Hi, friends! I am so happy to introduce our October Southern Bride of the Month! Megan is getting married in less than two weeks (!!), but was kind enough to pause last-minute preparations long enough to answer a few questions. I hope you enjoy her interview — I know I sure did!

Hi! What’s your name?
Megan Ferguson

What’s your fiancé’s name?
Nico Evers Swindell

What do y’all do for a living?
I like to say I am a stay-at-home actress. My dad does not think that’s funny. But for real, we both are actors and live in Los Angeles.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Three years ago we were both living in New York City and had several mutual friends. I had heard that Nico was cute, from New Zealand and an actor and thought to myself, that sounds terrrrrible. I had never dated another actor – there can only be so much crazy in one relationship. But luckily, Nico came to my Christmas Party and we ended up having a smooch! We’ve been together ever since.

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
We flew from Los Angeles to New Zealand to visit Nico’s home last December. I had chatted about and thought about a proposal probably every day for the previous few months EXCEPT for the day it happened! We had gotten off of a 12-hour flight, made it to his home, and I was a wee bit cranky and jet lagged when Nico just asked. Very simply and sincerely. I said yes, and then he ran around the corner to get the ring, which was hidden in a piece of china on the kitchen counter! Because NZ is so far away, we couldn’t call friends or family for at least six hours, so we had it all to ourselves for a whole evening.

When’s the big day?
October 29, 2011

Where might you two be tying the knot?
At my parent’s home in Thomasville, Georgia

The driveway leading to Megan’s house! Love the Spanish moss :)

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
I have always wanted to be married outside and at my home. I think it’s so wonderful to have a wedding ceremony at home, since a wedding is about the bride and groom becoming family!

The back porch of Megan’s house, where the ceremony will take place

Who or what has been most inspiring in the wedding planning process?
My friends’ weddings! This has been one of those wonderful years where several of my dear friends have gotten married. Each wedding has been so personal to the couple and full of amazing details! One friend served bourbon smash in mint julep cups, and another had antlers throughout her floral arrangements. Creativity is contagious.

Who or what has been most helpful in the wedding planning process?
My wedding co-captain, Nan Myers! Nan is a friend, first and foremost, who runs this fabulous store in Thomasville called Firefly. I have always admired her style, and so I thought she would be the perfect woman to help plan our wedding! Neither of us has ever planned a wedding before, but Nan has the perfect combination of retail savvy and creative spark and I am half bridezilla. She has taken care of a lot of the nitty gritty with rentals and vendors, which has allowed me to stay relatively calm. Also, Google Docs, y’all! Seriously. Put all of your lists, budgets, and RSVPs onto Google Docs. That way, a select group of people can edit the same document and everyone can stay up to date!

Modern tented wedding reception inspiration from Fete

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
I watched plenty of “Say Yes to the Dress” marathons (original, Atlanta, and Big Bliss) before it was my time to dress shop, and always scoffed when the bride’s entourage didn’t love the dress that she loved. Then, I put on this amazing, romantic J. Mendel gown, cut on the bias with unfinished hem, and fell in love. I walked out of the dressing room fully expecting to say YES to the dress, and I got a room full of “nah-uh’s” instead. Not even Randy from Kleinfeld could have sold that dress! Cut to several months later, and not being in love with any other dress, I tried on a BLUE, FLORAL ready-to-wear Monique Lhuillier gown and my Mom, Dad, and maidens of honor all cried at once! I can’t show y’all a picture, because what if Nico suddenly takes an interest in wedding blogs and sees the dress before the big day?! Okay, sneak peak of the fabric below!

Who is your favorite vendor you’ve booked so far?
I love all of our vendors! Mae Mae Paperie made heavenly save the dates & Rifle Paper Co made the most magical wedding invites on the planet! I can’t wait for the Flashdance team (Smilebooth, Sharkpig and the Human Jukebox) Betsy Dunlap’s calligraphy makes me so happy. Hugh Acheson from Empire State South is cooking up a feast for us – this bride WILL have two pieces of fried chicken thank you very much! Christian Oth Photography will make me look pretty by hook or by crook.

Above: Megan + Nico’s gold foil and kraft paper save the dates by MaeMae Paperie (see more here!). I am in love!

What do you love most about Southern weddings?
Tradition! I am saying goodnight to the groom after the rehearsal dinner and won’t see him again until I walk down the aisle. We also buried a bottle of bourbon at the site of the ceremony one month before the wedding so that it won’t rain! Nico wants to dig up the bottle on the way back down the aisle, but I’m not sure that would go over very well with our officiant. I am having a “Bleedin’ Kiwi Groom’s Cake” – my take on the Steel Magnolias classic red velvet groom’s cake.

A gorgeous invitation suite from Rifle Paper Co (via Oh So Beautiful Paper). This isn’t Megan + Nico’s design, but it sure is lovely!

