This past September we hosted my little sister’s wedding at our house. And I am finally getting around to sharing some photos. Shame on me.
Yup. They had it right there in the backyard.
We offered it up because we knew that she was looking for an outdoor space…and we had this big open area that is sort of perfect for a tent.
We were only a little surprised that she came back and said YES – let’s do it! I say that we were surprised because honestly – we didn’t know if it was her style…and I, as the older sister, tend to push stuff on her…so I was trying to play it cool and specifically NOT push the house on her…and thought she, as the little sister, would choose something specifically because it wouldn’t be mine. Does that make any sense?
So needless to say – we were surprised and I was stressed about making the house ready for her wedding.
For the rest of the summer – it kind of turned into a disaster zone. Not only were we painting the basement, fixing drywall issues, removing bars, renovating bathrooms and regrouting floors, we had crazy amounts of stuff everywhere.
Including these headless manequins that seriously spooked me everytime I saw them outta the corner of my eye. They were freaking watching me with those shrunken invisible veiled heads of theirs.
I contributed very little to the planning part of the wedding. I think I had three ideas. One being that they could use some old wood that was clear cut behind our property. We all drug it out of the woods – yes, Norn, Boots & I hauled by hand and Jer used the four wheeler. I felt kinda like Blu – you know…Paul Bunyon’s giant ox. They created an arbor to get married under. Another idea was that they use some old pallets that I forced Jer to dumpster dive for (we used them for Will’s barnyard birthday party) and they built a platform to stand on. Yup. I believe we called this hands on premarital counseling 🙂
See how perfectly the tent sets up?
The tent was actually brand new. And Norn got a great deal. The guys from the tent company set it up early and took it down late – which was fine by us…we were kinda surprised how much we loved it. If I win the lottery, I’m buying a tent.
It rained the day before…which was kinda nice because the grass greened up a little…but it meant that the tent got a little moisture in it too. Nothing a little airing out couldn’t fix.
The day of the rehearsal…
I also voted that Lori wear her hair down for the entire thing. I mean seriously. Her head looks like a ring of golden fire. I believe prophets went gray upon seeing that kinda glory!
The rehearsal dinner was at a Greek restuarant that we all love. Their food is delish. Boots mom did all the centerpieces…which later my mom & I turned into Norn’s bouquet and all the boutineers 🙂
After the dinner, Norn & Boots hosted a little family and out of towners get together at their new house. Yup. Along with wedding planning, they decided to buy a foreclosure (smart move sis!) and got an amazing deal on a house that just needs a lot of cosmetic stuff.
Nornie made all the cookies. Like wedding planning, house buying and raising Cole wasn’t enough 🙂
I was so impressed that Lori made these cookies with her branchy D crest on them. She’s so amazing.
That’s me and my Uncle Derek. He’s cool. And single 🙂
I didn’t take many photos of the actual day – so just follow along best you can. We girls got ready upstairs in our master bedroom. Our little sitting area I set up so that it looked a little better for photos.
See that little table in the lower lefthand corner? Yeah…my mom splurged on a photobooth for the wedding. It, of course, was a hit 🙂
The centerpieces – you may have seen these already – were big bunches of baby’s breath stuck into a block of florist foam and then we jammed skewer sticks in it so that it could be buried in the vase. Oh and the vase is filled with white rice – you know, cause skewer sticks aren’t as pretty 🙂
My last idea…the branchiness. Lori wanted a lot of amber glasses but also was mixing that with a branch/baby’s breath theme…I know…it’s alot going on but it works…and one of my friends told me about using a branch and a drill bit and just popping in votives. I personally am obsessed with the uber-cheap idea.
I set up the sweetheart table centerpiece with all the leftovers. She spent months collecting those amber pieces and I adore them.
Brownie bar! This was a must for the married couple. It was one of the few things about the wedding that I remember them TRULY getting overly excited about. It was delicious.
Candy bag favors…the little boys were stalking the table 🙂
Right after the ceremony, the pictures and the cocktail hour was going on…so I snagged a few photos inside the tent.
