Wow, what a magical whirlwind of a wedding! Remember the Fort Lauderdale Bachelorette Party I was on not long ago? Well apparently time flies because this past weekend was Alexis’ wedding weekend! She planned the most incredible weekend in Saratoga Springs, NY, and made the entire experience feel like a vacation for her guests. I’d never been to that part of the country and was wowed by how charming the streets of Saratoga Springs are. We flew in Thursday night, and David and I grabbed a martini (for me, and a Manhattan for him) at Salt and Char before joining the group in a meet and greet at the hotel.
The celebration lasted well past midnight, and we crashed hard to try and catch some sleep before Friday’s festivities.
Friday morning David and I put on our fanciest garb and ubered our way downtown to grab a bagel breakfast at Uncommon Grounds, a happening coffee shop with top notch bagel sandwiches. After being called out by the uber driver for using the word “y’all,” I couldn’t help but to play it up, so David and I began a game of trying to work as many southern phrases into our conversations as possible. The man at the bank got a special tickle out of my “I reckon we’re fixin’ to head over yonder to the horse race” and to the horse race we went!
(sold out but and on sale)
It was opening weekend at the horse track and Alexis had procured tickets for all of us. David I wandered near the track checking out the scene for a bit.
Then took off through the crowd for the wedding tailgate tent to find the bride and groom.
The day was a total blast. The energy was high and the people watching was fantastic. We tried our luck placing a few bets based on important research we conducted into the horses, like which name we liked best.
I did pick the winning horse for one race and walked away about $8 richer. Crazy gamblers, we are not. The festivities lasted until around 4:30 when we all piled into an uber to head back to the hotel, where I promptly fell asleep. Mama can’t hang! David woke me up an hour later to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.
(I’m wearing a small. Great dress for short girls – I’m 5’1″ – because the length is a little shorter than most dresses. I got a lot of compliments on it!) //
The dinner was a backyard style BBQ held at the National Museum of Dance. It was such a wonderful, laid back atmosphere and I wish I would have brought my camera to snag more of the details.
Friday was the one night we didn’t burn the midnight oil, knowing we’d have a full day Saturday. The morning of the wedding I snagged a quick breakfast before heading to Alexis’ suite at The Pavilion Grand Hotel. My my, it was quite the fancy place to get ready for a wedding!
The suite was simply gorgeous with large windows providing a ton of natural light.
The bride was as cool and calm as you’ve ever seen a bride to be. We all wanted to see the details of her bridal ensemble, including the garter (can I get a go dawgs?!).
We filled the hours taking out time getting ready, snacking on wraps and salads, sipping mimosas, telling stories and laughing, and playing photographer.
How could I not snap away with a bride this gorgeous?
Alexis gifted us all the most beautiful robes as a bridesmaids gift. I feel like bridesmaids gifts aren’t always known for their longevity, but I know I’ll wear this for years to come. We all loved the look and the feel and it sure made for some fun pictures.
Around 2:00 the flowers arrived and it was time to get the bride in her dress.
She looked absolutely stunning as we made our way to watch Alexis and Terry have their first look at a nearby gardens. We easily snapped through the bridesmaids and groomsmen photos, then were off to the Polo Club for the wedding. The venue was incredible. I’m a sucker for a big white tent.
And the details? True to the bride’s style, not a single one was overlooked!
The ceremony was set up on the lawn where we all watched Alexis and Terry become the Kozmors, and the celebration began immediately with a cocktail hour on the lawn.
I managed to snap one more picture, of my plate before I licked it clean.
Then I retired my phone to fully immerse myself in the evening (AKA, to tear up the dance floor).
The entire weekend went so smoothly. The weather, the adorable town of Saratoga Springs, everything was wonderful. David and I wandered the streets for a bit in the morning, snagging a tasty breakfast at Max London’s, before flying back home to our girls.
David’s mom was, not surprisingly, incredible with them. She took them to Discovery Place, Chick-fil-A, bowling, to volunteer at church, and more. I’m pretty sure they weren’t ready for us to come home, but at least they faked it well by giving us some big hugs. Thank you Mema!
And just like that, our whirlwind weekend is over. Congratulations to the Kozmors!
Let’s talk weddings!
Where did you get married?
What was your favorite detail?
We got married at Lake Chatuge in the mountains of North Georgia. One of my favorite details was my garter. My Nannie made it with cloth from my mom’s wedding dress and sewed pearls from David’s mom’s wedding dress onto it as well.
I’m a sucker for sentimental details and this one was so special!
Tarayn says
My husband and I were married almost 11 years ago in Santa Rosa Beach, FL! The beach holds a special place in my heart since my family spends lots of time there! My husband has a dream to be a fishing guide so I say there’s no coincidence the Lord took us there to start our journey together!
I am super curious how your relationship with your MiL is and what advice would you give someone who struggles with theirs? My husbands mother isn’t involved and she doesn’t have a great relationship with him either. She shows up a few times a year with gifts and lavishes the girls but it’s all for show! She’s gone in a flash!
Brittany Dixon says
I feel really fortunate that I genuinely have a good relationship with MIL. She’s always been so hands on and supportive, and most of all, she truly loves being a Mema and it shows. I’m not sure if I really have advice, but I always try to be as inclusive as possible because I really want the girls to have a relationship with their grandparents. Of course, if the relationship is not a good one (in any relationship really), then clear boundaries are really important to protect your family and your energy, especially because you can’t really change people and if your MIL doesn’t want to be involved, then she’s the one that is missing out <3
JOHN J STATHAS says
Great pics of “y’all” and the wedding scene! Married at outdoor chapel at Lake Lanier, GA.