If you had to pick three top priorities for your budget, what would they be and why?
Photography, food, and music. A lot of people won’t remember what your flowers, plates or linens looked like, but they will remember if they liked the food and if they danced! Photos are for remembering everything else!

What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
The worst part happened today, when I called the hotels to check on our reservations and both hotels told me that they have sold our room block rooms to non-wedding guests by accident… we are still sorting this one out. Most guests have rooms, but we are having to house others with local friends. It will probably end up being more fun for those guests anyway!

Above: Champagne tower from Kate Moss’s wedding via Once Wed (photo by Mario Testino for Vogue) and Megan’s rose bouquet inspiration

Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
Ask former brides for advice and help! Many of my closest friends passed on all of their old rental lists, budgets, seating charts and catering invoices and they were a great reference. I also occasionally asked friends their favorite and least favorite moments of other weddings to get a sense of what a guest’s experience is like and how to make it seamless! But most of all, create a day that is special for you and your groom. Y’all are the guests of honor! Take a breath (or sob for ten minutes) when it feels overwhelming and come back to planning the next day. It’s a magical time – enjoy!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Megan! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

P.S. Looking for even more Southern Bride goodness?
Texan childhood sweethearts planning a church wedding and country club reception
Floridians planning a garden wedding full of amazing Southern eats
A sometimes-long-distance couple planning a destination wedding in Georgia

The Southern Bride of the Month header was designed by our Assistant Art Director Sierra, with illustration by Curious & Company!

Hi, friends! I am so happy to introduce our September Southern Bride of the Month, because she’s a regular around these parts! (In fact, her Ask the Experts question was featured here, and I know it’s helped many people since!) I hope you enjoy getting to know Lori and her fiance Sean even better — I know I did!

Hi! What’s your name?
Lori Caroline Moot (Soon to be Buck!)

What’s your fiancé’s name?
Christopher Sean Buck (He goes by Sean)

Are either of you on Twitter, or do you have a blog?
I do have a blog, which I started shortly before Sean and I were engaged. It has served as a great way to stay connected with far-away friends as well as share the adventures of wedding planning!

Photo by Summer Safrit of Real Promises Photography

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Almost exactly two years ago, I was with one of my best friends and a couple other girls at a local outdoor concert. While we were awaiting the start of the main band, I noticed a group of guys standing nearby. One in particular, wearing jeans, boots, and a green button down shirt (which I learned later was termed a “fishing shirt”) caught my attention. I thought little of it, and returned my focus to our group of girls.

As the evening went on, my friend and I noticed the same group of guys making their way closer and closer to our group of girls. Before we knew it, they were standing beside us, striking up conversation. Sean (the one in the “fishing shirt”), immediately introduced himself, and we began talking. He was handsome, polite, and as Southern as they come! We talked on and off throughout the concert and discovered we had a lot in common. At the end of the night, he asked if he could call me, and I gave him my number, simply thinking it would be nice to get to know more people in Nashville.

Well, he called me the next week and invited me to attend a local charity event with him. I already had plans to go out of town and declined, thanking him for the invitation. The next week, he called and asked if he could take me to dinner. I cannot remember exactly why, but I again had to decline. I assured him I really would like to get together at some point, but was just busy with school and other commitments. Thankfully he was persistent, and asked a third time. We finally went on our first date almost three weeks after Sean asked originally. We continued to go on dates and knew pretty quickly we had something special. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with my fishing shirt and boots-wearing boy!

Lori’s engagement ring! Photo by Summer Safrit

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
It was perfect! Last year, near the beginning of October, Sean surprised me with a trip to Chicago for my birthday. Everyone (except me) was certain he was going to propose on the trip. We had been talking about marriage for several months, and had already looked at rings together. My only stipulation: I wanted to be surprised with the proposal. And I am impossible to surprise. Like sneak-peeks-at-my-Christmas-presents-at–the-age-of-26 hard to surprise. (True story. Sean, if you’re reading this, I advise you to never use gift bags to wrap for me again!) I always figure surprises out before they happen… or at least have a pretty good idea. Chicago, in my mind, was too obvious.

Fast-forward to a few weeks later (October 28, to be exact!) to a seemingly typical Thursday night. He asked me at the beginning of the week if I had plans on Thursday, and, if not, said he wanted to reserve the evening and cook dinner. I told him I had a few errands to run but would love to do dinner afterward. On Thursday, I called Sean as I finished up errands, and he said he was on his way home from the grocery store. As I knew he had tons of food in his refrigerator already, I was a little confused, and gave him a bit of a hard time about wasting perfectly good food (A little embarrassing to admit now, but hey, you asked to know alllll about it!). He told me to relax and not worry about it, and to hurry to his house. He also mentioned he needed to run to Green Hills to pick up something, but was very vague. Like I said, I always figure out surprises. My wheels started turning, and I immediately knew I had figured out “the surprise” for the evening: I had been talking about my favorite flavor of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory since our trip to Chicago! I drove to Sean’s house in hopes I was correct… but I had NO idea a ring would be on my left hand a few hours later!

