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We are so very lucky that the South is home to some of the most beautiful locations to tie the knot–many of which are filled with rich history and generations of love stories that have passed through their doors. Catherine and Nelson’s gorgeous venue not only has those sweet details, but so much more! Their venue story goes all the way back to the summer before Catherine turned five–this sweet couple actually celebrated their marriage on the land where Catherine grew up, and where her parents intentionally built cottages (one for each of the children in their family), an adorable chapel, and their family home. Catherine grew up imagining herself walking down the aisle in Grace Chapel to join the man of her dreams in marriage–swoon! I’m sure of all the weddings the Heritage Haus has hosted, this one in particular will never be forgotten.

Gracious, we’re happy our Blue Ribbon Vendor Loft Photography shared this sweet day with us!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I went to several appointments with my mom, my mother-in-law, and friends, but I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. Many of the dresses were so close, but were missing that something special. Finally, I made an appointment to go to a different store by myself. The second I put on my dress, I knew it was what I had been looking for, and I purchased it that day.

My bouquet held white peonies, patience garden roses, white ranunculus, vendela roses, silver dollar, and seeded eucalyptus. The bridesmaids’ bouquets mimicked mine and included brunia berries to accent the slate color of their dresses. The same flowers were used throughout the wedding–attached to chairs along the chapel aisle, in a garland adorning the chapel entrance, dotted around the pavilion for cocktail hour, and in the reception table arrangements.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? It all started the summer before I turned five when my parents moved our family from Houston to the small town of Dripping Springs, Texas and bought a house on a 30-acre plot of land. My mother is a dreamer and a creator, and she had a vision to build on our property. Although the intent was to create this estate for our personal family use, I don’t think anyone could have imagined just how special our home would become to so many people. It was a very slow process: the cottages (one for each of the children in my family), then Grace Chapel (which was dedicated by our family pastor who performed my wedding ceremony), and then the rest fell into place. I adore my family home. I have lived there for the majority of my life and have countless cherished memories of growing up out in the country. I had imagined walking down the aisle in Grace Chapel to join the man of my dreams in marriage so many times when I was growing up. It meant so much to be married there and share my home with my closest and dearest family and friends.

My most memorable moment was waiting for the doors of the chapel to open. Standing with my dad on one side of the doors and the anticipation of becoming a wife and standing with my husband on the other side was a moment in time that can never be recreated.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We were married in my family chapel on the property where I grew up. A pair of antique cypress doors from my mother’s home state of Louisiana mark the entrance of Grace Chapel. The ceremony was officiated by our longtime friend and pastor, who had baptized me when I was a child. Several pieces of silver that have been passed down through generations of my family were incorporated into table settings and displays.

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? It will all get done, so enjoy this moment! If your budget allows, a wedding coordinator will help tie up loose ends and ensure your day runs smoothly. I loved my coordinator! Try not to stress about the small details (even though you probably will). Inevitably, those will be the things you don’t notice as much on the wedding day. Focus on building your love and encouraging each other, because this is the beginning of the rest of your life.

