All American Wed | Meredith Sledge

What better way to lead up to the Fourth than with an All-American wedding! This gorgeous day, captured by Meredith Sledge Photography is full of red, white, blue and brilliant smiles! Bow tie laden groomsmen and the cutest ring bearers helped make this day absolutely picture perfect. Congratulations Taylor and Alex!

All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge All American Wed | Meredith Sledge

Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Meredith Sledge Photography
Ceremony Venue: Memorial Chapel
Reception Venue: Smithfield Center
Bride’s Dress: David's Bridal
Catering: Country Boy's BBQ
DJ: ACME DJs of Virginia

Engagement | Americana Style

“This was such a fun couple to work with! We held their engagement session at the same location where they will be getting married. They wanted to go all out and the bride-to-be even went for hair and makeup in order to complete the “retro” vibe we were going for. Between the amazing location and the abundant love these two share, it was a perfect engagement session! Their upcoming wedding will most definitely be a DIY-ed event. With the help of the farms owner (a close personal friend) and lots of family and friends, they will have no shortage of helping hands to make their big day a very special event! – Stephanie Dishman Photography

Engagement | Americana Style
Engagement | Americana Style
Engagement | Americana Style
Engagement | Americana Style
Engagement | Americana Style
Engagement | Americana Style
Engagement | Americana Style

FROM THE BRIDE

Jon and I were actually neighbors. He moved in 2 houses down when he was 17 and I was 14. We grew up on Hernando Beach and there were many nights that he would climb up on my Dads boat that was parked in the driveway under my window and try to talk me into sneaking out. One cold night in February ended with him and a friend being chased down the road by my dad and brother and them swimming home just for trying to talk to me. I would sneak out of the house and jump on the back of his Harley and ride away in the night or cruise the beach in his Jeep and go watch the sunset. When I was 16, I got into a car accident trying to sneak around and see him (since my parents forbid us to be together). I hit a tree at 15 MPH and lacerated my spleen. I had to be bay-flighted to a hospital an hour away and was in ICU for 4 days. My parents finally said, “ok, you almost died trying to be with him. You obviously love him.” After 2 years of sneaking around we were finally allowed to see each other. Shortly after I was pregnant with my daughter. I had her when I was 17. We were both still so young and didn’t quite have the “family” thing down. At 17, I decided it would be better to raise my daughter on my own and I did so for 8 years. I always knew God had put Jon in my life for a reason, and at first I thought it was my daughter. But not matter what relationship I was in it never felt right and I always thought of Jon. Then one day, about 3 years ago, out of curiosity I found him on FB and sent him a message only to find out that he had been looking for us! We have been inseparable ever since. We chose the 4th of July for our wedding day because we always had the best memories of sitting on top of roofs in Hernando Beach watching the fireworks. When I was 15 he gave me a firework called ‘Whistling Dixie’ and told me if he asked for it 10 years later I’d better have it – well, I still have it to this day. – Amy, the bride-to-be

Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle

“A devoted sense of love & loyalty weaves itself through just about everything in the Lone Star State. Texans treasure their sense of history & tradition and that’s apparent in the way we go about all of the most important things in life & love. We slow down to appreciate simplicities like the expanse of the southern sky filled with big, bright stars, a frosty drink on a humid night & sharing it with the one we love. Out in Montgomery, the rushed pace & traffic of the the big city give way to a slower pace of porches & pastures ripe with berries. At Hodge Podge Lodge, dating back to the Civil War, paramours have long been dropping to one knee to pop that age old question beneath their canopy of pecan trees. And we at Lacey Peyton Photography adore capturing these one-in-a-lifetime moments that remind us all of what it is to be in love, & also, what it means to be Texan.” – Lacey Peyton Photography

Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle
Americana Proposal | Todd + Michelle

How did you find your photographer?

I met Lacey Peyton when she was photographing a wedding I was in. Lacey’s energy and passion for her work inspired all of us to embrace every moment with our sweet friend, which made for perfect pictures! Lacey’s heart for the people that she shoots is evident in the work she produces! I’m amazed by her work and eye for detail and I’m so blessed and honored to have her as my photographer! She is not only one of the most talented photographers that I know, but she is also kind, generous and thoughtful of each person she shoots.

What are you DIY-ing for your wedding?

We are working with a wedding stylist (Sweet Tea & Linen) to get the look we want. She incorporates many DIY style projects and custom work to make the event unique.

What are you looking forward to the most?

