So, I kind of knew this wedding was going to be awesome the very moment I read that there was a Mac ‘n’ Cheese station. I mean, let’s face it… any couple that includes a Mac ‘n’ Cheese station in their big day I do’s is pretty spectacular, no? And then I laid my eyes on every last detail of their amazing Ribault Club wedding and my theory was more than proven. Because this is a couple who knows how to throw a wedding with vintage meets romantic details, gorgeous florals from Shea Hopely Flowers and an entire gallery of pretty captured by Threaded Together Photography. Join me there for more.
| Share this gorgeous gallery on | |
From Threaded Together Photography… The bride is from Jacksonville, but she and her fiance live and work in Washington DC. When it came time to plan their wedding, they wanted to share a bit of the South with their guests. Spiked sweet tea, a mac and cheese station and the historic estate itself were perfect details. Audrey made all of the chalkboard signs and trays herself– they look professionally done (she could have a second career)! During the ceremony a letter to the couple from each set of parents was read aloud and made the moment very special and intimate. A vintage style was incorporated in the key seating cards, pennant program and bunting across both the chairs and drink stations, luggage card case, cigar boxes displaying the food, and many other details. Classically pretty florals such as sweet pea, peonies, garden roses, baby’s breath and succulents adorned the tables. The maids each wore a different style dress in soft shades of champagne, blush, and lavender. The couple made their getaway in a Rolls Royce named “Sir Gilbert” and “Gilbert” just happens to be a family name.
From The Bride… Spencer and I met in Virginia Beach while we were both serving on active duty in the Navy. I had just checked into my very first duty station as a JAG officer, and Spencer was planning to transition out of the Navy. Since he (ever so slightly!) outranked me at the time, he loves to joke that he “ordered” me to go out with him! (I was a lieutenant junior grade, he was a lieutenant; we were both JAGs). We immediately clicked and spent a wonderful summer together in Virginia Beach. Two months into our relationship, Spencer moved to Baltimore for his new job, and we began a two and a half year long distance relationship. We took turns driving back and forth from Virginia Beach and Baltimore, until I was finally stationed in Washington DC, and Spencer moved down from Baltimore so we could be together. We got engaged before I moved to DC and right before I left for a 5 month deployment – which made it a little difficult to start wedding planning!
After initially considering some venues closer to DC, we ultimately decided to get married closer to my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. With many of our guests coming in from out of town, we thought Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach would be perfect for the intimate and fun wedding weekend we imagined. Our path to getting married at the Ribault Club was actually a long one – we’d initially booked our wedding with another venue, which abruptly (and scandalously!) went out of business and left us scrambling to find another location. In the end, we were so happy because the Ribault Club could not have been any more ideal. We loved the historical charm, natural beauty (the Spanish moss and giant oak trees were incredible!), the picturesque location on the marsh, and the overall “Old South” feel of the Club.
In terms of the decor and feel of the wedding, I wanted a soft, romantic, and timeless + vintage feel, and we both really wanted the wedding to be intimate, personal, and just a fun time for all of our guests. I got a lot of inspiration from SMP, Pinterest, and etsy, and our wedding style sort of developed and evolved along the way, starting with the old-fashioned postcard invitations and the mixmatched bridesmaids dresses. The vintage feel of the Ribault Club made it so easy to incorporate DIY and vintage elements, and I had a lot of fun figuring out the perfect decor with the help of my mom and girlfriends. A lot of items were handmade or gifted to us by family members – my mom made the terrific pennant bunting and the wreath on the front door; my uncle made the monogrammed cornhole set; my aunt made delicious strawberry and tangerine wine; a friend made the personalized dress hangers; the cigar boxes came from my dad’s friend; and many of the doilies and picture frames came directly out of my parents’ home. I literally didn’t see many of the pieces in person until the wedding weekend (since I’d ordered many things online and had them shipped to my parents’ house), and it was amazing to see all of the bits and pieces come together to create the vision we imagined.
We were married on a gorgeous, breezy Saturday under a giant oak tree behind the Ribault Club. Spencer’s aunt, who is a judge, officiated the ceremony and added many heartfelt and personal touches, including letters written to us by our parents. Following the ceremony, our guests played cornhole and enjoyed live jazz music (from our amazing DJ who was also a jazz musician!), while our caterers served southern-style hors d’oeuvres like fried green tomatoes and mini chicken and waffle skewers. After we were announced as husband and wife, we danced our first dance to Franki Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” Following our dinner (which included a delicious mac ‘n cheese station complete with bacon and truffled breadcrumb toppings — can you tell we like food??) we danced the night away with our best friends and family. Our wedding day was more beautiful and joyful than we could have imagined – we only wish we could do it all over again!
[dotted]
Wedding Photography: Threaded Together Photography | Venue: The Ribault Club, Fort Georgia, Florida | Wedding Coordinator: Lorna Meehan | Floral Design: Shea Hopely Flowers | Caterering and Bars: Chefs Garden | Wedding Cake: Publix | Postcard Invitations: Serendipity Beyond Design | Bunting Banners: DIY by Mother of the Bride | Wedding Gown: Casablanca | Makeup: Kimtasha | Hair: Bethany Darrough of Compliments by Sherry & Co. Inc | Bracelet: Ben Amun via Rent the Runway | Earrings: Nadri via Nordstrom | Brooch: Bride’s Great Grandmother | Sash: Kirsten Kuehn | Hairpiece: Nina via Nordstrom | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids’ Gowns: Dessy | Clutches: {AO3} designs | Groom’s Tux: Vera Wang for Mens Wearhouse | Groomsmen’s Attire: Mens Wearhouse + The Tie Bar | Dance Floor: Beach View | DJ: Z-Greg Capose | Get-Away Car: Tommy Entenza with Sir Gilbert | Ceremony Music: Acoustic Guitar
Join The Conversation
favorite (0) share share (0) pin (0)
