Monday rolled around and we decided it was a good time to take the V5 train down to Florida! In the Boca Raton area? We think you should join us for a photo shoot.

Y’all, we’ve seen many memorable ends to weddings. Just check out our V4 editorial dedicated to it! One thing we haven’t seen, though, is a tractor getaway.

Springtime means bridal shower season! When the bridesmaids of one of our Southern Bride Bloggers threw her a monogrammed bridal shower, we knew we had to share it with you. Who doesn’t love a good monogram?

Emily broke out her etiquette genius to walk us through another dilemma: The Church Bridal Shower. Read up on it here, we’d love to hear if you’ve had a similar experience!

We love having our friend Katie from Marriage Confessions on the blog. This week, she reminds us to separate our practical needs from our relationship needs, especially in gift-giving.

Sierra took us through Savannah with this week’s Southern Hospitality Tote. (Paula Deen lives there, y’all!)

It’s been a season of change in the Southern Weddings office. Last week, four of us graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (GO HEELS!), which means lots of celebrating, but also a few goodbyes. We’ll miss Sierra, who’s heading off to take over Nashville!

We love pretty details. We know you do, too. But after years of posting on the Southern Weddings blog, we hope you see that we believe marriage is always more important than the wedding. We created The Sweet Tea Society to help remind us. Read our manifesto here.

This week’s featured Real Wedding Gallery is Jamie + Dan. Their outdoor wedding looked like the epitome of summer ease and relaxation.

Real Weddings make our hearts sing!

Annie + Jimmy’s V4 wedding was one that we keep finding new details in. Their wedding was a testament to their “deep Southern roots.” See it here and here.

Before you go, can we swoon over this engagement photo of Maria + Spencer together? Kate Benson took such adorable photos of them. See more on her blog here.

Have a splendid weekend, friends!

For Annie, her best advice to brides is to “make it yours.” I can’t tell you how special it was to have meaning in absolutely everything.

We used all types of flowers for the wedding. I wanted it to look like we had gone out and picked our favorite flowers. We used tons of wildflowers as well as peonies, hydrangeas and sunflowers. We used all different types of containers for the flowers – from mason jars to vintage Cracker Jack tins.

The wedding cake was made to look like a quilt. It was square with three tiers. Each square was made to look like it was quilted and had various quilt square patterns going around it. The cake topper was composed of two handmade fabric birds made to look like us. The groom had Jimmy’s exact plaid pocket square, tie and linen suit (in miniature, of course!), and the bride was made using the actual lace from my wedding dress. It was a strawberry cake with buttercream icing, and it was delicious! I didn’t want a traditional cake with fondant icing. Jimmy’s groom’s cake was a surprise. It was made to look like a stack of his favorite books: “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain, and “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren.

We left the ceremony in Jimmy’s green ‘52 Ford pickup truck, affectionately known as “Earl.” It was an engagement gift from my dad to Jimmy, and they plan to restore it over the next few years together. Before the wedding, they managed to cut and build mahogany rails for the bed. My mom stitched the phrase “Just Hitched” onto a burlap banner attached to the tailgate, which was also lined with ribbon streamers strung with yarn pompons. Our guests tossed—or in some cases, hurled—birdseed that was tied up in squares of old floral flour sacks and kitchen twine. My aunt is making us a Double Wedding Ring quilt as our wedding gift using the flour sack fabric from the birdseed toss—something we will cherish forever.

What was the funniest moment? What was the scariest? The cake cutting was one of the funniest moments, I think. I had already warned Jimmy that I was going to smash the cake in his face, but I wasn’t expecting him to strike first! He served the slice delicately toward my mouth, then smeared it straight up my face. While I stood there in shock, he drew war paint on my cheeks with the icing, and grinned wickedly. I was breathing strawberries and butter cream the rest of the night! But I got him back with a great forehand to his face. We kissed and made up, coated in icing. The scariest moment for me was being in front of everyone at the ceremony. I am very shy! It was likewise for Jimmy, but mainly because he felt a little overheated in his suit and had to stand at the altar during the full processional of bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearer before my entrance. He was very excited to grasp my hand and stand beside me!
Were there any family traditions you included in the reception? I used pictures of my grandmother and my mom on their wedding days, as well as lots of family antiques and quilted elements – which are part of my family heritage. My family owns a Krystal franchise. It’s a Southern-specific burger chain that has been a big part of the South since 1932. As a surprise, we served Krystals as the late night snack in custom made Krystal boxes Jimmy and I had designed months earlier.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? I’m looking forward to being home as a married couple and using the different objects from the wedding to make a home for us. I am very excited to start our life together here in Chattanooga! We hope to learn something new about each other every day, and we are certain that whatever the future holds, we can enjoy its blessings and endure its hardships as long as we stand by each other.
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration. One of Jimmy’s fraternity brothers shared some advice that he was told at his own wedding, and Jimmy found it really moving: “Marriage isn’t about keeping score, because you already owe the other person everything.”

I found my wedding dress at a little boutique in Nashville called B. Hughes Bridal. I was set on having a Vera Wang dress, and B. Hughes had the best selection. They were also incredibly nice and made the whole experience so much fun! My best friend and mom went with me to help – along with my dog for some of my fittings! My dress looks like a mixture of vintage lace and couture fashion. Fashion is my other weakness – so it fit the bill perfectly! I knew it was my dress, because it was the one that best made me feel like a bride. Surprisingly, the style was opposite of what I always thought I would have, but I absolutely love it! I felt so beautiful in it.

For the groom, the vintage handkerchiefs in the wedding program held extra importance. In just the seven months prior to our wedding, I’d lost the two most influential men in my life. Without Annie sticking by me, I would have fallen beyond salvation. Our wedding was thus shadowed by, and saturated with, their presence. We acknowledged their loss in our programs: I wrote a brief message thanking our guests for supporting us through the loss of my best friend in the fall, and then my dad in the winter. I quoted my father’s speaking points for his engagement toast—one he was unable to deliver, and in our program message, I wrote: “We cherish his words, and have smiled through our tears at the legacy of love left to us. Along with our gratitude, please accept these handkerchiefs: though they may aptly wipe away tears of sorrow, we pray they may only catch tears of joy today.”

