{Real Traditional Jacksonville Wedding} Hayley & Joseph

Sometimes real weddings don't need much commentary from me as the pictures speak on their own.  Today's Jacksonville, Florida is one such wordless wedding.  Let's take a look at this classic wedding from Tonya Beaver Photography:

Okay, I can't stay completely quiet.  Hayley is a true classic Bride with her cascading bridal bouquet, her blusher veil and her string of pearls.  Then she adds a modern pop with her lovely braided chignon and embellished blue bridal flats.  Classic with spunk- I love it!    

Congratulations, Hayley & Joseph!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Tonya Beaver Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Reception Venue:
River City Brewing Company

In Memory

September 11, 2001 is a day forever etched in our hearts & minds. 

 

There is so much to say, so little of it seems right for the somber occasion.  On that sunny morning 11 years ago, I rushed to work, ignoring the horrible sight of the first tower billowing smoke across the Hudson River.  I came home much, much later on the ferry & looked in horror at the heavy smoke where the towers had stood tall just hours ago.  The Twin Towers were gone.  Loved ones were forever lost, including 57 of my Hoboken neighbors.  My heart was broken.  The world had changed. 

 

Hope & resilience persevere.

 

I bow my head in remembrance.     

 

Image via Lavender & Lilies 

 

 

{Sneak Peek} Hayley & Joseph

It's Friday!  I have to keep reminding myself of that very wonderful fact because I feel like it's Thursday due to lovely, relaxing Labor Day.  I love being surprised by a Friday as usually it's quite the opposite: it's Thursday & I'm desperately wishing it was Friday.  Anywho.  I won't leave you without a sneak peek of the fabulousness coming your way next Wedding Wednesday:  
 

Isn't that so romantic?  I just love it.  Plenty more when there this lovely came from so please tune in next Wedding Wednesday!

Happy Weekend!

Photography: Tonya Beaver Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights

{Real Creekside Wedding} Brittany & Carter

Location, location, location.  Unparalleled views of the creek & surrounding marsh.  Old, big trees hanging with Spanish moss.  Plenty of Southern charm.  It's no wonder the lovely Nashville couple chose to have their destination wedding at this fabulous South Carolina spot.  Joe Hendricks Photography share this beauty with us:
 

Nashville, Tennessee couple Brittany & Carter treated their guests to a destination wedding in Charleston, South Carolina just oozing with Southern charm.  Located on the banks of Hobcaw Creek, the Creek Club of I'on was the perfect spot for their wedding.  The ceremony took place on the large lawn with sweeping views of the creek & the surrounding marshes.  An Ireland flag flew high & proud over the ceremony in a nod the Groom's Irish heritage.  After the Bride & Groom said "I Do", the cocktail hour was held in the shade of the ancient, large trees with crystal lamps hanging from their low branches.  Cocktail tables boasted navy blue tablecloths, votive candles & pastel arrangements of hydrangeas, garden roses & a bit of greenery.  The celebration continued inside the club where low country food, drinks & dancing were plentiful.

As the wedding came to a close, the wedding guests blew bubbles for the Bride & Groom's Grand Departure.  The Groom surprised the Bride with a large, chartered boat for their getaway.  After pausing for a photo op underneath Arthur Ravenel Bridge, they cruised the Cooper River towards their happily ever after.  

Congratulations, Brittany & Carter!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Joe Hendricks Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Creek Club of I'on  /  Event Planner: Ooh! Events  /  Musicians: Classical Charleston  /  Wedding Cake: Ashley's Bakery  /  Wedding Gown: Arzelle's Bridal  /  Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy at Bella Bridesmaid

{Real DIY Nashville Wedding} Wendy & Ramey

Since summer unofficially ended last weekend, I'm excited to jump into Fall weddings, starting with this pretty little red & black September gem.  From invitations to card box to wine favors, the Bride crafted plenty of DIY details to admire.  My very favorite detail?  The Bride's very original, very cute party nail!!  Joe Hendricks Photography was on hand to capture this beauty:   

The fun-loving couple, Wendy & Ramey, met in the military while they were training for a half-marathon.  They started dating & things were set in motion when Ramey proposed to Wendy on romantic New Year's Eve.  They settled on an early September wedding date & decided to create a cool red & black wedding.  The couple made their simple, beautiful red & black pocket wedding invitation to set the tone.

Wendy & Ramey tied the knot in an intimate, outdoor ceremony at Cheekwood Botanical Garden, a lush, beautiful space accented by a large exhibit of colorful glass-blown artwork.  A coordinating, DIY red & black wedding program guided the guests through the ceremony.  The Bride wore white but stayed true to her red & black color scheme with fun red heels & dramatic black lace wrapped around her full, white bouquet of hydrangeas, roses & calla lilies.  As a sweet surprise to her Groom, the Bride wrote "I Do" on her ring finger, the ultimate party nail for a wedding!

The party continued at The Standard Nashville with more DIY, personalized details starting with escort cards made of white lace, red ribbon & white paper overlaid on black tented cards to direct guests to their tables.  The reception tables were named after the couple's favorite football teams & their beloved pets.  Each table had a black linen, a black & white damask runner & an arrangement of red roses & white flowers in a sleek, black vase.  The three-tiered, round white wedding cake featured red ribbons, red & white roses & a sparkly monogram topper.  The Groom's cake wasn't quite as elegant but it was a cute nod to the Groom's favorite football team, Arkansas Razorbacks.  When the fun party came to a close, the lucky guests took home a favor of bottled homemade wine decorated with a DIY red & black label.

Congratulations, Wendy & Ramey!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Joe Hendricks Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Ceremony Venue: Cheekwood Botanical Garden  /  Reception Venue: The Standard Nashville  /  Event Planner: 
Details by Margaret  /  Wedding Cake: Cakes by Rebecca  /  Wedding Gown: Atlas Bridal Shop  /  Hair Stylist: Wedlocks 

{Still Standing} 7 Months

On the first Tuesday of each month, I link up with The Journey at Still Standing Magazine to discuss where I am on my journey towards motherhood after a devastating miscarriage in February.  I hesitated to post today because I didn't want September's posts to start on anything less than a positive note.  But here I am because I committed to sharing my story & it was the best decision I made.  It started a discussion that helped heal me & maybe helped heal others.  There is no stopping now.  

Last weekend marked two major things: the unofficial end of summer & the due date of our baby.  We had the choice to celebrate the life we have or mourn the life we thought we would have before my first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.  In the end, we chose a celebration.

The weekend was filled with a few of our very favorite things.  My husband, our sweet pup & I headed to the beach.  Our days included beautiful sunshine, lovely beaches, belly laughs, delicious food, good drinks & even better company.  In the midst of our celebration, our baby's due date passed on a day of sun mixed with clouds.  It added just a bit of sadness to our weekend, like the rain the sunshine needs to make a glorious rainbow.  Our rainbow is bright & vivid & strong; it's a true representation of our life.  

Farewell, Summer & Welcome, Autumn.  May you bring a huge blessing of a rainbow baby into our life!   

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Other brave women are discussing the very same thing on their blogs today & linking with The Journey at Still Standing Magazine.  Please show a little support & love for the others sharing where they stand in their grief journey or motherhood journey: