We are steadfast advocates in doing weddings your way: as true reflections of your likes, you life, and, most importantly, your love! Today’s couple, Justin & Kate, brought their relationship’s uniqueness to life—and masterfully so!— in a vision of a backyard wedding that would bear most beautiful witness to a most beautiful love!
A word from photographer Hannah Groat:
“Justin & Kate’s beautiful backyard wedding perfectly captured the essence of this couple – elegant, artistic, colorful, and whimsy. I couldn’t get enough of the beautiful colors Kate incorporated into all her details including her invitations, her flowers, and even her dress.”
Love notes from the couple, Justin & Kate:
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
Kate: “When Justin proposed it was in our home on the morning of March 25th, we were getting ready to go have brunch with some of our close friends who were in town from New Orleans. As I was contemplating some new blush I had just bought, Justin says ‘Hey, don’t forget to put on all your rings, they are in here in the kitchen!’ I wear lots of different turquoise and silver rings each day. So I came into the kitchen to grab them all and he had put my engagement ring with the rest of the rings. My immediate thought was, OH NO! I am not suppose to see this yet, HE LEFT IT OUT, he forgot to hide it! Then I turned around and he was on one knee and said the sweetest things about us. I just love this story because it’s so us in a nutshell and it was in our home, full of love.”
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
Kate: “All of our family was in the wedding and we had our wedding in my parents backyard! It was the most dreamy garden wedding I have ever experienced and I am so glad to say it was mine! I loved having it in my parents backyard, it gave us a sense of comfort, many great memories and lots of love!”
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome during your wedding planning.
Kate: “Wedding planning wasn’t the most fun. I have to be honest, I am not a planner. I am a ‘let’s play it by ear!’ Justin and I are both artists with big dreaming minds, so trying to mesh those ideas, thoughts and feelings with a pretty traditional family was not easy. So at some point in the six months, I stepped back and let the wedding planner take control and just tried to relax and enjoy it. I kept getting wrapped up in the tiny details that didn’t matter! But I love, LOVE how everything came out and it was such a perfect day. Everything looked amazing and exactly how I pictured it to be if not more magical.”
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Kate: “I loved working with my florist! I pretty much trusted her 100% because she is just that good. She did ah-mazing. I knew she would!!! Everything I imaged Leslie designed, it was just magic. We were just so on the same page and I almost cried when I saw it all!”
What part of your wedding day was most important to you?
Kate: “I really loved our first look AND our first dance. Since there were so many people working in and around my parents house getting ready for the wedding, the only spot where there was absolutely no people was downstairs in my parents house, where the playroom is. We did our first look with just us, no photographers or anything. It was just perfect and simple and truly us. Our first dance was SO special because our friends Taylor and Valley Hildebrand sang ‘This Must Be The Place’ originally by Talking Heads but T + V sang the version by Iron and Wine & Ben Bridwell off the album, ‘Sing into my Mouth.’ It’s basically a slower, more romantic version of the already rad song. It was just so special for us because now we are home with each other and our love.”
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Kate: “How to be positive. I am constantly learning from Justin and marriage. How to listen, how to be patient and how to be positive for one another. It’s a challenge, but I am loving learning and trying to improve myself with him as my partner!”
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Kate: “I love how kind Justin is. I love how talented Justin is, it makes me almost annoyed because he’s such a good illustrator and designer. I love how determined Justin is and how patient he is with me.”
Justin: “I can’t narrow it down to one thing. She’s an extremely talented painter, but humble. She’s empathetic and thoughtful. She cares about people other than herself. She’s beautiful without trying, inside and out.”
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
“Be patient. Patience with your partner, patience with life and everything in between. It’ll all work out! You have love for one another and you are a team now, so work on it together with patience and gratitude.”
photographer: Hannah Groat Photography / venue: Backyard wedding in Jackson, MS / stylist & planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning / floral designer: Tulip Floral / dress boutique: The Bridal Path / dress designer: Olvi’s / cake: The Cake Diva / makeup artist: Amy Head Cosmetics / hair stylist: Kosmos Salon and Spa / men’s formalwear: Tuxes Too / rentals: Mississippi Tent / catering: 4Top Catering / videographer: Sweet Water Films / band: 601 Band / lighting: Davaine Lighting / bar: The Iron Horse Grill / invitations: Fresh Ink / film lab: Richard Photo Lab
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