We had a spring wedding on May 28. The ceremony was at 5:30pm on Signal Mountain, TN. Signal Mountain is where Jimmy grew up, and the church is where I have wanted to get married for years. It’s affectionately referred to as The Little Brown Church by locals, and for obvious reason. It’s a quaint old church surrounded by pine trees that was built in 1908. Our reception was at Lindsay Street Hall in downtown Chattanooga. It used to be an old church built in the early 1900s that has been restored into a beautiful event hall. Both of these venues seemed like the perfect spots for our vintage wedding! Our rehearsal dinner was at the River Inn, also known as The Old Catfish House, situated on the Tennessee River with a sunset view of the River Gorge. We thought it had a perfect laid back Southern atmosphere with a view to match!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met through close mutual friends. Jimmy is an old friend of my best friend’s husband. She and her husband schemed to get us together, thinking we would be perfect for each other. Once we were acquainted, a friendship slowly grew into a relationship that neither of us expected. We seemed so different, but had all the important common interests (faith, family, hair metal and country music, and plaid). In the end, our friends really knew what was best for us!
Describe the proposal: We had planned to go for a short vacation to my family’s beach condo in Clearwater, Florida. I have been going there since birth; it feels like a second home to me. Jimmy had schemed to propose while on this getaway. He hid the ring in his carry-on bag and sweated his way through security. Unfortunately, we arrived to a heavy rainstorm, so we decided to nap after unpacking. Later, after showering for dinner, Jimmy saw the skies beginning to lighten and suggested we take a walk on the beach before eating. He sent up a little prayer for the rain to stop, and the Big Man upstairs was listening! The rain cleared just in time for a beautiful sunset. There was hardly anyone on the beach due to the weather, which was perfect! We walked down the beach a little ways until Jimmy was too nervous to wait any longer and got down on one knee. Of course, I said, “Yes!” We then went to eat dinner at a beachside restaurant that used to be the hotel where my family stayed for years. Jimmy had a table waiting with champagne, and we called our family and friends to share the good news!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Vintage, warm, loving
How many guests attended your wedding? I think we had just over 200 guests attending.
Bride’s favorite detail of the wedding: There were too many details I loved to choose just one. I loved that we had bluegrass music rather than standard classical music, and each song in our processional was meaningful. We didn’t chose standard wedding songs. My favorites were the Tennessee Waltz for the groomsmen processional and the song for the mothers’ processional. I chose the song “May The Lord” which is to the tune of Edelweiss. It was the lullaby my mother used to rock me to sleep to every night when I was little.
What was your favorite design detail: The programs were one of my favorite aspects of the ceremony. We used handmade and craft paper for the various paper announcements, so we carried the theme over with the programs. I wanted to use an old wax seal on all of our various invites, so we had a seal made that looked like the drawing of the pine tree from the hymnal of The Little Brown Church. The lady who made all of our paper goods also added our initials at the base of the pine tree to personalize it. We used a similar pine tree for the front of the program. Jimmy loves literature, so I wanted the programs to look like a book for him. We made a thick cover out of craft paper backed in an old floral print we used throughout the paper goods. The pages were made from handmade paper we used for our various invitations, and we bound the book with boucle linen thread. We tucked a vintage hanky that my mom and I had collected in each program and tied it with an aged-looking silk ribbon. They were so special and beautiful. My family and friends helped me assemble them all a few days before the wedding.

Image credit: Corbin Gurkin. See more of this shoot here!

We’re looking for a few bridesmaids to grace the pages of Southern Weddings V5. If you’re free on June 5 and 6 and near the Boca Raton/West Palm Beach/Palm Beach area, email us at howdy@iloveswmag.com!

Emily’s getting pumped for her trip to the National Stationery Show in just a few weeks. As a paper prelude, we featured four Southern spring invitation suites from Kristy at Momental Designs.

April shower bring May flowers, you say? We thought it was the perfect time to show off the beautiful bouquets that graced the pages of V4.

One look at Emily’s visit to the Inn at Palmetto Bluff might make you a little green with envy. Charming cottages, wonderful food and 20,000 acres of natural beauty make it an ideal honeymoon getaway.

We were all ears when Emily told us about what accessories she’ll be donning at her wedding in September. Lovely shoes, simple jewelry and a gorgeous veil? We’re big fans. Bonus points to Em for taking the “borrowed” in “something old, new, borrowed and blue” to the next level!

We’re bringing our model call back down below the Mason-Dixon! We know we’ve got some gorgeous readers, so if you’re free on June 20 and near Richmond, Virginia, join us for a V5 photo shoot!

Southern Stems never fail to make us fall in love with them. This week, Texas’ state flower, the bluebonnet stole our hearts with their vivid color.

Real Weddings are the bees knees!

Gabrielle + Paul attributed the warm Southern atmosphere of their wedding to their gorgeous venue. We think the addition of pink peonies and luxe linens are the cherry on top! See it here.

Good news for the weekend!

Sperry Tents have arrived in Charleston! You might be familiar with these pretty sailcloth tents (Emily’s using them for her own wedding!), and we’re thrilled that they’ve expanded their original Charlottesville, Virginia office to Charleston. The new office will also offer lighting, flooring, furniture by request, and other rental accessories! See their site for more details.

Before y’all leave, we had to share these adorable engagement photos of Sherry and her beau. How sweet is it that she included a copy of V4 in her session? Thanks Sherry and Epic Photography!

Finally, happy wedding weekend to one of our Southern Bride Bloggers, Tina!! We’re sending lots of love your way!

Have an amazing weekend, lovelies!

If you’re ready to be a part of Southern Weddings and available on June 20 for a fun photo shoot in Richmond, Virginia, then send a recent headshot (it’s okay if it’s not professional, we just want to see your pretty face!), a few candids and your height to us at howdy@iloveswmag.com.

Yahoo! We can’t wait to hear from you!

This gorgeous magnolia shot by Jose Villa was so loved that we couldn’t resist putting the full image on our back cover.

Image credits (clockwise from top left): Poppy and jasmine vine bouquet by Flower Wild photographed by Jose Villa, rose and peony bouquet by Roselady Designs photographed by Magnolia Pair, white anemone, tulip, billy ball and ranunculus bouquet by Birch Blooms photographed by Melissa Schollaert, delphinium, muscari and fever bouquet by Myrtie Blue photographed by Lauren Kinsey.

Spectacular, am I right? You know we had to fill up more than just two pages with these pretties.

Image credits (clockwise from top left): garden rose, ranunculus, peony, mock orange, fever few and ladies mantel bouquet by La Fleuriste photographed by Lori Paladino, hot pink garden rose, yellow acacia blue thistle, coral anthirium and ranunculus bouquet by JL Designs photographed by Gabriel Ryan Photographers, ranunculus, azalea, and hellebcre bouquet by Flowerwild photographed by Jose Villa, ranunculus, succulent and hypericum berry bouquet by David Rohr Studio photographed by Dave Richards.

Succulents in a bouquet genius!

Image credits (clockwise from top left): tree peony, white sweet pea and yellow ranunuclus bouquet by Charleston Stems photographed by Corbin Gurkin, succulent, rose, billy ball and ranunculus bouquet by Uptown Flowers photographed by Elissa R Photography, peony and raw cotton bouquet by Fertile Crescent Gardens photographed by Laura Leslie, peony, scabiosa bloom, white poppy, dusty miller and blooming jasmine vine bouquet by Pollen Floral Art photographed by Jesse Ryan.

Jose Villa, Melissa Schollaert, Myrtie Blue, and Laura Leslie are members of the Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Tell us, ladies, what kind of flowers will you be using and which of these is your favorite?

