A Tale of Two Cultures at Bellwether House in Savannah Wedding

Lauren Megerdichian
October 14, 2024
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]The couple’s wedding colors featured sage greens and ivory, colors chosen to enhance the romantic, intimate feel of Savannah. [/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Grace and Jacob envisioned an intimate wedding with their closest friends and family. They planned a 55-person wedding, blending Jacob’s Danish heritage with Grace’s Bostonian roots. It was a perfect combination of low country charm with Danish cultural elements, creating an intimate, elegant, classic yet chic atmosphere. [/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]It all began in Savannah, Georgia. Grace and Jacob, both students at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), arrived from different parts of the world to this charming southern city. Though they met during their first year, it wasn’t until the middle of their junior year that they developed an interest in each other. After a few serendipitous encounters, their journey together truly started one Thursday night in February, following a long, friendly conversation in a friend’s kitchen.

Jacob, originally from Sorring, Denmark, completed his degree in industrial design and moved to New York City. Grace, a Boston native, finished her studies a few months later, planning to join Jacob in the city. However, the pandemic altered their plans. Visa issues forced Jacob to return to Denmark, while Grace stayed in Boston after graduating. Separated for a year, they reunited in Dublin, Ireland, in 2021, discovering that their love had only deepened over the long months apart. They got engaged that December and had a small civil ceremony in March 2022 in Savannah, GA. Despite a partially long-distance engagement, they eventually settled in NYC, focusing on planning their dream wedding.[/field]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Grace’s couture designer uncle, Daniel Faucher, crafted three stunning custom wedding looks for her, perfectly capturing their vision of elegant, classic and chic. [/field]

[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Daniel Faucher also designed a beautiful sage green dress for Lucy, the Maid of Honor, matching her style while maintaining the overall wedding aesthetic.[/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]Grace and Jacob opted for a Southern yet classic wedding menu, featuring Benne Seed Encrusted American Red Snapper with Lavender Perfumed Jasmine Rice, Chamomile Crusted Fried Chicken, Grilled Prime Tenderloin of Beef with Savory Lemon Potato Gratin, and Georgia Pecan Braised Pork Cheeks with Carolina Gold Rice.

To honor Jacob’s Danish culture and make his family feel welcomed, they included SMØRREBRØD (Danish open-faced sandwiches) and Aalborg Taffel Akvavit for all the Danish toasts their newly blended family gave throughout the evening[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The floral design by Gray Harper Florals was a masterpiece of earthy, ethereal refinement. They brought Grace’s vision to life with neutral tones of soft yellow, cream, white, ivory, sage, and forest green, featuring an exquisite array of flowers such as Cosmos, Mums, garden roses, double tulips, ranunculus, dahlias, and Scabiosa. Each floral arrangement added to the romantic and enchanting atmosphere of the day.

Robinson Press crafted the wedding stationery, bringing a personal touch with a custom logo that beautifully combined the American and Danish flags. The hand-painted envelope inserts featured a delicate depiction of Whitefield Chapel, where Grace and Jacob exchanged their heartfelt vows, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Adding to the elegance, the linens were also crafted by Grace’s uncle, Daniel Faucher. He used the same colors and textures as the bride and Maid of Honor’s dresses, creating a seamless and harmonious aesthetic throughout the entire event.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The talented culinary team at Bellwether House skillfully crafted Grace and Jacob’s wedding cake, bringing their dreams to life with a magnificent three-tiered creation. Adorned in vintage-style buttercream meticulously piped to perfection, the cake was elegantly topped with luscious cherries, adding a delightful finishing touch to their special day.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]The ceremony took place at the intimate and charming Whitefield Chapel, nestled within the picturesque Bethesda Academy grounds. Throughout the ceremony, the couple incorporated readings of their favorite poems, including “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver and an excerpt from “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coehlo, read by various family members. Adding to the magical atmosphere, a gospel choir serenaded the gathering from the mezzanine with heartfelt processional songs like “What a Wonderful World” for the family and groom, and “La Vie en Rose” for the bride and her father.

Between readings, the gospel choir had everyone on their feet, with the bride and groom swaying along to their soulful rendition of “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The couple sealed their marriage with a tender kiss before joyfully exiting the chapel. As a joyful finale, the gospel choir descended from the mezzanine and led the guests out of the chapel, uplifting spirits with the timeless melody of “Say a Little Prayer.”[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Grace and Jacob opted for a SCAD “The Architecture of a University” signing guest book, a meaningful and sentimental choice. This book, filled with the stunning imagery and rich history of the university, perfectly symbolizes the place where their love story first blossomed. Guests were not only signing a guest book but also leaving their well-wishes in a piece of Grace and Jacob’s shared history, making it a treasured keepsake for years to come.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The white Jimmy Choo heels, adorned with sparkling crystal embellishments, hold special significance, as they were the ones Grace wore during a small ceremony with Jacob amid the COVID-19 pandemic. [/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]As Grace walked down the aisle, she carried a cherished family heirloom that has been passed down through generations of weddings. This prayer book, written in Slovish, dates back to 1940 and holds immense sentimental value. Grace’s grandmother, Helen Hreha, first carried the book when she married William Andahazy on August 7th, 1940, a date inscribed inside its cover. Later, Grace’s mother, Frances Andahazy, carried the same book when she married Michael Nedeau on June 10th, 1998. This treasured artifact is a beautiful testament to Grace’s heritage, connecting the family’s past and present, and symbolizing continuity and shared values across generations.[/field]

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