That giant ball is of grapevine (I liked to imagine that it’s a nod to Jer&my wedding – since we did lots of grapevine wreaths)…and my Mummum decked it out with twinkle lights. It was like their own personal full moon 🙂
My mom was in charge of the ‘cocktail hour’…also known as ‘when the bridal party takes photos hour’. This was the part that scared me the most – because as big as our basement is, we were anticipating the worst weather (always gotta plan for rain) and knew that if it was really hot or wet, then every single one of the guests would cram into the space. Thankfully – it was beautiful and most folks came in for drinks, snacks and the bathroom and then hung outside.
My mom had created quite the spread…
And around the edge of the room, she placed photos of the bride and groom throughout their growing up years.
The ghosts of brides past 🙂
I know it is weird but all the ladies dug it…these are the dresses of my mom, my grandma, the grooms mom and his grandma…haunting us 🙂
Our last minute lapel decor…
And yes, we still have Trader Joes wine in our fridge. There was tons of it!
Right before we went into the reception, the bridal party made a pit stop at the basement…
my personal favorite – bacon jam 🙂
Lori wore her hair up for the ceremony and down for the reception. I am so glad she took it down because she is beautiful with it up – but BREATHtaking with it down. I am seriously considering making her sign a contract to always wear it down. FOREVER. Or I get all her money. I think that is fair.
Cole was so nervous. He kept on saying that it was his and his mom’s wedding to Andrew. Which is true. But it still made me smile. He does this repeated blinking thing when he’s a ball of nerves – and the kid couldn’t stop his little eyelids to save his life that day.
Not bad for leftover roses 🙂
Aww…sisters 🙂
One thing I love about them together is that they sing. One of them sings REALLY well and the other…well…sounds like me 🙂 But it’s adorable.
Love the amber glow…
The little bells were to have the bride and groom kiss 🙂 It’s what you do when you have plastic silverware and plastic cups 🙂
Will cut in during the father daughter dance 🙂
It was fun. The entire day we had a babysitter so Jer and I really got to cut loose. And when I say cut loose, I mean, literally go crazier than a redneck in a John Deere liquidation sale.
I haven’t danced that hard in years. And when I say danced, I mean…looked like I was having a seizure while simultaneously coming out of my clothing.
All I remember is that nothing went wrong. It was the most perfect and fun wedding I’ve been to…
the saddest part of the whole thing was when it was done and Cole had to say goodbye. He chased the car up the driveway as they pulled out. It brought tears to my eyes.
And since I had him stay with us that night, I tried to give him very important tasks…like witnessing the signature of the wedding papers. Oh yeah – did I mention that Jer’s dad officiated? This was truly a family affair 🙂
It was perfect. Low key. Fun. DJ was hilarious and playing gangsta rap 🙂 But he wasn’t as bad as our DJ who was kinda like a drunk Italian who made us do the Macarana in the mirror. yeah. weird.
So that is all the pictures I took. BUT GUESS WHAT?!
no seriously…guess.
yup – if you guessed that I have a few of the official pics – you would be right. I screen grabbed some low res photos from the photographer’s online gallery – so next I’ll be sharing some of the scenes that this matron of honor didn’t capture.
It’s like wedding mania up in this crib.
Just consider it a celebration of LOVE. I mean…we are entering that month, aren’t we?!
This is sooo beautiful! Very good job to you and your entire family. Nornie looks great! My favourite part is the tables decoration and the big light ball.. and the branches with tealights … I am in love with those (and I’m taking this picture to Pinterest :))!
I love Lori’s dress! Looks like she had the perfect wedding! Thanks for sharing!
So excited to see these pictures at last – Lori looks beautiful. In all of them! What a lovely couple. And it looks like my kind of wedding, fun, relaxed, and lots of wine.
What a wonderful celebration!
And Katie, you must spill the dirt on where someone would find BACON JAM! 🙂
If I had hair like that, I would make myself sign a contract to never wear it up! My hair is completely straight and flat. Although if I think about it, I wouldn’t know how to take care of so much beautiful hair because mine is so simple to deal with.
Great pictures Katie!
Everything looks just beautiful & perfect! I LOVE the sparkly belt (well, is it a belt? or part of the dress?). Thanks to you & also your sister & bro-in-law for sharing such a special & personal occasion. Can’t wait for more pics! 🙂
What a beautiful day!! I love the amber – so beautiful! You have the perfect house for a wedding!!