Want more flowery goodness? How about our Southern Blooms feature? It’s another V4 beauty!

When I went wedding dress shopping, I started at The Collection in Winter Park; they have the most beautiful gowns. I tried on several designers, but I was in love with White by Vera. I felt it was the best fit for my personality and taste. I wanted it to be an intimate experience, so only my mother and my sister went with me to search for the perfect dress. I accessorized with a White by Vera jeweled belt for the ceremony and decided to do something fun for our extravaganza, changing to a big black bow. It was so much fun being able to change my look for the reception.

I decided not to do a “first look” and I’m so glad I didn’t! I wanted Paul to see me for the first time coming down the aisle.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The date was challenging since the wedding was on a Friday and we had family and friends traveling from out of town. But, we loved the idea of a Friday the Thirteenth Wedding!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000.
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? Photography! I chose the best, and we are so happy we did!

Our cake was not only beautiful, but very romantic, and delicious. I wanted it to match my gown, so I requested that it look like a layer of tulle over the cake, accented with peonies made of sugar. Everyone thought they were real. It was a vanilla cake with strawberry filling and Bavarian cream. Fondant of course.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Classic love story! We met at a costume party and became friends. We started to see each other on a regular basis and then we really became best friends, fell in love as friends do and, after many years, Paul proposed!
Describe the proposal. I had anticipated a proposal for months, but as time went by, I stopped thinking about it. One day, after a long day at work, I met Paul for a quick dinner and he then insisted we go to the beach for a walk. It was moonlit and pleasant outside very romantic! Paul let out a sigh and said, “Wow, I’m feeling like I missed an opportunity here.” I then said, “Oh I bet you are wishing you had a ring right now!” I turned away and glanced at the ocean, and as I was turning back, Paul knelt down on one knee. The whole time, I’m thinking, “He is really playing this out!” I was sure he did not have a ring. Well, suddenly he opened a ring box and the most brilliant, gorgeous ring shone. It took my breath away! I don’t remember if I screamed, but I did cry. I think we both had tears of love and excitement. Paul had not planned it this way, but when he received the ring he had been waiting for, spontaneity kicked in. He did not want to wait, and I was very happy he did not.
In what month did you get married? April
How many guests attended your wedding? 105
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We didn’t have a formal one, but my fabulous big sister and maid of honor Danielle, who I love so much, came to me while I was getting ready and completely surprised me by re-enacting Jennifer Lopez’s speech from the movie “The Wedding Planner.” It was priceless and I’m so glad our videographer was able to capture it. It was meant to be funny but we both ended up in tears.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding. I really loved the ceremony music. We chose to have a trio of flute, cello and harp. I walked down the aisle to Canon in D, and walked back up with the wedding party to “Kissing in Rain” from the Great Expectations soundtrack. It was so romantic and climactic! For our first dance, Paul and I chose “I found a reason” by Cat Power. My father and I danced to “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks and it was definitely one of my favorite moments of the night. Paul and his mom chose “I will” by the Beatles.
Describe your wedding flowers: PEONIES, hundreds and hundreds of beautiful pink peonies. I loved my flowers!! They were displayed in fabulous Mercury glass vases.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The whole event! It really was the wedding of my dreams, but I loved the surprise Rolls Royce exit car! I was so involved in all the details, but I had no clue my mom had planned that. We loved cruising around Winter Park after the wedding, it was so much fun. It kept our party going! We were not leaving for our Honeymoon until Sunday, so we had a family and friend brunch on Saturday. It was wonderful to see everyone and delicious too.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Take your time in making choices, and try to outline important details. As the day is drawing near, have a deadline where you draw a line and if it has not been done, let it go. Try to rest and enjoy family as much as possible, it will add to the relaxed feel at your wedding. Most importantly, be present in the moment, as it happens very quickly.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Furnishing our first home together!! We moved in the day we arrived home from our Hawaiian honeymoon. We’re looking forward to traveling!

Love this wedding? Maybe you’ll love these, too:
Caitlin + Charlie’s classic peony wedding here and here.
Cee Cee + Chad’s pink and gray Florida wedding here.
Whitney + Jeff’s modern and romantic wedding here and here.

When Ashley told us she was creating a wedding collection for her Tailored line, we knew she would have a winner on her hands! Now, your save the dates and thank you cards can be customized with your face and hair. My favorite part? You can even add your dear furry companion to the illustration!

Win: 100 folded cards from Ashley Brooke Designs Tailored Wedding Collection (including one pet!).

To Enter: There are two ways to enter!
1. Leave a comment below telling us how you and your sweetie’s personalities mesh wonderfully.
2. Tweet “I just entered the @ABDesigns giveaway on @iloveswmag!” Then come back here and leave a SEPARATE comment telling us you did so!

This giveaway ends at midnight on May 15. Good Luck!

This weekend is going to be packed with fun, y’all! Is anyone lucky enough to be going to the Kentucky Derby? (If you are, send us some photos!) I’m not going, but I will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo by eating lots of chips and guac my favorite!

The Kentucky Derby is this weekend! We think the vintage trophy cups, bouquet of roses and mint juleps are the perfect inspiration for a wedding!

We love Asheville, Western North Carolina’s largest city, for it’s great restaurants and beautiful scenery. This Southern Hospitality Tote is full of Asheville’s best!

The votes are in! Y’all pulled hard for Justine, Alexandra and Lisa’s Dream Southern Wedding Pinterest boards. In the end, Lisa won out with her peach-inspired pins.

Our dear friend, Katie from Marriage Confessions is back this week to tell us all about making your marriage a priority. Her wise words are just what we needed to hear.

We’re continuing the Kentucky Derby inspiration with a round-up of lovely red rose images.

Of course, fashion is never far behind when we’re talking about inspiration! We love the derby finery that the belles in this shoot from Annie Edmonds donned.

Whew! April just flew by! Emily, Marissa and I rounded up our favorite details from April’s real weddings. Take a look here.

This week’s featured Real Weddings Gallery is Caroline + Tyler! Their pink and green Georgia wedding is full of lush details.

Real Weddings make us smile

This week is full of celebrations! With Cinco de Mayo on Saturday, we couldn’t resist sharing Gabriella + Jonathan’s colorful and vibrant wedding. See it here.

Have a splendid weekend friends! What are your plans?

We know y’all are Lilly-crazy like we are, so we’re thrilled to partner with them for a Pinterest contest! The Lilly and Southern Weddings teams will choose THREE winners (yahoo!), and those lucky belles will each win a dress of their choice from the Lilly Pulitzer Summer 2012 Collection!

All of the instructions are in the graphic above, but leave us a comment below if you have any questions! Most importantly, be sure to get your entries in before May 25!

Good luck, and happy pinning!!

P.S. You can see Lilly’s post on this exciting adventure here, and view the complete rules here!

