the storefront as possible to see the three beautifully dressed mannequins in the window. On my way home one day, I spotted my beautiful dress, pulled out my iPhone, and snapped a picture! I called and set up an appointment with my photo in hand! I tried on several dresses during my appointment, but the beautiful Monique Lhuillier I had spotted was the one!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: One of my favorite things about weddings is seeing all of the special touches incorporated throughout, so I knew that was important to me for my own wedding. One of our favorite details was the ranunculus halo worn by our flower girl in lieu of a traditional flower basket. The halo had seven individual ranunculus flowers on it in memory of our seven late grandparents who weren’t physically present for our special day.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? I grew up in a United Methodist Church, but my home church was too small for the wedding size we were planning, so we chose a beautiful United Methodist Church downtown for our ceremony. We chose Lowndes Grove Plantation for our reception because it is a gorgeous Charleston venue that encompassed all of the Southern charm we were looking for to make our wedding incredible!

The biggest challenge we had to overcome while planning our wedding was trying to figure out ways to maximize our budget. We had a large guest list and wanted to be able to include everyone without having to compromise on too many of the personalized touches we knew would make our wedding day so special. We quickly realized the big difference between want and need, and we were able to find a perfect balance to create an amazing day!

How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? The entire wedding planning process helped us plan for our marriage. We learned so much about how to talk to each other during stressful times and how to peacefully resolve differences. In the end, all we wanted was for the other to be happy on that day, and we learned early on to remember that point for the duration of our marriage.

Our flowers were absolutely incredible! We really wanted vibrant pinks and corals and romantic, trailing greenery. The bouquets and arrangements included beautiful peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, and other seasonal blooms, accented with succulents, maidenhair fern, and trailing jasmine vine. The groom, groomsmen, and ring bearer boutonnieres were made of succulents, and our flower girl wore a beautiful ranunculus and greenery crown.

We couldn’t agree on a song for our first dance until one day when “Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites came on my Pandora station, and I immediately knew it was the one! We thought it would be a perfect fit for our band and we loved the idea of a classic song that everyone in the crowd would know and could sway along to.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We had a beautiful, traditional Southern wedding with the most picturesque setting and traditional Southern foods. One of my favorite Southern traditions we included was the guest favor passed at the reception–my mom and I made pear relish using a family friend’s recipe, packaged it in four ounce quilted Mason jars, and tied a tiny butcher’s twine bow around each lid. I loved the days spent in the kitchen canning with my mom to create such a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Luke began his pediatric residency in July 2011 at the Medical University of South Carolina, and my twin sister was working as nurse on the general pediatrics floor at the time. During his second year of residency, they were on an overnight shift and several people were chatting about significant others. Luke was asked if he was dating anyone, and when he said no, they immediately began brainstorming who they could set him up with. My sister mentioned she had a single twin sister and set us up on a blind date. We went out a few weeks later and the rest is history!
Tell us all about the proposal! On October 30th, 2013, I got off work early and arranged for afternoon manicures and pedicures with my sister. We went to our usual salon and had a fairly uneventful afternoon. When we got back to my house, my sister went home, and Luke was home from work, but acting suspiciously abnormal. He said he had made dinner reservations for us at one of our favorite restaurants for our weekly date night, so I went to my room to search for the perfect outfit for our night out. He came into the room and told me he’d surprised me and gone and picked up some new makeup I’d been wanting, and set it down on the dresser. He walked out of the room and I kept searching for clothes, only looking at the makeup several minutes later. When I opened the bag, there was a ring box inside and I yelled, “WHAT IS THIS?!” I quickly ran down the hallway to the living room, where Luke was waiting for me on one knee! I was so shocked, I threw the ring box at him, which he immediately opened and asked me to marry him! Of course, I said “YES!” to a man who not only knows what kind of makeup I wear, but also picks up hints that I’d been wanting new products and successfully surprised me with them!
When did y’all get married? May 23, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 175-200
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? I absolutely love first look photos in wedding albums. The expressions and emotions are so genuine, and the excitement of the big day is captured forever! It was so hard for me not to want that moment captured for us, but we both strongly felt that we wanted our first reveal to be when I came down the aisle. I wanted the moment to be so pure that I even decided against bridal portraits, so my first time in my gown was on our wedding day.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? No, we wanted to preserve the tradition of a United Methodist wedding and recited vows from the United Methodist Book of Worship.
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Of course! My twin sister lent me her monogrammed handkerchief from her wedding two years prior. My paternal grandmother was the donor of something old, giving me her antique gold bangle bracelet to wear. My maternal grandmother passed 10 years prior to my wedding, but was there in spirit for my something blue, which was pale blue fabric from her wedding attire wrapped in lace from my wedding dress and wrapped around my bouquet. I considered my beautiful dress my something new!
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? We made decisions to select less expensive furniture options in some places, selectively place linens around the venue to provide optimal effect, and made other similar choices that would allow us to save small amounts across varying aspects of our wedding, adding up to bigger savings.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? Right now, we are just loving married life and building our life together! We want to see the seven wonders of the modern world and are looking forward to a little traveling before starting a family. We saw Chichen-Itza on our honeymoon and can’t wait for our next adventure!

Photographer: Courtney Dox / Planner: Ashley Wez of Boutique Planning / Ceremony Venue: Bethel United Methodist Church / Reception Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation / Florist: SYG Designs / Cake Baker: Jim Smeal Cakes / Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals and EventHaus / Lighting: Technical Event Company / Band: Heart to Heart / Paper Products: Studio R Design / Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Accessories: Vera Wang / Hair Stylist: Christine Pointek of Allure Salon / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lula Kate / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Event Design: JLV Creative / Transportation: ACW Limo and Absolutely Charleston / Linens: Nuage Designs

Courtney Dox and LulaKate are delightful members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Lisa reply

    SO beautiful!! They are such a gorgeous couple, and that is a reception after my own heart–biggest heart eyes for that gray and white checkered dance floor and striped cake!

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I’m obsessed with period pieces, especially about the early sixties, and I currently cannot get enough of the The Astronaut Wives Club. There is something about the style that is so timeless and unfussy, yet modern and chic. I could say the same thing about Jordan and David’s beautiful black and white wedding! Their relationship started at a honky-tonk in Nashville, but when they first discussed moving to David’s hometown of Tampa, Jordan began incorporating flamingos into her classic style. The fun bird played a role in their engagement, so they also subtly weaved it into their wedding design! The Oxford Exchange served as the perfect location for a sophisticated celebration complete with meaningful details, like brass candlesticks collected from yard sales and thrift stores by family and friends.

Big hugs to Kristin Sweeting for sharing Jordan and David’s beautiful day with us!

We found my dress at the first boutique we visited, and I only tried on four! My two sisters, my mother, and my future mother-in-law were there to help with the decision. I knew I wanted something very classic, with simple curves and a clean neckline. I found a dress on the sample rack that needed just a few alterations for size, and we removed the embellished belt that came with the dress for a very polished, modern, sophisticated look. The dress embodied everything that I wanted my wedding to be, and more importantly, it was comfortable and a perfect extension of my everyday style.

What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Our readings were Mark 10:6-9 and Isaiah 62:5. Since I only had my sisters (and my brother) as bridesmaids, it was nice to have my best friends read at my wedding. I love the passage from Mark because it speaks to the very beginning of the institution of marriage, and that there is a beauty in leaving what is known in one way for something that is known in a completely different way. The scripture from Isaiah was important to us because it speaks to the essence of our being and the foundation of our faith as a couple. Marriage is just a small glimpse of what it is like to have a relationship with our creator.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The start and end of the ceremony. I don’t like to be the center of attention, so as the ceremony grew closer, I became anxious. A quick summer storm started as we walked from the bride’s room to the narthex. It was the kind of light rain that has a soft thunder, and smooth rays of light filter through the clouds. The world was so serene and quiet in that moment. By the time the ceremony ended, the storm has passed, but I’ll never forget God giving me that moment of calming assurance, beauty, and peace. As we walked back up the aisle, our guests cheered and clapped so loudly, as if they were just as excited for us to be married as we were. It was such a reminder of the support we have behind us.

We chose not to do a first look. I was willing to sacrifice the time for photos in order to have that special moment of seeing Dave at the end of the aisle in front of our friends and family. The tradition and history of that moment was something I didn’t want to sacrifice and it was like nothing I’d ever felt before.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? My younger sister got married in October 2014 in our hometown, so given the close timing, I wanted to do something different. Getting married in Tampa was a great way to celebrate the life I would start sharing there with Dave. We chose to get married in the church that Dave grew up in. At the time of booking the wedding, I was also interviewing for a position with the interior design firm at the Oxford Exchange, Oxford Design (I got the job!). I fell in love with the space and knew I could trust the team at Oxford to bring my vision for the night to fruition. The building fit the classic, yet modern, look I was going for, and almost everything could be handled in-house.

We didn’t want assigned seating, with the exception of the grandparents, but we did want the tables to look inviting and personal. We also wanted the evening to flow organically and naturally, and encourage eating and drinking at one’s leisure, wherever they were. At each seat, we had a card tied with a black velvet ribbon that read: “Eat. Drink. Dance. Your seat is here but your place is on the dance floor. Thank you for celebrating with us!” This politely let people know that they were encouraged to sit, but not to hold onto their seat.

Describe your wedding flowers. We were married in a beautiful sanctuary, and I wanted to make sure we didn’t do anything to hide the architectural appeal of the church. I wanted the service to be very reverent. My older sister created a simple arrangement of palm fronds, cut from my future in-laws’ backyard, and white tulips for the narthex. For the reception, I again wanted to let the space stand out, only using florals as embellishments for the tables. A large, glass arrangement of French white tulips greeted guests at the entrance, while the tables were decorated with a center garland of loose greenery foliage and white roses that were placed in brass candlesticks.

We served a two-tiered raspberry champagne cake from Chocolate Pi, and my uncle hand-made over 20 different flamingo toppers for us to choose from! My sister placed the extra flamingos in a flock formation on a sheet cake iced green in honor of my “yard flock” engagement at the bridal brunch. I also wanted to incorporate our dog, Tux, into the wedding somehow, so Savages Bakery hand-painted “Tux” cookies that were served along with the cake.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I loved all the “extras” at the reception. We had a caricature artist on-site for the first few hours of the reception, which everyone loved–it was a great party favor! I also loved having rock candy sticks in the champagne! The dance floor props of guitars, black and white feather masks, pink boas, and glow in the dark necklaces were crowd favorites, and the band especially loved the pink glitter flamingo glasses!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Dave and I randomly met at a local honky-tonk, Paradise Park, in Nashville. He asked me to dance and somehow, between the loud music and the large crowd, we were able to talk long enough to realize that we shared mutual friends, including my younger sister, Abigail, and her husband, Adam. A few months after we met, Dave asked me to be his date to a wedding, and we’ve been together ever since. I still have a screen shot of our first text message exchange from that night, which is framed above his bedside table.
Tell us all about the proposal! In discussing the future, Dave and I often discussed moving to his hometown of Tampa, Florida. Realizing that Florida may be my new home in the near future, I decided that, as a mountain girl, my aesthetic needed to change a bit, and I started to fully embrace flamingos. I came home one night in December to find my entire yard flocked with pink flamingos and Dave waiting on the porch for me, ring in hand. After a celebratory dinner, Dave had one more surprise. We went to the place where we first met, Paradise Park, and all of our Nashville friends were assembled for a congratulatory cheers! We carried the flamingo theme throughout the entire wedding.
When did y’all get married? May 23, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 200
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We chose to say traditional vows. I don’t know about my favorite phrase, but I do remember suddenly panicking over whether or not I should say “I do” or “I will” during the first response part of ceremony. I quickly looked over at my older sister (my maid of honor), who mouthed the correct words to me. During her toast the night before, she had teasingly spoke about always having to speak for me when we were small, and here she was, telling me what to say on my wedding day!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We served true Southern staples: shrimp and grits with collard greens, pecan-crusted chicken and waffles, and butternut squash ravioli. A vintage RV, recently renovated by my father, served popcorn and Coca-Colas as people left, and we drove off in my father-in-law’s restored 1951 red Chevrolet truck. The most Southern thing about my wedding, though? So many family members pitched in to help. Whether it was collecting brass candlesticks from yard sales and thrift stores for the tablescapes, mixing gallons of a special margarita mix, or painting stationery for our guests, our families pitched in and helped make the wedding feel unique and meaningful.
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? We started to renovate a condo together as our first home right after we got engaged–that will teach you A LOT about the person you are getting ready to marry! Working together on the condo was a great way for us to learn how we worked and lived as individuals, and what that would need to look like as a couple, both socially and financially.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? My sister is a stylist and I work in interior design, so we were able to forgo a wedding planner, other than the day-of coordinators, who were amazing! We created our own photo booth using props and a backdrop I found for $5 at a closing sale. We used a personal collection of brass candlesticks for the tablescapes and kept the floral arrangements minimal.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? A day-of coordinator is essential–more than anything, guests appreciate a well-executed weekend. It’s a very emotional weekend, but also a highly logistical one! Make sure the weekend plans are clear and easy for your guests.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We are continuing to settle into our new condo and look forward to working on some more renovations together. Mostly, we are just happy to be in the same city, which means that no one has to go home on Sunday nights!

