Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of working with Shelby and Edward at many of their friends’ weddings and over those years we have all developed sweet friendships (because how could you not when you see the same fun people every weekend?!). But this day was their day, and it was perfect. I’m so pleased with the way everything shot. It was such a beautiful wedding. They are so blessed to have such an amazing friend group to celebrate with!

Ann-Marie

“My wedding day was exactly what I envisioned as a little girl. I always dreamed that wherever my husband and I got married would be somewhere special to us. Oxford (Taylor being basically Oxford) is just that. We both met there and have a love for Ole Miss and it meant so much to both of us to share our love for each other in a place we love so much. However, I think I spent more time dreaming of who I would marry as a little girl and it’s safe to say Edward is all things good, plus some.” – Shelby

“I wore maternal grandmother’s pin and my paternal grandmother’s pins on the inside of my dress to have a piece of them with me since they could not physically be there. I also had a piece of my mom’s wedding dress and maternal grandmother’s wedding dress wrapped around my bouquet.” – Shelby

“The week leading up to the wedding, the chance of rain kept increasing from 20% to 40% to 80% the night before wedding day. However – I was least worried about the rain out of all things to worry about. Some of my bridesmaids and I walked to the chapel late the night before wedding day and popped champagne for no rain on the chapel steps. When I woke up, it was completely sunny with not a cloud in the sky. The chance of rain began to go down and we never ended up seeing one drop of rain. So when in doubt, pop champagne for no rain.” – Shelby

“Edward will say we met at a bar, The Library while Mustache Band was playing to be exact, but we actually met through many mutual friends. One of my best friends Madeline, who I lived with at the time, started talking to me about how she knew this guy Edward who she could really see me ‘hitting it off’ with. I didn’t put much thought into it until she kept saying over and over – ‘you have to meet him, I could just see this going somewhere.’ Another one of my best friends, Kate, was dating one of Edward’s best friends Kyle and set us up at the Egg Bowl in 2016. Edward is a big duck hunter and Kyle was convinced Edward was not going to be at the Egg Bowl but turns out that Edward loves Ole Miss football just as much as duck hunting. Kate, being the friend that everyone needs when you need help taking the next step, did just that. Against my will, she somehow planned for Edward and I to sit by each other and converse the entire game. Although, there was more yelling at the Rebs done (on Edward’s part) than talking. From there – we ended up at the same bar where one of our favorite bands (Mustache Band) was playing. All 3 of them can wear the crown for match makers and we are so thankful that they all got to be a part of our special day in our wedding party.” – Shelby

“From the time we met until we started dating was very (emphasis on very) slow and steady. Edward was doing his internship in Memphis and we had about three months together in Oxford when he was done with his internship before he left to guide fly fishing trips. He guided these trips for around 2 1/2 months. When he came back to Oxford, we had been together for around 6 months. He mustered up the courage on his first night back in town to ask me to be his girlfriend. Thankfully, he was in Oxford another year doing his Master’s program and I was starting my senior year. After we both graduated, we did long distance for 2 years while I was in graduate school in Jackson, MS and he was working in Memphis. While distance isn’t easy, we are so thankful for long distance as it pushed us to try harder and grow together and we had gotten closer than we had ever been before. We never left each other without a plan for the next time we would see each other, and I think that’s a critical part of making long distance relationships work. Because of COVID, I was able to move to Memphis earlier than expected in April of 2020 and we got engaged 2 short months later in June of 2020.” – Shelby

“We were on the coast of Mississippi visiting my family the day of the proposal. Edward asked if I wanted to go to dinner, so I naturally invited 6 of my friends from home. I thought we were going to meet up with everyone for drinks before, but he told me that we had to stop by the house my mom was in the process of building beforehand. I honestly thought I was about to walk into a new puppy because I talked about wanting a dog for over a year. I walked in and there was no dog but the house was decorated with pictures, flowers, and champagne (of course!). I turned around to Edward on one knee. When he asked me to marry him, I responded with ‘Are you sure?.’ He proposed with a ring from his great grandmother that he redesigned. We spent the night with our immediate families and some close friends. It was such a special night!” – Shelby

“Getting to marry Edward in the place that we met and both hold so close to our hearts was the most special part of planning our wedding. We also had a huge wedding party and getting to see friends and family from all over for the first time in over a year was also super special to us.” – Shelby

“I wanted traditional, elegant, and classic with a twist. I love a clean look, but I also made sure to add details that would stand out. The blue in my invitations was one of my very favorite details. I also love orchids and calla lilies so I knew I would have arrangements and bouquets full of them.” – Shelby

“I could write a book about my vendors. I had so much fun working with my vendors and they all did such an amazing job. I booked my wedding date around my photographer because I was adamant on having Ann-Marie and her team photograph our wedding. She has done many weddings that we have been a part of. Not only is her work superb, but she is so much fun to be around. She made our engagement pictures and wedding day pictures run seamlessly (even in the July heat). She has an uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world and her photography is some of the best work I’ve ever seen. 

