Allie & Brock

A perfect day in May brought one of the most inmate and love-filled days I had the pleasure of being a part of last Spring. 

If you have not read my post on Instagram about this family (here), please allow me to share this story. Eight years ago, Allie's mom owned this beautiful boutique that I frequented for the most wonderful gifts and clothing. I loved this boutique because it reminded me of my time working for Anthropologie and all of the amazing items we stocked there. Some time after I found her boutique, they had announced that they were closing that chapter of their lives for new ventures. I emailed Jaci and had mentioned how sad I was that they were closing and that was when Jaci responded saying "When the day comes that my daughter Allie gets engaged, I hope you are still in business because I am going to hire you."

Eight years later, Jaci kept her word and I had the honor of seeing Jaci watch her daughter become a wife and a forever partner to a wonderful man, Brock.

The entire day was filled with love, joyous tears, family, heartfelt toasts and the most beautiful sunset photos of this beautiful couple. It was a perfect day in every way.

Planning & Floral: Johnny and Dottie Events

Photography: Florapine Photography

Hair: Dawn Mytling | Makeup: Evolution of Beauty

Calligraphy: Paper Napkin Press

Dessert: Taylor'd Cakes

Chair Rental: Southwest Table & Chair

Venues: Living Word Church, Marshall Golf Club

Deanna & Alex

This wedding. There are many reasons why a designer would love a wedding like this, but when it's your own family, weddings like this are so much more.

It's no secret that Alex holds a special place in my heart. He is hard working, determined, kind, humble, and loving. All of these characteristics, I know, were set in place by another man who holds the deepest spot in my heart: Johnny. Alex walks like him. He smiles the same mega watt smile that crinkles his eyes, like him. He laughs like Johnny. And he loves Deanna in the same way Johnny loved Dottie.

Designing a wedding for Alex and his dearest Deanna was everything I could have hoped for for them (outside of the 95 degree weather that day). In determining where the wedding reception would take place, we tossed around the idea of local venues, but none of them fit Deanna and Alex. Then, it clicked. Deanna and Alex had just purchased a farm with a long gravel road, complete with an old wooden bridge and a lot of prairie. It was the perfect location, and although there was a ton of work to be done to the farm, Alex and Deanna knew it was exactly where they wanted to celebrate with their family and friends. They mowed and painted and planted and cleaned. It was all a labor of love.

We designed the day with every element of their lives included in it. From children feeding Alex's goats, to wildflowers that Deanna loved and vintage plates collected by family, to amazing food made by the families to dancing under the stars, it was perfect in every detail.

And even though Johnny wasn't there, he was.

He was in every way.

 

 

 

A single peony from Johnny's garden.

 

 

 

 

Design/Flowers: Johnny & Dottie | Photography: Shay Photography  | Stationary Suites: Ivory Isle Designs | Ceremony: St. Edwards Church | Reception: Lessman Farm