FAVORITE WEDDING DRESS: Emily has a deep appreciation for the classic, so Elizabeth’s lace dress was a top pick for her. Marissa was taken with Callie’s romantic gown with a pretty satin bow and I loved the peachy keenness of Stacy’s dress.

FAVORITE BRIDESMAID DRESS: The rich blue lace overlay on Amelia’s bridesmaids dresses were an instant favorite of mine. Marissa couldn’t get enough of Elizabeth’s ‘maids’ easy-going but elegant skirt and top combos. Emily was a fan of Crystal’s uniform bridesmaids the ruffles and pink sashes get us every time!

FAVORITE FEMALE ACCESSORY: When Emily first saw Beverly’s wedding, she was instantly attracted to the cheerful yellow pashminas that the bridal party rocked. I had a bit of shoe-envy when I saw Crystal’s fab blue pumps. Marissa found herself in the same position when we featured Stacy’s glittery bow flats.

FAVORITE MENSWEAR: I loved how positively elegant Carlton and his groomsmen looked, despite a last minute tux emergency! Alex’s striped blue tie and seersucker pocket square shot to the top of Marissa’s favorites in menswear while Emily loved the unique burlap and key boutonniere that Dan sported.

FAVORITE DETAIL: Who else could resist the fun signage at Callie + Paul’s wedding? The fun detail was an instant favorite of Marissa’s. Emily adored the pink floral monogram that dressed up a hay bale at Crystal + Trip’s wedding and I was drawn to the fun and colorful glassware and vases that decorated the tables at Stacy + Adam’s reception.

FAVORITE CEREMONY: For Marissa, Stacy + Adam’s ceremony under a draped altar was perfection. The homemade details and fun colors of Callie + Paul’s wedding stole Emily’s heart. I opted for the simple and charming tree-shaded ceremony of Ansley + Carlton.

FAVORITE BOUQUET: I just couldn’t resist picking Ansley’s bouquet this month! The rich colors and mix of unique flowers won my vote. Classic and feminine with peonies and roses, Crystal’s bouquet was the choice for Emily, while Marissa was head over heels for Stacy’s full summery bouquet of sherbet-colored flowers.

FAVORITE SWEET: I think everyone’s mouth was watering when we saw the s’mores full of homemade marshmallows at Elizabeth + Alex’s wedding. It was an instant favorite of Emily’s! The clean and frosted peach-decked cake at Stacy + Adam’s wedding was the sweet of choice for Marissa, while Casey + Wojtek’s buttercream-frosted cake hit at my weak spot.

FAVORITE PHOTO: As soon as Emily saw the fun confetti throw at Stacy + Adam’s wedding, she knew it was going to be a highlight! How much fun does that look?? Marissa loved seeing the joy on the faces of Elizabeth + Alex’s bridal party after their ceremony while I instantly fell in love with the beautiful first dance moment at Callie + Paul’s wedding.

Previous monthly round-ups:
January
February
March

What do you think of these highlights from April’s Real Weddings? What details did you love?

View all of March’s weddings in our Real Weddings Galleries!

Congratulations, Lisa, for winning our first ever Pinterest contest!

Lisa will win a clutch from our friend McKay at Oatmeal Lace Design! When we took a look at the flower details and sweet textures on Lisa’s board, we knew that an Oatmeal Lace clutch would go splendidly with her vision, and we can’t wait for her to choose one!

Thanks to all who participated in our contest, and especially to our friends at Ties.com and Sweet and Saucy Supply for offering their fab products to our finalists!

We just love that our intern, Anna shared her experience at the Old South Ball, Kappa Alpha’s fraternity formal. She rocked a hoop skirt and all!

April’s Southern Bride of the Month, Elizabeth wants her wedding to feel like a garden by the ocean. We love her vision and Marissa loves her Alabama roots!

Y’all this is big news. We’re giving away a photography package from Maile Lani!! Check out this post for details on how to enter you don’t want to miss this one!

Emily’s told us all about the venues and the rentals for her wedding earlier. This week, we got to see it come together as she shared her vision for her reception style.

Emily’s Southern Spotting is always so adorable! We love these muslin biscuit bags that are tagged with the bride’s grandmother’s recipe.

Marissa’s already married, but you know that wouldn’t stop us from dreaming up some bridal shower inspiration for her! See what Sierra put together here.

This week’s featured Real Wedding Gallery is Whitney + John! Their mountain wedding was complete with touches from family and friends and, of course, that good ole Southern barbecue.

Real Weddings are the bees knees!

Callie + Paul’s wedding was full of handmade touches that brought the event together in a beautiful way. See it here.

Elizabeth + Alex’s Lowndes Grove wedding is timeless Southern perfection. See it here.

Happy News!

We added some fab new members to our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory this week! Say howdy to 2BSquared Designs, Ashton Events, The Barn at Twin Oaks Ranch, Blueberry Fusion, Creative Films KC, Designs in Paper, Greer G Photography, Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design and Mike Varel!

We’re so happy to announce that we’ve partnered with the visual search engine Lover.ly! Now you’ll be able to find your favorite Southern ideas and details in a search engine catered to weddings.

We’re all about personalization here at Southern Weddings. That’s why we love Sandal’s new Destination Wedding Experience. With the help of their online wedding portal, you can customize your destination wedding. This feature will launch on June 14 at Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall, complete with a travel agent expo and guest emcee Randy Fenoli! Learn more here.

Have a wonderful weekend, my dears! Have any fun plans? Tell us below!

Don’t you just love the varied tones of Elizabeth’s bridesmaids’ gowns? Mixed skirts and a matching top make the look come together.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Boiled peanuts at the bar for guests to snack on, shrimp & grits and fried turkey on the dinner menu, flowers such as gardenias and touches of cotton in the bouquets.

What’s a Southern reception without some lawn games? The custom wooden sign by the bocce ball is such a fun addition.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Telling guests we were expecting a baby by posting “Baby On Board” on the back of the car as we exited the reception.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Our baby girl is due this April. In the fall, we’re moving to Peru for Alex’s job.

In what month did you get married? September on Labor Day Weekend! Since it was a Holiday weekend, all guests were also invited to a Saturday afternoon meet & greet at the Rooftop at Vendue Inn for snacks, drinks and football.
How many guests attended your wedding? 150
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The Voices of Deliverance performing for the ceremony.
Describe your wedding flowers: Peonies, garden roses, hydrangea, ranunculus, gardenias, lisianthus, dusty miller, lambs ear, touches of lavender. We had a mixture of milk glass containers and mason jars.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: It was a two-tier lace design by Jim Smeal to mimic my dress along with gourmet s’mores with homemade chocolates such as orange, chipotle, peanut butter & peppermint.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I plan entertainment for large scale events on cruise ships, which took me out of the country for days and weeks at a time.
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? Our letterpress stationery with custom hand-drawn images by artist Sarah Watts.

