Southern Weddings

Ashley is a bride after my own heart. First the gor-geous gown, and now the stunning cake? (In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a lover of all things bow: bow tie, bow dress, bow cake, I love ’em all.) Just in case you were fooled by the lifelike airplane, the Air Force-inspired groom’s cake is the handiwork of the Ritz Carlton Pastry Shop. And yes, that is the bride, a former cheerleader at Florida State University, performing a cheer routine at her wedding. No big deal. I do believe Sara Kauss has made my Monday – and, quite possibly, my week – with this Florida wedding.

See all the photos from Ashley + Judd’s wedding in their Real Wedding Gallery!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? My parents who were born and raised in Beaufort, SC have raised my 2 sisters and I on a tradition of a frogmore stew a.k.a. the low country boil every year. My family introduced Judd’s family to the amazing feast during Judd’s pilot graduation weekend. For the rehearsal dinner, Judd’s parents arranged for the head chef at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando to duplicate my dad’s recipe card he had given to Judd’s dad. They had written on a chalkboard sign “A Boxx Family Tradition.” It brought home and our southern way to a beautiful wedding. It was the perfect beginning to an amazing wedding weekend. My something Blue was a 1940s powder blue hanky that I ordered from etsy to represent not only my something blue, and the fact that my dress had amazing pockets but also to represent the love of history, oldies, and the days of a simpler time Judd and I love so much.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: In Utah, designer dresses are few and far between. Priscilla of Boston was top on my list. It was in the first boutique I went to, Avenia Bridal, that I saw a dress on display that caught my eye. I immediately fell in love and knew it was just so me. I continued to shop around and still couldn’t take my mind and thoughts away from this one dress. I decided to go with my heart and order the beautiful Maeve gown from the Priscilla of Boston in Orlando, where the wedding would take place.
Describe your wedding flowers: My wedding flowers were absolutely amazing. It was a winter wonderland wrapped up in a beautifully displayed bouquet mixed with white roses, white peonies, white ranunculus, and silver foliage such as lambs ear, silver brunia, and mini white pine cones. Deco ice rhinestones were worked throughout bouquet and the full stem was wrapped with extra material from the alterations of my gown. Around the stem I had picture frame charms of our family members that had passed and couldn’t be there to watch us wed.
Describe your wedding cake: My wedding cake was simple and elegant. It was 4 tiers with ivory fondant and two large navy bows that duplicated the bow on my dress. We put a broach in the center of each bow to add some sparkle. The groom’s cake was a surprise to both the groom and I. Judd’s father planned the whole thing with the JW Marriott Pastry Chef. It was a large C-17 Landing on a Charleston AFB runway. It was absolutely amazing.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Judd is being deployed at the end of this month and were excited to go on our honeymoon in April when he returns. We’re looking forward to a happy healthy life together full of love and laughter.