Where did you meet your husband?
We met on a blind date, set up by a husband and wife duo. A great friend and mentor to me, she convinced her husband to scour his office for a suitable match. Though I said I’d never go on a blind date, I’m so glad I did. It was a wonderfully happy accident – Serendipity!
How did you know he was the one?
While in Nashville for a music festival, we were out for dinner between shows and got trapped in a torrential rainstorm—far from cabs or shelter. We ran through the rain, soaked through in seconds, laughing hysterically. At one point we stopped and just stood there, doubled over with laughter. It was so cold and we were so wet but it was so much fun.
“Standing in the rain, I thought to myself “ I want to have moments like this for the rest of my life.””
How did he/you propose?
We got engaged May 17 while visiting our friends in Boston.
That Saturday was our first full day in the city. Our friends are the best tour guides and took us ALL OVER Boston – we had cannolis at a picnic table outside Paul Revere’s House, we walked along the water and through the farmers market, and then to a Red Sox baseball game.
Later that night we returned home and just before bed he pulled the ring box from his backpack (he’d traveled with it from North Carolina). He seemed to float across the floor, down on one knee and simply said, “I love you. Will you marry me?”
We then tried to FaceTime our parents, but the connection failed or they didn’t answer. We tried to wake our friend to share the news but they slept through it. There we sat, stewing in our bliss, with no one to tell.
When did you start planning?
I told myself I’d wait for a month and just enjoy being engaged, but was too excited and began planning on the plane right home from Boston.
Where did you get your dress?
Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery in Pineville, North Carolina
Is that the sort of dress you thought you would go for or was it a surprise? Style 11228
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted but I knew it should be classic and whimsical but with some sass! I love sparkles and beading so I wanted a dress that had both—but it couldn’t be too over-the-top since we were getting married outside.
I tried on about 20 dresses but kept coming back to this one.
“When I saw how it moved when I walked and danced, I knew it would be perfect. It flows beautifully and the buttons down the back were just how I always imagined.”
Who came dress shopping with you?
My mom, Nanna (grandmother), Mother-In-Law and Maid of Honor.
What style of maids did you go for?
I selected three muted tones- blush, champagne and slate blue. Neutrals are trending right now, so I added the blue to make it my own. Each dress also had it’s own shape and detail—beads or jewels, bows, lace or flowers. I wanted the girls to feel unique and beautiful, so I asked them to each choose their dress. I collected a variety of accessories and let them mix and match to finish their look.
How did you arrive at the ceremony?
There are beautiful stone stairs that wind around the outside of the vines and down to the ceremony site. My dad escorted me and we laughed and cried the whole way.
Did you have anything unusual during the ceremony? (music, readings or flashmobs!)
My husband played and recorded an acoustic rendition of “Here Comes The Sun” by the Beatles for me to process to. “Though it had rained ALL day prior to the wedding, the sun appeared as I walked and then a rainbow formed. It was MAGICAL!”
Our best friend married us, and we spoke a set of vows we wrote together, pulled together from various influences.
We included the reading “The Art of Marriage” by Wilfred Arlan Peterson in our ceremony. We like it because it’s more like great advice than a traditional reading.
How did you accessrise to make your wedding day look unique?
I wore a combination of pearls and rhinestones, inspired by the belt on my dress. I wore champagne colored heels with pearl details from Something Bleu. I chose pearl and rhinestone earrings (Not Designer) and a bracelet from (BHLDN) – both with flower designs. One of my favorite accessories of the day was my ‘something blue’ – a sapphire and diamond ring my mom gave me to wear on my right hand.
For décor and wedding day execution, we had an amazing team! I had a vivid image of our wedding and was lucky my parents were handy, creative and willing to help. They constructed our arbor from trees near our home and made the escort card flower box from a set of window shutters we purchased from a mountain flea market. We also bought a window at the flea market used for our menu board. We collaborated with our florist to create the floral hoops that hung in the trees around the ceremony site.
My dear friend Renee designed our Monogram logo used on all of our printed materials. The WE represents the union of Will & Elizabeth and was printed across our save the dates, invitations, thank you cards, guest boxes, signage, guest towels and escort cards. The printed pieces were my favorite detail of the wedding process and wedding day.
“Our guest tables were named after cities Will and I have traveled to together and I had custom illustrations drawn of each.”
We placed them in frames on the guest tables to help identify where everyone should sit.
We featured two custom cocktails during cocktail hour—The Dizzie Lizzie, a prosecco/citrus/rum drink, and The One Man Band, an old fashioned.
What was the inspiration or colour theme for your wedding?
I focused on classic simplicity and kept everything neutral. The blush and champagne were the predominant colors through wedding day, but we reflected the blue in our invitations and guest bags. I really like blushes and pinks but also knew that the wedding should represent both Will and I, so I toned it down with the addition of complimentary neutral colors.
What tips do you have for new brides picking their wedding dress?
Research dresses ahead of time to see what designers you like, and then find boutiques local to you who carry those designers. Ask your maid of honor to bring print outs of the dresses to your appointment.
“Be willing to try on anything.”
You may start the appointment thinking you want one particular style, but could end up loving a dress you would have never chosen off the rack.
What was your favourite moment from the day?
It’s hard to choose just one favorite! Walking with my Dad was a really sentimental and memorable moment.
The moments immediately following the ceremony were a rush! We returned down the aisle and gathered with our bridal party on the hill. We laughed and high fived—it was a moment of relief and extreme excitement! I was smiling so hard my face hurt!
Where did you honeymoon?
Thank you and congratulations Elizabeth!
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