All Dressed in White by Linnea

I had never been bridal dress shopping before; obviously not for myself, but not along with any other brides to be either. I didn’t know what it would be like, but I guess I expected it to be slightly more glamorous with automated “ous” and “ahs” from the entire staff (equipped with trays of assorted cheeses and sweets) each time I came out of the fitting room modeling a new dress. This was not my experience.

The best part of the day was that my two girlfriends, Stephanie and Melinda, eagerly joined me for my dress shopping. Their wonderful attitudes and happiness for me meant so much. Even if it wasn’t the ultimate shopping experience, this evidence of their true friendship made it all worthwhile.

David’s Bridal, as we all know, offers a huge selection of gowns with price points that don’t equal that of a down payment on a house so, naturally, this was my first stop. The appointment started with flipping through their latest catalog and tabbing down pages of each dress I liked. Then, an associate came out to greet us and took a look at what I liked. We were then directed towards the back of the store that had larger fitting rooms (to squeeze in the princess type gowns) a giant mirror and a stage (that I continuously tripped on).

A slight distraction was a fellow shopper who had brought along her husband to-be, two hyper children, and was pregnant with a third child. She was trying on giant white ball-type gowns and proceeded to “shimmy-dance” in front of the mirror. Awkward.

While we were waiting for the dresses to be brought back we had fun trying on the different headbands, bows, and costume jewelry. The associate then brought me about seven or eight dresses. Some were instant nos, some had to be clamped with giant plastic clothespins to fit better, and finally, there were two all over lace dresses that ended up looking the best. Melinda, who is proving to be the perfect wedding coordinator, came equipped with a notepad to write down what I liked or didn’t like about each dress. The lace ones that I preferred I could see myself in, but none hit the nail on the head as being THE dress.

I think the biggest factor that made none of the dresses real winners is that I didn’t feel like I could completely enjoy my wedding day in them: After saying I do, I want to skip down the garden path in sheer happiness without having to worry that I am going to trip over multiple layers of crinoline. When Evan twirls me, I don’t want to worry that my dress is going to be a half-twirl behind and slip down. And when I hug all my loved ones who are enjoying such a special day with me I don’t want to worry that yards of beading might snag on their clothes.

    I haven’t tried it on yet, but I have a feeling that I have already found the perfect dress that I will feel absolutely amazing in. Obviously I can’t share the details here, but you will hopefully see it and love it when I walk down the aisle!

Simply Love by Evan

It’s quite fitting for us.

The cake topper that Linnea and I chose represents us in such a quintessential way. Carved from willow wood, the topper depicts a man and woman in a loving embrace. It is what you see. There are no frills. No bells and whistles. Nothing fancy. It is beautiful in its simplicity.

Such is how Linnea and I describe ourselves. We both possess dispositions which attract us more to the simple pleasures in life. Day trips to quaint southern towns win out over expensive dinners and flat screen televisions. We would rather take a hike through the woods rather than whatever the “hip” thing is to do.

It is also rather fitting where we found it.

Traveling to Hayesville, North Carolina to spend Easter weekend at Linnea’s family’s cabin, we found our cake topper in a quiet mom and pop general store in the town square. It’s fitting because the family cabin represents the simple life. No television and no internet. You can barely get cell phone reception. Yet there is so much to enjoy if you know how to spend your time there. Creeks and rivers meander their way through the landscape. The stones are perfect for skipping (although I’m still trying to teach Linnea the proper throwing form). Nature surrounds you. It’s the perfect place to get away and lose yourself in a book and enjoy the views.

It is one of our favorite places for obvious reasons.

And so we consider it just another one of those signs that we found such a perfect decoration for our wedding cake there. And we anxiously await the day that we see it on top of something meant for all of our friends and family enjoy.

It kinda looks like us too.

Nuptials with a Dash of Dixie by Evan

Linnea calls me a “country boy.” I don’t know how accurate that is because I spent most of my life growing up in suburban Atlanta, and I can tell you that my definition of a “country boy” is slightly different than hers. When I hear the term, I think of Confederate flags, muddy pickup trucks, and a superior knowledge of bass fishing and deer hunting. I’ve never gone hunting. I drive an SUV and the flag on it has all fifty stars.

