I think that a big part of the charm in having a vintage vibe in your wedding is the feel-good factor. The atmosphere is more relaxed ~ there’s a lot of whimsy and fun in all the preparation and the decor ~ and everyone, young and old can take part in the celebration! Lindsay and Nate’s wedding ~ with photos from Kelli Boyd at Donna Von Bruening Photographers ~ is pretty much a perfect example of what we’re talking about!
Lindsay & Nate
October 23, 2010
Nate and I met at the University of North Florida in 2007. He was studying to get into dental school and I was studying to get into optometry school. When Nate was accepted into the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry the following year, I began frantically searching for a job in Gainesville. Soon after I moved in, he proposed in a photobooth at our favorite restaurant. Even though I had to put my schooling plans on hold to be where he was, it was all worth it!
It’s funny how weddings seem to “morph” into something bigger than ourselves. I began stalking Style Me Pretty soon after we got engaged at the advice of a friend. It quickly became an obsession that made it difficult to pin down any particular “style” I wanted for our wedding. We decided on getting married in Savannah, GA (not far from my hometown of Jacksonville, FL) on a Florida football bi-week. We really wanted our family and friends to enjoy a mini-vacation and Savannah seemed like the perfect spot. It also happened to be a week before Halloween in the most haunted city in the South! Last October I saw the “Very Vintage Halloween” party pictures featured on SMP and they became my inspiration in planning our wedding design. I wanted something festive without being typically Halloween.
We wanted to have our ceremony in the historic district, but not being from Savannah made it difficult to find a church that would let us have our ceremony there without being a member. Savannah has 27 “squares” or parks throughout the historic district, so I chose the quaint Washington Square for our outdoor wedding. We provided our guests transportation to and from the ceremony location with a white trolley from Olde Savannah Trolleys. Even though everything was within walking distance, I think our guests really enjoyed the added touch! Two of my amazingly talented friends from college “performed” in the ceremony. Natalie sang “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin as we walked down the aisle, and Lisi read the excerpt “What is Real” from the Velveteen Rabbit.
Savannah is just filled to the brim with wonderful vendors. When I chose the Olde Pink House for our reception venue, I knew I had stumbled on a gold mine! Bianca, the event coordinator at the Olde Pink House, was so wonderful and accommodating. Being that the Pink House is a five start restaurant, the food was amazing and the ballroom was gorgeous! Not having to find a caterer or rent linens, tables and chairs was a plus too! Amy Harvey Designs did our flowers and centerpieces. When I took them the pictures from the Style Me Pretty feature, they totally read my vision! I contributed many of the lanterns, which were painted by my cousin, as well as the little “knick knacks” mixed in on the tables. We went antique shopping for months leading up to the wedding and I think it really added to the vintage flare. I couldn’t have pulled off the final product without lots of help from my “day of” wedding planner Bonnie, from First City Events. Having a destination wedding meant I needed lots of advice throughout the planning process and “all hands on deck” the week of the wedding. I couldn’t have been as calm and collective as I was without her there!
Photography: Kelli Boyd with Donna von Bruening
Flowers: Amy Harvey Designs
Event Planning: Bonnie with First City Events
Reception Location: Olde Pink House
Ceremony Location: Washington Square
Cake: Carrie Briscoe at Two Cakes
Dress: Romona Keveza from Solutions Bridal in Gainesville, FL
Bridesmaid dresses: Vineyard from Bella Bridesmaid in Jacksonville, FL
Shoes: Nina