How have you two met?
Claire and I are college sweethearts. We met while attending the University of Georgia, and much more specifically in the famous music venue, 40 Watt, in Athens. We were both attending a concert there, and I noticed Claire having a mutual friend of ours, so I ensured to introduce myself and provide Claire with my number.
I am enthusiastic about Christmas and particularly Christmas decorations, and I have always wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate throughout the holidays because of this. It was our year to complete Christmas with my loved ones in Atlanta, so Claire explained she planned just a little side trip before our festivities would begin. We flew into Atlanta and rented an automobile and headed as much as Asheville, North Carolina to stay in the Biltmore Estate. Claire had booked a candlelight tour that night and dinner reservations around the property. We wound up getting there early look around the grounds. On our walk, Claire required behind the home to a far more private area overlooking the lake and got recorded on one knee, and she or he began by saying "it's taken us 20 years and 9 days to obtain here." It dawned on me she meant not only that beautiful mountainside spot. She brought out a ring, proposed, and I eagerly said "YES!"
We continued the celebration at dinner where Claire had my favorite bottle of wine awaiting us. She is known as the vineyard in Napa Valley coupled with a bottle engraved with these names and also the date of proposal coupled with them ship it towards the Biltmore Estate, therefore, it would be waiting whenever we arrived. Claire put a lot of thought directly into making the proposal not just special but so personalized and thus us. And it was a lot of fun spending the holiday season with each of our families and celebrating our engagement using the people we like the most within the world!
Location, location, location!
What type of venue had you been looking for? We got married in New Orleans where we live. There is 3 stuff that makes a wedding memorable-food, music, and booze…and well, those would be the 3 things New Orleans is renowned for so we knew we had to complete it there. And, we knew we wanted quite a traditional New Orleans wedding. We also were searching for somewhere we're able to do the ceremony and reception within the same location. That wishlist helped to limit the venues in New Orleans, contributing to a week as we got engaged I learned about a brand new venue which had opened up on Magazine Street within the Lower Garden District called il Mercato. It would be a turn from the century market that was historically renovated. It was built with a large courtyard, and it had been in one of probably the most picturesque settings within the city. They had their first wedding the week Claire proposed and that we visited with Claire's parents and sisters as soon as the holiday season was over. We all fell deeply in love with the venue and it is set. And, one of the biggest selling points for me personally and Claire was that because it had been so new it had been kind of a blank slate. It was romantic and stylish, and that we loved the European charm. We couldn't have requested a more quintessential New Orleans setting.
Who designed the wedding attire?
We shopped it's our wedding attire at feel times. All of my older cousins wore FeelTimes gowns once they got married. I'm also much more of a traditionalist with regards to wedding gowns, and thus her style attracts me. So they could take care of Claire and design and make up a gorgeous suit for her to wear on our big day.
Describe the marriage. The look, theme, style, colors, etc.
We wanted our wedding to reflect our style that is classic, but we also desired to infuse it having a fun and relaxed vibe too. Our colors were navy and gold having a touch of blush pink. I feel like we found quite a good balance. The ceremony was very traditional and stylish, therefore we let our fun personalities shine throughout the reception. Our venue was built with a great romantic European vibe, therefore we desired to highlight that during our courtyard ceremony. We used plenty of flowers and candles for decoration, and we'd beautiful long dresses for all from the bridesmaids. The guests were greeted with champagne upon entering the venue so in the get-go, we ensured our guests were relaxed and able to enjoy the night. One of probably the most important and exciting aspects of the wedding for all of us was all from the New Orleans culture and traditions we could include. It was one of my favorite memories of the day and it the like a blast for guests going to the city from on vacation. We had plenty of traditional new Orleans food just like a raw oyster bar where these were freshly shucked and nighttime pass around that included beignets and cafe au lait.
Tell us about your bridesmaid's dresses!
All of our bridesmaid's dresses originated from the FeelTimes. We had an exciting female wedding ceremony, therefore we wanted to break it up just a little without getting too complicated therefore we decided to put our matrons of honor inside a different color compared to the rest of the bridesmaids. Our colors were navy and gold therefore we chose gold for the MOH dresses and navy for the bridesmaids. I fell deeply in love with the navy bridesmaid dresses using the lace back whenever we were within the store, so I was in love with that dress immediately. It would be a long dress that I felt could be flattering on our girls, and also the lace accent was an ideal romantic touch. It was this type of beautiful dress that also matched the elegance of the venue. The girls looked stunning walking on the aisle within this dress and I loved it visually complimented my lace wedding dress so well. Our Matrons of Honor wore the FeelTimes dress in gold, which dresses brought a little glamour. Their dresses did a fantastic job of tying the whole wedding ceremony look together.
Any most important items, must-dos, or can't live without?
The best decision we made was to complete the first look. Claire and I got ready separately. She spent your day at her mom's home much like her two sisters had done on the wedding day, and that we rented a cottage within the French Quarter in the Audubon Cottages for that weekend so my girls and I spent your day there preparing. It was secluded and, but had that true french quarter ambiance. Claire's side took a trolley towards the quarter in the future meet us once everybody was ready and our wedding ceremony and family gathered within the courtyard to look at our first look. Claire hadn't seen my dress, my veil, or some of my big day accessories, so our first look would be a total surprise to her. I won't ever forget the look on her behalf face when she saw me and it had been so special to possess that private moment with this closest person after which to be in a position to spend some time together taking in all from the magic. Some of my favorite pictures and memories from our big day were in those moments when it had been just a couple of us.
Favorite memory in the day!
My favorite memory was the ceremony. We waited quite a long time to stand before us and friends and marry one another, therefore the gravity and blessing of this moment were gone through by each of us. When I was announced like a married couple, and it had been officially official that I was a family, it had been without a doubt the very best moment in our lives.