Brittany Dixon says
Hard to beat outdoors and by water, amiright?! Can’t wait to see you soon!
Heather | Dinosaurs and Bunnies says
Such a beautiful wedding!
We got married in Minnesota and had a pretty simple wedding. We were married outside and the small reception was held in a barn. It was hot and humid and we all changed into casual clothes within an hour of being married – Haha! Lots of homemade details and lots of help from family and friends when it came to setting everything up. My brother also married us, which was my favorite part.
Heather says
What a lovely wedding!
We had a simple Minnesota wedding at a barn. We had a short ceremony yesterday and then the reception in the barn itself. My brother got ordained online so he could perform the ceremony and family and friends pulled together to help us decorate and make the day memorable. It was very much “us” in every way.
Brittany Dixon says
My favorite thing about weddings are the small details that make it feel personal. Having your brother marry you is pretty amazing!
Elizabeth says
We were married in the NGa mtns as well at Brasstown Valley Resort. It was amazing; we still talk about it being so great.
I LOVE that black dress that you wore. So cute!
It’s so awesome that you & K are still such close buddies 🙂 Fun seeing you guys in pics together.
Brittany Dixon says
So funny that we literally got married down the road from each other 🙂 And yup, I still love Hewee as much as I did back in 7th grade!
Laura says
Lake Chatuge? Oh my goodness! My in-laws live in Hiawassee on Lake Chatuge and my husband and I got married at their house! (It was a small family wedding) It’s such a beautiful part of Georgia.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh no way!! I love that area- it’s so beautiful! We got married at The Ridges Resort, though I imagine a backyard wedding was just gorgeous.
Christina says
Gorgeous pictures! Seriously – I think you may have a future career as a wedding photographer!
We got married at a beautiful and unique historic home in the suburbs of Philadelphia (where I grew up). In lieu of me tossing the bouquet to all the single ladies (my friends would have killed me if I did that!), we arranged for all the married couples to share a dance, with the DJ slowly whittling them down until only the couple that had been married the longest remained on the dance floor. We did this intentionally, knowing that the last 2 couples dancing would be both sets of our parents, who coincidentally were married just one month apart from each other in 1968. They have set such a great example to us in their marriages, so it was really special to honor them at our wedding. Although — my husband was outside at that moment shooting the breeze with his friends and totally missed the moment, lol!
Brittany Dixon says
I just got chills as I read what you wrote about the married couples dance! What a beautiful and super special detail. I hope your photographer snagged some good pictures of that! (you know, so your husband could see it- ha ;))
Carole says
My husband and I got married on the beach in Newport beach, CA. right at sunset. 15 years coming up in December! His brother married us so it was just the three of us and it was so special. We spend the night on the Queen Mary with champagne and strawberries dipped in chocolate…Then later my MIL threw us a dinner party and invited friends and family which was perfect because my husband and I did not want to do any of that and she was happy she got to do whatever she wanted. I guess I did pick the flowers : ) Then my family in France (where I am from) threw a big party there with all my friends and family there… so we had a very intimate wedding (just 3 people!) which we wanted ( not everyone was happy with that but hey it was our wedding…) and 2 huge parties…the best in my opinion. I would do it again the same way if i had too. I love weddings, they always make me happy and everyone is always in a good mood! I am jealous of your MIL watching your girls for a whole weekend, it would never happened with my MIL : (
montessoriishmom says
I love weddings and all of the little details. We got married in Wisconsin (where my husband’s from) and I’m from Texas, so our favors were mini apple pies for WI and mini pecan pies for TX. Both my sister and brother are engaged right now and I am loving all things wedding!
Ali says
We were Married at a church in my hometown and the reception was at a country club in New Jersey a week before Xmas. (One of our daughters was later baptized at the same church by the same priest who married us!) My fave details of the wedding ?…..that there were xmas decorations everywhere to add to the details and beauty – more flowers and decor (Xmas tree, poinsettias, wreaths and ribbons) than we would have ever paid for.
And the dancing. I loved the dancing. We planned to have pictures after the ceremony and before cocktail hour so we could make our rounds with guests during cocktail hour and save the reception for tons of FUN. For our first dance we took lessons and had a choreographed dance that we will never forget!
Kiki says
We got married on Cape Cod in the town of Chatham. My favorite detail was a beautiful pearl and diamond necklace that my in laws surprised me the night before our wedding. They had no idea what my dress looked like and did not expect me to wear it on my wedding day. It unbelievably went perfect with my dress and my mil cried when she saw me with it on.
Alexis Fallon says
ahhhhhh reliving this again and I’m overjoyed!!! What a PERFECT wedding weekend and seriously – you snagged some amazing photos! (Good thing b/c I was too busy to snap any). So fun hearing about our weekend from a guests’ perspective 🙂 SO glad y’all had as much fun as we did (as we hoped!) and that you hit it big at the track. Thank you for being there & for being the best, most supportive bridesmaids…and, of course, for tearing up the dance floor!
Love you!!!
xoxo
A-Lex
http://www.southendstyle.wordpress.com
Brittany Dixon says
That DJ has never seen moves like our crew has!! lol!! Love you and was so happy to get to stand by your side! <3