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Dancing! Nelson and I are typically not the first to bust a move on the dance floor, but the band’s energy and our wonderful DJ kept the party flowing and full of life! We didn’t stop dancing until the very end, and even our guests chanted for an encore from the band.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I had just moved to Houston the month before I met my husband. One night, at a fun local bar my friends and I used to go to, this tall guy came up to talk to me. After chatting for a while, we found out that we had mutual friends. I explained to him that, being new to town, I was looking to get to know people and that I wasn’t ready to date anyone. He got my number and the phone calls rolled in (he even called me that night and left a hilarious voicemail that I still replay to this very day!). He would call me at 2 P.M. on the dot each day when I got off of work to ask to hang out. I made lots of excuses about being busy, but after a full week of his phone calls, I came up with what I thought was the perfect solution: we could be running buddies! I figured that if he saw me sweaty and in workout clothes, he wouldn’t want any romantic relationship with me. We ran together regularly for a month, and talked about our jobs, families, friends, and everything in between. Since we had become friends, I invited him to a Super Bowl party at my house. After the game was over, he asked if we could take my dog for an evening stroll through the neighborhood. When we were approaching my house at the end of our walk, he stopped walking, leaned in, and kissed me. Completely shocked, I said “I can’t believe you just did that.” It probably wasn’t the response he was looking for! The rest has been history!
Tell us all about the proposal! Nelson, our dog, Teddy, and I drove up to Colorado last June to stay at my family’s summer home–a fun getaway from the Texas heat! The second day we were there, we took a scenic drive with Teddy on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was so incredible! After nearly three hours of sightseeing, we finally reached the top. I offered to drive back down, since the roads were so narrow that Nelson hadn’t gotten to fully enjoy the views on our drive up. On the way down, he kept insisting that I stop at the lookout points we had already visited. I, being tired, told him I wanted to keep driving so we could get home for lunch. I could tell something was up when he didn’t let up about stopping, saying he wanted Teddy to have one final run around outside. Finally, I pulled over into a thicket. I was hungry, tired, and exasperated that we had already stopped at every lookout point there possibly was, so I told Nelson that I would wait in the car while he and Teddy played. That definitely didn’t work, because he came up to the driver’s door, opened it for me, and said he REALLY wanted me to get out and play with them. Thankfully for Nelson’s sake, I got out of the car and started walking toward the thicket. When I turned around, Nelson reached for the zipper on his fishing shirt pocket, got down on one knee, and proposed.
When did y’all get married? April 18, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 180
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. The recessional song was “Blackbird” by The Beatles. The first time I went to Nelson’s apartment when we were dating, he played that song for me on his guitar. I am very emotionally attached to music, and every time I hear that song, it reminds me of the excitement and joy of the relationship we were building. Our first dance was to “In My Life” by The Beatles. The lyrics of the song resonate with me–I’ve been on many adventures in my life, some even taking me across the world, but those experiences all brought me to Nelson. “Though I know I’ll never lose affection, for people and things that went before, I know I’ll often stop and think about them, in my life, I love you more.”
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something old was my grandmother’s pin, attached to ribbon on my bouquet. The pin was given to her as a young woman by her father. My something new was my wedding gown. I borrowed my mother’s pave diamond earrings, which were a gift to her from my father on the day I was born. My something blue was my sapphire ring, a keepsake belonging to my husband’s aunt that was given to her by her father.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? Taking on the role of husband and wife bears a lot of responsibility. I am excited about the opportunities God has in store for us to grow and learn together, whatever those may be.

Photographer: Loft Photography / Planner: Jessica Upton / Ceremony Venue: Heritage Haus / Florist: Wild Bunches / Cake Baker: Cakes by Lori and Sweet Treets / Caterer: Whole Foods Catering / Rentals: Whim and Marquee / Band: London Calling / DJ: Josh of Penguin Entertainment / Invitations: Crane / Save the Dates and Programs: Minted / Bride’s Gown: “9258” by Alvina Valenta / Bride’s Veil: Ivory Bridal Atelier / Hair Stylist: Lauren Hoy / Makeup Artist: Lauren Davis of Hint of Shimmer / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “G849C” in Slate by Amsale / Menswear: Jos. A. Bank / Transportation: Cynthia’s Manhattan Limousine

Loft Photography is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Allison Miller reply

    Where can I find that fabulous box clutch?!?

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Hi y’all! After the wedding of my dreams and an amazing first two weeks of marriage, I’m excited to be back in the SW office–I’ve missed y’all! :) And I can’t imagine a lovelier way to get back into the swing of things than Lindsay and Walker’s Charleston wedding. As the setting for this new chapter of their love story, they chose two venues with incredible histories–the first Baptist church in the South, and Hibernian Hall, a historic venue that dates back to 1840. With the help of their talented vendors, they added simple and classic details that made their venues even more personal, but never distracted from what mattered most on that day–their love and joy of becoming husband and wife!

Thanks so much to Jennings King for sharing this special day with us!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something borrowed was earrings that I borrowed from my best friend, who had worn them in her wedding. My something blue was my grandmother’s sapphire and diamond ring that I have always loved. My something old was lace taken from my mother and mother-in-law’s wedding dresses, which was wrapped around my bouquet. My something new was my pearl bracelet my father surprised me with on my wedding day.

