In the words of this bride, “We built a sense of family into every detail.” And in my humble opinion, that’s the best way to go. Reciting vows at the very same church the bride’s parent wed 33 years earlier, this couple intentionally crafted a meaningful day with Lauren Daversa Events by their side. Read on for the details and swing by THE VAULT for more moments captured by Jessica Lorren.
From The Bride…It was late summer 2008, and my husband spotted me at a restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. Flash-forward to 2011 he saw me again, but this time in the halls of our graduate medical school. Little did I know that these spottings would turn into a crush, and much more thanks to a mutual friend who formally introduced us on a blind date a few months later.
After a year and a half of courtship, my now husband surprised me with a rooftop engagement proposal overlooking one of the hospitals associated with our academic health system. This not only symbolized a place that brought the two of us together, but also that we found love through our passion for medicine. As two very traditional and family oriented individuals, without hesitation we chose my hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida, for our wedding where I am a fourth generation resident. We envisioned an elegant and classic wedding with an old Florida flare, and found that the Flagler Museum, which is rich in history and overlooks the West Palm Beach skyline, was the perfect reception venue.
We built a sense of family into every detail. Our wedding was held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where my parents were married thirty-three years ago, and where I worshiped throughout my childhood. I wore the cathedral length veil my mother had worn on her wedding day, and the same talented organist who played at my parent’s wedding also played at ours. The antique diamond brooch, which I placed in my hair, and my earrings were both from my late maternal grandmother –my namesake.
We ensured the reception had special touches to both of us. The hors d’oeuvres and late night snacks were passed on sterling silver trays from my late maternal grandmother and late maternal great grandmother. The signature cocktail was in honor of my father. I remember him sharing the same drink with my mother on the dock behind our home consisting of Mount Gay Rum and a splash of fresh lime juice.
Naturally, the Docktail was a fitting name. In place of a groom’s cake, my husband felt a personalized bourbon bar would best represent his Southern roots. He chose several different bourbons based on his past experiences – most importantly ones that brought back memories of good times that he shared with friends. The décor on the bourbon bar included our medical textbooks, and a mortal and pestle previously used by my husband’s maternal grandfather, who was a pharmacist. After all, bourbon was utilized as a cough syrup in the day! On the dance floor, my husband surprised our guests and me with yellow ruler suspenders in memory of my maternal grandfather, who wore such suspenders as he ran my family’s hardware business.
To close out the evening, we served Krispy Kreme donuts, which originate in Winston Salem, North Carolina, the hometown of my husband’s undergraduate school, Wake Forest University. These treats are also the main ingredient in a well known late night dessert at the University of Virginia, the Grillswith. We both could not have chosen a more bittersweet ending to an unforgettable day!
Photography: Jessica Lorren Photography | Event Planning: Lauren Daversa Events | Floral Design: Tom Mathieu | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Invitations: House & Paper | Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Episcopal | Reception Venue: Flagler Museum | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Chez Gourmet | Hair: Team Beauti | Band: EastCoast Entertainment