Photographer: Kristin Sweeting / Videographer: Baxter Miller / Planner: Sarah Fairbairn of One Fine Day, Inc. / Ceremony Venue: Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church / Reception Venue, Catering, and Lighting: The Oxford Exchange / Florist: Botanica International Design and Decor Studio / Cake Baker: Chocolate Pi / Rentals: Wish Vintage Rentals / Band: The Voltage Brothers / Special Details: Brittney Forrister / Bride’s Gown: Martina Liana / Bridal Salon: La Raine’s / Hair and Makeup: Jess Waldroup / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Style D589” by Alfred Sung and “Feathered Hem Dress” by Ann Taylor / Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse / Calligrapher: Jenny Elmore / Invitations: Reaves Engraving / Caricature Artist: Tony Hernandez of Carrot Catchers / Cookies: Savages Bakery & Deli / Brass Candlestick Rentals: Wish Vintage Rentals and 12th Table / Red Carpet: Rent-All-City

marissa Written with love by Marissa
11 Comments
  1. avatar Nina reply

    What a gorgeous wedding! I especially love the black and white shots and the ones showing movement. So real!

  2. avatar Michael reply

    they are so Young and beautiful. Hope that you will have the life that you wish for.

  3. avatar Dana reply

    Absolutely gorgeous… Every.single.detail!!

  4. avatar Robert & Sue Pickelsimer reply

    An Awesomely Beautiful Wedding Event of our niece Jordan & “new” nephew, Dave! SOUTHERN WEDDING did a wonderful job telling their beautiful LOVE STORY! Thank You! Uncle Robert & Aunt Sue

  5. avatar Kel Ward reply

    Oh, I love everything about this wedding! That dress is to die for!

  6. avatar Friday Fresh Squeeze #200 – Floridian Social reply

    […] many things to crush on from this Oxford Exchange wedding in Tampa: black and white mod style, beautifully moody tablescapes, a flamingo cake topper and palm […]

  7. avatar charleston wedding photographer reply

    awesome pictures!Looks like old pics from 60’s

  8. avatar Sara and Ken Winston reply

    Ken and I could not be happier having Jordan join our family. She did a fabulous job putting their wedding together. She and her entire family are so wonderful. They came for a long weekend just to help us prepare for the rehearsal dinner that we had in our backyard. Thanks to the entire Forruster Family! Great day a joyous memory forever!

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