Jordan + Ryan's London Wedding

From the Bride: I can't speak enough of my vendors who are listed as they built the stage, designed the 360-degree ceremony, built the floating florals behind the wedding party table and created our amazing Mexican themed rehearsal dinner. My childhood babysitter is the artist, who needed more coffee with my ideas, behind our florals including the floating floral ceiling with crystal birds and lights hanging down. The food was delicious, our special homegrown bourbon, Bargo 459, was smooth and the company of our friends and family was even better. Our DJ created foam glow sticks that had our names on them, and everyone had a blast dancing under the lights to them. He also had us do a last dance with everyone gone from the room before our exit and I would strongly suggest every couple taking the time to slow down for that moment. I’m so thankful for our photographer who captured everything with such grace.

What made our wedding special to me was the details that were derived from real life. My mom packed my very first dress I ever had on to be photographed next to my wedding dress. The table numbers I created had love quotes from books as a nod to my husband’s book he wrote along with bookmarks made in somewhat of the same style. I ironed on photos of our fathers holding each of us onto the back of our dads’ ties. My mother added flowers from my grandmothers’ peonies bush into my wedding bouquet and a beautiful charm with pictures of my grandparents hanging down. Each parent was gifted with a individually written embroidered handkerchief. My gift to the groom had the Jim Croce lyrics “You’re the one I want to go through time with” engraved on the back. One of my husband’s groomsmen couldn’t attend so we created a life-size cardboard cutout of him in the tux and outfit so he could be involved in our wedding. The guys all played ball together, so their initials and numbers were embroidered on their cuffs to represent their time playing together. I had made a special shirt and medal for my aunt and uncle who have been married an impressive sixty something years. This marriage is a mesh of Ohio and Kentucky so the wedding favors came in as buckeyes but take a good look at our wedding koozies and you will see like a true Kentucky girl I made sure we all bleed a little blue.

When you plan a wedding, you get to become the author of your own love story. It is less about the dress and decorations than it is about the person you are marrying and the people you surround yourself with. Our wedding was unique in that every step of the way I wanted it to feel personal. I don't believe love stories start with two people I believe they are built by years of love and energy poured into them by their family, their friends, and their communities. My ring is the perfect example and deserves its own paragraph as my husband designed it using diamonds from my grandmother and his grandmother. Every time I look at it, I think of the love we’ve experienced and the love we have for each other. Nothing in my mind will ever be like it and every couple deserves that on their wedding day and more importantly in their life together.

Bride’s Advice: A good wedding coordinator and team is very worth it. Work the details out before so the day of you are the calmest at peace bride you can be. It makes certain you will look back knowing it was everything you wanted it to be. Lastly, make it count and make it unapologetically yours.

Photography Jonah Deaton Photography Location London Venue Heart of Grace Farm Florals Mia & Wes Lovins Wedding Planner Lanta Hill Caterer Sassy Spoons Catering Cake Donna Vandy Rentals Bryants Rent- All Music Remember the Night - DJ Danny Phelps Stationery + Paper Goods Allegra Hair Anthony Centers from The Strand at Chevy Chase, Melody Richmond from Renewal Haven Makeup Lashira Davidson Bride’s Attire Calla Blanche Elysa from Marie Gabriel Bridal Groom’s Attire Generation Tux Jewelry (Custom Ring) Herzog Jewelers (Earrings) Markman’s Credits (Shoes) Loeffler Randal, Emmy London (Reception Dress) V. Chapman