Garden District in Memphis drove to Oxford to do our flowers. Working with Greg, Erick, and the rest of the Garden District team was such an amazing experience. I am always in awe of their work and our wedding day is no exception. I was able to briefly describe my vision to them and they took that and ran with it and turned it into everything I could have asked for and more. When I walked into the Mill for the first time – my jaw hit the floor. They are some of the most talented people I know.  

Groove Factor Band was also a vendor I planned my wedding date around. They were recommended by so many so I knew they were at the top of my list. When I got in touch with Terry, I immediately felt like we had been friends forever so I knew I would be happy with them and they did not disappoint! Terry communicated with me for 13 months and answered all of my many questions. This band exceeded all of my expectations! We got so many compliments on how fun and energetic they were. We had a blast with them! They come highly recommended. 

Curry and the rest of the RSVP team were such joys to work with! Curry spent many hours helping me design my invitations (we went through 4 liners and I couldn’t be more pleased with the finished product she helped me decide on), programs, cups, koozies, napkins, and stickers. She met with me at least 10 times and communicated constantly regarding orders. I am so excited to get to continue using RSVP for all of my stationary needs and event needs! They are truly the best! 

Angie and Nick at A&N Catering were also so much fun to work with. Angie met with me several times and even set up a taste testing. She went out of her way to go out of town to get certain vodka Edward and I requested that she could not get locally. She assured me that everything would run smoothly and it did just that. She took care of all small details regarding food and set up. Not to mention – the food was amazing and they created the best signature cocktail. 

Carolyn and Cathy at The White Room Birmingham made finding my dream dress the best experience I could have asked for. I knew I loved the designer Anne Barge and The White Room had a large selection of Anne Barge. From the minute I walked in until I picked up my dress for the last time (many months later), Carolyn and Cathy went out of their way to check on me and give me constant updates. I also found my veil at The White Room that they picked out and had custom made to go with my dress. I explained the look I was going for and they encouraged me to try a few dresses out of my comfort zone while still finding a look they knew I wanted. Once my dress was picked, Carolyn did the most amazing alterations and bustle for my dress. They are so talented and made me feel my best self!

Ann Marie at Details worked tirelessly to accommodate my vision and what I had in mind for the venue. She gave me many great tips and tricks for the reception that she has seen over time. She was always in communication with me and answered all of my thousands of questions regarding the set up of the venue. 

Katie Naron and Bess Fisher coordinated my wedding day of. They both did an amazing job keeping everything in order and following a timeline. They waited on me hand and foot to make sure that I enjoyed the night and they constantly reminded me to soak it all in and enjoy every moment – which would not have been as easy without them! 

Lara Jenkins created my wedding cake and traveled 6 hours with it from Ocean Springs to Oxford. She spent hours making sure she had everything she needed to transport my dream cake. She created the most beautiful cake and it tasted even better! 

Sweet T’s Bakery created the most unique and creative groom’s cake I have ever seen. I gave Kathleen some bullet points and ideas of what I wanted and they took that and made it beyond what I could have ever envisioned.” – Shelby

“The way everything flowed so smoothly and how much fun the actual wedding day was. I had slight expectations from what people have told me but until it actually was here, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. It was the most fun day surrounded by my favorite people and I don’t know that I will have a day that will ever top it!” – Shelby

“The best advice I received as a bride was to soak it all in and enjoy every moment because it flies by. Also – don’t let small details get in the way of the joy and happiness that wedding day brings.” – Shelby

“Carrying on what everyone told me above- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Something will go wrong leading up to wedding day or on wedding day and it’s crucial to remember the importance of why you, your groom, and everyone else is there – and that’s to celebrate your love with everyone. At the end of the day, your wedding day will be exactly what it was meant to be. Also – take a few minutes every so often to stop and just look around and soak everything in. The weekend and specifically wedding day goes by so fast that it’s important to recognize all of the hard work and love put into the weekend.” – Shelby

Lead Photographer: Ann-Marie Wyatt | Second Shooter: Lindsay Pace | Dress & Veil: The White Room Birmingham | Dress Designer: Anne Barge | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids | Tux: Joseph A. Bank | Bride’s Cake: Lara Jenkins | Groom’s Cake: Sweet T’s Bakery | Ceremony Venue: The Chapel at Plein Air | Reception Venue: The Mill at Plein Air | Coordinators: Katie Naron and Bess Fisher | Flowers: Garden District | Invitations: RSVP Stationers | Invitation/Program Graphics: Cathy Pendleton | Rentals: Details Rentals | Ceremony Music: Marco DeVera & Phyllis Long | Reception Band: Groove Factor Band | Rehearsal Venue: The Lyric | Caterer: A&N Catering | Hair: RK Beauty Bar | Makeup: Rivers Keyes & Isabella Allen | Preparation Accommodations: Taylor Inn | Light up Letters: Alpha Lit | Officiant: Deacon Johnny Jennings