I was not expecting to find my dress when I did! I had just left an appointment at another dress shop and was headed to lunch. We were meeting a few people for lunch, but got there early. The restaurant was located next to another dress shop, so we peeked our heads in to look around while we waited. I looked through the dresses and didn’t find one that I wanted to try on, but as we were leaving, I saw a dress hanging by itself that just spoke to me! I tried it on for my mom and couldn’t stop smiling…I didn’t want to take it off! The one thing holding me back from getting it right then was the fact that my twin sister was not with me to give me the okay. I wanted her opinion and reassurance before making the big decision, so I took her back and tried it on for her the next week, and purchased it before I left the store.

We got married at First Baptist Church, which is one of our favorite churches. We love the history behind it (it was the earliest Baptist church in the South), as well as its simplicity.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Our vows were traditional, Christian vows that we decided on prior to the wedding. However, we did write handwritten letters that we exchanged before the wedding, that included with our personal vows to one another.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Even though we loved every second of our wedding day, we both agree that the most memorable moment, hands down, was the moment when the church doors opened and we saw each other for the first time that day. We were both overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t stop smiling. We locked eyes and it was like we were the only two people in the entire church. It was truly the most amazing feeling.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? While we were extremely happy with all of our vendors, the two that we are extra happy we chose to be a part of our wedding were our photographer, Jennings King Photography, and our videographer, Artistic Eye Productions. They were both excellent to work with and did an amazing job. They were able to capture every single moment perfectly, as well as all of the details of our wedding.

We had three cakes! The middle cake had three tiers and the cakes on each side had two tiers. Each cake was a different flavor: dulce de leche, carrot cake, and coconut cream.

The reception was at Hibernian Hall, which was perfect for the reception we had always dreamed of. It had beautiful gold chandeliers, a stage for a live band, and a huge dance floor for all of our guest to dance the night away on. What else could you ask for?

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I first noticed Walker when he came to the office where I was working at the time for an interview. I was the only single one in the office, so when he, a good lookin’ single guy, walked in, everyone immediately started scheming. Later that week, I was at Midtown Bar and Grill celebrating a friend’s birthday when I spotted Walker across the bar. My best friend, Morgan, talked me into going over and talking to him (even though Morgan did all the talking). This was our official meeting and as fate would have it, Walker began working at my place of employment two weeks later. We were hesitant to take things to the next level, and it wasn’t until December 18, 2010 at the company’s annual Christmas party that we hit it off. Thankfully, I was ending my time working there and starting dental hygiene school that January. The rest was history!
Tell us all about the proposal! Dewees Island, where my parents have a place, is where we have shared birthdays, holidays, weekend getaways, and lots of memorable family time. Over the years, Walker explored many areas of the island to find the best fishing spots. He came across a dock that extends into the waterway and has a view that could never get old, and it has become our favorite go-to spot. When Walker decided that I was the girl he wanted to call his wife, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind where he wanted to propose. It was an extremely windy Saturday in February, the day after Valentine’s Day, when he decided to pop the big question. I thought that some friends were coming to town, and we were going to take them to Dewees Island to go fishing (or rather, the boys were going to go fishing while the girls caught up). Matt and Allison ended up “not being able to come,” but Walker and I decided to go to the island anyway. My mother had arranged for a friend to take pictures and capture the moment, and family awaited us at the ferry dock to celebrate.
When did y’all get married? March 28, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 250
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? The main way we planned for our marriage while planning our wedding was going to pre-marital counseling. This is something we both wanted to do before the wedding and we are glad we did it!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Stay calm and do not stress about the little things. This is such a special time in your life, so enjoy it! Also, have fun the day of your wedding. You will be a little anxious the day of, but don’t let that prevent you from being yourself, relaxing, and having fun with your bridesmaids. Figure out what means the most to you and make your budget around those things. For me, it was the photographer/videographer, entertainment, and food. We originally were not going to have a videographer, but changed our minds closer to the wedding and we are so glad we did! Having a video to watch allows you to relive the best day of your life over and over again. We have watched our video so many times!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are looking forward to so many things…we definitely hope to do some traveling during the next few years, and we plan to start a family down the road. We want to focus on growing our relationship together and enjoying the fruits of marriage.

