Classic Southern Garden Wedding

We are absolutely blown away by the gorgeous Southern charm of Callie and Andrew’s Birmingham, Alabama wedding. Held at the historic Donnelly House, the outdoor ceremony gave way to an indoor and outdoor reception, both featuring tons of lush hydrangea blooms in centerpieces and bouquets created by Continental Florist. The bride’s Rivini gown starts as a traditional strapless style, but the bottom will nearly leave you breathless—pleated orchid-like ruffles make this a dress to remember. The chocolate-colored dresses from Bella Bridesmaid are a stark and sophisticated contrast to the white flowers. Spindle Photography captured every last perfect part of the day, including that amazing wedding cake from Olexa’s. We can’t pick just one favorite detail of this delicious affair!

We just love the fun Old Florida-meets-glitz vibe of Emily and Kyle’s wedding. The gorgeous Bay Preserve at Osprey in Sarasota hosted the fabulous affair, where bright flowers by Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio were a bold contrast to black and white stripes and gold accents. Bridesmaids in black dresses from J.Crew continued the color scheme, while Emily’s Lazaro gown and veil were fairy tale perfect! We’re smitten with the elegant stationery with black and white details from Write-On Sarasota, which coordinated with the palette of the day, too. NK Productions ensured all the details came together for the look Emily and Kyle envisioned, right down to the light bulb place cards that reflected Kyle’s pro lighting business. Even the golden sunset and the gold-dusted cake from The Short Giraffe complemented the decor. All of these images from Justin Demutiis Photography are simply fabulous!

What a vision Camille and Greg’s Park City destination wedding is! The breathtaking backdrop of the mountains at The St. Regis Deer Valley is incredibly romantic, and combined with the unexpected lavender details it’s completely stunning. Pretty pink and purple flowers, studded with a cactus here and there, from Petal are lovely and complement the lavender Amsale bridesmaids dresses, the colors a subtle nod to the Mardi Gras elements Camille and Greg wove into their day. Camille’s elaborate Somsi Couture gown is worthy of a parade, and we adore the blush colored Valentino heels she paired with it. Our favorite part of the entire day’s decor may just be the way rustic elements like burlap and birchwood are so elegantly mixed with sterling silver—especially the stand holding a classic cake from Snow Park Bakery—and rich woods. Cheers to this fabulous affair and all of the gorgeous images from Pepper Nix!

Katie and Ryan’s Rochester Hills, Michigan wedding may as well have been set in a faraway European village for all of its breathtaking fairy-tale details. Starting with a ceremony at First Congregational Church of Rochester, where old-world elegance abounds, Katie walked down the aisle in a gown from Le Salon that can only be described as amazing. Her cathedral-length veil featured embroidery that gave the ensemble a vintage feel. A bridal party dressed in black and white added drama to the day. For the reception at Meadow Brook, lush cream and pink flowers from Bellisario Floral and an abundance of white candles set on silver stands created an ethereal atmosphere. One of our favorite details is the classic cake from Sweet and Savory Bake Shop set on an antique gold stand atop gold sequin linens. Simply gorgeous! Visit the gallery to enjoy every single photo from Amy Carroll Photography!

Everything about Aimee and Case’s Los Angeles, California wedding screams chic. From their classic black-and-white color palette to Aimee’s mermaid-style gown and the bridesmaids’ short black sheaths, we’re in love with the simple beauty of Aimee and Case’s outdoor fete! Held at Cafe Pinot, on the grounds of the Los Angeles Public Library, Aimee and Case’s wedding had a subtle book theme that we adore! The bride even spray painted books to complement the couple’s white centerpieces. And the escort cards? They tied back to books, too, with tables named for a few of the couple’s favorite novels and facts about the book–or the couple–on the back! These images by Heather Kincaid are breathtaking, and we’re so glad she shared this wedding with us today.