Photographer: Tim Will // Planner: Carrie Glasscock of A Charleston Bride // Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation // Florist: A Charleston Bride // Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: Jim Smeal // Caterer: FISH Catering for Patrick Properties Hospitality Group // Rentals: Snyder and Event Dining Rental Solutions // Custom Table Runners: A Charleston Bride // Lighting: Technical Event Company // Paper Products: Art by Sarah Watts, printing by Sas-E Ink // Hair: Canvas Salon // Entertainment: Quiana Parler & Friends // Transportation: Trolley from Absolutely Charleston, Bentley from Royal Limo

Love this wedding? You might also love these:
Ashley + Patrick’s Southern garden wedding here and here.
Brooke + Victor’s Lowndes Grove wedding here and here.
Candice + Jimmy’s pink Lowndes Grove wedding here and here.

Maile Lani and Southern Weddings partnered up for a giveaway two years ago, and we just ate up all of the responses we received. In the end, Bonnie + Brent won and a year later, we featured their lovely Florida wedding on the blog. (See it here and here.)

Of course, we hopped right on board when Maile suggested we partner up for another giveaway! Don’t her romantic Southern photos and light-play just steal your heart?

Readers, now is your chance! If you’re planning a 2013 Southern wedding, follow the directions below to win a great photography package from Maile!

The lucky winner will receive the free wedding package described above but will be responsible for travel and accommodation fees for Maile, who is based in New Orleans. This contest closes on May 11. Then, we’ll post our three finalists on the blog and open it up to a vote!

Good luck! We can’t wait to see who will win!!

Y’all. How adorable is this ring bearer with his yellow seersucker tie??

The ring bearer pillows that my aunt made were our favorite detail of the wedding. She made them to look like our invitations and she used buttons from my great-grandmother’s black house dress. It was so special. Additionally, we loved all of the painted signs and fabric banners, the black and white dance floor, the buttons that guests wore and that my dad married us.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I got a bit overwhelmed with all of the possibilities. What kind of food should we serve? Band or DJ? Which creative details should we include? I was trying to be creative in every way, and there are just so many creative possibilities across the board! My fiancé and wedding planner helped me make firm decisions and move forward.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Check blogs for ideas (but don’t get bogged down with all the possibilities!), enlist the help of friends and family (they want to help!), and have fun.

Our wedding cake was red velvet and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. We also had a dessert bar with pumpkin pies, apple pies and snickers pie.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Paul and I met over a year ago at a Rice football game. We had heard about each other through our close mutual friends, the Hornbergers. I had been working for Kelly and had heard a lot of Paul recently and was very interested in meeting him. We met at halftime, hit it off immediately and talked the rest of the game. I thought to myself, “Life with him would be so fun!” I went home and told my friends and family how I had just met the most amazing man! He asked me on a date a few weeks later, and within weeks I knew I wanted to marry him.
Describe the proposal. I was in Napa Valley at a photographer’s workshop with Kelly. On the last day, the girls had me wake up SUPER early because they said another photographer was going to take pictures of us for the new website. When I opened the front door of the car, there was the “I like you” pillow I had made for Paul with an envelope that had my name on it. I knew right then that it was the day! Inside the envelope was a map and note from Paul telling us where to go. We drove up to the Napa general store and there was Paul! We went for a hike and Paul proposed at the top of Mt. St. Helena. I cried jumped for joy. We had a beautiful walk down the mountain, lunch at a nice restaurant overlooking a valley of vineyards, then a fun photo shoot with Kelly and Claire!
In what month did you get married? November
How many guests attended your wedding? 320
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I went shopping with my mom and a few of my bridesmaids. I absolutely LOVED the first dress I tried on, but then was torn between it and another less expensive dress. I had to make a decision by the end of the day because there was a trunk sale that day. Right before the salon closed, my dad came in, saw me in the first dress and said, “That’s it! That’s the one. Paul will love you in that dress.” Decision made!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? The band, the Smilebooth and the catering.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The most special moment was during the ceremony when my dad read what Paul and I wrote about why and how we fell in love with each other.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Living on mission together for Christ and having lots of adventures! We’re also looking forward to starting a family a few years down the road.

Photographer: Kelly Hornberger Photography // Videographer: POP Video Houston // Planner: Paula Santagata // Venue: Private residence // Florist: Paula Santagata // Wedding Cake Baker: Bella Cibo // Caterer: The Grotto // Rentals: Swift & Company // Linens: Swift & Company // Paper Products: Invitations and thank you notes by Rifle Paper Co., save the dates, programs and sign-in poster by Tricia Lowenfield Design // Bride’s Dress: Watters // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: Twigs & Honey // Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: bridesmaid’s own

You might also like:
Paige + Adam’s colorful Texas wedding from V4 here and here.
Kate + JoJo’s sherbet-colored outdoor wedding here and here.
Towne + Andy’s multicolored Savannah wedding here and here.

You might remember that we overloaded the blog with some amazing giveaways over the past couple of weeks. We announced our lucky winners and we’re thrilled to hand them their fun prizes.

We love having Katie from Marriage Confessions on the blog. This week, she recapped how she and her husband rediscovered their happiness in marriage. The fact that it took a trip to Costa Rica to help them is just a bonus.

Really, y’all, it’s giveaway heaven on our blog! We had a blast looking through everyone’s entries for our first ever Pinterest Contest and we’ve picked our top three finalists. Y’all get to vote on who will win!

We thought some adorable and eco-conscious bridal shower inspiration was perfect for Earth Day this weekend! Plus, we share the ultimate Southern spa treatment: Sweet Tea Pedicures!

This week’s featured Real Weddings Gallery is Ashley + Ross. Their neutral palette brings attention to the personal details we love most.

Real Weddings are food to our souls

Stacy + Adam’s garden party wedding looks just like the “exuberant bliss” that was expressed on their invitations. See it here.

Jodi + Kurt’s handmade wedding from V4 continues to blow us away. Can you believe the groom catered the entire wedding? See it here and here.’

What are y’all doing this weekend? Tell us in the comments below!

We love how simple but beautiful these leafy and wild arrangements look in vintage jars and tins!

Jodi + Kurt’s pie hutch is a favorite in the office. Since the newlyweds aren’t big fans of cake, their family and friends all contributed a pie to the dessert selection.

Aren’t those piggy-stamped muslin bags adorable as favors? They hold bacon gingersnap cookies that Kurt made using leftover bacon drippings instead of oil. Who else is hungry?

