A Rustic yet Refined Enchanted-Forest-Inspired Celebration

Melissa Hammam
October 13, 2023
Categories: Real Weddings, Romantic, Rustic, Seasonal Wedding Trend, The Blog, Winter

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Ivory and whites for a clean base to allow the pink and red hues in the floral arrangements to pop. Also, green from the lush greenery and foliage to the curtains and bar design and even the invitation suite. [/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The overall vision was an enchanted forest – something that was both rustic while still elegant, simple and perhaps slightly mysterious. The basis of the design was clean and elegant: white, heavy, textured linens with classic hemstitch napkins, simple furniture in all the earth tones with touches of gold, chunky, crystal goblets. A great basis to let the florals and details truly shine.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

During the “lock down summer” of 2020, I came down to Florida to spend some time with my brother and work at New Dimensions while I was off from school. Every single morning, I worked out with two of the New Dimension’s celebrities, Kim & Scott Richbourg. I instantly loved talking to them, hearing about their family and laughing together as Kim ran laps around us all. Little did I know, I would soon become a member of that amazing family. Fast forward to the summer of 2021. I just finished graduate school and decided to come back down to Florida for the weekend to spend some time with Brantley and Hannah. New Dimension’s threw a party that night for all of their members at the facility and we were all geared up for a fun night. I was sitting at one of the tables in the back, talking to several members, when the most gorgeous girl I had ever seen caught my eye as she stepped into the facility. At that moment I felt like time just stopped. She slowly moved through the room, greeting people as she went, and I quickly realized that this was Carley Richbourg. Kim & Scott’s oldest daughter that I had only heard about over our morning workouts together. Carley sat down at the table right next to me. We immediately struck up conversation and forgot anyone else was in the room, it immediately became just the two of us. The conversation was so easy, so natural and we were hooked. We even made travel plans together that night for “Brannah’s” wedding. We had several events that weekend where we were able to be together and that’s all it took for us to fall in love. Within 72 hours, we knew we wanted to be together. We had found our person. That quick weekend trip suddenly turned into a week, then two, then time slowly faded away and we never left each other’s side. Our only attempt at being away from each other ended in Carley jumping on a plane and beating me up to Georgia as I drove. That was it for us, we knew we had to be together. It was never a question of if, just a question of when. On April 2nd, I asked the love of my life to be with me forever.

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

A whimsical tiered ballgown designed by Martina Liana, purchased at The Collection Bridal. The voluminous layered skirt offers that wow factor, yet with a light and airy touch. The sheer lace bodice with an illusion v neck and v back adds a little something flirty to the iconically princess-like bodice.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bridesmaids wore blush pink gowns, each with their own bodice to highlight their unique style and personalities. [/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom and his groomsmen donned black suits with vests, but without ties or bowties. It was the perfect combination of dressy, yet comfortable. [/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]Pre-Ceremony:

Butler Passed:

Assorted chai nuts in cone cups

Brie and Blackberry bites with rosemary fig jam

Coconut Shrimp with sweet chili sauce

Smoked salmon deviled eggs

Honey rosemary chicken skewers

Stationary Display:

Customized individual “jarcuterie” cups filled with cured meats, artisanal cheeses, pickled vegetables and lavosh

Post Ceremony Appetizers:

Butler passed:

Lobster tacos

Asian tuna tartar on wonton crisp

Pepper seared tuna

Petite crab cakes, jalapeno cilantro aioli

Tomato, cucumber, feta with balsamic on skewer

Stationary Grazing table:

Roasted veggies, meats, cheeses, flatbreads, nuts, dried fruits, hummus, pita chips, olives

Mixed nuts and truffle popcorn in the whiskey lounge

Dinner at Reception:

Salad: mixed greens, candied walnuts, goat cheese, dried cranberries, roasted butternut squash and maple vinaigrette served with bred and butter

Dual Entree: Petite filet mignon and lightly blackened mahi mahi with a citrus beurre blanc

Roasted fingerling potatoes

Steamed broccoli

Desserts:

Wedding cake

Brownie skillet a la mode with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream

Late Night Snacks:

Truffle fries in custom containers

Crispy Mac & cheese croquettes

Chicken and waffle skewers[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

We knew we wanted flowers and greenery everywhere (and who better to provide those than Velvet & Twine?!), but we wanted the florals to feel comfortable and beautiful without being overwhelming so they could truly be appreciated. Mixing in earthy materials like wood and leather brought out the natural, rustic elements that really created the depth we were looking for. We built on the basics with lots of fun, custom details: from the pre-ceremony cocktail hour to the ceremony to the cocktail hour to reception and after party – there were custom details everywhere! Kim, Carley and I all love the details and we tried to be really pointed in where we added the customization. We felt like this really elevated the event.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

A classic white 4-tier wedding cake by 4Rivers Specialty Cakes with blooms cascading from top to bottom, perfectly framed by a floral installation in the reception area, making something simple look stunning.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

The Whiskey Lounge was a gift Kim wanted to give to Travis, since he’s a big whiskey drinker and she wanted something special just for him. Kim had the initial vision, but collaborating with Tommy from Swag who came on board with the spandex chandelier covers really brought it to the next level. Sexy, leather seating, moody lighting and a whiskey dispenser elevated that space even more. I cannot believe the total transformation.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The Seating Chart was unbelievable and also an amazing collaboration. Kim, Andi and I sat down one day and just hammered out what we were looking for and the seating chart was born. The way it all came together with those custom, chunky, wooden name tags and elegant vases with jaw-dropping florals was certainly one for the books.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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