I LOVE that grape vine ball-light! Looks like it was a great shin-dig!
It looked like a great wedding – and your sister looked absolutely gorgeous!
Where could a person find the frame for the ‘Brides Past’ dresses? It appears to be wire?
I love that idea and would love to incorporate it into my wedding 🙂
Thanks for posting these photos!
Thanks for sharing them, I love fun drama free weddings! Your sister is gorgeous and I agree that hair must not be tamed, let it flow!
OMG all of the wedding pictures are gorgous…they literally brought tears to my eyes when I looked at them, your sister and boots look so happy together and I am so excited for them…I def. let out a few tears when you said that Cole ran after the car when lori and boots left the house…oh my goodness its so sweet and sad at the same time… but the thing that really awwed me was when you said this about your sisters hair ” Her head looks like a ring of golden fire. I believe prophets went gray upon seeing that kinda glory!”…that is beyond the sweetest thing I have ever heard…thank you for sharing these photos!
What a beautiful wedding! I love all the little details like the brownie bar and the baby’s breath centerpieces.
This was BEAUTIFUL! I cried just looking at the picture of Cole giving your sister a kiss in the car. You guys did such a great job.
Everything looks awesome! As as for feeling like Blu – – you must have Beyonce’s baby on the brain. Babe is the ox’s name. She was blue. 😉
GORGEOUS!!!! Norn looks stunning & you look amazing, too! Is it sad that I almost literally started crying when I read about Cole chasing the car up the driveway?? So sweet! Love Will in the Father/Daughter dance, too 🙂
Katie – this is my dream wedding! I’ve been engaged for six months, but haven’t planned anything yet, because my dream wedding is to have it outdoors at my moms lake house, but I can tell she’s not interested in it so I gotta let it go. She’s worried about the weather and mosquitos. So I’m trying to figure out plan B. 😛
So, so beautiful.
Beautiful wedding! There are so many gorgeous details. I love the bride’s dress and those branches with the tea lights and the grapevine lights. I love it all. It looks like it was a beautiful day!
Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing! I am planning our wedding for July right now and it’s a backyard tented wedding so it was great to see some inspiration.
Do you know what size tent that is? We are getting a pole tent like that and I’m still trying to wrap my head around how big it will be inside and how high the vaulted ceiling will be.
Thanks!
Beautiful wedding! I love at home weddings and all the homemade stuff. It couldnt have looked more perfect. And as a girl with curly hair, your sister’s hair is gorgeous! I’d like to know how she keeps it up out of her face instead of hanging down on the sides liek mine does,lol! And what product she likes to use! I feel like a try a lot of different (cheap things) and have to combine products to get the right curl going.
Thank you thank you! I love the look of this wedding. It was natural, and homey, without feeling to themed or forced. Just beautiful. Can’t wait to see more shots!
Oh, man, the part about Cole chasing the car brought tears to my eyes, too! I love, love, love that you displayed the dresses of the moms and grandmothers! What an amazing and beautiful event to host in your home, thank you so much for sharing!
MUST HAVE BACON JAM!!!
Is that a brownie wedding cake?!?! INCREDIBLE!
Oh my goodness…. swooon!!! What a gorgeous and simply elegant (and fun!) wedding you all pulled off! I love so many things about these photos, not the least of which is that awesome “wrap” that your sis created out of what looks like a pashmina for her “heading out the door at the end of the night” scene. Stunning.
Love it! The set up on the tables is amazing. I love the glow the amber glass gave and the branch votive holder is awesome – we almost did the same thing with drift wood at our beach wedding this past October. I’ve been posting all about our wedding on my blog recently.
The dresses of weddings past totally creeps me out! Is that a southern thing? It is kind of sweet…in a really creepy kind of way…or maybe it’s just the way you had them lurking in the doorway. Haha.
I am with you 100% on Norn keeping her hair down forever and ever. Every picture you post of her I drool over that hair! It’s so beautiful – then again, both of you are!
Thanks so much to both you and Norn for letting us peek into such a special day for your family!
Also, the brownie bar and brownie cake…I have no words. 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
Emily
So creative! I Love it when I direct a wedding and at the end of the night I’m left with the thought “that was so…them!” It looks like a lot of the details really reflected the personality of your sister and her husband!