I finally arrived at Sean’s and headed inside. He had the table set with wine and a salad. At this point, I was still unsuspecting, as he often made dinner for me or had wine waiting when I came over. He instructed me (a little bossily!) to sit down and have a glass of wine while he finished dinner, but refused to tell me what he was cooking. We had salads, and as I was taking my last bite, he cleared my plate and immediately brought out dinner: shrimp and grits – one of my favorites! I began to eat and could not have been more than two bites in when he said, “Make sure to save room for dessert.” A few bites later he again mentioned dessert and saving room. I laughed, and questioned whether I was eating faster than normal. Again, no sooner than I put my fork down and mentioned I was finished, he whisked away my plate. I suggested we have a glass of wine and wait for dessert. He was very insistent we immediately move to dessert (at this point I was 99.99% sure my hunch was correct about the cheesecake). He sent me to the couch with a glass of wine, and after a minute or two, instructed me to close my eyes and not peek. When he gave me permission to open them, he was down on one knee with cheesecake… AND a gorgeous ring (which I actually didn’t see for about ten minutes because I was so excited and crying uncontrollably)! He asked me to share my life with him forever and to marry him. I said yes and we spent the next few minutes eating cheesecake together and calling family and friends to share the big news.

Tell us about the ring!
I have my grandmother’s original engagement ring, and often wear it on my right hand. It is such a special piece of jewelry to me, as she and my grandfather just celebrated their 63nd wedding anniversary. When Sean and I went to look at rings, I took hers with me as a guide for the shape I wanted. My ring will always make me think of her.

When’s the big day?
October 15, 2011… It’s almost here!

The Belle Meade Plantation (photo by Betsy Butler)

Where might you two be tying the knot?
Our ceremony and reception will both be held at Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, Tennessee. We are getting married in the garden and celebrating afterward in the carriage house.

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
Belle Meade Plantation was actually the first placed we looked. Sean had attended several charity events and weddings there previously, and recommended I take a look. We really wanted to find a location at which we could hold both the ceremony and reception. It was love at first sight! It is the epitome of Southern, and everything we wanted in a venue.

Unfortunately, they were booked until the next November when I initially went to tour. Sean and I had agreed we really wanted a fall wedding, and neither of us were willing to wait another year. We continued looking, and found other places that worked. We were close to making a decision when I got a phone call — Belle Meade had a cancellation for October 15, 2011! Sean and I scrambled and signed the papers within days.

Mason jars with monogram flags photo by Patricia Lyons via Southern Weddings, burlap flower arrangements photo by Three Lights Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Who or what has been most helpful in the wedding planning process?
My friends and family have been amazing! From my mom volunteering to make all of the ruffled burlap runners for the reception, my friends spending countless hours sprawled out all over the townhouse working on various projects, to my grandmother and great aunts making buckeyes (buckeyes in honor of the Bucks! My mom gets all the credit) for our guest gifts, to friends volunteering to help with set-up on the day of, I have been so overwhelmed by everyone’s willingness to step up and help. We are so blessed to be surrounded by a group of such amazing people.

Which part of your wedding are you most invested in?
Hmmm… The first thing that comes to mind is the details! I’ve worked hard (along with my awesome wedding planner, Liz of Chic Nashville Weddings — love her!!) on planning and creating and am really invested in all of the little things coming together. However, ultimately I just want the evening to be an enjoyable and memorable time with our family and friends! It’s easy to get caught up in the details; of course I want my tables to look just the way I’ve imagined and want the food to be delicious and all of our candles to stay lit (yep, something I have legitimately thought about). But really, it’s about celebrating our life together and spending time with those we love (and love us!).

Custom coke bottles photo by Jen Huang

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
Yes! And I cannot wait to wear it! It took a looong time for me to make a decision. I went back and forth between styles, and visited several boutiques several times. Finally, I went back one last time for a second (or third or fourth, really) look at a particular dress. I tried it on and loved the top, but the skirt was fuller than I desired. I tried on another that was similar with a less-full skirt. I casually commented that I would love to put the top of dress one with the bottom of dress two. The saleslady helping me stepped away for a couple of seconds, and came back quickly, informing me it was a possibility. I happened to have chosen two dresses by the same designer, and was able to pay a minimal fee for the pattern change. It’s simple, classic, and elegant. Everything I wanted!

What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
Best: Planning a day reflective of all things us! It’s been so much fun to pick out foods (a shrimp and grits bar in honor of our engagement), drinks (we’re serving each of our favorite cocktails at the reception), and entertainment (a fun-loving band and a cornhole set on the porch) that are meaningful to us.
Worst: All the decision making about the details… I am ready to be decision-free for at least a month! As in, don’t even ask me what I want on my hamburger… I’d rather take my chances with the toppings you choose!

Photos by Brion Hopkins at a Belle Meade wedding (see more from this wedding here!)

What has been the biggest challenge so far in wedding planning?
Soon after Sean and I sent out our save the dates, just two months away from our wedding date, we found out we would be paying for almost the entirety of the wedding. We knew from the beginning we would be paying for bits and pieces, and were completely willing to do so, but most of the cost was to be covered by others. Due to unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, the news was broken to us that we were essentially on our own with the cost. Talk about a challenge! We had been very conscious of our budget from the start, but we were not fiscally prepared to pay for it in full. Of course, by this point we had already placed deposits on almost every vendor.

We discussed our options, and decided to proceed with our original plan. We reassessed our budget and cut back as much as we could, and are almost there! Though I would not wish this challenge upon anyone, it has been positive in many ways. Sean and I have had to have some pretty serious budget talks in the process, tears have been shed (me!), and frustration has been verbalized (both of us!), but we have grown and matured as a couple from the challenge.

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
First, I cannot wait to see Sean. We are going to do a “first look” before our ceremony, and I can only imagine what it will feel like to walk down the aisle to meet him. I am looking forward to spending a few quiet moments together before what I can only imagine will be a wonderfully exciting but whirlwind of an evening! Secondly, I am looking forward to my mother helping me into my dress and being alongside me as I get ready. I would not be where I am today without her and am so blessed by our close relationship.

Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
First of all, start all of your DIY projects EARLY! Those cute monogrammed flags you want to make for your straws? They will take more than an hour or two to create, print, cut, and attach. I speak from experience! Secondly, enjoy every single second of your engagement. There are times I have wished time away because I was so ready to be married. Three weeks out, I wish I could slow the clock, because I want to enjoy every bit of life as an engaged couple!

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
What is your best advice for the day of the wedding? Also, this is broad, but I’d love for you to share what you would do differently OR exactly the same!

Thank you so much for playing along, Lori! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

The Southern Bride of the Month header was designed by our Assistant Art Director Sierra, with illustration by Curious & Company!

Hi, y’all! Our next Southern Bride of the Month is Alissa, who’s planning a destination wedding in beautiful Rosemary Beach!

Hi! What’s your name?
Alissa

What’s your fiancé’s name?
Blake

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Blake and I met after he had recently moved to Nashville and started working at the company I was with. It was love at first sight (well, maybe for him!). Funny enough, our desks were pushed together so I could be his “mentor,” and we even shared a stapler. After several attempts to get me to go to dinner or see a movie, I finally gave in. I was quickly attracted to his handsome good looks and Southern charm!

Two favorites from Alissa and Blake’s engagement session with Vue Photography. See more here!

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
It was Blake’s 27th birthday and he told me that he wanted us to go to Watermark for dinner. I really didn’t question anything at that point, because it was his day, and I would get to pick where to eat for my birthday five days later. We enjoyed a nice dinner and had a couple cocktails, and then it came time for dessert. Now, if you know Blake, you know that he loves anything with sugar in it. I told him that I thought we didn’t need to get anything, but of course he asked for the dessert menu – very typical Blake.

The waiter brought us one dessert menu and handed it to him. He then highly recommended that we try the special dessert of the night – the carrot cake. Blake took a look at the menu, and said that that sounded good to him. I immediately asked what else they had (having never been a big fan of carrot cake). Blake again looked at the menu and said it looked really good to him, like his Mom’s recipe, and that we should try it. He then handed me the menu and scooted off his seat. This is what the menu said:

“Karat” cake: This isn’t your typical carrot cake, but more of a birthday request of Blake’s. To end this day in a special way, will you please answer “yes” on his birthday?

I really was in shock for a couple minutes, and had to read the menu again. He had really surprised me! I never would have guessed he would have done it on his birthday, which made it perfect. We then went to meet “some of his work friends” to have birthday drinks, and to my surprise, he had part of the rooftop reserved and all my friends were there to surprise me!

When’s the big day?
October 1, 2011… we can’t wait!!

Where might you two be tying the knot?
Rosemary Beach, FL

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
I used to work at Faccio Bridal in Franklin, TN (BEST bridal salon ever, I might add). A couple of our brides were married down in Rosemary and brought pictures back to show us. I remember thinking, “Hmmm, I need to remember this place for when it’s my turn.” Once I was officially engaged, my Mom and I drove down to check it out, and I fell in LOVE. Rosemary is gorgeous; you feel like you’re in a European beach town. From the architecture to the posh boutiques all along the cobblestone streets, this place stole my heart!

The ceremony will be on the Western Beach. I chose the beach because I love the simplicity of it, and we really want the focus to be on the actual marriage ceremony. The look will be very natural – having a bamboo arbor draped with ivory linen and wooden benches for our guests to sit upon.