Nevertheless, I have always called the South my home and my life has taken me from one end of it to the other. I have seldom ever left. My only foray north of the Mason-Dixon Line was a year ago to attend a friend’s wedding in Rhode Island. My journeys west have only been brief ski trips or family vacations to the Grand Canyon. In contrast, I was born in Baton Rouge, and currently reside in Charlotte, North Carolina. My life has taken me from the backcountry bayous of Louisiana to the Commonwealth of Virginia. From the coastal marshlands of Charleston and Savannah to the pine-covered peaks of the Appalachians. Towns like Athens, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, New Orleans, Durham, and Chattanooga have all seen me navigate their streets at some point or another.

Maybe this is why Linnea calls me a “country boy,” and it has been an honor to be her concierge to the South.

For those who are unaware, Linnea is from Ft. Myers, Florida. Anyone familiar with the cultural distinctions which separate the otherwise nearby state from the rest of the American Southeast know that they can be very different places.  Because of this, it was only natural for her to experience some adjusting when she decided to pursue her graduate studies at the University of Georgia. It didn’t take long to feel right at home.

It is safe to say that Linnea not only fell in love with me, but also with Southern culture. She has told me before that she was a Georgia girl living in Florida. Every little thing that I had taken for granted was a new and exciting experience for her and she drank in every drop like ice cold sweet tea. Cuisine like crawfish etoufee, fried chicken, pulled pork, and peach cobbler tantalized her taste buds. The abundance of country music satisfied her fondness for fiddles, steel guitars, and harmonicas. She was completely taken in by the wide variety of flowers, trees, and other foliage which blanket the Georgia piedmont.

But it was not just the sights, sounds and smells of the region which captured Linnea’s heart. The spirit of the South embodied everything which she had always valued. A strong emphasis on family and friends, vibrant Christian values, and the hospitality of the people all left an indelible mark on her.

Some of my favorite memories have been playing escort on Linnea’s extended tour of Georgia. I remember taking her to her first corn maze. Being her official date to UGA football games. Introducing her to southern barbeque. Kayaking with her down the Broad River. Countless others abound, and every single one of them has been, not only a step further into the South for Linnea, but a step further towards each other as we fell in love.

Needless to say, the beauty of the South has played a large role in our relationship, and it will fittingly play a role on our wedding day. With displays of dogwood blossoms, and a lunch featuring dishes such as shrimp and grits, beef brisket, and baked green beans, we hope to ensure that everyone can experience the phenomenon which helped bring us together. It is difficult to put into words exactly what the phenomenon means for any given person, because it is a personal connection to the land and culture that makes it special. It’s just a Southern thing.

Our Venue by Linnea

One of the first dates Evan took me on was to the State Botanical Gardens in Athens. I had gone by myself to the gardens on a previous occasion, but only walked the paved paths that circled the main buildings. I’m hesitant to explore new woods and trails alone since I was not born with adequate navigational skills to enable myself to find my way back to civilization. Evan, on the other hand was born fully equipped with a GPS tracker and compass. In fact, one of our first jokes together consisted of me phoning Evan and him answering “Onstar, how may I be of assistance?”
It was a crisp fall day and I was thoroughly enjoying the new experience of seasonal changes in Georgia. As we walked further into the woods every brilliant colored leaf crunched beneath our feet. The gardens offered a unique natural beauty as we continued; it was no longer the manicured English garden setting, but a vast wilderness that made you feel as if you were worlds away from interstates and businesses.  Finally, we reached our goal: the Oconee River. Although it’s not a rushing river, it still provides the tranquility and beauty that draws many visitors. After enjoying the scenery, we headed back to the main gardens to have a picnic lunch. Wanting to be seasonally appropriate, I had fixed turkey, swiss, with a cranberry spread sandwiches. I’m still not pleased that I forgot the salt and pepper, but of course Evan said it was the best sandwich he’s ever tasted.
The Gardens continue to be a favorite place of ours; even the surrounding fields that you pass on your way to the Gardens hold so much beauty. There are horses we’ll stop to pet, a sheep farm, and currently a miniature horse farm. We return often whether it’s for a scenic run, a sunny picnic, or a wilderness walk. On one occasion during an afternoon run, it suddenly popped into my head that this location would be great for our wedding ceremony. Evan readily agreed and we decided to take a further look into it after we finished our run. We looked at the main building which is a large conservatory with a tropical feel. Then, the gentleman at the visitor’s center pointed out the Day Chapel location on the grounds. Walking up to the Day Chapel we instantly felt that it would be perfect for us. The Chapel offers a simple rustic beauty that allows it to fit in perfectly with the surrounding woods. The quaint, small size of it will provide the ideal setting for an intimate ceremony as we celebrate with our close friends and family.