Almost instantly, a wedding in Washington, DC has visions of ultimate grandeur. Jen and Nick wed in the early spring at the Four Seasons and they left no stone unturned when it came to the ins and outs of their wedding design. Jen’s favorite blooms are the ever-stunning and lush magnolias and with that color inspiration as their jumping point, they coveted a white/ivory and green wedding with gold accents. Florist Amy from Amy Lauren Floral Designs expressed and continued the color palette by using sumptuous white peonies and white roses along with the glossy magnolia leaves. This wedding has too many impeccable elements to it, both in design and in personality. We’re just glad that Kristen Gardner captured all the splendor in full!

Sugar, spice, and everything really nice sums up Jamie and Casey’s South Carolina shindig. The Charlotte couple wanted something more quintessentially southern, so they traveled a bit further south into Charleston and fell in love with The Governor Thomas Bennett House. They were spellbound by its classic look; white exterior with black shutters, and its all-in-one manicured garden perfect for the ceremony and reception. This accommodating setup can go with any style or color palette, but we are totally fawning over the soft pastel wedding aesthetic that Ashley Wenz with Boutique Planning made come to life. Reception tables were kept light and airy with dove gray and blush linens from Snyder Rentals. To add some oomph, weathered farmhouse tables sans linens were the ideal complement to add some texture to the space. Before we go on and on, we’re just going to let Ava Moore Photography do the rest of the storytelling about this beautiful day.

We love this absolutely classic féte hailing from an illustrious museum in our nation’s capital today. This Washington DC wedding was photographed by one of our favorites, Lisa Blume, and it is elegant and so special and timeless. According to Kelly, she couldn’t take her mind off of the National Museum of Women in the Arts’s design and sweetly, how she could picture traipsing down the staircase to meet her dear dad at the bottom to walk her down the aisle to her beau Jamie (tears!). Speaking of tears, we had to mention this touching detail. Kelly needed to have her grandmothers there in some way, so to commemorate these wonderful women in her life, she shipped in two paintings from North Carolina of them and had her grandmother’s tea cup in her bridal suite. Endearingly, the teacup was a gift her grandmother gave to her sister for her wedding.

If you could imagine what a down home southern wedding would look like with a healthy serving of sophistication, we think it’s Shannon and Christian’s wedding, hands down. Our hats are off to Molliner Photography for capturing the sumptuous images we get to share with all of you. This Jekyll Island fête is one for the Pinterest boards (and don’t be afraid to add all of the images!). It’s draped in neutrals galore; set against the couple’s picture-perfect venue, Crane Cottage; and the blooms by Straton Hall Events are stellar. We can just imagine dancing the night away under the mesh of the palmetto and oak trees. It’s giving us all the heart eyes, y’all!

One gaze at this wedding and it would be hard to imagine that Leah and Andy wanted a laid-back fête to reflect their easygoing selves because their wedding is dripping with classic elements. To say the least, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is an old world vision that Renee Lemaire Photography certainly captured at the Porter’s big day. Every aspect of the grounds exudes romance and the whole place looks like it was plucked out of a fairytale. Leah recalls going to Stan Hywet often as a little girl, so she knew it was THE place and after showing Andy, they were both hooked and began dreaming up their wedding. Their September wedding day consisted of a delicate cream and ivory palette with dabs of blush, expert florals by The Budding Tree, and ending the night twirling away underneath the trees and the stars.

Valerie and Ken’s Tower Hill Botanical Garden wedding was like walking into another time. Every corner was filled with gorgeous flowers and art, every detail simple in its elegance. The greenhouses and gardens at Tower Hill inspired the color and style for their wedding. Julie Lapham Designs created arrangements with succulents and airplants, roses, eucalyptus, and anemone, and many of the succulents are now growing in the couple’s home! Seeded paper escort cards doubled as favors, a Jenga game served as the guest book, and colorful tabletops graced the Orangerie. We’re simply in love with every moment captured by Arielle Doneson Photography!

