Garden Oasis Dreams for this Springtime Backyard Wedding
Natalie and Michael’s wedding combined some of their favorite things — eating outdoors in gardens, cozy bookstores, and cheerful colors. The place settings with vibrant, colorful plates and glassware were a bold and beautiful detail of the reception space; they stood out perfectly on the long, big tables where everyone could easily sit and dine together. This couple had a few fun specialty cocktails for their guests planned for the night, and the celebration ended with a beautiful sunset right off the dock.
Natalie and Michael met at the library as juniors at the University of Mississippi. They quickly bonded over their shared bookish interests and made plans to study together several times throughout the next few semesters. After a few years of dating, Michael planned an elaborate surprise proposal on Hilton Head Island. He invited Natalie’s parents to join them, and they all ate at one of Natalie’s favorite restaurants. Afterward, Michael had a surprise sunset proposal on the dock waiting for Natalie.
Natalie wore a simple, yet elegant Carol Hannah ballgown with a square neckline, tied front, and horsehair-braid trim. "My dress is Carol Hannah. My mom and I spent a weekend in the fall looking for dresses and fell in love with the designer at a bridal boutique called The Sentimentalist in Atlanta."
Michael bought his classic black tux in Jackson, Mississippi, at a menswear store called The Rogue.
During cocktail hour, Shaken & Stirred Mixology served three signature cocktails: March Nocturne, Rapier, and Buerre D'arachide. Guests then ate a plated dinner provided by Signature Catering.
The decor featured pastel florals, colorful plates, and glasses, reminding Natalie of springtime and some of her favorite memories: "I wanted a combination of some of our favorite things: eating outdoors in gardens, cozy bookstores, and cheerful colors. I have a favorite bookstore in Sydney, Australia, called Ampersand, which combines these three perfectly. I spent many hours sipping cappuccinos outside in pretty china teacups and wandering through the many levels of the store decorated with colorful antiques. I love in period pieces when people dine outside with real place settings instead of how we normally do it now with plastic forks and a stack of paper napkins. For the reception, I wanted everyone to sit down and dine together at big tables with conversation, food, and drinks flowing."
The couple chose not to serve cake, instead celebrating and toasting their guests with a champagne tower.
Michael: "We entered the ceremony all together instead of the groom and bride separately. Natalie and I were both escorted by both our parents and entered the ceremony on different sides."
