Our Wedding Story

I know it’s taken me almost a month to post about my wedding, but as you might imagine, life has been pretty hectic! I was also waiting to get all my pictures back from my amazing photographer, Cassie Cardwell, and her assistant Mariah. All photos in this post are copyright The Warmth Around You and have not been cropped or altered in any way, other than resizing them for better display on this blog. I wish I could share them all – I’ve seriously marked 200 favorites so far. I also wish I could shoutout everyone who came to the wedding, but I had to keep this post simple or it would never be finished. You are all loved and appreciated!

Getting Ready

Robes

I borrowed my veil from my sister-in-law, Stefanie (shown here adjusting it). Up to the week of the wedding, I wasn’t really planning to wear a veil, mainly because I didn’t want to cover up the back of my dress. Then I tried this one on and loved it. It added drama and extra family significance.

Family & Bridal Party

With my parents. I had a special first look with my dad that I’ll always remember.

Constant companion of my 30s Ashley, SIL Stefanie, sister and matron of honor Debra, college BFF/Tiger soulmate for life Kathy, and we-met-on-the-internet BFF Alanna.

We managed to involve almost the whole family in the bridal party, including my brother. Taylor and I also each chose an usher, and I asked my good friend Wes. I referred to him as my “bridesman” throughout the wedding preparations.

This picture is so Abbey Road and I love it.

Attention Coke Zero, we’re available for your next ad campaign.

A perk of getting married at the historic Woodruff-Fontaine House is a bridal photo session in the mansion on the wedding day.

These windows overlooked the front lawn. We were watching guests start to arrive. A few saw us and waved.

The Ceremony

I wasn’t particular about a lot of details, but the growl towels were very important to me. I decided years ago that if I ever got married again, I wanted wedding growl towels laid out on the chairs exactly as they are before Grizzlies playoff games. Marrying into a Grizzlies family (Taylor and his brother founded the drumline, and my MIL was a Grizz Granny) made it a no-brainer. When I saw the guys laying the towels, I sent someone out to have them turned horizontally, but the backs of the chairs weren’t wide enough. I think they still looked good vertical, though… and they became unexpectedly useful.

Our wedding was scheduled for 6:00 on the front lawn. A sudden afternoon shower blew up, and it started to rain right on the dot of 6. Out the window, I watched all our guests run for the shelter of the carriage house while my BIL Lance, who was officiating, went over our options. If I’d known the rain would blow over quickly, I would have been fine, but the radar was inconclusive. Lance said we could have a shortened ceremony in the carriage house. Everyone would be standing and the string quartet probably wouldn’t fit. What pushed me over the edge about this scenario was that earlier, the carriage house was stinky because my mom had heated up some broccoli in the kitchen (don’t ask). I cried and said I refused to get married in a place that smelled bad. LOL. Thankfully, it stopped raining in a few minutes, and someone decided we were a go. The whole thing gave the ceremony an urgency and focus that wasn’t part of the plan, but we’re fortunate that this was the worst thing that went wrong. The guests seemed to take the rain in stride. After all, they had towels.

Since we were processing down the driveway and then up the sidewalk, my dad and I decided to “hide” so no one could see us. ;)

All the nieces were flower girls. I walked down the aisle to Don’t Stop Believing played by the string quartet, which was a dream come true.

I’d always wanted a Meyer lemon tree in a pot. In lieu of the traditional unity ceremonies, I decided to get a tree, and at the wedding, we each added soil brought from our parents’ homes. I’ve settled the tree in a nice new pot on the patio, and the first lemon is already growing!

Lance did a great job marrying us. He wrote us wonderful vows that felt fresh and personal but were still grounded in tradition. His wedding homily referenced the story of Noah, and God’s love of redemption.

We had two readings that I chose. Taylor’s friend and groomsman Bobby read from I John 4 (“perfect love casts out fear”), and my friend Vada read the ee cummings poem “i carry your heart with me (i carry it in).”

The Reception

Our reception was in the cellar of the house. We had our first dance as soon as we entered, to the traditional Elvis version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” I’d gone through at least ten first dance songs (none of which Taylor liked) and could not make a decision, so when he suggested this as a timeless and Memphisy choice, I went with it. My dance with my dad was to James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is” – I am all about upbeat father-daughter dances.

However, before I could dance with my dad, the Tiger fight song started playing and the University of Memphis mascot, Pouncer, burst through a side door. I’m not exaggerating when I say this was one of the most purely joyful moments of my life.

My boss, MiMi, got Pouncer for us. She and I had been talking about the wedding every day, and at some point I’d randomly said I would love to have Pouncer make an appearance. Through a connection, she actually tried to get Coach Penny Hardaway (we’d sent him a wedding invitation), and when that didn’t work out she moved on to Pouncer. Only four or five people knew he was coming. I still can’t believe she did that. Boss of the decade!!

We all did the Cupid Shuffle with Pouncer and then he took photos with everyone. I think the non-Memphians enjoyed it too.

My friend Justin agreed to be our wedding DJ. We’ve known each other since fifth grade, and he’s now the house DJ for the Grizzlies (sensing a theme?).

I had to get a photobooth pic with my SIPsters (though a couple of them had left by this point due to kids).

Emily was Kathy’s and my third roommate/BFF in college. We cried when we saw each other!

Kathy and Emily both married younger men named Daniel (they all celebrated their 15^th anniversaries this summer). Not long after I met Taylor, who’s younger than me, I found out that Taylor is his middle name. His first name is Daniel. The circle of Daniels is now complete.

We got a variety of Gibson’s Donuts for the crowd, and I ordered a small cake from my friend Chasity. I only got a couple of bites, but it was delicious. I plan to order another one for our first anniversary! Also: we used the cake knife Taylor’s parents used at their wedding.

Despite my attempt to aim it at my single friends, one of our nieces caught my bouquet. Taylor’s friend Robert caught the garter. Side note: the guys teased him about this hat and yelled “Pharrell” at him. Justin, apparently thinking they were making a request, started playing Pharrell. LOL.

I loved our growl towel exit. Cassie set everyone up in an arc instead of two lines, and the results were really great. Lance brought Taylor’s car around for the exit. We went around back, dropped Lance off, and drove home to Midtown to eat donuts at our dining table in our wedding clothes. And that was the start of our happy life together. I don’t think I would change a thing.

 

Credits

Venue: Woodruff-Fontaine House

Flowers: Kacie Cooper Floral Design

Bridal Gown:  Allure Bridals 2455 , purchased at The Barefoot Bride

Bridal Shoes: Nina, found on Poshmark (similar)

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal, color Horizon

Makeup: Emily Epperson

Invitations and Programs: Template from WeDoHoney

Photographers: The Warmth Around You

Coordinator: The spectacular Caroline Norris

String Quartet: Noel Medford quartet from U of M

DJ: Justin Baker

Growl Towels: designed by me, printed by Towels Outlet

Catering: Central BBQ

Desserts: Chasity’s Little Hobby and Gibson’s Donuts

Bartending: Memphis Bar Ties