Samantha and Max were married on a sparkling early fall day at the historical Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina. Samantha describes their wedding as “simple and classic elegance, with a touch of southern charm” and we couldn’t agree more! Samantha is ever so chic in what may be one of our favorite bridal looks ever: a structured Amsale gown (with pockets!) and a classic chignon styled by Be Pretty. A crisp and preppy color palette of navy, green and cream set the scene, and perfectly accented the whitewashed exterior of the mansion. The couple’s custom monogram is woven throughout the day, from the beautiful stationery by Elle Dee Designs to embroidered linen napkins, ceremony programs, and table numbers in swaths of navy calligraphy. Love and Honey and Lily Greenthumbs transformed the mansion’s courtyard into a secret garden, with creamy white florals, greenery and garlands, and lace-patterned linens under a canopy of string lights.  We couldn’t imagine a more beautiful Southern setting, and the day is captured perfectly by Cathy Durig Photography!

Rachel and Clark were married on a crisp, clear Alabama winter day. After attending a number of wonderful but scorching summer soirees, the couple selected January 23rd (1/23!) for their nuptials, and after they chose the date, they realized that the “stars” were literally aligned for the occasion: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were in perfect alignment! Whether it was due to the celestial phenomenon or the flawless execution by Invision Events—or both!—their day went off without a hitch. After a private ceremony in their church during winter’s golden hour, the couple and their guests made their way to the Birmingham Museum of Art, where everyone enjoyed fantastic food from A Social Affair and danced the night away to the Chad Fisher Group. We love the unexpected color palette of marsala, ice blue, and ivory, brought to life in exquisite florals from Buffy Hargett. Many of the larger arrangements featured unusual combinations such as kale, turnips, pomegranate, and quince, which blooms only in January! We are swooning over every lovely moment captured by Mary Margaret Smith Photography!

When two architects fall in love and marry, you know you are going to have one stylish day! Laura and Eric fell in love with The Kampong at first sight, and with its contemporary architecture and beautiful gardens, it was a fitting setting for their interfaith ceremony and intimate reception. Persnickety Events worked with the couple to design a classic reception with garden-style arrangements from Anthology Co. Blush and ivory blooms on dove gray linens are offset by modern white vessels, and escort cards were nestled in a display of ferns, bringing the outdoors in. It was a drizzly South Florida day, but that only added to the tropical feel of these gorgeous images from Becca Borge!

We love a good Southern wedding filled with romantic details, and Justine and Eric’s North Carolina wedding fills the bill perfectly! First stop: St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church for an elegant ceremony, punctuated with divine bold red bridesmaids dresses by Love Lane from Bella Bridesmaids. The pop of color is gorgeous! Justine chose a beaded strapless Pronovias gown and veil, which she accented with jewelry by Sorrelli and metallic heels by Jimmy Choo. To honor her family, Justine also carried her great-grandmother’s rosary and her great-aunt’s handmade purse. Eric carried his grandfather’s ink pen in his Men’s Wearhouse suit, and he also tucked a photo of his great-grandfather in his pocket. We love these sweet details! Classic stationery from Maria Scheel and understated florals in cream and green—including white and ivory hydrangeas, peonies, garden roses, and mini calla lilies—by Kelly Odom marked both the ceremony and reception, with tall trumpet vases spilling fluffy blooms on to tables at Prestonwood Country Club. With direction from A Southern Soiree Wedding & Event Planning, the ballroom was transformed into a gold and cream wonderland for dinner and dancing. Cinda’s Creative Cakes provided the tiered confection, topped simply with white roses. We’re swooning over this beautiful wedding and these images from Nancy Ray!

Perrine and Aaron’s timeless wedding in Columbus, Ohio, is one that’s just brimming with spring details! We love all of the pink and white in florals, especially the peony bouquets, from Flowers on Orchard Lane. The pretty pale colors are lovely with classic black bridesmaids dresses as well as Perrine’s Angel Rivera gown with pleated bodice. After the traditional ceremony at Saint Joseph Cathedral, guests made their way to The Country Club at Muirfield Village where they were wowed by the event design and planning by MMJ Weddings & Events. There, pops of deep blue—reminiscent of the color of Perrine’s Badgley Mischka shoes—joined more pink, white, and silver details to transform the reception hall into a beautiful backdrop for dinner and dancing. One of our favorite details is the bride, groom, and dog topper perched above the cupcakes from Nicely Made Cupcakes. We’re madly in love with these images from Jen & Jonah!