Describe some of the decorations or décor elements you used: Most of our decorations were handmade by our stylist, Lynn and me. Lynn hand-embroidered a lot of the details, including most of the signs placed around the wedding. She sewed all of the linens we used for our wedding, including table runners and napkins and made several chalkboard signs, including a large menu sign. Our favors were “Bacon Snaps.” Kurt basically made a gingersnap cookie and used bacon fat instead of butter. We placed them in muslin bags with a pig stamped on them. They were placed in old cheese boxes on top of my dad’s great-grandfather’s roll top desk. Being photographers, we had to have several photography-related sections of our wedding! One station was our “snapshot” station. We set up a tall shelf and placed several vintage cameras all over it for guests to pick up and take instant pictures during the reception. We also had a photo booth. We used an old bed sheet as the backdrop and hired one of our photographer friends to operate the booth. Our cheese table was also a labor of love! Kurt made the sawhorses for the cheese table and we found an old Johnny house door from the farm to set the cheese on. Lynn made embroidered tea towels with the words “jam & honey”, “bread” and “cheese”. Each cheese had its own sign. Another station we set up was our wash station! Since I wanted cleanup after our wedding to be as organized as possible, Lynn came up with the wash station for our guests to deposit their dishes in after they ate. We set up several galvanized tubs with signs specific to each tub and set out an old washboard found on the farm. We made a clothes rack that hung a “dirty dishes” towel and two Anthropologie dishtowels.
Describe your wedding cake: Since Kurt and I aren’t big fans of cake, we wanted to do something a little bit different and have homemade pies instead. We absolutely love pie and it was so special to have our friends and family help make some of our favorites. We had about 20 of them that were all placed on an antique hutch.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Next, we are photographing couples in love and helping their day go as smoothly as possible. In the future, we’ll be waking up beside each other and loving each other every single day.
What advice would you give to someone planning his or her wedding? Book your photographer first! Stephanie and Isaac were the first vendor we booked. Actually, I contacted them the day after I got engaged. They were my dream photographers and I had to see if they were available. Lucky for us, they were! We absolutely adore them and their work. We knew having gorgeous images would really be the only thing that lasted from our wedding. We couldn’t have had a more perfect pair to photograph it!

Photographer: This Modern Romance // Videographer: Josh Gooden Cinematography // Designer: Sunshowers and Rainshine // Venue: Family farm in Mount Crawford, Virginia // Florist: JMFlora Design // Pie Baker: homemade // Caterer: groom // Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew // Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier // Hair Stylist: bride // Makeup Artist: Erika Nixon // Bride’s Shoes: J. Crew // Bride’s Jewelry: earrings by Ten Things // Groom’s Fashion: J. Crew // Groomsmen Fashion: J.Crew // Rentals: Classic Party Rentals and Central Virginia Rental // Linens: Griffith Bag Company // Cameos: Poppy Loves Paris // Fabric: A Garden of Roses and Lonestar Quilting // Favors: groom // Officiant: Troy Pearson // Band: Shenandoah Travelers

Love this wedding? You might love these:
Sarah + Dan’s colorful barn wedding full of antique goodies here.
Jenn + Barret’s vintage and rustic wedding here and here.

How adorable is J + K’s ceremony setup? Those hay bales were used on the family farm after the wedding and those quilts all came from Jodi’s family.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We actually met in high school, though we never had any classes together and barely even talked to each other. Kurt secretly liked me, but never pursued me until we reconnected when I was a junior in college. We ran into each other at a church we were both attending at the time and Kurt pursued me for about four months until we started dating. We dated for four years, got engaged in September 2009, and married in October 2010.
Describe the proposal: (From the groom) Jodi had always wanted to go apple picking, so we planned a date in September of 2009. I wrote down the addresses of three orchards in the area and thought I was set. Little did I know none of them allowed you to pick your own apples. At this point, the ring was burning a hole in my pocket and I was almost at the end of my rope. Jodi, on the other hand, was having a good time driving around in the country. Not having any more leads to follow, she called one of her friends who recommended an orchard an hour and a half away. After driving most of the afternoon away, we arrived at Carter Mountain Orchard, outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. It was absolutely stunning with an incredible view of the valley. We wandered around the orchard picking some apples and after finding a nice secluded area, I asked her to turn around. As she turned, I held out the ring and asked her to marry me. There were lots of hugs and kisses and intermittently, she found time to say yes. The rest of that evening she couldn’t take her eyes off her hand. Lucky for us, we brought our cameras and a tripod along so we were able to shoot a quick engagement session of ourselves.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Elegant, simple, and handmade.
How many guests attended your wedding? We had about 100 guests attend.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I loved my wedding dress! Before I got engaged I knew I wanted a lace dress for my wedding, preferably one by Monique Lhuillier. Since my sister got engaged about four months after I got did, we both had the opportunity to go dress shopping together, which was so special! We both found our dresses the same day and both were Monique Lhuillier
Describe your wedding flowers: We loved our wedding flowers! We wanted a mixture of flowers that reflected our soft, vintage color palette. Janie, our amazing florist, incorporated dahlias, ranunculus, peonies, garden roses, eucalyptus, fern curls, mint, ornamental cabbage, dusty miller, and more. All of the flowers tied in perfectly with our vintage aesthetic! The boutonnieres were one of my favorite details from the day! Kurt and I knew we wanted to do something different and non-floral for the boutonnieres. We also wanted to tie in something camera-related, since photography is such a huge part of our lives. Kurt did some research and found a small lens on eBay. Our stylist fastened the lens to a burlap leaf and it turned out fantastically! Lynn also came up with the idea of using old film negatives for our best man’s boutonniere. She cut and folded the film negatives into a small flower.
What was the most memorable or touching moment about your wedding day? The most memorable part of our ceremony was definitely our prayer at the end. Our pastor had approached us about doing a communal prayer where everyone prays over us aloud and at the same time. During the entire ceremony it was overcast and cloudy, but during this prayer, the clouds parted and the sun shined right on Kurt and me. It was such a beautiful blessing from God! We had never felt more loved than in that moment.

Photographer: This Modern Romance // Videographer: Josh Gooden Cinematography // Designer: Sunshowers and Rainshine // Venue: Family farm in Mount Crawford, Virginia // Florist: JMFlora Design // Pie Baker: homemade // Caterer: groom // Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew // Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier // Hair Stylist: bride // Makeup Artist: Erika Nixon // Bride’s Shoes: J. Crew // Bride’s Jewelry: earrings by Ten Things // Groom’s Fashion: J. Crew // Groomsmen Fashion: J.Crew // Rentals: Classic Party Rentals and Central Virginia Rental // Linens: Griffith Bag Company // Cameos: Poppy Loves Paris // Fabric: A Garden of Roses and Lonestar Quilting // Favors: groom // Officiant: Troy Pearson // Band: Shenandoah Travelers

We think you might love these weddings, too!
Alli + Chad’s at-home wedding here and here.
Meghan + Chris’s colorful farm wedding here and here.
Audrey + Jordan’s sweet outdoor wedding here.

Huge congratulations go out to the lucky winner Whitney Lewis who won the three-night weekday stay at One Ocean Resort and Spa!

Floral Cotton sent us a box full of our favorite fluffy white bolls to play with and we couldn’t resist sharing the love with a giveaway! We asked you how you’d incorporate cotton into your big day.