The pictures! Capturing each moment means so much to me! Because a wedding only lasts for a moment but pictures capture the moment and make them last forever!!! Ahh.. we are so excited! – Michelle, the bride-to-be

Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith

Little known fact, I LOVE cakes! I mean, of course everyone loves cake, but I really enjoy designing, baking and creating cakes. I think it naturally accompanies a passion for event design and an admiration for the artists that dedicate themselves to creating each aspect of a wedding. This wedding comes with some seriously stunner bouquets, a scrumptious looking cake featuring rosettes and blueberries, and a gorgeous bride! What more could a cake loving, event-crazy, flower lover want? Most importantly though, Greg & Alyssa’s wedding (captured by Rachel Smith Photography !) was truly a labor of love. Alyssa shared,

At some point, all of our guests played a part in our relationship and I wanted to return the favor with a fun and memorable night! Greg and his grandpa spent days building our photo booth and table number holder, a family friend made our cake, and the flower girl dresses were handmade by my best friend’s mom. So much love went into this wedding and it wasn’t just mine and Greg’s. I can’t thank our families and friends enough!”

Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith Calvert House Wedding | Rachel Smith

Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Rachel Smith Photography
Venue: Governor Calvert House
Hairstylist: Annapolis Day Spa
DJ: C&J Entertainment
Makeup Artist: Heather Rae Style Studio
Flowers & Decor: Love Blooms
Cake Baker: Minniti Cake Design

DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena

“I’m in love with these two! Tim & Sheena’s wedding was a photographer’s dream: a gorgeous couple, beautiful bridesmaids, handsome groomsmen and an assortment of adorable handmade details. Their day was a Pinterest user’s dream, filled with delightful details and stunning colors. The hipster officiant clad in suspenders and a bow-tie and angelic flower girls in tutus were awesome additions. Their day was filled with joy, sincerity and above all love. How fitting that the beginning of their incredible journey was a truly incredible day!” – Ryan Nicole Photography

DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena
DIY Wedding | Timothy + Sheena

What is your favorite wedding day memory?

As I’m sure most brides say, it is hard to narrow it down to just one favorite. The one that stands out most in my mind is the few moments right before I walked down the aisle to meet my groom. It is such a rewarding feeling to know that we were surrounded by so many friends and family to support us on our big day. All of my butterflies and nerves instantly went away when I locked eyes on my soon to be husband. I always had such a specific idea of how I wanted my wedding day to turn out, and I was blown away by how much the day exceeded my expectations. Our wedding day was a dream come true.

What did you DIY for your wedding?

Oh my gosh, we DIY-ed almost everything! Thank goodness for Pinterest. How did brides possibly plan before this existed? ;) The project I am most proud of was all of our hand written chalkboard signs. I can’t thank my wonderful girlfriend Kristin enough for her added personal touch on each of our signs. I carried the chalkboard theme into our handmade table numbers. This project took countless hours on too many NFL Sundays. I was very fortunate to be able to turn to all of my girlfriends when asking for favors to help make my wedding day a success. My girlfriends Elise and Jillian made our beautiful wedding cake and cupcakes, Addysen did hair and makeup for all of my bridesmaids, and Jenny captured every breathtaking moment on video. My friends and family worked incredibly hard on all of these small projects, and I couldn’t have been happier the way they turned out.

Something old, new, borrowed and blue?

My something old was a ring that was given to me by my then future mother in law a few years back. The ring was made up of the birthstones of my husband and I’s late grandmothers. I tied this ring to my bouquet to keep it close to my heart on my special day. My something new were my beautiful yellow diamond earrings that were given to me by my mom. My something borrowed was an elephant charm that my maid of honor Kate let me borrow and insisted that elephants represent good luck. She tied this charm around my ankle. My something blue was worn underneath my wedding dress ;)

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

No matter how stressful and exhausting the planning may become, try to remember and appreciate every moment along the way. Your “big day” will come and go extremely fast, so don’t take any moment for granted. Accept help when offered, and remember the day is truly about you and your husband. -Sheena, the bride

Event Credits

Photography: Ryan Nicole Photography // venue: Grayhawk Golf Club // officiant: Bride’s best friend Andy Reagan // Invitations: Lacy Cheyenne // Dress and Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal // men’s attire: Jos A. Bank // makeup: Eglow Boost Beauty // cake: Elise Lawrence // cupcakes: Jillian Fisher // DJ: David Hoyt Entertainment