Valerie & Eric were such a sweet couple.  Soft spoken, easy going and funny.  By the time the wedding rolled around, we were old friends.  We had worked with them on their Engagement photos and Bridal portraits.  When we are able to work with a couple that much before the wedding, then at the wedding it is like being part of the family

The wedding was held at the family church and then off to the Metropolitan Room.  The Met Room was super cool ! It had been a bank that has been converted into an event space.  The architecture has a retro feel.  There were amazing sliding “screens” that acted at room dividers.  Add some lighting, flowers and a bar, IN THE OLD SAFE, and you have a different, cool spot for a wedding !

Valerie had put so much thought into the elements of her wedding that when I asked about the details of her day, her rely was so informative and heartfelt that I decided to use her own words:

“They are all a part of my “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”  I will just tell you the story behind everything I had/wore that day.

I wanted to incorporate all the traditional things into my wedding day but also had several sentimental things that needed to be included as well.  My something old(s) were the bible, and bonnet, and my pearls and ring.  The bible was given to me by my Maid of Honors’ mother when I was born.  It was meant to be carried in my bouquet on my wedding day, but since the style of bouquets have changed drastically since the 80′s, I decided to just use it beforehand   The bonnet was given to Eric when he was a baby.  It was meant to be a bonnet for the little boy and to then cut the strings off and give to his wife to carry on their wedding day.  My pearls are not quite so old, but were given to me by Eric’s parents on our first Christmas together.  My Mother-in-law bought them for me because she “thought they would look beautiful with a wedding dress.”  On my right hand I wore my Grandmothers engagement ring.  She passed away 23 years ago but we were very close and I wanted her to be with me on my special day.  This ring was the reason for all of the tears during the reception.  Her two sisters and her sister-in-law were there and we all shared a good cry.  It meant as much to them as it did to me that she was remembered on my wedding day, even after all this time.
My something new was my dress and earrings, which was my Mother’s gift to me. We did all of the dress and jewlery shopping together, just the two of us.
My something borrowed was the prayer stone.  It belongs to my bridesmaid Whitney.  She was the one person who was always there for me during the planning process.  We shared it all, good and bad, and she always picked me up when I needed it.  Whitney was the one person who would call and say “I am so excited! I want to hear everything you have done this week!”  The planning process was the most fun for me, but a lot of people forget how excited a bride is, and just doesn’t ask.  So for me, that meant the most.  When she offered to let me use her prayer stone I knew it would be perfect!  We both prayed for my wedding day (put your prayers and worries in the stone) and let God handle the rest.  It must have worked because everything went off without a hitch!
My something blue was my shoes and purse!  It is my favorite color and I loved that I “matched” my bridesmaids.”

After the reception, the wedding party, some friends and of course us, went the the Sky Lounge @217 Pierro’s, to finish off the night.

Thank you guys for such a wonderful time.  We were honored to be a part of your celebration

Here are the fabulous wedding vendors that helped make the day memorable:

Wedding Planner : Jenny Beaver – Just Jenny Designs and Event
She did it all – church decorations, all flowers, all decorations at reception, candy buffet, centerpieces, table decorations, etc.
Cake: Neal Lyman ( family friend)
Church :  Village Baptist Church
Reception Venue: The Metropolitan Room
Caterer: Papa Jacks, Owner Tommy Culbreth
DJ: Robert Kitchen DJ Rooster

Afterparty: Sky Lounge @217 Pierro’s

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