Photographer: Jennings King Photography / Videographer: Artistic Eye Productions / Planner: Katie Foreman / Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Church / Reception Venue: Hibernian Hall / Florist: Pat Irvine / Cake Baker: Charleston Cakes Etc. / Caterer: Aberdeen Catery / Rentals: Snyder Events / Band: The Mighty Kicks / Calligraphy: Page Palmer / Paper Products: Lytle Fober / Bride’s Gown: “6319” by Justin Alexander / Bride’s Veil: Bridal House of Charleston / Bride’s Bracelet: Berlins / Hair Stylist: Jenelle Gordon at Fix Salon Studio / Makeup Artist: Jonny Cosmetics / Bride’s Shoes: “Jutte” by Rsvp / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Joanna August / Maid of Honor Dress: Adrianna Papell / Bridesmaid Dress Salon: Bella Bridesmaid Charleston / Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

lisa Written with love by Lisa
4 Comments
  1. avatar Southern Weddings by Jennings King Photography reply

    […] Lindsay & Walker – Southern Weddings […]

  2. avatar Andreina – Fly Away Bride reply

    Love the bride’s dress. So elegant!

  3. avatar Bridget reply

    Ooh, those cakes! That lattice cake is perfection.

  4. avatar Earcandy reply

    What a wonderful love story! I think my favourite thing about this wedding is that everything seemed to be so easy, smooth and fun loving. I love that everything is white including the cake and flowers. It’s simple, it’s elegant, and it’s beautiful.

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Friends, I am extra excited to share today’s beautiful wedding, because as soon as I saw it for the first time last summer, it made me think, “This is what I want my wedding to be like.” Not because of the details Inslee and Anderson chose, although they incorporated so many lovely and classic touches, but because they look so incredibly joyful in each and every picture! I love that amongst all of the details, from their gorgeous invitation suite to their Southern-inspired cuisine, the happiness they so clearly felt on their special day is what sticks out above everything else. I can only imagine how that pure love and joy must have inspired their guests–it most certainly inspired us!

Thank you so much to the talented Kate Headley for sharing Inslee and Anderson’s wedding with us in V7!

I am very hands-on and love doing things myself, so when our stationer assumed they would assemble and stuff our invitations for us (for a fee), I told them they didn’t need to. I brought all the components of the wedding suite home, and my mom, bridesmaids, and I set up an assembly line, donned our surgical gloves, and assembled the invites together. It was such a happy memory, getting to see each friends and family members’ names in gorgeous calligraphy.

I tried on at least a hundred dresses–I can safely say no other dress could have been better for me, because I’ve tried them all on. I love how my dress was feminine and romantic without being overly sweet. The draping of the horsehair gave it a strong architectural quality.

What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Why was this design special to you as a couple? I wanted to keep with traditional and formal etiquette for the design and flow of the day. We didn’t want to go over-the-top on anything–we just wanted to celebrate the natural beauty of our venues in the spring and the joy of being with friends and family. We kept the colors soft and natural, with lots of greenery mixed in.

Bride’s favorite detail of the wedding: Just one?! Probably the huge floral arch over the doorway to Christ Church. It set the tone for a beautiful service. Or…can I have two? I loved our wedding invitation. I got to add my own touch to it–the envelope liner was a botanical pattern that I painted. If I get a third, I also loved the bridesmaids’ earrings, created just for them by my friend, jewelry designer Loren Hope.

Our ceremony was truly the most incredible and meaningful experience. The groom and I began–begrudgingly at first–going to church more regularly during the year of our engagement. Over the course of time, we found that we really enjoyed the ritual and the connections we made with the clergy and the friends we encouraged to join us. Standing in the church together, feeling the full weight and significance of the commitment we were making, in light of our joined effort of preparation, was incredible.

Tell us all the basics of your wedding! We were inspired by springtime in Washington, DC. The service was at Christ Church in Georgetown at 4:30 and the reception followed at The Chevy Chase Club. We chose Georgetown because Anderson and I fell in love there–we lived in Georgetown for three years before moving to NYC together. Christ Church holds a lot of meaning for me because it is the church my parents married at, where I was baptized, and where my father’s funeral took place. The Chevy Chase Club is my favorite place in Washington (even though it’s technically in Maryland). My adopted dad introduced my mom and me to this magical wonderland of gardens and relaxation in the midst of the busy grind of Washington, and it has always served as a place of happiness and celebration for our family.

Did you have a cocktail hour? If so, what was it like? Yes! It was magnificent, out on the lawn in the perfect afternoon sunshine, complete with the club’s signature Adirondack chairs and mint juleps galore.