Town Hall photos by Vue

The reception is being held at the Town Hall, which I absolutely adore. From the moment I saw it, I knew it would be just perfect for what I had in mind. Inside it has wood paneled ceilings with grand iron chandeliers. It really has a rustic feel to it, which became the foundation for our reception inspiration.

Who or what has been most inspiring in the wedding planning process?
Blogs!!!! I have followed (or, shall I say, stalked) various wedding blogs for a couple of years now. I am really drawn to the rustic/vintage look, and have been able to gather so many great ideas from them. Also, once I decided on Rosemary Beach, I began to look at local photographers’ blogs to gather more ideas from brides who had married in and around the highway 30A area. It’s safe to say I am addicted and will probably continue to view my daily blogs, Southern Weddings and Style Me Pretty, long after we are married!!

Alissa’s bouquet inspiration on the left (by Kelly Brown Weddings), and her inspiration for her bridesmaids’ bouquets on the right (by Victoria Souza)

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
Yes!! The dress shopping experience was a piece of cake for me, probably due to the fact that while I worked at Faccio Bridal, I swooned over Rivini’s “13.” It was the first dress I tried on, and it was absolutely perfect for me. It’s romantic, girly, and one of a kind. There are several different tiers of Alencon lace, and if you look closely, you’ll notice each tier is a different pattern. It’s one of those dresses that the longer you look at it, the more details you notice.

Who is your favorite vendor you’ve booked so far?
Vue Photography – hands down! Genya and Wesleyann are amazing photographers who have a real passion for what they do. I love their work and the energy they bring with them.

What do you love most about Southern weddings?
I love that Southern weddings are all about family and friends, the people who mean the most to you. I also love the details! I have had so much fun using different Southern elements throughout our wedding, such as burlap, old wooden crates (from Blake’s grandparents’ old grocery store), mason jars galore, vintage furniture, and lace. I love looking at other Southern weddings and trying to spot the personal touches each bride has incorporated.

Do you have a favorite Etsy store you’d love to tell us about?
Yes, Lila Frances – I am so excited to get my Mrs. Pettit hanger!

If you had to pick three top priorities for your budget, what would they be and why? Are your fiancé’s priorities different?
Mine would be dress, photographer, and caterer. Blake’s are band, cake (the boy has a sweet tooth), and booze (he also likes to have a good time!).

What has been the biggest challenge so far in wedding planning?
I would have to say planning a destination wedding. We have only gone down to Rosemary a couple times during the engagement, and I do think it would have been easier to have planned a wedding in the city where we are living. But, I wouldn’t change anything, because then we wouldn’t be getting married in the best place ever!

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
Two things. First, seeing Blake’s face when I walk down the aisle (I’m thinking there are going to be some tears). I am so excited to be marrying my best friend, and I know it’s going to be the best day ever! Second, dancing with my Dad. I am definitely a Daddy’s girl, and I know it will be a very special moment for both of us. Plus, he has been practicing around the house, so I want to see what his moves are made of!

Another piece of Alissa’s inspiration, this time from Jenn + Barret’s wedding! Photo by Love Me Do

Any plans for a honeymoon? Where do you want to go and what will you do?
We are going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and I think we are going to do a whole lot of relaxing.

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
I would like to know what other brides have done to honor family members that are no longer with them. None of my grandparents are living, and Blake only has one grandmother left. These were all very special people to us, and I would like to know what other couples have done to acknowledge and honor them during their big day.

Thank you so much for playing along, Alissa! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

Meet a few more Southern Brides of the Month:
Alison, planning an outdoor reception with moonshine
Katie, planning a garden wedding in Charleston with a pie bar
Lauren, planning a church and country club wedding in Texas

The Southern Bride of the Month header was designed by our Assistant Art Director Sierra, with illustration by Curious & Company!

Howdy! July’s Southern Bride of the Month is our first from Texas (yeehaw!). Lauren is also notable for her adorable dating history and the fact that she’ll be walking down the longest aisle in Fort Worth. Let’s get started!

Hi! What’s your name?
Lauren Ashley Hunt… soon to be Lauren Hunt Brogdon!

What’s your fiancé’s name?
William Blake Brogdon, but he goes by Blake

Engagement photo by Perez Photography

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
We both began kindergarten at Fort Worth Country Day School in 1992 (when asked what he noticed first about me for a bridal shower game, Blake said, “Probably her lunchbox or something”!). Things really started to take off for us in sixth grade. At carpool one April day, Blake asked me to be his girlfriend and we stayed together for five months, talking on instant messenger all summer and going bowling with our other twelve-year-old friends. We finally broke up in September, when I decided that Blake didn’t talk to me enough!

Engagement photo by Perez Photography, taken at Lauren and Blake’s high school!

