Married One Year Back and Back at Victoria Belle Mansion

One year ago I married my best friend at Victoria Belle Mansion. It was only fitting that we went back to take our "one year" picture!

It was an incredible year! And since we're no longer newlyweds, the Southern & Glamorous Newlywed is now the Southern & Glamorous Wife!

Fabulous Vendors = Fabulous Wedding!

Our wedding vendors were absolutely phenomenal, professional, and so passionate about their work. We could never thank them enough for their hard work, going above and beyond, and of course being patient with me, which was huge. I was one of those brides, you know, the one that had a list or spreadsheet for everything obnoxiously organized in an insanely huge binder. Every single one of our vendors took the time to listen and understand what we wanted, envisioned, and needed. I would highly recommend every single one of our vendors and we appreciated every last detail from the bottom of our hearts.

Our wedding planner and owner of Victoria Belle Mansion, Vickie Brown, became family to Sean and me during our time together. We always looked forward to all of our planning consultations because Vickie was just so much fun to be around. She's the epitome of a Southern hostess and boy, does she know her wedding stuff! She helped me plan my dream wedding and became an inspiration so, I too could one day plan dream weddings for others.

Thank you so much Vickie and all your wonderful staff for truly creating a perfect wedding for Sean and me.

Our photographer, Karen Ann Yontz of Mac + Cheese Photography, was so so so great! When Sean and I first met her for a consultation  we all instantly clicked and got along like old friends.

Karen Ann and her assistant Jessica arrived ready to go on the wedding day. From early that morning to late that night, both lovely ladies were working their camera magic making sure to get each detail. They handled my insanely long shot list like champs (not a single picture I requested was missed!) and gave us memories that will last a lifetime. We have a TON of great photos and I am over the moon of how they turned out! Thanks M+C for capturing the biggest day of our lives! See their blog post of our wedding day: Mac + Cheese Photography * Sean + Meagan Wedding 10.01.11

Our videographer, Kaye Woods Snyder, of White Dress Media, was the perfect example of a trusting client-vendor relationship. At first, I was on the fence about having a videographer and I’m SO glad we did it. When I finally started looking for a videographer (eight weeks before the wedding!) and something about White Dress Media stood out amongst the others. WDM’s reviews were phenomenal, their previous work was stellar, and their industry knowledge was exceptional. These qualities played a HUGE role in my decision to book. Being so close to the wedding, Sean and I couldn't make another trip back to Georgia to meet with Kaye. With eight weeks to go, I could only hope WDM would be available and that my instincts would be right if we could even book them. 

Kaye was able to find some available time on our wedding date and there was no question that WDM was who we wanted. We normally would have never booked a vendor without meeting them first, but WDM and Kaye were different. Kaye was genuine, sweet, and professional and very soon, became our videographer. Our first meeting was during our first look on the wedding day. When you know in your heart something is right, you go with it.

Our day came and went in the blink of an eye and I’m so glad Kaye was there. Having that video is a wonderful reminder of our big day and it captured the details, emotions, and love that we’ll be able to look back on during the years to come. Thank you Kaye and White Dress Media! See our incredible wedding video: Sean & Meagan's Wedding 10-01-11

Sean + Meagan // Cinematic Film from White Dress Media on Vimeo.

We were married by Pastor Ron Daniel who was so inspiring with his incredible faith.

 The most amazing food was cooked by Executive Chef Matthew Premble of Professional Touch Catering for both our wedding and our rehearsal dinner. Our guests raved about how great it all was!

The flowers were all provided by James Mitcham of Details of the Garden. James took my obsession of feathers in the bouquets and turned them into art!

Eric Edwards of Party Central was our fun DJ! He made sure everyone was out on the dance floor having fun!

 Our BEAUTIFUL wedding cake was baked and decorated by Susan Worley of Cakes by Susan. The University of South Florida logo Groom's Cake was AMAZING!

My wedding dress was Maggie Sottero from CC's Boutique and the bridesmaid dresses were Alfred Angelo. Tuxedos were provided by Savvi Formalwear

  

 Collins Limo and Transport provided our getaway car. Tommy and Kristi Collins provided phenomenal service! 

Calligraphy for our invitation envelopes were done by Diane Berube of Tampa Calligraphy

Charter busses by MTI Limo and Shuttle Service provided guest transportation. (I honestly didn't even see the busses! They were in and out so fast!)

Sara Lewis Jincy Soler of Just Cheer were our "go-to" ladies for wedding details and errands. We LOVE you!

