Our Wedding, Part One: Primping

Our wedding turned out better than I could have ever imagined. We had about 100 guests, an acoustic duo, fried catfish, our best friends and family and tons of wedding cupcakes. Despite all the wedding planning we complained about in the last couple weeks before the big day, Andrew and I both agree we would do it over again in a minute. It seriously was that much fun.

So now the recaps begin! I'm excited to get to relive such a wonderful day in this small way and I hope you enjoy this glance into our wedding as much as I enjoy telling you about it!

We got married at the Isom Place, one of the oldest houses in our town. It was built in 1846 and is rumored to be the inspiration for William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily, but according to academics, that's most likely just local lore. I still think it's cool though. We found the venue about two weeks after we got engaged and knew it would set the perfect tone for our vintage-inspired, sweet summer wedding.

We had the whole downstairs of the house as well as the adorable backyard/courtyard area where the actual ceremony took place, but as I am a classy lady (contrary to what a Google search of my blog name might show), I chose to get dressed inside.

The Isom Place (Image borrowed from Mrs. S, of Poor is the New Black.)

My dress, however, hung outside in a tree for a moment so the fabulous Jenny Anderson (I can't say enough good things about our wonderful friend/photographer) could photograph it!

My mom and sister (my matron of honor, of course!) helped me get dressed while my bridesmaids waited outside for the big reveal. As you can tell, my dress was really simple to get into--it's actually a Melissa Sweet bridesmaid dress that came in ivory. (I interrupt this recap for a budget wedding tip: There are tons of bridesmaid dresses, long and short, that come in ivory, so that's definitely worth looking into! I just called a nearby Bella Bridesmaid and the saleswoman pulled all the dresses in the store that could be ordered in white or ivory.)

The only dress mishap we had was right before the ceremony when I bent down to put on my shoes (which in hindsight were freakishly tall) and the snap on the back popped off. My mom sewed it back on in like 20 seconds though, 'cause she's cool like that.

I did the whole "something new, something borrowed" thing and rocked some borrowed pearls from Andrew's mom, a blue "I Do" applique on the bottom of my shoes (that almost caused me to slip!), a brand new headpiece that I bought that morning at the hair salon and a sixpence in my shoe that Andrew's mom and grandmother wore on their wedding days. I like some tradition, what can I say?

Ash and I stared each other down, apparently. But we looked good doing it!

And then my bridesmaids came in! I love these girls. Aren't their dresses cute? Anthropologie, of course. The dresses set the tone for the whole wedding. 

And that's it! Told you my getting ready didn't last very long. One last glance in the mirror (and photo op) later and I was ready for the first look with Andrew!

*All photos by Jenny Anderson Photography

Happy Weekend!

I know I promised a guest post from Andrew today (which he wrote and wants everyone to know he did not miss his deadline) but my camera is having a meltdown and I can't get it to take pictures. And this is a post that really needs pictures. I'm partially in mourning for my ailing Canon, but I don't think it's broken, I think I just need to fiddle with the settings. I promise that post is coming, as are more wedding recaps.

So I leave you with happy weekend wishes and a sampling of wedding pictures to come. In this one, we pretend to be in an Anthropologie catalog:

*Note: my brother took this pic with Jenny's camera; wonderful photographer Jenny is actually in it, lounging on the couch! This was at the end of the reception when everyone was leaving and Andrew and I had already staged a fake exit. I love these beautiful people! And check out cousin/bridesmaid Alisha who ended up front and center, obvs the new face of Anthropologie weddings.

Have a great and safe Labor Day weekend! We're off to visit the in-laws at the lake.