Fast forward to ninth grade, and we were together once again. On the night of the freshman Howdy Dance, Blake asked me to be his date to Homecoming and I said yes. Very soon thereafter we realized how much we loved one another, and we have been together ever since! Our relationship continued to grow and change as we went through high school, then graduated from Country Day and moved to Houston for college, then graduated from Rice and moved to New York!

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
Blake’s parents were in town for the weekend, so we went out to dinner with them at one of our favorite Italian restaurants in New York, Caffe Cielo. We had our favorite dishes and some great wine there, and then Blake’s parents went to a Broadway show. After they left for the show, we tried to figure out where we should go since we were already out and about. Blake suggested we go sit on the steps in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Sitting on the steps on the Met at dusk was something I had mentioned very early in the summer, after reading an article in the New York Times about how romantic and beautiful it is at that time of day (not to mention that it’s a New York City icon!). So when Blake oh-so-casually mentioned going there, I jumped at the chance!

Our cab pulled up in front of those huge steps and we started looking for a place to sit. It was just as wonderful as the article had described- the sun was setting, there were not too many people around, and there was a saxophone player on the street serenading everyone with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I had only climbed up one or two steps, when I felt Blake pulling at my hand, so I turned around and he was down on one knee! The moment I had been waiting for for almost a decade was finally here. I’d like to say I held it together, but I was crying like a baby as Blake gave the sweet speech he had prepared.

When’s the big day?
August 20, 2011- the ten year anniversary of when we first started dating in high school!

Where might you two be tying the knot?
University Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Our reception is at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
We both grew up going to church at UCC. My great-grandfather was the head of the art department at TCU and actually painted the designs on the rafters when the church was first built. It is such a beautiful space with so many memories for us. I’ve also heard it has the longest aisle in all of Fort Worth.

Not Lauren + Blake’s ceremony spot, but a long aisle nonetheless! Photo by A Bryan Photo.

Were you totally that girl who planned her wedding from age 5, or not so much?
Absolutely! It didn’t hurt that Blake and I met at age 5. When we got engaged, I pulled out a box of magazine clippings I had started when we began dating in high school.

Has your vision for your wedding changed or evolved over the course of your engagement? If so, how?
Not really! I have been much more decisive than I originally anticipated, and I’ve pretty much stuck to most of my original decisions. The only thing that seems to keep changing is I keep adding people to the guest list!

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
I have! I only tried on four dresses, and I definitely had that “Oh my goodness, this is it!” moment. I had planned to take advantage of living in New York and go shopping at all those boutiques you see on TV, but I also wanted to share the experience with my mom and future mother-in-law, so I made an appointment at Ocone’s Bridal in Fort Worth for a weekend I would be in town. The first few dresses I tried on weren’t quite right, but I ended up choosing a Maggie Sottero gown that fit my personality so well and brought tears to everyone’s eyes. I also have a “getaway” dress I’m changing into to go to the hotel after the reception. It’s by BHLDN and looks like a more casual version of my gown.

A lovely, lacy Maggie Sottero, photographed by Meredith Perdue

Who is your favorite vendor you’ve booked so far?
Chrissie Stuntz of Chrissie Stuntz Events has been my fairy godmother and guardian angel through this whole process. There is no way I could have done any of this without her.

What do you love most about Southern weddings?
I think the two most important things in life, God and family, are also the two greatest things about Southern weddings. There’s nothing like going to a wedding in a Southern church, big or small, and listening to hymns and Scripture about love. People always do such a great job of honoring their families in the South too, and I love seeing family heirlooms incorporated into weddings. At our wedding, I will be wearing a headpiece that my great-grandmother made for my grandmother to wear at her wedding in 1951. My grandmother gave it to me before she passed away last November. I’m so thankful I will have a part of her with me as I walk down the aisle.

Do you have a favorite Etsy store you’d love to tell us about?
Alter Designs makes beautiful monogrammed jewelry (great for gifts), and Woomi has absolutely gorgeous headpieces and ring pillows.

Gorgeous country club reception inspiration Lauren found on The Knot!

If you had to pick three top priorities for your budget, what would they be and why? Are your fiancé’s priorities different?
The most important things to me were the location, the dress, and the photographer, Perez Weddings. I just love how the engagement pictures and bridal portraits turned out. The engagement photos were taken in downtown Fort Worth and at our old high school, and the bridals were taken at Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth, where we are having our rehearsal dinner. Cesar Perez has such a great eye for a beautiful photo, and we love his style of working with couples, which isn’t too posed. He just puts you somewhere and tells you to “interact” while he snaps away!

Blake has been pretty laid-back with the planning, but we did end up budgeting quite a bit for our groom’s cake (a model of the Met Museum where Blake proposed) and on a scotch and cigar bar at the end of the night, which Blake and his groomsmen are very excited about! We’ll even have mint juleps for the ladies.