Jimena Lopez captured our proposal and filmed our ceremony. See our wonderful ceremony: Sean & Meagan Phillips Wedding Ceremony

Jason Meek was our Georgia engagement photographer of jm Photographics

Erin Sintos was our Florida engagement photographer of Tin Can Photography. See our blog post of our Florida Engagement photos: Meagan & Sean - Florida Engagement

Such a fabulous team of wonderful vendors. Thank you for making our wedding perfect!

Wedding Photos Courtesy of Mac + Cheese Photography

Practice Makes Perfect!

Every big production needs practice and our big day was no exception. We almost didn't have have a rehearsal dinner though. Read about our exhausting efforts to find a rehearsal venue here: Realities of Having a Wedding in the Boondocks.

We had chosen the lovely Grand Hotel right down the street from Victoria Belle. It's a beautiful historic bed and breakfast that was not only going to be the venue for our rehearsal dinner, but also the bridesmaids' tea. In the months leading up to the wedding, we had paid for the rehearsal dinner and put a deposit down for the tea. Three weeks before the wedding, I noticed the check I wrote for the tea hadn't been cashed. When I called to find out the details, the phone line had been disconnected and the Grand Hotel had closed. Yes, you read that right, closed. 

Side note: I work for a wedding insurance company, the Wedding Protector Plan, and I had purchased a policy for my wedding way before the wedding. People insure their cars, homes, and lives but sadly many do not consider to protect the biggest {and most expensive} day of their lives. The policy helps protect against unavoidable and unpredictable situations like cancellation due to catastrophic weather or illness, vendor no shows, ruined attire and jewelry, venue closing, etc. ...VENUE CLOSING. 

So, here we are stuck without a venue for both events and our money gone for the rehearsal dinner. Remember, the pickings were slim for options in dear Hogansville. I wasn't concerned about the money being I had insurance but where in the world would we find another venue three weeks before the wedding? Wendy's? Subway? And then of course the idea of me, using my own insurance policy. Work would sure love me! 

Hogansville is a very small town. VERY! My planner and owner of Victoria Belle, Vickie, knows everyone and every thing in and about Hogansville. She became my hero and saved the day. She marched right down the street and like magic, she worked every thing out. Within a week, she had arranged our wedding caterer to cater the rehearsal dinner and our wedding bartender to bartend the rehearsal dinner. She brought in the decorator of Hogansville to decorate for the dinner and the tea. She arranged for a local musician to plan for the dinner, for free! If it wasn't for Vickie, I honestly don't think we would had either event.

Want to know what really happened at the Grand Hotel? Me too! I've heard from the grapevine that the lady we worked with for months on the dinner and tea had rubbed the Callaways (THE Callaways from Callaway Gardens) the wrong way. She took our file from the Grand Hotel and was fired. The ladies remaining at the Grand had no idea who Sean and I were and what events we had schedule and paid for. Bless their hearts, they were sweet as pie and worked so well with Vickie. Even though I had stressed out {majorly} for a week, they pulled it off and made both events fabulous! Now time for some pictures!

Wedding Planning Weekend Extravaganza!

This past weekend was wedding planning on steroids! Sean, my mom, and I drove up to Georgia and geared up for two full days of planning.

Round #1!

Saturday was the Victoria Belle Mansion's Bridal and Wine Tasting event where all of VB's 2011 brides get to see, taste, smell, and feel what their wedding day will entail.

First up was the menu tasting - and my goodness it was all amazing! I have no idea how we are going to whittle it all down to a few appetizers and entrees! Naturally, Sean took on the meat challenge while I loaded up on vegetarian friendly options. Yum, yum, and more yum!

My mom's experienced wine pallet came in use when it was time to pick out our wine selection. Who's better than her for that job?

After all that, it was time for cake tasting. I was so full but I never turn  down chocolate, ever! 

 

All the samples were heavenly and we're still deciding on THE flavor of the wedding cake. I gave Sean full access to his groom's cake flavor if I could have full access to what it looks like. The tradition of the groom's cake started in the South and there's was NO way I was going to pass on that tradition.  

Who could forget the bleeding armadillo groom's cake from one of the best movies, "Steel Magnolias" - what a classic!

The idea and look of the groom's cake is under wraps and is a surprise for Sean.  You never know - he just might get his own armadillo served in the garage!

My inspiration picture of the wedding cake is pictured on the left, with an added fourth tier. A dramatic wedding needs a dramatic cake, right?

Imagine, black ribbon instead of white and the illusion of pearls on each tier. What's a Southern wedding without pearls? We'll also have fresh flowers that will make up the bridesmaid bouquets (pictured below).

Still deciding on the flavor! Stay tuned!

