Real Mississippi Wedding: Bailey + Sage

Republished from: swsmag.net/blog

Judging by these fabulous images from Stephanie Rhea Photography, I’d have to say this Mississippi bride more than succeeded in planning a wedding that oozed simple Southern elegance when said “I do” to her college sweetheart and fellow Auburn U. alum!  Now we all known I’m the tuxedo’s #1 fan, but I really love that the groom and his attendants spiffed up their classic wedding day bests with white bowties.  Ultra-formal, dashing and oh-so-Southern!  Of course, Bailey’s Heidi Elnora gown is one of the most figure-flattering choices we’ve seen in awhile but the bridesmaids’ one-shouldered blue gowns from Bella Bridesmaid?  I love (repeat: l.o.v.e.) these dresses!  I like when bride’s keep their bouquets simple and understated (white peonies from The Pantry Catering and Event Designs really complemented this real-life Southern wedding’s classic vibe) but also appreciate when couples infuse sophisticated and subtle splashes of color into their centerpieces (please tell me those lime green apples aren’t absolutely adorable!).  The courtyard at the Old Waverly Golf Club where the newlyweds celebrated with family and friends post-vows in an intimate evening reception is simply breathtaking and the cake – oh, the wedding cake – is a six-tiered masterpiece from Angels Confections.  De-lish!

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story. Sage and I met as neighbors in our apartment complex at Auburn University.  I needed a date to my sorority’s fall formal and, though we barely knew each other, I asked Sage to go with me.  After dancing and laughing the whole night, the rest is history.
Describe the proposal.  After Sage finished his last final exam in the spring of 2008, he surprised me with a picnic on top of a mountain at Chewacla State Park.  While I was busy getting things out of the picnic basket, Sage got down on one knee and pulled out the ring he had picked out for me.  I was beyond shocked!  I didn’t even know he had bought a ring!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I had a vision in my head of exactly what I wanted my wedding to look like and sometimes bringing that vision to life was more challenging than I had imagined.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Simple southern elegance.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I wore a custom-designed gown by Project Runway designer Heidi Elnora.  It was an amazing and fun process to watch as my dress sketch evolved into a beautiful gown!
Describe your wedding flowers: A white and cream palette of flora that included peonies, mop-head hydrangeas, dendrobium orchid sprays, Queen Ann’s Lace, fragrant gardenias and stalks of cymbidium orchids, all laced with string smilax.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Elegant, fun and full of love.

What was your favorite design element of your big day? The transformation of the English garden into a chic, outdoor lounge where guests gathered for cool summer drinks and hors d’ oeuvres before a light summer supper and evening of dancing.  It was the perfect place for us to decompress a little and enjoy both the minted palmyras and the beginning of our evening.

Describe your wedding cake: Our wedding cake was fabulous!!  We chose a six-tiered, round confection filled with traditional vanilla and French vanilla buttercream.  The cake was decorated with edible shimmer and hand-sculpted orchids made from sugar paste.  To incorporate Sage’s love for fishing, I surprised him with a three-tiered chocolate cake topped with a handmade fishing basket complete with bass fish, lures, line and stringers of small fish, all made of chocolate and sugar.  The cake was accented with cattails made of chocolate, grass and turtles made from sugar paste.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Kicking off our reception under a clear top tent with a first dance to the band’s version of Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” was definitely a highlight.  Escalade Show and Dance, an eight-piece band from New Orleans, kept great music flowing all night and had all the guests hitting the dance floor.   
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I would have to say when Sage and I saw each other for the first time.  I could see the love all over his face, and everything really came into focus.  It was a sweet, special moment I know I’ll remember forever. 

Congratulations Bailey + Sage!  Best wishes in all your future endeavors together!