This wedding is right up my alley. Not kidding-I have already pinned a trillion of these photos from Watson-Studios to my inspiration board, and I want to seriously snag so many of these elements for my upcoming nuptials. Stacks of vintage china mixed with chandelier glamour make a killer combination and the result is an ingenious blend of vintage chic. I am almost embarrassed to admit how long I spent in the gallery getting lost in these darling images.
From the Bride.. Peach and I met in the spring of 2005 at the University of Tennessee. If you asked Peach, he would say we met through mutual friends both being involved in the UT Athletics, he was on the football team and I was a majorette. However, our first real encounters were in a statistics class where Peach tutored me before finals, which then turned into a few dates after exams. From the moment I met him, I couldn’t get enough. His contagious personality won me over immediately and I couldn’t wait for the next time we could be together. We spent the next six and a half years falling in love, dancing the nights away and growing into two individuals truly meant to be together for a lifetime. In 2011, late Christmas eve, Peach made me the happiest person in the world when he proposed with the help of our puppy, Lucy. I had just finished wrapping gifts when Lucy approached me with the most beautiful ring tied around her collar. We were ecstatic to announce the news to our families and friends on Christmas Day. It was truly perfect–a Christmas I’ll never forget.
The planning process began immediately and after deciding on a wedding party, which consisted of 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 4 ring bearers and the most precious flower girl, we knew there was no option but to have a wedding and a venue that could hold all of our families, friends and the people that had shaped us into the two individuals we are today. Our final guest list consisted of 420 people, so finding the ideal location was one of the hardest parts. After deciding on nearly ten locations, and then changing our minds, we stumbled upon what turned out to be absolutely perfect…Rarity Bay Country Club in Vonore, Tenn. Rarity Bay truly allowed us to create a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. We were married on the golf course with the Smoky Mountains behind us. We transformed the clubhouse and outdoors into a shabby chic meets French country getaway. Although the reception was held under a tent to help keep our guests comfortable, we also set up several “lounge areas” to provide a home-y and relaxing feel. We wanted the day to be something that just screamed our personalities and for our guests to leave saying “that was so Peach and Caroline”. From the hand-painted signs that my best friend and wedding planner created, to the beautiful flower arrangements, table settings, cakes, and just the overall look, it is entirely too hard to pick out a just a few favorites.
The most special were the details that were heirlooms of my family and friends- the curtains used on the arbor were handmade for my grandmother’s house, the dishes used to serve cake were collected from both of our families and dear friends, my garters were handmade by a long-time family friend, our cards from guests were held in one of my Grandmother’s old suitcases, one of my mother’s old hankies were sewn into my dress with 1 Solomon 3:4 embroidered on it, and I was able to wear my late-Grandmother’s wedding ring throughout the day as my “something old”, and my late-Papaw’s wedding band around my bouquet as my “something borrowed”. Peach has been my husband’s nickname since he was a little boy and is what he always goes by. I surprised him at the reception by serving Bellini’s during cocktail hour, affectionately named, “My Perfect Peach”. It was truly a day filled with so much love, and one that Peach and I will never forget.
Wedding Photography: Dan + Natalie Watson of Waston-Studios / Wedding Venue + Catering: Rarity Bay Country Club in Vonore, Tennessee / Wedding Planning: Alexandra Hansen / Wedding Design + Rentals: Jennifer Laraia Designs / Floral Design: Janet Hooper / Invitations: The Happy Envelope / Band: The Downtown Band / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals / Brides Earrings: Diana Warner / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Off Broadway / Flower Girl Dress: The Princess and the Boutique / Ring Bearer Outfits: J.Crew