What was Southern about your wedding? About two thirds of our guests! And the hospitality and warmth shared by everyone. We chose Southern-inspired foods like ham biscuits, fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles, and shrimp and grits.

Tell us a bit about your first dance. It was an athletic feat. The groom’s nickname is “Crazy Feet Fariss,” if that helps describe his moves on the dance floor. We danced to “You Put the Flame On It” by Charles Bradley.

Were there any family traditions you included in the reception? We started the dancing with our family wedding favorite, “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, and celebrated the cake cutting and toast with the same champagne flutes that were used at my parents’ wedding. Hopefully, champagne saber use will be a new family tradition in years to come!

Who was one of the most special guests at your wedding? The groom’s grandmother, who managed to tear up the dance floor in a wheelchair, and my 101-year-old grandmother who joined us via Facetime on her iPad to see the flowers, the bride, and the groom (in that order)!

When did y’all get married? May 17, 2014
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met in college when a friend set Anderson up as my date to my sorority formal in the spring of 2008. I wasn’t too sure about it at first, but he finally won me over by speaking in a faux British accent on the bus ride home about how excited he was to vote for Barack Obama. You can’t make this stuff up.
Describe the proposal: We were visiting my family in Leesburg, Virginia for Easter. He crept into my childhood bedroom at 7 A.M. on Saturday morning and woke me up, kneeling next to the bed with a ring! We spent the rest of the weekend celebrating with our families, which made it even more special.
Tell us about your beautiful engagement ring and how/why your husband (or the two of you!) chose it: My engagement ring was formerly the ring that my father gave to my mother for their engagement. My parents had a tragically short time together, as he passed away a few short years after their wedding. Later, when my mom remarried my adopted dad, she set the ring aside for me to wear someday. When Anderson asked for my hand, my mom knew it was time to give him the ring. Anderson reset the stone in its original antique Cartier setting with new diamond baguettes. To say I am obsessed with it is an understatement.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Joyful, traditionally elegant, and spring-like
How many guests attended your wedding? 250
What was the biggest challenge you faced while planning your wedding? Deciding what I wanted our wedding invitation to look like. As an artist and a stationery designer, this felt like the biggest decision of my life. I over-thought it for weeks! The day those finally were signed, sealed, and delivered, I felt so relieved!
Who was your officiant? Why did you choose him/her? The officiant was the Reverend Stuart Kenworthy. He officiates the majority of weddings at Christ Church and is adored by his congregation. Having him marry us was such an honor, especially when we learned we were one of the last couples he married before his retirement.
What was the most memorable or touching moment about your wedding day? One moment I loved was when the Reverend asked the congregation to respond with “We will” in response to the question of would they do everything in their power to help us uphold our vows. Everyone responded in unison, “We will” and then a moment later, one of the sweet little flower girls (twin four-year-olds) piped up, “WE WILL!” very enthusiastically, just a moment after the crowd. I loved that she was listening to and participating in our big day, even if her timing was a little off.
What’s next for you as a couple? We’re settling into married life in our new apartment in NYC and trying to decide if there’s room in our tiny love nest for a puppy!
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration: My matron of honor warned me to give my toast first, before anyone else gave me a chance to start crying by giving an emotional toast before me. I’m so glad I listened. I was able to give a toast to Anderson that showed him how much I love him without bursting into tears!

Photographer: Kate Headley / Planner: Simply Chic Events / Ceremony venue and ceremony flowers: Christ Church / Reception venue, catering, and cake: Chevy Chase Club / Flowers, lighting, and reception decor: Amaryllis / Bride’s gown: “Katherine” by Vera Wang / Bridal salon and veil: Vera Wang / Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s jewelry: Cartier / Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo / Hair and makeup: Audrey Bethards / Bow ties: Lumina / Paper goods: Dempsey & Carroll / Envelope liners: Inslee by Design / Rentals and linens: DC Rental / Transportation: International Limo

lisa Written with love by Lisa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Erika {Artfully Wed} reply

    I love that she chose white for the bridal party! It looks so elegant!

  2. avatar Dana reply

    food sounds so yummy! What a happy couple!

  3. avatar Happy Weekend: 5 Links I Love reply

    […] Classic Washington DC Wedding (Southern Weddings) […]

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