Classic Black Tie Wedding
We have such a soft spot for couples who are unafraid to joke around in front of the camera, mainly because it results in the most amazing pictures. Katie Beth and Brandon are one adorable couple — not to mention talented! Katie Beth took on many of the wedding projects herself and ended up with a darling small town wedding with a big bang. Thanks to the always incredible Heidi of Our Labor of Love for these wonderful photographs!
From the bride, Katie Beth: I wanted a romantic but rustic affair with lots of candlelight and accented with the muted, saturated tones of winter. Eufaula is a small, southern town so there are not a lot of venue options and everyone typically uses the same place. I knew the reception would be outside under a tent so I had to brainstorm and come up with something unique for my hometown. My dad and I are both designers, so once I declared the “theme” our creative minds started going!
The wedding involved a lot of natural elements that we collected ourselves – lily pad seed pods, cotton bolls, wood sectionals, greenery, magnolia leaves, etc. – and our florist did an amazing job incorporating them into all pieces. Along with the natural elements, we used a lot of candles to create a romantic, but casual atmosphere.
We used a lot of natural tones pulled from the winter season. I concentrated mostly on grays, sage green, and cream. They all blended in so well together. We anticipated for late February to be cold, but somehow the day had blue skies, sunshine, and a high around 70 degrees. It was a beautiful day!
My dad (along with lots of family members!) constructed these rustic mason jar chandeliers that hung above each dining table under the tent. Each one was strung with twine and held about 15 mason jars with tea lights. They illuminated the tent beautifully!
One of my main focuses was to create separate dining and dancing atmospheres. Most receptions at the Mansion keep the layout symmetrical for the band and tables, but I wanted a cozy, unique dining experience with music and dancing on the other side. We essentially split the tent in half with a walk way and had the catering on one side with buffet style dinner tables and the band with dance floor set up on the opposite side. I really loved how they turned out.
Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? I think that wedding planning can be stressful regardless so just try and keep you head up and don’t sweat the small stuff. Also, don’t be afraid to delegate or ask for help. I am a perfectionist and wanted to do everything myself (or with my mom), but I realized I could have saved a lot of time if I would have asked for assistance. In the end, no matter what happens, you will still be husband and wife and look back and think everything turned out perfectly.
View more images from this wedding
Wedding Songs:
Processional: Bridal Chorus from Lohgengrin by Wagner
Recessional: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Ludwig Van Beethoven
First Dance: Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
Wedding vendors (Eufaula, AL):
Ceremony venue: First United Methodist Church / Reception venue: Shorter Mansion / Wedding photographer: Heidi and Julia of Our Labor of Love / Wedding flowers: Selena Bond / Wedding dress: Nicole Miller from The White Room / Jeweled applique: Romona Keveza / Bride’s necklace: Nordstrom / Wedding shoes: BCBG / Bride’s veil: made by bride’s great aunt / Bridesmaids’ dresses: J. Crew / Musician: 2nd Coming / Wedding catering: Quality Catering / Wedding cakes: Teresa’s Cake Art and Bakery / Wedding invitations: designed by bride
You can feel the love in this wedding! I am in love with the bride’s necklace!
Thanks for posting my big day! It is fun re-living all the details!
it is so great to see small town girls think outside of the box. she is so right saying that most weddings are held a one or two locations. This wedding looks so beautiful and well thought out! xo Kirby
soooooooooo beyond in love with all of this! now this is the perfect rustic chic black tie affair! love the moss, love the masons, love the burlap, love the chandeliers, LOVE the bride’s necklace! absolutely amazing style!!!
I have been a reader for such a long time and yet I think this might be the first time I’ve commented. But this wedding is just so beautiful I couldn’t resist! That first image with the light, her smile, that necklace, gah it’s gorgeous! I love everything about this wedding.
Just. Lovely.
Especially fabulous were those chandeliers and the sparkler send off…
Nicely done! 😀 I loved the details!
Lovely pics and beautiful couple. I like marriage stuff.
I love the ball jar candle fixtures! I have been looking at making something similar for our wedding. We are going to have the same clear span tent type. Can you tell me how those were made, and level of difficulty? I imagine the candle lit effect was magical at night! Well done!
This wedding was flawless and Katie Beth was by far one of the most gorgeous brides I have ever seen. Perfection!!!!!
Katie Beth! I am so proud to have been a part of it, it was so beautiful! I love you!
The bride looks kinda like Taylor Swift!
Love the use of Mason Jars and Pretty Details! <3
in LOVE with the bride’s necklace!!
This was an amazing wedding! Katie Beth’s talents are remarkable.
Not only is she extremely talented, but she was the most beautiful
bride I have ever seen.
I’m chandelirious! (To borrow from Sex in the City.) The jar-tealight construct is such a cool concept, and perfectly suited to the event.
This wedding is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I am in awe. Katie Beth you look BEAUTIFUL. I tried searching your necklace on Nordstrom, but couldn’t come across it. Do you mind mentioning who makes it?
Katie Beth you look gorgeous! I concur with many others, your necklace is amazing. Who designed it?
Hi Katie, I absolutely love your dress – Could you tell me which collection it came from? I went to the Nicole Miller from The White Room website and cannot find it. Thank you!!
Thanks all for the sweet comments! I don’t believe Nordstrom carries the necklace anymore, but we actually had to call the manufacturer because it was ‘unavailable’ for a short period on their website. They let us know more would be available at that time. It is made by Cara Accessories and if you google them they are out of New York and a # should be available to call. Good luck with the search!
If any of you are interested in the rough plank chandeliers, please let me know! We are going to try to sell some. Thanks!
Where did you get those shoes? I love them!
What a gorgeous wedding! My sister is having an outside wedding in the fall. The rough plank jar chandeliers are just too adorable and would be absolutely perfect!. How were they hung from the tent? Could you give me more info on those? Thanks!
Love the hair accessory! Where is it from?