Your Guide to a Timeless At-Home Wedding
Image Courtesy: Ann Harper Covington
“I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition.”
“Father of the Bride” was a staple movie for me and my older sister growing up. Even today, I find time to watch it at least once a month. I love the story of Annie and Bryan, the constant quips from George Banks, the personality of Franck, and the father-daughter bond showcased throughout the whole movie. Most of all, I loved the family home turned wedding reception venue.
When my older cousin got engaged this past December, she had a similar outlook on what she wanted her wedding to look like. We’re a tight-knit family, so adding a new member was a huge cause for celebration. They knew early on that they wanted to keep the ceremony small, focusing on a bigger reception the following night, but there was an added layer to this plan that made it all the more special.
Image Courtesy: Ann Harper Covington
They decided to host the ceremony in their own house, which happened to be the home that my mother and her siblings, including the bride’s mom, grew up in (sentimental is a light word to describe us).
The weekend started early, with our family gathering for dinner the night before the wedding. Include that with the after party that began at 9:00 and didn’t end until well after 4:30 AM (or “into the fives,” as one of the said cousins tends to say), and it is a sure bet that the weekend started off with a bang.
The hangover I, along with the majority of the family, experienced that next morning would have controlled us any other time, but it was wedding day! The girls headed over to the house early for hair and makeup to be done, while I, waking up a little later than planned (I absolutely did not sleep through my alarm) paid my karmic dues and braved the Starbucks drive-through to avoid showing up late and empty-handed. Thank you for your service, Starbucks!
Image Courtesy: Ann Harper Covington
The morning flew by in a rush of hair, makeup, dress steaming and champagne. The living room was cleared out, couches replaced with white chairs and an ornate archway made with greenery aligning the bay window. The sunlight streamed through, highlighting the bride as she was escorted through the room.
The weather was of no mind, as even a little rain didn’t stop us from spending time outside or affect anyone’s spirits. The bride and groom’s dogs even took part in the celebration, wearing floral wreaths around their necks and accepting as much attention as they could from the guests. Photographs were taken, food was served, and vows were made. It was a perfect day.
Image Courtesy: Ann Harper Covington
The entire weekend was a blur of some of the best moments my family will always cherish. To the bride and the groom, congratulations! If your marriage is half as wonderful as your wedding, it will be a beautiful one.
Strike out,
Ann Harper Covington
Editor: Caroline Kostuch
Athens