This past Thursday we packed up and headed to Georgia. We spent one night with my mom and dad before kissing Hailey and Koda goodbye to drive to Gadsden, Alabama. Our good friend, Rob, a fraternity brother of David’s from college, was saying I do and we were pumped about a weekend celebrating with good friends.
We arrived just in time for the rehearsal dinner. I get nervous to share with you my outfits because we all know I’m fashion-challenged, but I felt pretty good in this new Stitch Fix dress (affiliate link).
It was an unusually cold night, but it didn’t put a damper the delicious food
or the catching up with old friends.
The next morning our crew of about 15 headed to Cracker Barrel. It’s been years since I’ve been there and I was impressed they had a lighter options menu.
I subbed out egg beaters for regular eggs and turkey bacon for regular bacon (if you’re going to eat bacon, eat the real stuff, right?!). It was great!
Then remembering the cold temperatures from the night before and knowing the wedding was all outdoors, we hit up Walmart for some outfit alterations.
I ended up in an outfit that was head-to-toe Faded Glory, including 2 layers of long underwear UNDER the new sweater dress I bought. Complete with new Walmart boots and a scarf, hat and gloves. Like I mentioned, it was COLD.
Worn out from our shopping spree, we spent the afternoon literally cuddled up and watching football.
Finally, it was wedding time!
The venue was breathtaking on the cool, crystal-clear evening.
Rob and Libby exchanged beautiful, handwritten vows that didn’t leave a single eye dry. And after they kissed, it was time to celebrate!
The sun was setting fast, so I snapped a few pictures before I lost the light. Everything was just so gorgeous and I loved that the tables were labeled by years that were significant in the couple’s life.
And the food? Phenomenal!
It was a southern feast and I must have been to focused on devouring the shrimp and grits to remember to snap a picture.
We danced to bluegrass, caught up with friends and sipped local brews while toasting to the new couple.
And did I mention the desserts? A pineapple upside down cake, a vanilla pecan, a chocolate, a strawberry AND an apple bacon cake! What’s a girl to do?
…Obviously I had to ask for the sampler.
Sunday morning we said our goodbye and drove back to pick up our little love bug, who had about as much fun as she could handle with Nana and Papa John. With many hugs of thanks, we finally coerced Hailey into the car. After a solid 10 minutes of tears about leaving ‘Nana Papa House,’ she passed out.
I snapped a picture to capture this rare, car-sleeping moment.
And just like that, we’re back to reality. It was a wonderful weekend. Weddings really are the best! I love how unique they are to the couple.
And just for fun…
What’s your favorite part of a wedding?
I’m a sucker for personal details and good food.
For mine and David’s, we really wanted to focus on delicious food, drinks and getting people to dance. We were all about throwing a fun party!
Karen says
I love weddings as well and my favorite part has to be the music (I am a dancing queen) and food plus the personal touches. Hailey looks so cute sleeping in the car. I know it’s a VERY rare occasion when Keely falls asleep in the car.
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
Ours was definitely focused on good food and music. Our DJ was AWESOME. Looks like a blast of a weekend!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
I love weddings too! The food and music are the parts that I look forward to, and all of the personal touches!
Millie Jones says
LOVE the dress! You look super cute!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Sounds like a fun time! You look beautiful in your dress! My favorite part of a wedding is the food, cake, and dancing!
jodi says
Our signature drink– an Arnold Palmer made with firefly vodka. We served it to guests as they got off the elevator at our reception. Set the mood for a great nite! (which included at one point my brother wearing a white tee shirt that he painted a tux on, put on a long black mullet wig and danced a solo dance to Sweet Home Alabama (my parents favorite song…). Yeah, the Charlotte City Club probably wondered what kinda of classy people we were when it was all over… oh well. A night to remember!! Love the dress btw, perfect choice! Okay, back to studying and drinking my ‘coffee’. 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness, I want one of your signature drinks NOW! I had a love affair with Firefly vodka for a while, but now it’s been too long since I’ve had it. I forgot how delicious it is!
Kathy says
Looks like a fun time! Love the cream colored coat/jacket, was that a Walmart find? If so, I must go!!! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I wish it was! My friend, Stacy, brought two warm coats and let me borrow that one. I’m not sure where she got it. I loved it, too, though!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
That wedding looks so rustic! I love it. 🙂 I think my favorite part is the appetizers/cocktail hour. I also love the ceremony and speeches. I guess I just love everything about weddings! Your love bug looks so cute all tuckered out.
Marjorie says
You weren’t too far from me this weekend (Birmingham, AL). Yes, it was chilly this weekend.
I love weddings. My favorite part is always when the bride turns the corned to begin her walk down the aisle. Everybody turns to look at the bride, but I always look at the groom in that moment. He is usually beaming from ear to ear, and you can just see the love. It is so sweet!
Chantal says
How pretty! It was pretty cold down here lately. But it’s warm again now!
John J. Stathas says
Wonderful seeing y’all. Missing Hailey calling Papa”!
Ali says
I always like the personal touches too… they tell so much about a couple.
Megan says
I love the food and dancing, and just the emotion and love behind it all. I think it makes me think about how special my marriage is too, and I often think and pray for the couple who gets married.
I love your StitchFix dress!
Cori @ olivetorun says
Our wedding had a little bit of a rustic component to it too… I love the southern/rustic/country weddings and my favorite part is always when the bride walks down the aisle. I like to watch the people in the “audience” and the groom.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I definitely love the food, especially the cake! 😉
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Yay Alabama! I’ve been to Gadsden 🙂
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
I absolutely love the Rustic Southern-ness of the wedding! And the desserts look heavenly. I love everything about weddings! The ceremony, the reception, and the company!
Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run. says
That looks like such a beautiful, amazing wedding! And those cakes…oh my gosh!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That wedding decor is beautiful, as is your dress! And yay for Cracker Barrel. I love that place. My family and I used to stop there all of the time when we were on vacations. It has been far too long since I have been to one :(.
Danica @ It's Progression says
My favorite parts of a wedding: the groom’s face when the bride walks down the aisle and the dance!
Neil Butterfield says
I love good food at a wedding.