Yahoo! Our big winner Audrey S. who said “I’d love to use the cotton on a kraft paper backer for our escort cards!” will receive 50 cotton bolls! In addition, lucky ducks Maggie and Lauren Ashley will receive 25 cotton bolls, each!

In celebration of our fourth birthday, we loaded the blog up on sugar! We asked you which marshmallow flavor spoke to your tummy the most for the chance to win $50 to 240sweet!

Congratulations to Rachel G. who said, “Happy birthday!! I like the sound of peppermint chip the most! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!” Thanks for the birthday wishes!

We can’t think of candy without thinking of Hammond’s Candies! We asked you what your favorite nostalgia candy is for the chance to win $50 to Hammond’s.

We’re excited for our winner, Anne L. who said, “Do pop rocks count as nostalgic candy? They are for me!”

Sweeteeth’s chocolate bars, bon bons and sauces will put your sweet tooth in heaven! We asked you which chocolate bar was your favorite.

Our winner, Kristy said “I would try strawberry shortcake for a push pop.” Sounds delicious!

Last but not least, we ended our birthday week with a giveaway with Candy Warehouse! You told us your favorite candy for the chance to win a $50 shopping spree with them.

Yeehaw! Our winner, Holly said “I love anything chocolate, especially those Lindt truffles.”

Congratulations again to our winners! Be on the lookout for an email from me soon!

Didn’t win this time? It’s okay, we’ve got many more giveaways lined up!

On a calmer note, we started off this week with a refreshing twist on springtime pastels. Emily’s Southwest Agave inspiration board was just what we needed.

Y’all Southerners know about that elusive Southern bump (and Marissa’s favorite hair do ever)! She’s sharing some lovely inspiration and a few tips on how to get the perfect pouf.

We love when beautiful weddings are paired with sweet meaning and memories. That’s why we couldn’t resist giving away a copy of Matthew Robbin’s Inspired Weddings! Go here to enter.

Emily ducked out of work a little early on Tuesday to head to her first gown fitting (eek!!) and we know she’ll look gorgeous. However, we have been quite curious about what her fiance is going to wear when Emily meets him at the alter. The answer? It’s quite dapper and it was a score!

This week’s featured Real Wedding Gallery is Suzanne + Keith. We just adore their wedding, but love their story even more.

Real Weddings are marvelous!

Amelia + Dan’s Charleston wedding was a bit nontraditional but showed off their personality! See it here.

Crystal + Trip’s pink country wedding was equal parts preppy and romantic. See it here.

Ansley + Carlton’s wedding reminded us of the best of the South: spending time with family and friends (and delicious food). See it here.

Good news for a good weekend

We’re thrilled to welcome our newest Blue Ribbon Vendors to the Southern Weddings family! Say howdy to Amy Arrington, Elaine Palladino, Kasey D Weddings, KLP Photography, M. Elizabeth Events, Natalie Franke, Orangerie Events, Pen Weddings, Planters Inn and Simply Charming Socials!

Now we know how much y’all love your cowboy boots. That’s why you’re going to love this giveaway from Stetson. Win boots for the big day by entering their Pinterest Contest! See the details here.

Before we go, we have to give a giant shout out, big hugs and a hooray for our reader, Madelynne! She’s getting married tomorrow, y’all! Give her some love!

Have a terrific weekend, dears! What are y’all getting into?

For a bridal party that looked so sharp in the end, it was a rocky road to sartorial splendor: Two days before the wedding we went to pick up the groomsmens’ tuxedos only to find out that the tuxedo shop had gone completely out of business. We were not notified by anyone, the lights were off, and (literally) one pair of shoes and a sewing machine were all that was left behind! Luckily, after a lot of stress, a logistics miracle, and a team effort by our families (with a special “shout out” to the mother of the groom!), everyone had a tux on wedding day.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our wedding was on a pecan farm in middle Georgia. The ceremony was held in the midst of the orchard. We enjoyed our first meal on the candle lit back porch of an old Georgia home originally built in 1804. We added some Southern fun into the cocktail hour with corn hole, bocce ball, and bourbon-based Manhattans. Our guests chowed down at the grits bar, on pork tenderloin sliders on sweet potato biscuits, and on braised beef brisket with Coca Cola gravy.

From the groom: Our first dance was amazing, and a little bit surreal. We took a few lessons at Firefly Studios in Decatur and our first song was “I’m Your Man” by Michael Buble. It felt as if we were floating in time… there were several big dips and, fortunately, I didn’t drop her!

We adore these next photos because they seem to represent the best of the South, and, really, the goal of most weddings: enjoying time with the ones you love (bonus points for involving a porch and rocking chairs!). And the late night snacks of PB&J, milk shooters, and a nacho bar? THAT is gooder than grits.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We bumped into each other at Georgia Tech our freshman year of college and met again later that year through a mutual friend. We instantly became friends and were just that for three years. Gradually, our feelings grew for one another. Nights out with big groups turned into long talks, lunches, and romantic dates by ourselves. It was almost strange when we realized how much time we were spending thinking about one another and that our relationship had become more than “just friends”.
Describe the proposal: Carlton proposed in black tie, in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, in complete darkness…the only glow coming from the flashlight aimed at the ring! We then left immediately and spent the next three days in different locations throughout Georgia: The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, and Cedar House Inn & Yurts in Dahlonega, where our immediate family members joined us for two days in North Georgia wine country.
In what month did you get married? October
How many guests attended your wedding? 220
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: (From the groom) The lighting from the hanging lanterns and string lights to the lamps at the bar. (From the bride) The dessert area with the antique doors, suitcases, and lace doilies followed by a really close second: our late night snack of a nacho bar with all the toppings imaginable, and Carlton’s PB&J with milk shooters.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I never would have tried on my wedding dress had my mom not insisted. After trying on what felt like hundreds, I put it on and actually used the word “love.” I changed the crystal beading in the flowers on the dress to a matte black to give it a little more personality. Knowing that I wanted to be able to let loose and dance, I had to have a short dress for the reception and was able to find the perfect one at Urban Outfitters.
Describe your wedding flowers: I don’t know a lot about flowers, but the one thing I did know was that I wanted something bright and wild flower-esque. Technically we didn’t have “colors” for our wedding so this was our way of adding a bright pop. They turned out even better than we could have imagined.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: Neither one of us felt like we had to have a wedding cake, so we decided to go with cupcakes. We had red velvet, Guinness, vanilla, and carrot cake. They were out of this world!
What range did your wedding budget fall into? $50,000-$75,000
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? For Carlton, it was the band. For me, the photography and videography.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? (From the bride) I had about 15 minutes alone, sitting on the back porch of the house drinking a beer. I was watching all the guests walk down the path into the field to be seated for the ceremony and I could almost see Carlton standing at the front. It was the one moment of calm where I was really able to take it all in.
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We decided to do a “first look” or as we liked to call it, “the Big Peek.” We thought this would calm our nerves a bit pre-ceremony and would give us time to spend together before the wedding. The biggest reason of all, though, was so that we could take pictures beforehand and start the celebration right after the ceremony.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? There is a significant amount of small details that add up quickly as the wedding approaches. Plan as much as possible as early as possible! Also, having a wedding planner, if for nothing other than the day of the wedding, will allow you to relax and live in the moment while she/he handles the many inevitable crises, large or small.

Photographer: The Reason // Videographer: The Reason // Planner: Simply Charming Socials // Design/Décor: Simply Charming Socials and Ashley Pepitone Design // Venue: Specht Farm // Florist: Birch Blooms // Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: The Little Cake Bakery // Caterer: Endive // Rentals: Don’s Special Event Rentals // Linens: Endive // Lighting: Don’s Rentals and Simply Charming Socials // Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Essence of Australia // Bride’s Reception Dress: Urban Outfitters // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their own

Simply Charming Socials is a fabulous member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

We love these weddings, too!
Meg + Josh’s colorful barn wedding here and here.
Laurie Anne + Taylor’s intimate ceremony and string lights reception here and here.
Meghan + Michael’s outdoor afternoon wedding here.

To Enter: There are two ways to enter!
1. Comment below and tell us what you’re more looking forward to about your wedding day!
2. Tweet “I just entered the @mrobbinsdesign giveaway on @iloveswmag!” Then come back here and a leave a SEPARATE comment telling us you did so!

Win: A copy of Matthew Robbins’ Inspired Weddings

This giveaway closes on April 19. Good luck!

Hello gorgeous! Crystal’s favorite flowers are peonies, so they were found throughout the wedding. According to the bride, “My bouquet consisted of pink and white peonies and roses. We were married under a gorgeous archway adorned with pink peonies, roses, green hydrangeas, orchids, branches and hanging crystals. We had a variety of different centerpieces but these were the main flowers used throughout.”

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: It was definitely a process but I knew when I found it that my heart would melt as it did! After scouring various bridal boutiques, I thought I had found my dress at a place in Montgomery. I was not completely in love with it but I felt it was the closest to what I was looking for. I decided to put the dress on hold and drove to Birmingham with my mom to pick up a satin sash that I found while trying on dresses there. I thought it would give the dress more pizazz. We stopped into The White Room in Birmingham to purchase the sash and I told my mom I was going to just look at the dresses there one more time. Lo and behold, I saw it! Lace, lace and more lace! This Rivini gown was poking out of the rack like it knew I was headed its way. It was perfect so I picked it up and had to try it on. I knew when I put it on and began crying that this was my dress!

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? No. Trip was more adamant than I was about keeping that tradition. He wanted to be surprised.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Colossians 3:12-17
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding. We had The Lamb Family play violins throughout the ceremony. They are amazingly talented! I also was so blessed to have my cousin sing two solos, “This is the Day” by Brown and The Lord’s Prayer.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? I wanted a good mix of Southern yet whimsical flair. Our food was definitely Southern, as well as our venue. We had the ceremony and reception at an old, gorgeous plantation home in the country. With its mile-long driveway and beautiful oak trees, I felt that it definitely set the mood and tone I was looking for. We had a large hay bale placed at the entrance with our last initial made of pink peonies and branches. I wanted our food to be something that everyone would enjoy and that would give guests that Southern comfort feeling. We had fried green tomatoes, fried okra, fried chicken fingers, fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses, a ham carving station, green bean bundles, cornbread in mini iron skillets, a mashed potato bar with sweet and regular potatoes with all the good fixin’s, chicken, shrimp and beef skewers, banana pudding shooters and much more. I wanted to do something different for guest gifts so I had a popcorn bar with all different flavors. From caramel to butter and even fun confetti popcorn in all different colors and flavors, guests had plenty to take home in personalized bags. Another Southern detail were the buckets of flip flops I had for guests, making sure they knew to kick off their shoes, relax, dance and have a good time.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Trip and I actually met in high school and began dating in the ninth grade when we were only 14. We stayed together throughout high school and both attended Auburn University, where we got engaged our senior year. I know you are probably wondering, but we have never broken up!
Describe the proposal. Trip’s family had planned a New Year’s Day lunch at his sister’s house in Birmingham and we were on our way there when he told me that we had to stop by their family farm in Clay County at the base of Mt. Cheaha to pick up something for his dad. When we arrived, he said he wanted to take me on a walk. We took a short walk up to the tallest point overlooking their property and the beautiful mountains of North Alabama. He got really silent once we reached the top and walked behind me. I turned around and he was down on one knee, saying the sweetest things. All I can remember is grabbing the ring from him ecstatically and saying, “YES!” We decided to wait until after our graduation in December to start planning our wedding.
In what month did you get married? June
How many guests attended your wedding? About 400
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Oh goodness, we loved every minute of it, from the flowers to the amazing food and our dance party reception! I absolutely love repurposing furniture, so I decided to take an old screen door, paint it and pin pictures of me and Trip, beginning with baby pictures all the way through college. It was so much fun going through old pictures of us when we were younger. Our friends and family loved seeing us through the years and how young we were when we started dating.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: I had a five-tiered white buttercream cake with raspberry filling laced with a pink and lime ribbon. Trip had the famous chocolate peanut butter fudge cake.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? The most memorable was definitely seeing Trip for the first time as I walked down the aisle and hearing him tell me that I looked beautiful. Time just stood still. Another memorable moment was the poem that all of my girlfriends sang to me at my reception. It was hysterical and definitely something I will never forget!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Enjoy every minute of it! Do not get stressed over the little things. Anything goes nowadays so do exactly what you want to do!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We are absolutely loving being married and just looking forward to what God has in store for us!

Photographer: Kim Box Photography // Videographer: Darren Freeman Videography // Planner: Jackie Bennett of Dana’s Floral Design and RSVP Montgomery // Venue: The Oaks Plantation // Florist: Jackie Bennett of Dana’s Floral Design // Wedding Cake Baker: Peggy McKinney // Caterer: Tammy Griffin of A Catered Affair // Rentals: Brendle Rentals // Linens: BBJ Linens // Lighting: Design Productions // Paper Products: invitations by Alan’s Invitations, programs by Lovett Printing // Bride’s Dress: Rivini “Aria” via The White Room // Veil and Earrings: The White Room // Bride’s Shoes: Gianni Bini // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lula Kate via Bella Bridesmaid “Christy” in umber with pink flamingo sash // Hair and Makeup: Melissa Moore Bogardus // Music: The Lamb Family Violin Ensemble and 2nd Coming // Groom/Groomsmen attire: Jos A. Banks

Love pink? You might like these weddings, too!
Shelley + Greg’s preppy Charleston wedding here and here.
Katie + Nathan’s romantic Southern wedding here and here.
Katie + Clark’s pink + white beach wedding here + here (similar bridesmaid dresses!)