Katie and Dan planned their nuptials in just four months, but these images from Two Birds Photography show flawless touches and attention to detail that belie the couple’s short engagement! Says bride Katie, “There were three main feelings we wanted our celebration to evoke: a classic feel, a cozy environment, and a fun atmosphere.” We think it’s an absolute success, starting with the venue, Chicago’s The Rookery. “It is such an amazing space with an incredible history that is deeply intertwined with the city,” says Katie. “Both grand and cozy.” From there, the couple looked to Exquisite Designs for florals that would accent the existing decor, including white roses, anemones, ranunculu, sweet peas, and hydrangeas.  In keeping with the chic, sophisticated feel of the day, bridesmaids wore black dresses by Amsale. Katie’s lace Rafael Cennamo gown from Dimitra’s bridal salon is stunning, and we love the edginess her black Jimmy Choo heels provide. Vintage decanters from Rent Vintage Chicago add a sparkle to the reception’s cream and gold decor, as does the gold bride and groom topper set on the cake from Sweet Mandy B’s. How we adore this elegant affair!

We are just loving these images of Ashley and Michael’s New Orleans wedding! The historic feel of the city blended with modern touches and classic details is the perfect combination for a stunning affair! We’re amazed at the breathtaking architecture of St. Louis Cathedral, site of the ceremony, as well as the timeless setting of The Roosevelt New Orleans, where the reception was held. “I wanted a classic and romantic feel for the ceremony and reception,” says Ashley. “My vision was lots of creams and whites in the furniture and flowers with lots of candles and mirrored accents. Our florist, Bahara of Plants N’ Petals, did an absolutely amazing job bringing our vision to life!” Sophisticated black bridesmaids dresses from LulaKate are dramatic, especially beside Ashley’s dazzling Rivini gown with a dramatic scalloped skirt! We just can’t get enough of the bridal party’s amazing ensemble! We love the glam accents at the reception, too, from crystal candelabras to a swiss dot cake by The Roosevelt New Orleans and the bride and groom’s classic NOLA ending: a second line with umbrellas! Enjoy these gorgeous images from Greer G Photography!

Jessica and Brett’s effortlessly elegant New England waterfront wedding is perfect in so many ways! The setting of Belle Mer in Newport, Rhode Island, is idyllic, and soft colors whisper romance. Strapless blush bridesmaids dresses by Flair Bridesmaids are barely a shade deeper than Jessica’s scalloped Modern Trousseau gown; the texture of it reminds us of gentle waves. Keeping with the gauzy feel of the scheme, flowers from Greenlion Design in shades of white and pink sprout from bright green stems that acknowledge the surrounding landscape. Every image from Erin McGinn is making us swoon! We adore the arbor that frames the water for Jessica and Brett’s ceremony, and the earthy wood touches at their mostly pink and white reception make everything feel a bit less precious. Also to die for: the square wedding cake created by the staff at Belle Mer, which turned out to be the perfect spot for the couple’s classic but memorable affair! See all of the swoon-worthy details in the gallery!

Rachel and Stephen’s snowy and romantic wedding in Park City at The St. Regis Deer Valley reminds us of an elegant Parisian affair! These glamorous images from Chantel Marie Photography have us dreaming of winter in Europe. Pink and cream blooms from Calie Rose Floral & Event Design are aplenty, woven in hair wreaths for bridesmaids and sweet bouquets for Rachel and her bridesmaids. We love the mix of blush and black bridesmaids dresses from BHLDN, Nordstrom, and Watters. Rachel’s Enzoani gown is stunning, especially with her soft updo and sparkling headpiece. Run, don’t walk, to the gallery to see all of the gorgeous details!