Dolls, there are a couple things you must know about Betsy and Sam’s wedding before you dive into their dreamy, heartfelt day.
One, it was held at Betsy’s parents’ home in Alabama. Everything was supposed to be outside, but then, BOOM! Rain. The ceremony moved to the bottom of the stairs and the reception into the (cleaned-out) garage. Says Betsy, “Looking back now, I wouldn’t trade one single second of that day for a white tent and a Chiavari chair!”
Two, Betsy and Sam are expecting!! They will be welcoming their new little boy in November. To announce his gender, the wedding cake had blue icing layers—and everyone found out at once when the cake was cut.
How full does all of that make your heart feel? Well, wait until you see their images and read what Betsy shared with us about their day….so much love, joy, and loveliness (especially radiant Betsy in her Astrid & Mercedes Cherish gown)!
From Betsy:
How did Sam propose?
“Sam and I were walking around a park after we went to dinner one night (on April Fool’s Day), and all of a sudden he got down on one knee and told me that he loved me and wanted to marry me! I of course said yes and cried to the point that he didn’t know if I was happy or sad!“
wedding dress: Astrid & Mercedes Cherish via Ivory & Birch Bridal | photographer: Valerie Callan Photography | scroll down for full vendor list
How did you choose your gown?
“The Astrid & Mercedes gown was the first dress I tried on. I knew that I wanted something that was simple but very elegant. We were planning to have a small, family-only wedding, and as soon as I tried on that dress I fell in love! I tried on about 10 others, but I just kept comparing everything to the first gown. I knew that it was the one. I actually had an appointment to travel about five hours to Atlanta the following day to try on a specific gown that I had found online, but after I put on the Lea-Ann gown, I called and canceled the appointment in Atlanta right there in the bridal salon. It was the easiest decision I made, aside from picking my groom!”
Tell us about your day!
“The Alabama weather is so unpredictable! It had been absolutely beautiful the week before the wedding. However, on Thursday of our wedding week, we realized that it was probably going to storm. Because EVERYTHING was planned to be outside at my parents’ house, we had to quickly make adjustments. On the morning of the wedding, the sun was shining and everything was beautiful. However, about an hour and a half before it was to begin, the bottom fell out and it poured rain. We decided at the last minute to have all of our 70 guests (thankfully it was just family) stand around us while we got married inside my parents’ house instead of outside. My dad walked me down the staircase and all of our family, the preacher, and my groom was waiting for us at the bottom. It was absolutely perfect.
Sam and I also are expecting! We were originally planning on getting married this winter, but because we found out I was pregnant in March, we moved the proposal and the wedding up. I immediately knew I wanted to find out the gender as early as possible, but Sam wanted to wait and do a gender reveal. He suggested instead of an additional event where we revealed the gender, our wedding cake could be pink or blue on the inside and we would already have all of our family there! It was the PERFECT solution. After the ceremony and family pictures, we headed to the reception area, which was in my parents’ (cleaned-out) garage due to the weather. We couldn’t wait until everyone was done eating, so with our families gathered around, we cut the cake. The middle of the cake had a baby blue line of icing, and we were absolutely thrilled to announce to our closest people that we are having a baby BOY in November!“
Describe your wedding day in 5 words or less:
“Intimate, special, sweet, original, perfection.”
What was your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?
“I did not do all of these, but my wedding ring and band were given to my husband’s late grandmother by his grandfather when he proposed. We even have the ring box that they came in when he bought them in Biloxi, MS.”
Three words that best describe your partner (you or both of you can answer!):
“Three words that describe Sam (by Betsy): Quiet, funny, thoughtful.
Three words that describe Betsy (by Sam): Caring, outspoken, thoughtful.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“We are going to Whitehouse, Jamaica! We absolutely CANNOT WAITTTT!!!”
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
“Be patient and flexible. Our wedding day was nothing at all like what I had pictured in my head. Despite everyone’s best efforts, my original plan with the outdoor ceremony and the reception under the big white tent was ruined. However, once I let go of what I thought it was supposed to be like, I was able to relax and enjoy our day and everything about it that made it completely unique to us. Looking back now, I wouldn’t trade one single second of that day for a white tent and a Chiavari chair!”
