Color Palette:
Storm Grey, White, Brass
What adjectives best describe your wedding?
Personal, Crazy, Perfect
Tell us about your wedding venue(s) and why you chose to get married there.
As a photographer myself, I couldn’t get the thought of a natural light, outdoor wedding out of my head. As many weddings as I have shot with Catherine, I know the importance of the venue. At the end of the day I opted for a place that was dear to my heart. Crowley, Louisiana- Rice Capital of America, my sweet hometown. We decided on a beautiful piece of land surrounded by 100 year old oak trees. It is where I photograph most of my baby clients, every week when I drive up to shoot another baby, family, or bride, I am reminded of my special day and all the love and smiles that beautiful property has given me. I thought the most meaningful place to have our reception would be at OUR home, the one we have put literal blood, sweat, and tears renovating over the past year.
What was your favorite wedding purchase?
The ‘material’ things were all amazing in my wedding: my custom ordered dress from Russia, my hand written signage from Portland, my letter pressed invitations from Denver, but nothing was as special to me as the PEOPLE that were there for me on our special day, especially our vendors. You can not actually purchase the kindness and love I received from my photographers, day of coordinator, event rentals, MUAH, florist, the list goes on! I am so very grateful for my TEAM!
What was your best wedding day memory?
My husband told me after the ceremony that not everything was finished at our house ( the reception location). We arrived and my husband, brother-in-law, Pure Vintage’s head lady Ashley, Amelia (my coordinator) were all on ladders putting up my garland on 9 foot poles over the outside social table. I couldn’t help but laugh. It rained ALL DAY long and it had come down to the last minute details. This was obviously not their job, but all hands were on deck making sure it was perfectly as I envisioned. At that moment I realized what a lucky I was to have all of them, including my husband who always executes my crazy ideas without complaining 🙂
How did you incorporate your personalities into the wedding?
We loved having our nieces, nephews, and godchildren a part of our day. All 9 of them! Being that my job revolves around children, I couldn’t have imaged getting married without them. Even if they were running around yanking the peonies out of the arrangements and rolling around our grass in their white heirloom lace outfits, we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!
I custom designed my wedding crest made of Rice, which was the theme of our wedding, and was printed on the invitations, napkins, and sign-in poster (printed by my bridesmaid Kate).
I borrowed the most beautiful china from my grandmother, but there was not enough in the set for everyone at the reception. I scoured the internet for months buying a piece here-and-there to collect my own set. At the end, I had accumulated my own fine china set to match my grandmothers.
My sister-in-law and I spent countless hours monograming initial place napkins for each one of our friends and family. I loved those <3
We just barely finished the renovations on the house in time for the wedding. Everything about our reception was touch by us, because it was at OUR house. John, my husband, is a master craftsman (in my book)! He built the most amazing bar and also the DJ stand!
The most dear thing at my house was our tree swing, that of course John repurposed, hung in the tree, and surprised me with my last birthday. We always swing there and talk about our day. On our wedding day, it was adorned with garland and flowers. We got a moment to sit, swing, take a photo and reflect on our sweet little life we have built together 🙂
What is your wedding song?
Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
Getting Ready Outfits: ASOS | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom; BHLDN; Jenny Yoo | Wedding Dress Designer: Tatyana Kochnova | Wedding Shoes: Bella Belle | Bride’s Makeup: Madeline Dupuis; Joie de Vivre Salon | Bride’s Hair: Katie Vincent; Joie de Vivre Salon | Groom’s Apparel: J Crew Mercantile | Ceremony Music: Lauren Baker | Florist: Brianna Belton Design | Stationery: Jolie & Co | Caterer: Imonelli | Event Rentals: Event Rentals; Pure Vintage Wedding Rentals & Design | Bridal Accessories: Badgley Mischka; Salvadors Jewelers | Cake: The Cake Room | Children’s Heirloom: Auraluz | Candles: Creative Candles | Signage: HeyHalle | Violinist : Lauren Baker | Cookies: Southern Sugar Custom Cookies | Embroidery: The Patterned Pecan
