Whenever we hire someone new at SMP, we generally just skip the whole resume thing and instead ask to see their wedding. Just kidding. But seriously, we SO could. It seems like all of our SMP girls know how to throw the best shindigs ever and Ms. Callie, a Little Black Book guru here at Style Me Pretty, is no different. Callie’s wedding was basically the very picture of what we preach…full of personal, unique, totally fun details that completely reflected her and her hubby’s personalities. It’s just about the sweetest little wedding I’ve ever seen and I am so glad that she’s agreed to share it with all of you! Click here to see even more!
Click here to see the full wedding!
From the very earliest stages of their engagement, Callie and Cason knew they wanted their wedding day to feel intimate and not over the top. Their aim was to make their 180 guests feel like they’d come over for a dinner party, albeit one hosted in a stunning tent on the lake of the her parents’ property. The color scheme incorporated the grey, blush and ivory tones that fill Callie’s parents’ home, and everything that could be made by hand was done so by a loved one or friend.
Callie wore a Vera Wang gown and two garters, one University of Georgia themed (Cason’s alma mater) and her paternal grandmother’s garter worn in 1951, with the original penny still attached. Her bouquet was tied with her grandmother’s handkerchief and wrapped with the lace from her mother’s wedding hat. Her grandfather’s college ring and grandmother’s rosary were also fastened to the bouquet. Since Cason’s dream is to go on a great sailing adventure, Callie bought him gold sailboat cufflinks for his groom’s gift.
The ceremony took place on Callie’s parents’ front porch (where Cason proposed). They kept it simple with two memorial wreaths on the front door; one honoring Cason’s dad and the other for Callie’s maternal grandparents. They also opted for black chairs for the guests instead of white, with rose petals lining the aisle. The lovely program fans were ordered from Etsy, made with an original painting of the front porch done by Callie’s cousin.
Making a “bridal” entrance posed a problem because the house faces out onto an open field, so there wasn’t anywhere for Callie to stay out of sight before her entrance. So she and her father snuck out to the barn about 30 minutes before the ceremony and waited in a black 1950’s Chevy truck that was lent for the day. When it was time to walk down the aisle, she and her dad drove out of the barn and right into the yard near the back row of chairs. Callie’s dear friend and bridesmaid, Cat, played a violin solo of Brandon Heath’s “Love Never Fails” as they processed, and there was not a dry eye on the premises!
After the ceremony, guests followed a path of luminaries to the reception site just across the lawn. Surrounded by grotto lights, guests enjoyed the couple’s two (regional) signature cocktails: Firefly Sweet Tea for Cason’s gang of Georgians, and Margaritas for the Texan crowd. The sweet tea was served in mason jars, while the ‘ritas were served in cups with a printed cartoon image of the Chevy truck and “just married”. One of Callie’s bridesmaids wrote the menu on a chalkboard (which they made themselves with chalkboard paint, posterboard and a frame).
Wade Schindler from Party Thyme Catering served passed hors d’oeuvres included Raspberry Lamb Lollipops, Brie Puffs with fig/strawberry/raspberry jam, crab cake and peppered chicken skewers. The cocktail area held Callie’s bridal portrait (done by Callie’s mother, portrait photographer Mary Little, who also and sewed all 24 burlap runners in the tent), which was hung on an old door. They used the family’s dining room side table for the memorial display, and created an outdoor lounge with their own patio furniture. Thank you’s were placed at each guest’s place setting instead of a menu, and Callie and her mother designed all the reception signage: thank you’s, memorial table, and place cards.
One of the easiest and prettiest DIY projects was the painted globes that were suspended with tulle in the trees across the pond. They created a lovely setting for my favorite images of the night, Callie and Cason savoring their first few hours as husband and wife. It was a perfect day!
Photography: Abigail Seymour Photography / Cinematography: Bella Vista Productions / Flowers: Katy House of Flowers / Event Planning: A Bash Events / Dress: Vera Wang / Ceremony Music: Divisi Strings / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Catering: Party Thyme Catering