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Real Tennessee Wedding: Mary + Mark
Ready for a fun splash of color that is sure to make you sad to see the hot summer months go? The bright reds and cool aquas of Mary + Mark’s Tennessee wedding already make me miss the long days at the beach and afternoons by the pool. We have to say that Dixie Pixel Photography did as phenomenal a job capturing the fresh and contemporary look the couple was going for with their Ridge Valley Farm nuptials as their planner, Sonya of A Perfect Day!. The bridesmaids looked summer-perfect in their sheer Mori Lee slip dresses and contrasting bold red bouquets from Whimsical Gatherings while the crisp, three-tiered cake and delicate floral detailing from Party Perfection added just the right hint of simple elegance. Clearly, judging by our apparent obsession with the dreamy dessert bar from Abner’s Attic, we are loving the catering (and especially the sweets!) from the tented reception. Is it even possible to pick just one favorite from this to-die-for spread?
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Mark and I met through a mutual friend named Steven. Steven and Mark were best friends in high school and I had met Steven in the dorm the two of us shared. Mark and I hit it off pretty quick and never looked back. In November 2007, Steven was killed in a car wreck on his way to hang out with Mark and another close friend. As we mourned, we realized how special our story was and how our story would always be intertwined with our memory of Steven.
Describe the proposal: Oh man did he make me work for it! I basically drove all the way around Birmingham going to memorable places and asking strangers for "clues." I eventually ended up at the base of Vulcan, a statue overlooking downtown Birmingham. There, Mark handed me one final “clue” stating his love and asking me to marry him. As I looked down at him on his knee with tears in his eyes he said, "Will you?" It took everything I had notto give him a hard time and say "Will I what?" But after making him sweat for a few seconds, I gladly accepted. We chose to celebrate our new engagement by eating at the Cheesecake Factory and going to see the movie Baby Mama. (I now realize what a strange choice that was!)
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Our inspiration was the colors red and aqua. Once we picked the colors, the rest of the design fell into place. I wanted something contemporary and fresh.
Favorite design element of your big day: All my beautiful red flowers! I knew that the bold red would be gorgeous against the light aqua shade, butt he colorful flowers managed to set the tone for the whole wedding.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I went casually browsing one day with my mom and ended up ordering a dress without even trying on a sample gown. I fell in love that fast! My dress was simple with no beading or lace, but the raw silk material made it unique and stunning.
Describe your wedding flowers: When I first met with my florist, there were only a few things I knew I wanted and didn't want. Anything traditional was out of the question, so roses and lilies were really not what I had in mind. Also, I wanted every single flower to be red. I ended up choosing peonies, anemones, ranunculus and tulips. I hate to admit it but I did let some lilies and roses into the mix.
Describe your wedding cake: This was one of the easiest choices we made. Red Velvet cake with cream cheese icing is both Mark and my favorite. My mom learned to bake one when we would come visit to bribe Mark into doing chores. We added a white ribbon around the base of the cake as well as a few decorative clay flowers.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Not making the planning process a full time job. Mark was working full time and I was working and trying to finish my last semester at school. It was a challenge to focus on homework when I could browse through wonderful wedding inspiration.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fun, relaxed and too fast!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/line? Mark’s vows were perfect. I can’t pick just one line or phrase because the whole thing was so special. Knowing that every word Mark said to me that day was from his heart and was the truth made it incredibly sweet.
What's next for you as a couple? Life. Pure and simple, Mark and I want to spend our lives together. We don't know what's next, but we're glad to be able to experience it together.
Congratulations, Mary + Mark! Enjoy your time together as newlyweds!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 08:00AM
Reader Comments (32)
Incredible colors, food, photography, details. Love it!
Mary and Mark,
I love you guys. I loved the wedding and I know you guys will be happy. Too bad I couldn't eat half the stuff there b/c it had ice cream in it lol.
We are all sitting in our office drooling... seriously... DROOLING!
I was honored to be in such a beautiful wedding and to have such a beautiful sister! Gorgeous wedding and incredible leftover desserts for me!
love you both,
Holly Anne
My favorite from the wedding -- except the wonderful couple -- was the photo album guest book. What fun to be able to see all your fantastic engagement pictures! Much more practical than a huge picture frame too! The colors are so striking - and full of life -- just like you two!
Thanks so much for featuring this, it looks great! Southern Weddings was the source for so much of my inspiration. Couldn't of planned it without my family and wonderful wedding planner, Sonya Scott!
Whimsical Gatherings arrangements and details are always pure genius! Congrats on a great decision for your most important day!
I have worked with Leah from Whimsical Gatherings on many weddings and I'm always AMAZED at how she can completely understand what a Bride wants & deliver FABULOUS flowers. Love everything about this wedding! Nicely done, nicely done.
I love the beautiful artwork displayed by Whimscial Gathering's Leah McCall on the flowers. She always does a magnificent job!! She has a true natural talent. Again, I love the flowers!!! Great job Whimsical Gatherings!!
The color scheme is absolutely beautiful. i am WOWED!
Some of the best wedding pictures I have ever seen. To many good ones to pick out a favorite- however I do love my little boy Brady standing in the isle watching Mary being given away. The color scheme is amazing.
What a beautiful wedding; love the ring bearer! Our Brady-boy.
What a beautiful wedding. Love the red colors and all the small details. It looks like it was a very special day for your parents and you.
As most weddings go family attendance is required, but what made this wedding special was your southern location, atmosphere, family relationships, and "the southern hospitality" picture perfect. Congraduations and a loving long life together.
Love this wedding!
The wedding was amazing! Everything looked perfect! The food was fantastic. And I am proud to say that I helped tie all of those chair sashes that were pictured! It was beautiful and the couple is truly meant to be together!
The choice of colors was first introduced to me when Mary and I began to discuss her wedding. I had never thought or heard of that combination together and was pretty unsure of how they would turn out. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the bridesmaids dresses, flowers and the table settings. They looked beautiful and was a fresh new look that, I thought as a designer, I could add to my palette. The desserts were scrumptious. I had my fill, but saved room for the cake! I was not able to keep some space for a doughnut, but thought they were a sweet touch to the wedding spread. I love the couple very much and hope they are blessed with a lifetime of love.
I came across this site in my wedding planning and absolutely LOVED the colors, flowers, photography, food, details, etc. I've shown my fiance the site and he loves some of the things ya'll did and we hope to get some ideas for our wedding from this article!
I was wedding planning and came across this article and LOVED everything about this wedding and got some great ideas. I can't wait to show my girlfriends!
Beautiful Bride...Good Looking Groom... and the cutest Ring Bearer EVER!!!.....Congrats to the Newlyweds..... Wishing you a lifetime of happiness...
What a beautiful wedding and gorgeous photos!
Such a pretty wedding, love the details in everything! Congrats to the sweet newlyweds!
Congratulations to the beautiful bride and groom. You have amazing taste in ring bearers. :) Wishing you the best! Brady & Max's "Tee"
I just love your wedding photos. They are so creative and beautiful. The photos capture the love the two of you have for each other. A beautiful wedding and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing your wedding photos with me.
Love your story, your colors, Mark's unique proposal method, everything was just beautiful!! I went to nursing school with your mother, you are lucky to such a sweet ladyas your mother, she loves you very much!!