There’s nothing quite like a Southern Wedding full of elegance, tradition and timeless touches. From the Bride’s heirloom veil (her mother wore it 30 years prior for her own “I Dos”) and the mint julep cups as an ode to the Groom’s fraternity to the Bride’s turquoise cowboy boots, this classic black-tie wedding, captured by Artstar’s incredible Laura Stone is sure to sweep you off your feet. Enjoy it all here.
From The Bride…Kyle and I met our sophomore year of college. We both attended the University of Mississippi. We are avid Ole Miss fans and spent much of our time getting to know each other in The Grove and on the gorgeous Oxford campus. We dated for close to five years before getting engaged in January of 2013. To us it is the most perfect story and one that was a total surprise to me. It was actually Kyle’s birthday weekend and we had (or so I thought we had) a trip planned to the North Georgia mountains for a day of wine tasting. When I got to Kyle’s condo in Atlanta a car was waiting for us, a bag packed in the trunk, and a bottle of champagne waiting to be popped in the back seat of the car. Kyle looked at me a said “Surprise, we are going to the airport.” Kyle would not tell me where we were going until we got to our gate. When I found out it was New York City, I was ecstatic. I have a love for the city like no other and was thrilled for a “birthday weekend away.” Kyle and I are only eight days apart and always plan a trip to celebrate. I thought he just really outdid me this birthday with this surprise getaway!
After landing and checking into my favorite hotel in the city, The Benjamin, we were ready to explore. I lived and worked there for two summers during college and Kyle and I have great memories made in the city. Kyle said he was taking me to one of our favorite places…the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a chilly but gorgeous January evening. We pulled up to the bridge right as it was getting dark. Kyle led me down to the water under the perfectly lit bridge above us, and in what seems like seconds was down on one knee asking me to be his wife. I do not remember all the words, but I do remember Kyle saying “Amanda, I love you and I only have one more thing to give you…my last name. Will you marry me?”
Our decision on where to be married was easy. I grew up in Atlanta and wanted our wedding to be at home where my family still resides and where we now live. We chose to get married at Christ The King Cathedral in Buckhead. A gorgeous Cathedral and the first church that Kyle and I joined together. The reception was held at the grand and beautiful St. Regis Hotel right in the heart of Buckhead, a magical spot full of elegance and southern charm. We had a cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner with a three-course meal. After a night of dancing we also revealed a late night snack bar, with mini sliders and fries, mini s’mores, chicken and waffles, and mini donuts. They were a hit after a ton of dancing!
The inspiration for our summer wedding was “Southern Elegance.” It was a black tie wedding and we wanted our guest to feel as though they were truly a part of a southern affair, but with a modern twist of the city in the background. Our wedding colors were whites, nudes and blush pink with a dash of what I called “sea glass”—a light aqua color. The color appeared in everything from the earrings I wore to the bridesmaid dresses and the cowboy boots that I changed into at the end of the night. As I told our wonderful florist, Britt Wood, I wanted everything to be dripping in flowers, silver, and candles. He created a truly breathtaking grand ballroom at the St. Regis. During cocktail hour we had mint julep glasses on the tables full of white roses, white peonies and fresh mint. It was an ode to Kyle and his fraternity’s drink at Ole Miss. The reception was full of lush roses, hydrangea and peonies. My bouquet was filled with white peonies, roses and the aromatic smell of gardenia. My mom and grandmother also carried gardenia and other flowers that were placed on their clutches when walking down the aisle. I love the smell of gardenias!
My most vivid memory of the entire day was seeing Kyle’s face for the first time while walking down the aisle. We decided not to see each other before the ceremony, so the moment was extra special. I could see his eyes fill up a bit, and he had one tear that ran down his cheek…the tear that would later be referred to by all of our friends as the “Elvis tear.” It was so sweet. I also remember the sweet, sweet moment of walking down the aisle with my dad and wearing my mom’s cathedral length veil that she had worn thirty years prior when marrying my Dad.
We have so many favorite photos from the day and the night. Our photographer, Laura from Arstar Photography, is truly talented and captured so many special moments. I love the pictures of my Mom helping me get ready, and I love the pictures of my Dad and I right before we walked down the aisle. You can just feel the emotion coming out of the picture. Then, there is this moment that Laura captured of Kyle and I on the dance floor. Kyle is kissing me towards the end of the night, and it is just perfect. Laura captured how the room felt that night, with all the flowers and the lights twinkling in the background. She also captured the grandness and gorgeous long aisle that I walked down in the Cathedral.
Our favors were little aqua boxes, tied much like a Tiffany box. Inside were Frango mints, a favorite of mine since I was a little girl. They were something sweet to end the night on. Guest also went home with a pair of flip-flops that were for their “dancing feet.”
Photography: Artstar by Laura Stone | Videography: Sterling Cinematics | Event Planning: Amy DiLoreti, A Flawless Event | Floral Design: Britt Wood Designs | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier | Invitations: Paces Paper | Ceremony Venue: Cathedral Of Christ The King | Reception Venue: Le Meridien | Jewelry : Judith Ripka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Cake & Desserts: The St. Regis Atlanta, Pastry Chef Michael Craig