Today’s lesson? Combining classic details with family tradition lays the perfect groundwork for a day that is as beautiful as it is heartwarming. Add in soft, pastel hues, a killer pair of Badgley Mischka pumps and a Hayley Paige stunner that screams amazing and, well… happy Friday. See it all captured beautifully by Alison Conklin Photography right here.
From The Bride… Following family traditions was the most important detail for me in planning our wedding day. My parents were high school sweethearts and I watched their love bloom into what it is today, therefore, I could not think of a better foundation than to begin our journey similar to the way theirs began exactly 30 years earlier.
Our August day started in my hometown in the chapel where my parents were married 30 years prior, with the ceremony being conducted by the same minister who performed their service so many years ago. We then traveled by antique car to my parent’s residence for the cocktail hour and reception.
The home I grew up in housed so many of my most precious memories that I couldn’t imagine not having my most important memory on the same grounds. My husband traveled all over as a child, so to him, my home made sense as well. The bridal party took photos all over the property including on a fence where some of our family pets, miniature donkeys, lived while we were growing up.
The cocktail hour took place around the tent as the weather was a bit up in the air. A contemporary pop violinist’s music filled the air as our guests sipped on “his” and “her” signature drinks of bourbon and coke and grapefruit margaritas respectively. The guests nibbled on southern inspired hors d’oeuvres as my husband and I met in South Carolina.
As the cocktail hour drew to a close, the reception band took over. My husband and I don’t take things to seriously, so we thought it would be funny to walk into “Black and White” by Michael Jackson! It sure set the mood for the evening with a good laugh.
The chef prepared dinner with live grilling and so many fresh accompaniments using all locally grown fruits and vegetable. A few hours later the ice cream truck pulled up beside the tent, which was probably the highlight of the night for most. It was a fun touch that was very much “us”. The night drew to a close with me jumping on stage with the band to surprise my husband in singing our song, “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. He says it was his favorite part of the entire day… success.
We wanted our guests to simply celebrate with us in a fun, and exciting atmosphere. I think the details make or break an event and I feel that was definitely the case with our day. It was all about the details, and I think our guests appreciated that and felt the same. It was the best day of our lives, and I truly hope that we will look back in 30 years to see that our love has bloomed just like the love that was bonded 30 years before us.
Photography: Alison Conklin Photography | Videography: B&M Digital | Florist: Plasterer's Florist | Cake: Karen Rodkey Cakes | Invitations: B Wedding Invitations | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Kubes Jewelers | Bridesmaids Dresses: Watters | Hair & Makeup: Lush Hair Lab | Band: The Heartbeats | Groom's Attire: Marshall & Metcalf Custom Clothier | Groomsmen Attire: J & B Bridals | Officiant: Rev. Dr. William Harter And Rev. Mark Medina Of Falling Spring Presbyterian Church | Venue: Private Residence | Brides Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony And Cocktail Hour Musician: Daniel D. | Ceremony Pianist: Brian Helman | Chef: Dave Munson | Dress Shop: Kleinfeld Bridal | Getting Ready: Ragged Edge Inn | Ice Cream Truck: Dietrich's Ice Cream | Rentals: Events Central | Save The Dates: Wedding Paper Divas