12.20.2011

Enchanted

It was early November, 75 degrees, and not a cloud in sight. The chairs were placed perfectly and the chandeliers were hanging from the oaks as if an extension of the moss covered limbs. As the candles were lit, and the petals floated down the aisle, it all began to sink in. Lauren and Stephen were getting married. In a matter of moments, she would walk arm-in-arm with her father, and I would be fighting back the the great flood that was my tears.

She was beautiful. It was beautiful. Hints of green, cobalt blue, and Southern Proper magnolia ties excited any love-loving guest and the reception wasn't one to disappoint. Walking through the great wooden doors of Chesterton Square, attendees were greeted with a colorful candy bar, an amazing groom's cake, heart-melting hydrangea centerpieces, and the best New Orleans dishes begging for your immediate consumption (of which I obliged).

The night ended with lots of dancing, lots of laughs, lots of cake, and a few cocktails (you pick the white lie on that list). Lauren and Stephen were showered with hundreds of white petals as they hopped in a Rolls Royce and departed to the beginning of their new life. Now enough of my mushy recollection...it's time for you to experience this wedding yourself. Go ahead, scroll on.

(Psst...Click on any photo for instant zoom and slideshow) 

Something blue. 

Game day prep! 

 
Hunter Wellies? Yes, please. 

Bridesmaids in monogrammed button-ups. Simply adorable. 

Mother of the bride, Mrs. Cindy Poche.

Sister-love.


All the deets.





Delta Gam.



First look.


Ah... the Rolls. 








Cake pull! 





Wedding Planner/Florist: Bobbi Rice
Photographer: Robby Klein
Bride's Hair and Make-up: Paris Parker Aveda Salon
Bridal Party Hair/Make-up: Emily Maurer
Cake: Cocoa Bean Bakery 
Rolls Royce: Avenue Limousine in New Orleans
Men's Ties: Southern Proper
Bride's Outfit: Bridal Boutique of Baton Rouge, Manolo Blahnik, Hunter Wellington
Rings: Aucoin Hart

12.13.2011

Vintage at Heart

Good day all! Today while taking a little 'work-break' I stumbled upon a Facebook page of the Erstwhile Jewelry Company located in New York. This place specializes in jewelry of the:
19th century Victorian, Edwardian, French Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro 40's.
Needless to say, I had to pick up my slack-jaw as I was scrolling through the site's pieces. And, because I know y'all love engagement rings just as much as me, I chose a few that I thought you'd like to ogle. Go forth. Indulge.

$4,000 .70 Carat Old European Cut Diamond

$7,000 .93 Carat Old European Cut

 $8,700 .94 Carat Old European Cut

 $20,000 1.75 Carat Old European Cut Diamond by Raymond C. Yard

$49,000 3.09 Carat Asscher Cut Diamond Art Deco

12.01.2011

Right Next to You

My little love, McKensie Lackey recently sent me this adorable engagement video. Although I'm not crazy about the finale dance, the signs got my insides all warm and fuzzy. If you can't read the posters well, don't fret...there is a recap at the end! Go ahead, indulge. (P.S. Get your hankies ready for minute 3:34)

 

11.22.2011

The Belle Ties Her Beau


Ah...my sweet Abby-girl. One of the most beautiful ladies I know and fellow sorority sister is engaged! Abs and I are in the same pledge class but the moment I really got to know her was when we were the ultimate tag-team as president and recruitment chair of Phi Mu. I recon you really get to know someone after 24 hours of no sleep and memorization of entirely too many PNM's (potential new members). She's a wonderful girl, inside and out and Wes is one lucky guy to have swooped her up! Here's the story of their meeting, the proposal, and sweet words Abby wrote about Wes. (Get ready, I cried...what's new?)

How did you and Wes meet?

I just moved home from college and started a job in my hometown of Mobile, AL. I decided to see what the nightlife was like as a recent grad so on October 15th, 2010 some friends and I hit the Corner Bar. I, of course had zero intent of meeting my future husband...I wanted to be a single woman. However, I noticed Wes right away and thought he was super cute. He was with a group of his guy friends (playing it cool...as usual). Wes, with his wild and crazy best friend, Flynn, sent me a 'Baby Bom' from across the bar (so romantic, right?) I naturally thought it was meant for my friends because Flynn was familiar with the two girls I was with. Later that night, Wes asked for my phone number. I hesitated because I usually refuse to give out my number when a guy first asks...but for some reason, I went against my rule of thumb (work for those digits) and gave it to him.


Give us the deets about the proposal!

I was Birmingham bound (or so I thought) for a girls weekend with Heather and Amanda. Wes was driving me and Amanda because he had to pick up some things from his house in Birmingham. Before leaving, Amanda called to tell me she was running late, which was perfect because Wes still had to pick up fishing poles from his friend's house. Wes and I headed across the bay to a house "right off the Causeway" to pick up the "fishing poles." As we approached the beautiful house I began taking pictures...referring to it as something I'd seen on Pinterest.


