A Wedding Blooming With French Culture in the Heart of the Deep South at The Faulkner
Since Maggie was a young girl, she has been inspired by French culture, everything from the interiors, architecture, fashion, and the language. She knew she wanted her wedding to reflect French culture, but in the heart of the deep South. Maggie boasts how amazing the process was to be able to bring this vision into reality with her wedding planner, Gavin Snyder Events. Everything from the French-style dining chairs, French-inspired lace of her wedding dress, to the soft greens, pale pinks, and creams used in the flower arrangements. John and Maggie wanted to create a day that was meaningful and timeless for them and their guests to enjoy.
On March 16, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, John surprised Maggie with a carefully executed proposal at his family’s vacation home in Snowmass, Colorado. Maggie's love for skiing and unwillingness to leave the slopes that day created great stress for John and nearly caused her to miss her proposal!
For as long as Maggie can remember, she has wanted to wear Monique Lhuiller on her wedding day. She believed her designs to be elegant, timeless, and a work of art. In addition to wanting to be a Monique Lhuiller bride, Maggie knew that she wanted a full ball gown with lace and a removable bolero. She was able to make her wedding dress dreams come true at Elle James Bridal. The dress was a ball gown of ivory beaded lace featuring a sweetheart neckline with a removable lace bolero. The gown was finished with a cathedral veil of ivory tulle.
The bridesmaids' dresses were beautiful, champagne, one-shoulder satin dresses with elegant bow details. The style of the dresses created an elevated look and contributed to the overall French influence of their wedding day, while allowing each bridesmaid to feel chic on the wedding day!
Maggie and John wanted their guests to have good memories and eat good food while they were at their wedding, and they did just that. The couple offered a wide selection of passed appetizers and food tables ranging from beef tenderloin to Maggie and John's favorite, gyros. They also wanted to incorporate a “late night snack”, so they served mini cheeseburgers and French fries! Maggie and John were excited to be able to incorporate their favorite cocktails at their wedding reception by serving Maggie's Cosmopolitan and John's Old Fashioned alongside their beer and wine selections. Guests were also greeted with champagne as they entered the reception.
The flowers were one of the elements of their wedding day that Maggie looked forward to most. The florals were an elegant collection of white, cream, and pale pink flowers, with touches of greenery. The arrangements were made up of some of Maggie's favorite flowers, which include peonies, hydrangeas, roses, and tulips. The florals were paired with sage green French toile linens and French dining chairs. The rooftop dance floor was made up of a sage green and white checkerboard, and the stage included a decal of their custom wedding crest. Maggie and John loved the idea of having their wedding crest throughout the wedding and decided to feature the crest on their ceremony program, cups, koozies, food flags, and matchboxes.
Maggie and John wanted the cake to flow with the rest of the vision they had created for the wedding. To accomplish this, they chose to have their cake embellished with their wedding crest and fresh flowers. The cake had five tiers and included flavors such as Italian Cream, Vanilla, and Strawberry. The entire cake was iced with Almond.
At the ceremony, Maggie's sister, Mary Claire, read Song of Solomon 2:10-13, the congregation read Psalm 127, and John’s sister, Jessica, read 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13. Additionally, Maggie and John chose Matthew 5:1-10 for their gospel reading. The bridal procession included “Rondeau” by Jean Joseph Mouret and “Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke. The procession music they chose was “Psalm XIX” by Benedetto Marcello. At the reception, Maggie and John danced to “This Will Be (Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole. The song has been the couple's favorite for a long time, so it was a perfect song for them. Maggie and her father danced to the classic “My Girl” by The Temptations, and John and his mother danced to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison.
Maggie and John knew they wanted most wedding pictures to take place outside, particularly on the grounds of the Mississippi State Capitol Building. The Capitol building makes for an elegant setting with well-groomed landscaping. However, while they were taking portraits, they were offered the opportunity to take pictures inside the Capitol, which was a complete surprise. This allowed the photographer to capture some of the most beautiful moments of the day and give the couple a unique experience.
As Maggie and John exited their wedding reception, they were greeted with sparklers and a 1941 Cadillac Sixty- Special. They were able to exit both their wedding ceremony and reception in the Cadillac. It was a fun touch!
Maggie has always loved all of the traditions that come with a wedding. Growing up, she always wondered what her something "new, old, borrowed and blue” would be. On her wedding day, she wore her new wedding dress and her bouquet was clasped together with a cameo that belonged to her great aunt. Maggie borrowed her mother's diamond stud earrings and she had the most beautiful blue shoes under her dress. Additionally, Maggie had a sixpence, gifted by her godmother, in her left shoe to provide good luck and prosperity in their marriage.