Tell us about the one that got away.
Peonies are my absolute favorite flower and they won’t be in season for our wedding! Our florist, Bridal Blooms by Kelly Norvell, was so great, though, and was able to get me a peony bouquet for my bridal portraits, and is making a bouquet to resemble peonies for the big day.

Gorgeous white peony bouquets, a favorite of brides everywhere! Photos clockwise from top left: Jose Villa, Generation Photography, Brian Adams Photographics, Next Exit

What has been the biggest challenge so far in wedding planning?
It was difficult figuring out how to incorporate NYC, where we live now, while still having a Southern wedding! We decided to have our groom’s cake made to look like the Met where we got engaged, and our favors are mini black and white cookies served with coffee in those famous blue NYC paper cups.

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
Becoming Mrs. Brogdon! I have doodled that name on notebooks and things for so long that I can’t believe it is actually finally happening!

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
I would love to hear sweet ways people have honored their families on their wedding days. Our moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, and extended family have done so much for us through this process, and we are looking for cute and creative ways to show them our appreciation.

Thank you so much for playing along, Lauren! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

Love meeting our Southern brides? Check out these ladies from past months:
Alison, planning an outdoor wedding in Georgia with cotton bolls and milk glass
Katie, planning a garden wedding in Charleston with a pie bar
Kelly, planning a destination wedding in Savannah with an adorable and sentimental favor

The Southern Bride of the Month header was designed by our Assistant Art Director Sierra, with illustration by Curious & Company!

Hello there, readers! June’s Southern Bride of the Month has a plethora of fabulous details to share with you, so let’s get right down to it, shall we? Make sure you read Alison + Cal’s engagement story, too — it’s a long one, but super sweet!

Hi! What’s your name?
Alison Pierce

And who’s your handsome fiancé?
Cal Oxford II

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Cal and I first met while working for the same company a few years ago. He and I worked in a close-knit office and were involved in a few clients together. Honestly, I thought that he was just too good to be true, so I was a bit hesitant at first! Cal has the biggest heart and completely perfect manners. He is the definition of a true Southern gentleman, which has become so rare!

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
It was such a surprise! I knew that it was coming at some point, but I did not expect it at all when it happened! Cal’s grandmother was celebrating her birthday and wanted more than anything to travel with the family to Nashville and see a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Now, being from Tennessee and loving Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry, this was right up my alley! We had spent a weekend in Nashville a few months earlier and completely fell in love with The Patterson House, a fabulous place for cocktails, and decided that we would see a show at the Opry and afterwards go to The Patterson House for drinks as a family. It was all set and I was so happy to be a part of the birthday weekend!

Little did I know that Cal and his amazing sisters had been working overtime all week to set up the perfect proposal! Cal called The Patterson House a week earlier to tell them his plan and ask for their help. After he finished, the woman on the phone laughed at him and asked if he realized how busy the weekend is for them – he was crushed! But before he could hang up, she stopped him and said that she thought it was really sweet and that they would be on board. That started the ball rolling. During the show at the Opry, I noticed that Cal’s family was very quiet and I just assumed it was because they weren’t big fans of country music. Regardless, I was tapping my toes and having a great time! We left and I could not understand why everyone was hightailing it out of the building! They told me that we had a reservation and that we were going to be late. Little did I know that The Patterson House does not take reservations…except for this special situation.

Once we arrived, Cal’s sister nearly broke her neck trying to jump out of the car so fast, and I took off running after her. She hadn’t been there before, and I thought that she might need some help! She was actually trying to lose me so she could get inside and make sure that everything was set up correctly and that a special, select menu was handed to me. I later learned that Cal’s oldest sister worked with The Patterson House to create a special insert that would be placed in the middle of one menu…my menu. Well, of course I caught up to Cal’s sister and luckily was handed “my” menu. I start flipping through while the rest of the family was still settling in and Cal had not even sat down yet. I did not understand why he was still standing by the side of the table – I was ready to get the party started! Before I knew it, I had completely flipped right past the special insert and started talking about some drinks near the back of the menu! Unbeknownst to me, everyone was on the edge of their seats and Cal’s sister asked me to flip back to the middle of the menu. It was then that I saw it: “Featured Cocktail… Alison, Will You Marry Me?” I threw the menu down and covered my face in complete shock! I peeled my fingers away from one eye and saw Cal down on one knee with tears in his eyes and a beautiful emerald ring. Of course I said yes, and there was not a dry eye at the table! Family is so important to both of us, and having Cal’s family with us for such a special moment was just wonderful! His grandmother had a super fun birthday and we had an amazing weekend!

When’s the big day?
We are getting married on September 10th, 2011. There were a few options for catchy wedding dates this year and 09.10.11 was our choice!

Where might you two be tying the knot?
We will be having both the ceremony and reception outside at Cal’s childhood home. We wanted to be somewhere that felt real to us, and nothing feels more real than home.