I ranted and raved about how I want to live on the bay, enjoy wine on the pier, and drink coffee (with sexy cream). We walked out to the pier on the Fairhope side of Mobile to get the fishing poles...(note: I'm still clueless). I hear Wes saying, "Hello Abby, I'm over here" as I am still attempting to tweet pictures of the 'Pinterest' house. I nonchalantly say, "What?"-glace up - look back to my phone - then whipped my head back around. He was on one knee with my dream ring, roses, and champagne.


We watched the sunset, then headed back across the bay for dinner. We went to the Bull where (surprise #2) my parents and his parents were there. We reminisced over how we came to be with the people who set the best examples of what marriage should be for us. We went to the Tavern at the Renaissance Battle House Hotel (historic & beautiful) for celebratory drinks. There (surprise #3) were my friends! Waterworks and more...waterworks. Wes truly made it special for me. He worked so hard to make it the most precious night of my life. I was so, so, so surprised! (I'm a snooper, and he managed to pull one on me).

What do you love most about Wes?

How do I put this into words? All I can say is when I think about him, I can't stop smiling.

My mother has always given me the best advice (mother is always right) and after our first date she told me, as I grinned from ear to ear, that Wes was in my life for a reason. I love the way he treats me and with him it's easy. It just fits. He is a gentleman, true gentleman with class and humility. He is driven, determined, smart, athletic, and competitive. He finds a way to connect with everyone, even in a crowd, he makes each and every person feel comfortable. But yet, he's a bad a**. He is an amazing friend with strong character and understands what is most important in life. He loves his mother and Granna! He makes me want to be the very best I can, always supporting me and pushing me in all aspects of my life. Most of all, he makes me feel not just loved, but cherished. Mom was right, again. He was put in my life for a reason...to be my best friend, life partner, father of my future (way future) children, and my husband!!


What'cha started planning so far?

Picked the church. We both value our relationship with God. Wes, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, and myself went to look at the Cathedral in downtown Mobile the very next morning. (I'm talkin' 9 a.m. after the celebration the night before.)

Tell us your perfect wedding in 3 words.

Family, Friends, and Fun!

Congratulations Wes and Abby!

11.21.2011

Fall in Love & Leaf Your Cares Behind

I have to admit...my new OPI color has got me raggin' for everything 'fall!' And, while I've always imagined a spring wedding, pumpkins, wheat, and colorful leaves have me pondering the cooler side of the year. Let me share my findings!

Ah, the barn...To my dismay, there aren't any barn venues in Loozianne. (I know, really?) I found the best barns in California so if you're a beach-side belle you might be in luck.

I'm ga-ga over these boutonnieres. They can be easily hand-made and preserved weeks prior to the wedding. Wheat, angel-hair stems, and a bright leaf tied with taffeta. Excellence.


Oh. My. Stars. I am about to go faceinhole on this picture because it's perfect! Loving the accent pumpkins lining the drive and you know the flawless dip gets me giddy.


How easy is this? Uncarved pumpkins last months so you're set to get a head start on table decorations! Give pumpkins a spray of off-white paint and top it off with black writing. Taffeta, burlap, and straw are key in giving the venue just the right fall-feelin'!


Yet another thing you can make on your own! Small pumpkins run about .50 a piece and if you are a scrounger you can find some good stems and twigs in your pappy's back yard! With all the money you'll save on flowers, hire a day-off wedding planner to set everything up and make it look perfect!


And, nothing says fall nights like twinkle stars and paper lanterns. This picture makes me want to be in a fuzzy, red blanket with wine and my beau. Since Louisiana is still 80 degrees I guess I will have to settle for just the wine (oh, well...I'm over it).

So go on belles...get comfy in your flannel shirt, skinny jeans, and brown boots and start thinking fall! And just remember...'Bye' weeks are a groom's best friend.

xoxo.

10.27.2011

Backyard Belle

I know y'all can't get enough of the 'real weddings' so I present to you one of the cutest of them all. Mrs. Katelyn Bryant (formally Ellzey) was married in a backyard ceremony and reception surrounded by friends, family, lights and mason jars. Before I show you the fancy photos, read a little more about Kate and Landon's story...

"Landon has been one of my closest friends through every huge milestone of life. We met in elementary school and became close friends during middle school, high school, and college. We never dated or even entertained the thought of a romantic relationship, because our friendship was such that he was pretty much my other half, be default. One night a couple of years ago in October, we were sitting in his parent's driveway, and the conversation lead to a mutual agreement that we belonged together...followed by our first kiss.

That is how it has been since...no questions asked...all or nothing. He asked me to marry him on the beach one night during my family vacation. We were sitting under the stars by the water talking about how peaceful we felt and how happy we were together when he pulled out the ring box out and asked me to be his wife. I feel unbelievably lucky and undeserving of such love."  -Katelyn

Katelyn's beautiful backyard (Blackbird Photography)

Kate and Landon (Blackbird Photography)

Adorable, right? (Blackbird Photography)

Kate and her bridesmaids (Blackbird Photography)

I indulged in root-beer floats, popcorn, and cupcakes galore. Oh, and might I mention, I caught the bouquet (whoop whoop)!

Thank you, Kate and Landon for allowing me to be a part of your special day! It was beautiful, retro, and altogether lovely. May you have all the happiness you deserve! 


Special thanks to Blackbird Photography for the use of all the above photos!