Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Be careful what you tweet—you never know who might be paying attention! As the 2012 winter holidays approached, Savannah tweeted that "Everyone gets engaged on a holiday. I want mine to be on a random Tuesday," then promptly forgot about it. But her now-husband Wes's younger brother, Easton, didn't forget. And when Wes told his family that he was planning to propose on Valentine's Day, Easton talked him into proposing a few days earlier, on Tuesday, February 12th.
On what was, for Savannah, just a normal Tuesday, she and Wes were heading out for a casual early Valentine's dinner, as she had to work on the actual day. On their way, Wes got a call from his dad (and boss), saying that he needed to stop by a family friend's warehouse to check on the heating system. When they pulled up, Wes's dad met them with a flashlight, saying the power had been turned off because the building was for sale. As they made their way up the service elevator, Savannah saw the glow of candles and a table covered with roses. Wes walked to the table, picked up a box, and got down on one knee, asking Savannah to make him the happiest man in the world. As she nodded, he turned her around to reveal a sign saying "She said YES" and their family and friends appeared. They'd all come together to set up her perfect "random Tuesday" proposal!
The couple, who spent their first date on a horseback ride, were married on July 13th, 2013, at Chapel Valley Farms in Vinemont, Alabama. The barn and orchard gave their wedding the rustic, vintage feel they'd dreamed of, infusing their wedding with a sense of romance and nostalgia.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Savannah's Justin Alexander gown "complimented the vintage style of the wedding perfectly," she says. An alencon lace overlay flowed down to a dropped waist, while the skirt was all drama. To top it all off, a pair of cowboy boots with bright teal cut-outs peeked out from beneath her skirt. Inside her dress, she wore pins belonging to her great grandmother and great-great grandmother. "I loved having them close to me on my big day," she says.
The bride carried a soft bouquet of garden roses, mums, and dusty miller in ivory, peach, and light pink.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
The groom's boutonniere featured a peach rose, wrapped in burlap and a pink ribbon.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Wes wore a three-piece tan tuxedo with a porcelain blue tie. And cowboy boots, of course!
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
The couple took advantage of Chapel Valley Farm's old buildings and beautiful scenery.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Savannah dressed her bridesmaids in blue chiffon dresses with a high-low hem to show off their boots. The groomsmen wore tuxedos to match Wes.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
"We assembled all of the programs ourselves," says Savannah, who tied them with twine and attached key charms to the ends.
The ceremony took place in the farm's open-air barn. "My mother draped burlap and muslin to create the altar," says Savannah. A wreath and flowing arrangements of mums, roses, and vines gave the space a touch of color.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
The couple had a traditional Methodist ceremony, officiated by Wes's childhood minister. "We literally tied the knot," says Savannah. "We love to fish together, so tying a fisherman's knot during the ceremony was the perfect fit for us."
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Savannah was having a hard time choosing between two dresses until her consultant asked, "What dress do you want Wes to see you in on your wedding day?" She immediately knew that her lace and tulle gown was exactly what she should wear down the aisle.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
"I stacked vintage hardcover books anywhere I possibly could," says Savannah.
The reception took place in an old barn arranged with long tables. The head table, draped with muslin and a burlap runner, was topped with candles, vines, and bud vases overflowing with baby's breath.
Guests' tables were decorated with vines, baby's breath, and pages from old books. Strings of lights cast a warm glow over the room.
Wes and Savannah treated guests to vintage sweets, like wax bottles, and asked them to sign a traditional guest book.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Wes's grandfather built corn hole boards, which the groom's mother customized with the couple's monogram. The bride and groom's grandmothers sewed beanbags to use for the game.
Photo: Anna Pociask Photography
Savannah and Wes's wedding cake featured piped rosettes and was decorated with fresh flowers. And, says Savannah, the days since that first bite have been amazing. "I love sharing each day with my best friend."
Savannah and Wes were lucky to have so much help from their family and friends, but she's glad that they stuck to the traditions and ideas that really mattered to them. "Some of the things we chose were really unique to us," she says, "and we're so happy looking back, because the day turned out exactly how we wanted it to be."
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Chapel Valley Farms || Bride's Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander, from The Something Blue Shoppe || Shoes: Preston's Western Wear || Hair & Makeup: Mandy Rowe of Salon 714, (256) 751-1225 || Groom & Groomsmen's Tuxedos: The Something Blue Shoppe || Wedding Bands: Bride - Billy Mitchell Jewelry, Groom - Goldmine Jewelry || Florist: Linda Graves of Buttercup Design || Music: Darrel Widman || Catering: JW Steakhouse || Cake: Creative Cakes of Cullman || Photography: Anna Pociask Photography