Wedding Date: 4/13/2024

Venue: The Isom Place

Photographer: Paul Gandy Photography

Entertainment: Soul Tones

Caterer: A&N Catering, Oxford Creamery for ice cream

Floral Designer: Oxford Floral

Hair/Makeup: Element Hair Studio

Planner: Anna Purvis

Cake: Alice Chow

 

 

 

 

How would you describe your wedding day’s overall theme or vibe and why? 

Our wedding was inspired by the charm and vibrancy of English garden parties. We wanted to create a bright and joyful atmosphere, evoking the same sense of warmth and celebration that garden parties bring. To set the tone, we commissioned custom bunting flags, which became a centerpiece under our reception tent, embodying the quintessential garden party aesthetic. Hosting the ceremony and reception in the afternoon allowed us to enjoy the colorful flowers and carefully chosen decorations in full daylight. For David and me, it was essential that our wedding felt us—bright, fun, and easy-going authentically.

What inspired your choice of flowers?

Flowers were one of our top priorities for the wedding. We wanted a colorful and nontraditional atmosphere reflecting the joyful, vibrant vibe we envisioned for the ceremony and reception. I was particularly inspired by the beauty of wildflowers, which was a big reason I chose a spring wedding—it allowed us to use in-season blooms and enjoy a wide variety of options.

 

What was on the menu, and why did you choose those dishes?

We chose a buffet instead of a sit-down dinner for our afternoon reception to create a relaxed and flexible dining experience. The menu featured tomato tartlets, chicken sliders, beef tenderloin sliders, and a variety of other appetizers. The selection of hors d’oeuvres complemented the English garden party theme perfectly, with the small sandwich options offering a Southern twist on traditional English tea service. To us, it was the ideal balance of practicality, charm, and deliciousness.

Were there any funny or unexpected moments that made the day memorable?

An unexpected moment happened bright and early! While setting up at the Isom Place with my dad that morning, I suddenly realized I left my veil and headpiece at home in Memphis. Panic set in immediately, but my dad stepped up as the day’s hero. He jumped in the car, hurried to Memphis and returned to Oxford just in time to quickly change before pictures. The headpiece was my mom’s, so it meant a lot to have it with me—and I was so grateful he saved the day.

Did you have any unique flair/touch/elements that you added to your wedding?  

My favorite touch, which was especially unique, was the British bunting flags hanging inside the tent. I sourced them myself because no one in the area had anything similar. While there was initial skepticism, they completely transformed the space. Guests couldn’t stop commenting on how much they loved them, and for me, they tied everything together and truly captured the essence of our garden party theme.

Besides saying ‘I do,’ what was your favorite part of your wedding and celebration?

The first was our first look. I was so nervous and excited for David to see me and equally eager to see him for the first time that day. When the moment came, we didn’t start by looking at each other—we hugged. It was such an emotional and grounding moment, just the two of us, and it made everything feel real: we were about to get married. My second favorite moment came during the reception when I surprised David with a special appearance from Oxford Creamery’s adorable ice cream bicycle cooler. He has always been an ice cream lover—it’s his dessert of choice, no matter the options. Seeing his surprise and excitement was priceless!

What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding day?

My best advice is to let your wedding reflect who you are as individuals and as a couple, even if it means stepping away from tradition. It is important to focus on what brings you joy, so don’t feel pressured to follow traditions that don’t resonate with you. Another key piece of advice is to work with vendors who truly understand your vision. I trusted my vendors to bring my vision to life, and they exceeded my expectations in every way. Stick to what feels right for you, and your wedding will be perfect in its own way and most importantly– unapologetically you!