Sounds like a perfect wedding! Although, the ghosts of brides past kind of gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Wow! I am amazed that, as the matron of honor, you were able to take some many pictures. I am so glad you did because they are beautiful. It looks like the perfect day. I must admit that when you mentioned Cole chasing the car down the drive, I teared up a little bit. Something about being a mom now makes me much more susceptible to crying. Anyway, great job!
Ok I have to be honest. When I hear “wedding at someone’s house” I think “ho-hum, how boring and un-creative.” BUT HOLY CRAP you blew my socks off with these photos! That tent! The cocktail hour! The brownie bar! The amber! The baby’s breath! Norn and her gorgeous hair and dress!
Color me amazed. I’m pretty sure this was prettier than my own wedding which cost like $10K. And definitely prettier than most I’ve been to. I think you’re onto something Katie. Let’s rent your house out for weddings and make a fortune! 🙂
Oh my! You had me at brownie bar. Everything looks amazing.
Sooo beautiful!
But let’s get to the real reason this post is amazing…BACON JAM!!! I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight until I find out where to get it or how to make it.
Oh my goodness! Your fam did such a fantastic job! I am also excited to see this because I am planning an outdoor wedding in McDonough, GA in September of this year (my groom-to-be was born and raised there, although we both live in California now, and we’re planning to get married in his parents’ back yard). Do you know where your sister got her tent/what company she used to set it up? What was the temperature like?
I think it is really cool that you had the mom’s and grandma’s wedding dresses displayed! Of course, I love wedding dresses and vintage stuff, plus it is a personal touch, so I have a bit of a weakness for that kind of thing.
It looks like it was a great time!
Hey! Beautiful Wedding!!!!!!!! We live in the area and love us some Greek food. Just wondering which restaurant the rehearsal dinner was at? Thanks!
Oh RIGHT! It wouldn’t be the first time I had Beyonce on the brain 🙂
xo – kb
My mom found the dress forms at TJMaxx 🙂
xo – kb
KB do you have curly hair too? I am a slave to my straightener (since I dont have curls per se like Norn, but rather weird half curly, half wavy, half straight..wait…thats three halves?)
Mine is wavy. Norn’s was actually not curly when she was little and then bam!
xo – kb
Messina’s in Lawrenceville/Lilburn. It’s off 29 and on Friday nights I believe they have belly dancers 🙂
xo – kb
OH. MY. GOSH. Was their cake a giant brownie?!?! That is beyond awesome!
oooooh yeah i have been there We love that place too!!! There is a place on 78 called athens grill It looks scary because it is right next to a gas station, but it is super authentic and yummy! I live off of 81 so heading towards Snellville its on my left right before I get to Rosebud. Check it out!
Perfect timing! My sister was just proposed to on a plane on her way to India with her boyfriend yesterday! I am in maid of honor mode now!!!
Looked perfect, I can’t get over the pic of Cole kissing his mommy good bye and the image of him chasing the car down the driveway brings tears to my eyes.
And the amber glow of the candles, perfect mood lighting.
I have my eye on that J.Crew dress too, if only I can find it at the price you did. $365 new, OUCH!
Oh goodness – where to start Katie!!! You’re family is just beautiful and so creative! I love EVERYTHING! Especially the vintage wedding dresses! I love that your families still have them – and in awesome shape – and displayed them like that. Lori was just stunning – you were gorgeous – the men were so handsome – and your mom is just so lovely. Thank you for posting and to Lori and Boots for letting us all peek in on their special day. Can’t wait to see more!
LOL.
Wow, that was a gorgeous wedding!! Love the centerpieces, amber glassware, grapevine, rustic decor… fabulous!! And I agree, you need a tent to stay in that place permanently!! =)
…this post was well worth the wait! Beyond gorgeous photos…the wedding looks amazing!! Can’t wait for more 🙂
oomph, i’m so dumb – the table cloth in the picture of the cookies looks just like my ironing board cover and my first thought was, “what a weirdly good idea for an extra buffet table!”
Katie- Your timing is impeccable! I am having a backyard wedding this September and was just thinking the other day, I should ask Katie Bower to post about her sister’s wedding. And you did! So weird. Anyways, I love it and her dress. Do you know where it’s from?
