When the right vendors partner up with the right couple magic ensues. Fête Studios, Paisley & Jade, Just Write Studios, and so many more fabulous vendors worked perfectly together to create this dream of a day for this dream of a family, and lucky for us, Stephanie Yonce Photography was there to capture every moment!
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From the stunning bride… Eric and I met on Match.com back in May 2011. I had actually contacted him on the site through email. We exchanged emails and phone calls until we went on our first date on June 2, 2011 at Kona Grill. We sat and talked and drank for five hours that night. Made for a tough Friday work morning for both of us! It took us some time to go on our second date. He said I was playing hard to get… I just was a busy single woman :) We both were pretty much smitten from the beginning as we had a lot in common and had both accomplished a lot in our lives. I always teased him that no one ever got a second date so I should have known he would be the one I married.
He proposed on November 16, 2012 at home. We had the kids and had enjoyed a cozy, winter night at home with them. One of the kids was sick so Eric being the amazing Dad he is, ran out to the store to buy a new humidifier. I was in my pjs watching tv in what we call his former “man cave”. Throughout our relationship, I have told him that I don’t need much to make me happy but that I love receiving cards. He came home from the store and handed me a card. I opened the card and it was a “Happy Anniversary” card with the words anniversary marked out and engagement written in. By the time I finished reading the card, he was on one knee with the ring in his hand. It was a sweet proposal in our home with his kids… I could not have asked for anything more perfect!
Having grown up in Virginia, I envisioned an outdoor, garden wedding with vintage and romantic touches. I also wanted to incorporate a little southern charm into the day. My engagement ring that Eric selected has a vintage look to it so it really inspired the entire vision for the wedding! I knew all along I wanted soft colors including ivory, tan, peach, pink and green. It was also very important to both of us that my mom was honored throughout the day and that Eric’s three kids were included in the wedding through the sand ceremony. This represented the blending of our new family! Most importantly, we both wanted to give our families a weekend away from their busy lives to just enjoy each other and help us celebrate our big day. The Clifton Inn provided the perfect setting for this!
The flowers and fruit accents that Sugar Magnolias created were amazing. Each display was exactly what I had hoped for. I was also surprised by the rose petals lining the aisle. We also really liked the “Mr” and “Mrs” napkin rings. So cute! The chandeliers hanging above us during the ceremony were beautiful. The beverage station and the parasols available during the wedding were both the perfect southern touches. Two of my other favorite details was the program chalkboard as well as the surprise for Eric “Here Comes Your Boo” banner carried by Eric’s son, Ben, and my nephew, Colin.
My top three wedding memories would be:
1. Seeing my Dad’s face when I came down the stairs for the first time before the ceremony. I waited 40 years to take that walk with him and it meant the world to me!
2. I was completely focused in on Eric’s face from the minute I rounded the corner from the Main House and could see him standing at the end of the aisle. To see his face filled with so much emotion and love just blew me away! One of the many reasons I married him!
3. The balloon release and song by Laura Winingham in memory of my mom. She was my very best friend and I have missed her dearly every day for the past 14 years. To change the time and have it at sunset, made the moment even more perfect.
I realize now how quickly the day gets away from you and how much you miss as the bride about the details of the day. Try to take a few minutes before, during and after to inhale all of the hard work and vision that went into the day. Do what is best for you and your future husband… it’s truly your day and the one that you both will remember the most!
Photography: Stephanie Yonce Photography | Videography: Ginger Topham | Event Planning & Design: Fete Studio | Floral Design: Nature Composed | Cake: Shyndigz | Stationery: Fete Studio | Ceremony Venue: Clifton Inn | Reception Venue: Clifton Inn | Hair & Makeup: Avenue 42 | Calligraphy: Just Write Studios | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Officiant: Meredith Winn | Bride's Dress & Men's Tuxes: Bella Rosa Bridal | Chair Rental: Festive Fare | China Rental: Graceful Swan | Popcorn: Popcorn Monkey | Speciality Rentals: Paisley & Jade | Specialty Rentals: Stonegate Event Rentals | Tents & Lighting: Skyline Tent Company