Next stop was to speak with the florist. I know absolutely nothing about flowers and only request was to break the traditional mold and no calla lilies. I'm not sure why I don't like them but they're a no no for me! With Vickie's help in the design, I am thrilled for the flowers!

Bridal Bouquet Inspiration (left) and Bridesmaid Bouquet Inspiration (right)

Let's start with the bridal bouquet. Since I will be wearing hot pink heels, I wanted to keep the pink flowing by incorporating it into my bridal bouquet. Add black ribbon stem wrapping, black feathers, and the white flowers with black centers featured in the bridesmaid bouquets* (be sure to keep reading about those HOT flowers!)

Now the bridemaids' bouquet, if I get my way, will look exactly like that with the addition of hot pink feathers with the pictured black ones. About those insanely classy white flowers with the black centers -of course I would pick out flowers that are from California and are hard to get. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I get those or something similar because I am LOVING that look! Remember those flowers will also make an appearance on the wedding cake.

And all of that was only day number one! Whew! Oh and we met our DJ - it's going to be a PARTY!!!

Round #2!

Sunday was our next consultation with Vickie. I so much look forward to these meetings because Vickie is a hoot! And her interaction with Sean is hilarious!! This was the first time my mom had been able to attend a meeting, so she finally got to see exactly what we're doing and where we are in the planning stages.

We started off with the reception look. If you haven't noticed, I have gone way off the "traditional" path when it comes to this wedding. The reception is no different. The way the house is laid out is beautiful; however, I'm the first bride to change everything about table arrangements. Vickie said I could have whatever I wanted, so I ran with it!

I then gave her a VERY over the top, David Tutera kind of reception, platinum wedding,  costs billions of dollars, inspiration photo.

I love this. Like A LOT. And apparently I have a new found love for feathers because I want them EVERYWHERE!

Now I showed this pictured to the florist and he burst my bubble with "that'll run you around $300 per table" - yikes! It's not like they're REAL feathers! I didn't give up hope because I knew Vickie could find something to do with this. It may not be this elaborate, okay fine, it will not be this elaborate, but she promised me she'd find a way to get some feathers in the table centerpieces.  ...paging David Tutera and My Fair Wedding! It'll be beautiful no matter what, that I know for sure!

Next we tackled the invitations. I had my heart set on folding pocket invitations and surprisingly the ones I really wanted were budget friendly! YES! How cute are these?!

I do believe the hardest part of the meeting was wedding party order/entrance/exit. Who would have thought? Since our wedding party consists of 20 people, it got real complicated real quick! Have no fear, the incredible Vickie figured it all out!!!

After 3 hours, the meeting was over - whew all over again!!! Next time back will be in April. Little by little, we're getting there!!

And, today marks 7 months to go!! Yay!!

Getting Down to Wedding Business

The time had come for Sean and I to make a trip to Georgia  to start official wedding business. Our first mission was to check out hotels, restaurants, and shopping in the town of LaGrange, Georgia. Since LaGrange is only 15 minutes away from Hogansville (where the wedding venue is) we thought it would be a perfect city to host our guests for the wedding weekend. 

We stayed overnight at the Wingate by Windam Callaway Gardens hotel. Which was beautiful and newly constructed. Features include rooms either with carpet or hardwood flooring, flat screen TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, and a continental breakfast each morning. We thought it would be a great weekend escape for our guests so we made it our official wedding hotel!

The city was great too! Besides all the common restaurants and stores, LaGrange offers Callaway Gardens and the Pine Mountain Animal Safari nearby.

The next day Sean and I to had our first meeting with our wedding planner/coordinator Vickie Brown, who also owns our venue Victoria Belle. The mansion was decorated so beautifully for Christmas!  Us three definitely hit the ground running and we left with three pages of "To Dos" before our next appointment in February. I brought my inspiration board along and felt a little, well, obsessed and one of THOSE crazy brides! To my surprise, Vickie LOVED the board and it actually helped translate my vision of the big day to her. 

After our meeting with Vickie, it was time to meet our potential photographer, Karen Ann Yontz of Mac and Cheese Photography. We met at the Dancing Goat in Decatur - a swanky Starbucks lookalike with a less commerical feel to it. We talked for over an hour with Karen Ann and definitely hit it off. We then took our conversation to the Brick Store Pub where the beer selection was outrageous and contracts were signed for her to be our wedding photographer! 

Needless to say, it was a very successful 24 hours!

Save the Date!!

The date has officially been set! Sean and are will be married on ....


OCTOBER 01, 2011 at Victoria Belle Mansion in Hogansville, Georgia 

We can't wait!