Your sister is so beautiful! My curly hair has never looked that good. Does she have any curly hair tips? 🙂
Best Big Sister Ever is what you are! How kind of you to host their wedding. I’m sure it meant the world to them. I really enjoyed looking through the photos. Can’t wait to see the rest.
Don’t over dry 🙂 and use the right products 🙂
xo – kb
It’s a Ella Bridal gown that she got off the rack at a local gown shop.
That’s all I know!
xo – kb
Yup.
xo – kb
I feel like I could comment on each and every pic. 🙂 You backyard and house were made for this! The court was perfect for the tent, the basement looks gorgeous painted (so much molding detail). Nornie’s rehearsal desk is amazing. It would be a beautiful dress for a casual wedding. Do you know where it is from?
Work on her new house is likely to keep you busy. The molding on the kitchen cabinets is beautiful.
All the details we beautiful as were all the members of the bridal party. Nornie looks amazing and I absolutely love how she wrapped the shawl and pined it with the broach.
Bravo to you and your family for coming together to create the beautiful day, and congratulations to your breathtaking sister. It looks like an amazing day.
I believe it was from White House Black Market 🙂
xo – kb
Gorgeous! Congrats to them all. You and your sister look so alike!
Hi Katie! Random question for you. So.. I might be in love with your sister’s rehearsal dress. Any idea where she got it?
PS.. you are so right about the hair.
Thanks in advance!
Wow.. apparently I should read comments before asking about the dress. Sorry! White House Black Market. Got it.
Everything looks so beautiful, but that photo of Cole kissing his Mama goodbye made me teary and it takes a lot to do that to me these days! Glad you had him stay with you, he would have felt busy with all the stuff still going on in your (beautiful) home! Love xx
Hey, just wanted to tell you the wedding looked beautiful! The amber and wood combination is very pretty. And I know I don’t know you, but goodness, doesn’t God give good gifts to his kids? He gave you guys that home for a purpose, to open up and share with family and friends and serve others. To be able to use it to give your sis such a nice wedding is awesome. Even if doesn’t really feel like “home” still.
Now that I’ve sufficiently creeped you out…also wanted to say what a great idea to get a babysitter for Will for the night 🙂
It’s from White House Black Market (we both got our rehearsal dresses there! Love that place!)
xo – kb
Everything is so pretty! I just love your sister’s taste, is their any chance of her home appearing on the blog? I bet with your help she will have a gorgeous home 🙂
The wedding looks perfect; really! Did I miss it, what did you guys have for dinner? Your sister’s hair is beyond gorgeous
the part about Cole crying tore me up 🙁
enormous emotions on a little guy.
We had barbeque from our favorite spot – Shane’s. My family is sortof obsessed with their chicken and sweet tea so it was perfect 🙂
xo – kb
Hopefully one day! I’ll have to give her a chance to work on it first since it is such a job!
xo – kb
Such a gorgeoues wedding. I love all the details. The branch on the table with the votives might be my favorite thing EVER. Your sister is gorgeous and I love both her RD dress and wedding dress!
Gorgeous! If I get married again, can I get married at your house?! Kidding…sort of 😉 You are so talented and I love all of the details. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.
omg – judging from that, and the fact that their cake was made entirely of brownies, makes me think if I was a guest you’d need to roll me out of there! yum!!
Could you do a tutorial on how to make those branch votive holder thingies? I LOVE them
Your hours is BEAUTIFUL!! I’m so jealous. And all that space in the back-yard. Probably a pain to Mow all the time, but totally worth it!
You did an amazing job with this wedding!
Can I say that I am in love with this post?! I was a little hurt when it came to an end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and all of your pictures. Oh your sweet nephew is adorable! That picture of him and your sister got me teary eyed. Precious!
Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Wow – the wedding looks beautiful! Great work 🙂
Katie, you are a hilarious writer! I really LOL’d when you described your dancing!
Your sis looks so much like Emmy Rossum! I love it.
We tell her that all the time! Of course she gets Emmy and I get Britney. A bit of a classy difference, eh?!
xo – kb
What a beautiful wedding! You have inspired me. I am also using amber glass and navy tablecloths to decorate for a wedding rehearsal dinner. Mine will look very different, but now I know it will be a success. Thank you.