A Heartfull of Melodies: February 2014

I love weddings, I rejoice with those who get engaged and pray for every girl to have their wedding dreams come true. I want to blog about my wedding. (7 months almost 8 months after) I am going to share what I felt was worth the cost and ways that I saved money. As well as something things that I did that I feel made my day special. Our venue was at Deer Creek Overlook.

Decorations:

I did some major DIY. I did all the flowers, and between me and my mom we purchased some a little here and a little there. I had a theme, southern garden.

Here are a couple of Instagram pictures of what I did on my own as well as pictures from the wedding.

My mom bought the cake stand from HomeGoods. I bought the ribbon and the button from Walmart. Then I weaved the ribbon through and put the button on it.

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

The small chalkboards I got from Etsy ( I don't remember the vendor) I bought the liquid chalk from Michaels in the wedding section.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

I was having an outdoor wedding, and there was no way I was going to wear heels. Not only that but I wanted shoes that I could easily kick off and dance. I got the shoes from Walmart, and the decals from Michaels.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Instead of programs we did a poster board. We made it look like a chalkboard. One side had the bridal party and on the other side order of ceremony.

Our favors were S'mores. S'mores is a huge part of our love story. It only made sense that a piece of how we met was a favor for our wedding.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Our center pieces were a framed table number, a lantern, a flower in a glass, and a thick piece of scrapbook paper underneath. Then have the s'mores around it. I love lanterns and used lanterns for the aisle as well.

I did the flowers myself. I got the flowers from Walmart and Michaels.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren by Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

For my throwing bouquet, I made a small bouquet that broke apart and more then one girl got a flower.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

I did not do a seating chart. I bought a sign from Etsy and it is universal that I can use it in my home as well.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

                                          Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

   We had some loved ones that have passed that we wanted a way to honor them. I made a table to display photos and have a candle lite.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

My mom made this marker so that people could find the venue.

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Instead of doing the ring pillow, we made a sign. I painted the sign itself and my mom did the lettering.

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

The ceremony we kept it simple at the beginning of the aisle and at the end, we put a lantern on each side and a small pot of flowers.

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

We did a sand ceremony as a nod to my love of the beach. I got saved on the beach and it only seemed fitting to use sand to symbolize our unity together in Christ using sand. The sand and the sand heart shaped holder is from Michaels. The flowers were something that was at our house. even though our colors were pink and navy, I did not want pink sand, but chose the natural color and blue.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

I had two cousins serving overseas at the time of my wedding. They both wanted to be there. So as a way of showing thanks for serving our country and knowing they were their in heart, we had a table in honor of them.

I made small cards for significant others of some of our bridal party, inviting them to sit with their loved one. I didn't get a picture of them but I was thanked for the gesture. :)

It was worth it:

There were some things that I bought and things I decided to invest in that really, looking back I would do it all over again.

1. Having a wedding coordinator.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

I am so happy I had wedding coordinators at my wedding! It was so nice to know that there were people who helped to make my day run without a hitch. They did such an excellent job with my wedding that I highly recommend them, and if I ever have a party and need planners I will go back to using them. Courtney and Rebecca were amazing!

I used: Moore & Co. Event Stylists http://mooreandcoevents.com/#/home/

2. My Wedding Dress and Veil.

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

The first time I saw this dress I knew it was the one. The dress was what I was excited about. I love this dress and it fit perfectly with my theme, and the venue. Here are some of my favorite dress shots.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

My Veil was another love at first sight.. It was long and beautiful. I pray that my daughters will love it and use it. The beauty of this veil is that I plan to have it as an heirloom. Here are some of my favorite shots of my veil.

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

I got my dress and veil at :K&B Bridals http://www.kandbbridals.com/

3. Hair and Makeup

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

I got my hair and makeup done at Salon 23

Special Moments:

Then you have all the wonderful memories that you make.

1. First Looks.

Colin

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

My dad

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

2. First Kiss

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

4. Happy Birthday Aunt Diane

(Our wedding day was the same day of my Great Aunt Diane's birthday and we say Happy Birthday and presented her with flowers)

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

3. First Dance

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

4. Parent Dances

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

5. Cake Cutting

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Music:

I love music and I love dancing. Here is a list of some of the songs that were played.

1. Ceremony

From This Moment by Shania Twain ( instrumental)

Making the Movies Jealous by Kristen McNamara

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri (Instrumental) * I walked down the aisle to this song*

Stuck on You by Elvis Presley

The songs above were played off of my iPhone by our friend Shawn Cappron

We had our friends Aubrey and Amanda Roach sing In Christ Alone

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

2. Reception

The Way You Smile by Newsong ( first dance)

I Loved Her First by Heartland (father/daughter dance)

Handprints on the Wall by Kenny Rodgers (mother/son dance)

I See the Light from the movie Tangled (cake cutting)

and of course dance music!!

http://www.partytymedjsmd.com/

our DJ was Bill Braun

Photo by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Photo by: Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography

Our videographer was my Uncle Ozzie

Our Photographer was Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography http://www.shannonmcferrenphotography.com/

We were so blessed to have Mrs. Shannon do our wedding. She did such a fantastic job. She did our engagement photos as well. Here are some of my favorite shots.

All photos below were photographed by Shannon McFerren of Shannon McFerren Photography