Who or what has been most inspiring in the wedding planning process?
Two items have provided inspiration from the very beginning of planning the wedding: cotton bolls and the altar that Cal is building. Those two items were decided on first and have been a consistent theme throughout.

Cotton inspiration images from Jasmine Star

Who or what has been most helpful in the wedding planning process?
Our families! We are all very hands on and everyone has been so wonderful to help with ideas and projects. We absolutely could not have done this without the support of our families!

Has your vision for your wedding changed or evolved over the course of your engagement? If so, how?
The suffocating Georgia heat has changed our vision just a bit! Originally, we wanted to have an uncovered reception with lovely strung lights and hanging Mason jar lanterns, but decided very quickly that we just can’t do that to our guests in early September! A tented reception with lots of fans is what we have planned now. Although, I secretly wish every day that a cold front will come through that weekend and that we will be able to cancel the tent…shhhhh!

Which part of your wedding are you most invested in?
Definitely the food and drink! Cal and I are complete foodies and want our guests to enjoy delicious Southern staples like shrimp and grits and ham biscuits from Gayla Grubbs at Mill Towne Gourmet, classic Southern desserts with a twist like mini peach pies and red velvet cake balls from Lauren Chekanow at Sugar Style Events and creative cocktails including the “Tennessee Tickler” made from Ole Smoky Moonshine! Although the wedding will be in Georgia, there will definitely be a Tennessee presence!

Cheese straws and ham biscuits! (Biscuit photo courtesy of Southern Living)

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go?
I was so focused on other details that I waited until the very last minute to go dress shopping! I was so lucky to have one of my best friends with me and she ended up being more help than I ever could have imagined. I had a very good idea about the type of dress I wanted, but once I was trying them on I was completely overwhelmed. In addition, I was running a fever and didn’t even realize it! With the no-nonsense, tough decision making ability of my sweet friend, we were able to decide on the all Spanish lace La Sposa Lituania and I could not be happier!

Alison’s Lilly Pulitzer rehearsal dress and gorgeous emerald engagement ring!

Who is your favorite vendor you’ve booked so far?
I love all of my vendors! They have all truly been wonderful to work with! We are completely anchored by the expertise and guidance of our planner, Ashley Baber. That woman never sleeps! We feel so secure knowing that she is behind everything. In addition to our food and dessert gurus, Jessica with Something Borrowed Vintage Rentals is providing us with the most amazing church pews and other beautiful vintage items, Blake and Jeff with Peachtree Tents and Events are providing the tent and rentals that we need, Anna from Anna and Spencer Photography is our photographer, Tortoise and Hair are performing a few very special songs during the ceremony and family friends The Party Time Band, will be getting everyone moving on the dance floor all night long!

Vintage church pew inspiration from The Found Blog

Do you have a favorite Etsy store you’d love to tell us about?
Etsy has become a new addiction! It was such a pleasure to work with Rachel from Benign Objects on our custom wedding invitations. They turned out beautiful and Rachel was just wonderful!

Custom pieces from Benign Objects. Fun fact: Rachel’s wedding was featured in V3!

What has been the best part of wedding planning? The worst part?
The best part of planning the wedding has been the time Cal and I have spent laughing together while working on projects (although, I know that sometimes we were delirious!) and high-fiving each other when we come up with new and even better ideas. The worst part has been staying focused on completing tasks when we really just want to lie by the pool! That has been so tricky lately!

What has been the biggest challenge so far in wedding planning?
Having a full time career! Working while planning a wedding is exhausting! Time management and updated to-do lists are crucial and even then you are mentally drained. Just last night, I wasn’t sure what was fueling the words that were coming out of my mouth. Honest to goodness, what energy was left to put those sentences together that I was speaking?! Beyond working, creating our save the dates was quite a challenge. We cut wood from the yard where the ceremony and reception will be held and had to trim that wood down to equal sized rounds. Needless to say there were numerous trips to the local home improvement store and many late nights cutting and sanding the rounds and finding the perfect box for them to be mailed. We were never sure that the save the dates would work out, but we were determined!

Milk glass inspiration and Alison + Cal’s handmade save the dates!

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
There is so much I am looking forward to! I am most looking forward to seeing Cal’s face when I walk down the aisle. I get chills just thinking about it! My mother is my best friend and matron of honor and Cal’s father is his best man, so having them there beside us will be a special moment that we will never forget. We are also very excited to dance the night away with our family and best friends and to send them off with homemade peach jam and beer and cider brewed by Cal and me!

Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
Start early and plan very little the week of the wedding. Things change and your vision evolves throughout the process, therefore you are always adding more to the list. The more you get done upfront, the more time you have to lie by the pool!

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
We cannot decide on a first dance song! Are there any suggestions that would fit with a Southern, vintage wedding?

Thank you so much for playing along, Alison! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

The Southern Bride of the Month header was designed by our Assistant Art Director Sierra, with illustration by Curious & Company!