Fancy a little cowgirl-chic for your Thursday blog reading pleasure?! Well that’s a stroke of luck, becuase we’ve got a gem of a Florida wedding for you, from Julie Paisley Photography…

“Thomas and I met in college, we both attended and graduated from Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida. We had been dating for two years when he asked me to marry him. We went on what I thought was just a normal date down to St. Augustine for dinner. While there Thomas surprised me with a carriage ride during the Nights Of Lights for Christmas ( I had been telling him for a while that it was all I wanted for Christmas) During the carriage ride we stopped in front of one of the fountains downtown so that the carriage driver could take our picture, and it was then Thomas pulled out the ring, cleverly hidden in his boot, got down on his knee and asked if I would spend the rest of my life with him. It came as a total shock because we had talked about going ring “looking”, however any time I brought it up  he would suggest that we  go after the new year. I must add that he did a wonderful job picking the ring out all by himself!

I knew from the beginning that I wanted our wedding to be the perfect resemblance of the love that we have for each other and all that our relationship is. I wanted our guest to feel comfortable and wanted them to talk away with I smile on their face after sharing with us in our love on our special day.

We knew we wanted a very rustic and very warm, welcoming wedding so picking the location was a little tricky at first. My vision had been a rustic barn but I soon found it was hard to find just what I was looking for anywhere close to Jacksonville. We decided on this cute little lake house with a gorgeous lake and open field in Callahan, Florida. I soon understood how perfect it would be after realizing that I was open to do whatever it was I could dream up without the restrictions that many venues can have.

     

 

 

“Our wedding music was a very broad genre but fit perfectly with Thomas and I’s personalities and relationship…

 

The Bridal party walked down to “Wedding Day” by Casting Crowns, and my Father and I came down to “From This Moment” by Shania Twain ( the doors opened at the part of the song that goes “I give my hand to you with all my heart…” I am tearing just remembering back to that moment!)

 

The candle ceremony was done to “Love is Not a Fight” by Warren Barfield, and Thomas and I were pronounced as husband and wife to “This Will Be” by Natalie Cole. We danced our first dance to “Cowboys and Angels” by Dustin Lynch, and my Father/Daughter Dance was  to “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins”

Choosing a Favorite part is very difficult… Me and my family are very close so I hold each of the moments so dear that I had with them through out the day, from my mother helping me get ready and getting to see my sisters for the first time after putting on my dress, to having the first look with my dad. But if I had to choose just one it would have to be the moment the doors opened and I saw Thomas waiting for me at the end of the aisle, beaming as I walked down!

         

“If I could give any words of encouragement or advice to any future bride it would be to not let the busyness and all the details ever take away from what the day is truly about! Enjoy each moment you can with those that you love , for the time you spend with them will be the memories you hold on to when you look back at your special day! Also it is so important to have or hire some form of event coordinator because trust me – they are life savers! We had a tight budget so most of the decorations were done by myself, family, and many helpful bridesmaids, don’t be afraid to ask for help from willing hands! And last, invest in your photographer more than anything else because you want someone who knows what they are doing and can handle every situation that can be thrown their way!”

A big thank you to Aubrey and Thomas for sharing their beautiful day with us.

 

Creative Team Credits:

Photography – Julie Paisley Photography // Dress - David’s Bridal // Groom and groomsmen’s suits - Men’s Warehouse // Aubrey wore her own cowgirl boots with my wedding dress // Jewellery – Aubrey’s grandmother’s // Flowers were self arranged, and purchased from Pennock Floral // Catering - Gators BBQ // DJ – Roy from The DJ Company //