Envisioning a day that was equal parts romantic + classic with just a dash of rustic whimsy thrown in for good measure, this stunning duo turned to the breathtaking Dunleith Historic Inn and a fab team of vendors to make it all happen. The result? A whirlwind day of Southern-style pretty all captured by Luke And Cat Photography and Houston Bass. Head to The Vault to soak in every ounce.
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From The Bride… Landon and I first met when we were showing cattle. Fast forward a few years… I was a junior at LSU, and Landon was a freshman and pledging to Kappa Sigma Fraternity. At one of their bid day parties, a mutual friend said I needed to meet one of their pledges because he used to “do that cow thing too,” and it was Landon. I looked at him and said, “Oh my! Haven’t you grown up?!” We kept in touch mildly over the next few years, a few flirtatious texts here and there. But it wasn’t until the summer after I graduated college, Landon randomly texted me one night, and I just so happened to need a ride. So he picked me up, and we’ve been on this journey together ever since!
We wanted to get married in Natchez, MS because this town is where Landon and I would live after we were married. We always wanted to have our wedding in the spring at a plantation—and Dunleith is hands down the most beautiful Plantation in the south in our mind—it has so much history of Natchez and the old south that we both cherish so much. They even have the coolest tradition: After every wedding, the bride etches her new initials in the window pane of the parlor room—so every wedding is now etched in as a part of the history at Dunleith!
We wanted an outdoor wedding that was very “romantically old south” and something that resembled a whimsical garden party where everyone could kickback and enjoy themselves.
For the style, I envisioned an Al Fresco event with lots of light, airy details that enhanced the beauty of our location. I wanted the feel to be a bit bohemian rustic with a mix of old southern formality.
I choose a neutral color palette that would blend and enhance all of the natural elements outside—ivory and mint green, with hints of light coral, and gold. I loved the bridesmaid dresses—they were all chiffon in a light shade of mint green, in fact sometimes they almost looked ivory… and I love that. Each bridesmaid chose their own style of dress they liked best. They also wore flowers in their hair to keep with the garden theme.
They guys added the southern formality with their suits, and they looked so dapper in the white dinner jackets and black bowties!
All of the flowers included at least one white rose because on our first real date, Landon brought me a single white rose… and I thought, well this is sweet… but why white? I said you do know white roses are usually for funerals or in memory, right?! He said, no I didn’t know that, but I got you a white rose because it’s not ordinary. It’s special and different like you. From then on, he would always randomly give me a single white rose, or a bouquet of red roses with one white rose in the mix.
Landon loves to hunt, so for the wedding centerpieces for the reception tables, I incorporated deer antlers that Landon has collected over the years, from the fields where they farm.
Landon also loves cheesecake, so we did a cheesecake buffet instead of a traditional groom’s cake. All of the food was a selection of our favorite Louisiana dishes—crawfish fettuccini, jambalaya, gumbo, seafood stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes.
The 1950 Cadillac that I rode in for the wedding was also very special to me. In 2008, one of my best friends and I ran a campaign for Student Body President & Vice President of LSU. I became extremely close with his family, and that car belongs to his father, who drove me that day.
Instead of a big gift, Landon and I decided to pick a new perfume and cologne to give each other on the day of the wedding. Scent is the strongest sense that brings back a memory in your mind, so we wanted this smell to be our first memory of our new life together.
The reception was perfect—the clear tent with the bistro lights and Chinese lanterns, to the fountain filled with Mississippi Magnolias and eucalyptus. Everything was exactly how I imagined it. Above the decor though, we just wanted everyone to have the best night ever. Our friends and family are still talking about what an epic party it was! I wish we could do it all again!
Photography: Luke And Cat Photography | Videographer: Houston Bass | Florist: Moreton's Flowerland | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup Artist: Danielle Does Makeup | Band: At Fault Band | Wedding Venue: Dunleith Historic Inn | Dress Shop: I Do Bridal Couture | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier