WESTIN SAVANNAH HARBOR WEDDING

BROOKE & BRANDON

Savannah, Georgia

September 17, 2016

How they met: Blind date - I met his dad the night before and he asked me to meet his son the next day, which was his birthday!

Proposal Details: I always said I would never be engaged while I was still in school. On my last day of classes, after I got home from a long day of finals, he purposed to me. He arranged for a limo to pick us and six of my friends and take us to Metter and Savannah to show our parents.

The Invitation + Paper Details: Deckled Edge Gold Foil Pressed Warm White outlined with Luxurious Gold Border with black and gold ink. Gold Metallic liner in Envelopes

The dress: My friend, my mom and my mother in law went with me. We had planned to go to two stores that day. At the first store, we all grabbed dresses for me to try on. It was a total of five. Everyone liked them all on me but when I tried on the last one. No one said a word. Everyone's jaw dropped and I knew that was the one. It was actually the only one that I picked out myself. I customized to my dress, and basically recreated it, to look like what I imagined a glamorous bride should look like.

I wore a gown of silk Mikado with a sweeping chapel length train. The bodice featured a strapless plunging neckline with a belt encrusted with Swarovski crystals at the natural waist. The mermaid silhouette of the skirt featured a modern “twist” of six vertical ruffles of silk Mikado. Brooke completed the gown with Swarovski crystal earrings and an extended cathedral length veil. The gown was designed by the bride and Scott Marchbanks of Frills by Scott.

How did you select your venue? Everyone in my small town usually does the same pretty, rustic country themed wedding. I wanted to be different and do something glamorous and timeless. What a better place than The Westin!

Ceremony Site: The ceremony took place in the Grand Ballroom where two large garden-style arrangements in gold urns full of white and green hydrangeas, white dendrobium orchids, white lisianthus, O'hara garden roses and green hanging amaranthus, camellia and Italian ruscus foliage stood at the front of the aisle. A stunning boxwood wall was the focal point of the ceremony. It was covered in a gradient of hydrangeas and roses in pale blush to white.

Hair & Makeup: ROBS at Drayton Tower was who I choose to do my hair and make up, as well as my bridesmaids. I decided half up half down since my gown was strapless. As a last minute decision, I decided that my best friend and I would do my make up for the big day. It always looked good when we did it every other time so I figured why change it?

Cocktail Hour on Harbor Lawn: Highboys were covered with Harvest shantung linens with Ivory shantung tied sashes, Round tables covered with Ivory Shantung lines with Mercury glass vases with candles on the Harbor Lawn. White Leather Lounge Furniture, including a Sofa, Love Seat, and 2 Club Chairs, 2 gold cocktail tables White Washed coffee table, allowed guests to relax along the water. Low, garden style arrangements of white lisianthus, white hydrangeas, mini green hydrangeas, White O'Hara garden roses, Italian ruscus and camellia were placed on the tables to continue the elegant vibe.

Bridesmaids Attire: The attendants wore a silver sequined gown accented with a silk belt at the waist. The sweetheart bodice flowed into a bias cut fit and flare skirt. The attendant gowns were by Allure Bridals.

Men's Attire: Black, Slim Cut Suits by Mantoni of Milan, Italy.

Did you decide on a first look? I am more traditional. I wanted him to see me at the same time as everyone else so that everyone could see our reaction to each other.

Aesthetic + color palette: Champagne gold, soft ivory, blush pink with a touch of black - Glamorous!

Menu: Heavy hors d'oeuvres including a beef carving station, mashed potato cocktail martinis, salad station and roasted vegetables.

Cake: I love glitz and glam, yet elegant. Our cake was a white four- tiered fondant cake with shimmering gold between each tier, showcased on a gold pedestal. Each tier a different flavor, Red Velvet – Rich Chocolate – Delicious Butter Cream pound cake, and Lemon lavender.

Reception- Harbor Ballroom: Elegant Ivory Gabriella linens covered the highboy table, Round tables were topped with Champagne Crinkle Taffeta linens with alternate Round tables covered with Ivory Crushed Romance linens. Dinner napkins were a Cameo shantung.

Centerpieces for round tables alternating between two different arrangements which varied in ehight. They both included the same white and green blooms, similar to the ceremony flowers, and were placed in gold containers.

Guest Count: 350

What was your first dance song? Tennessee Whiskey- Chris Stapleton

The Send-off/Getaway Vehicle: Sparkler Exit by the Harbor left on boat.

Best Piece of Advice for Brides-to-be: Consider hiring a wedding planner. Our wedding planner was amazing and such an incredible help throughout the whole process. I cannot imagine having done it without her. She took care of everything from the beginning to the very last detail.