Haley + Paul

As all of their family and friends will tell you, Haley and Paul are a perfect match. The story goes that Haley was always finicky about guys and Paul was quiet about any girl that he dated…until they met each other. But when Haley kept Paul around longer than a month or two and Paul actually spoke of her by name instead of “that girl” both families knew that they had found the one, maybe even before Haley and Paul knew themselves. On this magical day, Haley and Paul not only got to be best friends, but husband and wife.

Haley was looking for something special in a wedding dress as well as for the rest of the wedding. She wanted to avoid the cliche wedding look and truly make it her style which is all about Shabby Chic with a hint of vintage. She found the perfect match to her style in a stunning Vera Wang gown, which had unfinished edges, a high empire waist and a huge bow. Wearing a uniquely shaped chunky champagne and gold necklace and earrings from J. Crew, her accessories completed her look. While peach was the dominate color in the attire and decorations there were subtle hints of light blue here and there. Little blue flowers nestled right in with the soft, creamy peaches of the bouquets and floral arrangements, by Toni’s Flowers and Gifts, complemented the gorgeous deep peach of the bridesmaids one shouldered dresses. Everything came together beautifully.

The ceremony took place at St. John’s Episcopal Church and it was nothing short of divine. The stained glass behind the altar created a stunning backdrop for the sacred vows that Haley and Paul shared. Aside from the beauty of the ceremony venue, it also held a special place in the groom’s heart, as that was the very place that his parents wed some 28 years ago and the church he frequented growing up.

Through a cloud of bubbles the couple headed out of the church to join their wedding party and closest friends on a trolley that would take them to the Mayo Hotel to get the party started. It was supposed to be a hugely stormy day, but the rain held off however, the wind did not. The couple really wanted to do some creative shots of them together in front of the Mayo but the wind proved to be too much. So after cocktails and the grand introductions downstairs while guests headed up to the grand ballroom we snuck into the ladies lounge to take advantage of it’s gorgeous setup. It was really fun trying to get creative in the tight little room as women came in and out wondering if they were in the right place because a guy was in the room. I think that Haley and Paul liked it because they were finally able to sit down and just relax for a few moments.

In the ballroom guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, lots of drinks and even more dancing. There were fraternity serenades and sorority songs (that I was excited to be a part of as Haley and I were in the same house,) a bouquet toss that had so many ladies lined up for they could barely fit into the space designated for them, and even a garter toss that had enthusiast guys that didn’t run away from the garter! It ended up being an absolutely lovely evening. I left the wedding thinking about a sentiment Paul’s cousin shared a that spoke deeply to all, saying that marriage is a choice and love is a choice and that it was important to work on both every because they were choices. Haley and Paul TOLD everyone that they had chosen to marry one another, which was why they had come together, but they SHOWED it throughout this special day with every sideways glance, every touch of the hand and every embrace that they shared that they had CHOSEN to LOVE each other now and forever. They are is nothing more breathtaking than the look of love in two peoples eyes! Congratulations and happy forever!  – Lauren