Caroline + Bryce Johnson- what a sweet sweet couple. These two came to me back in the spring and from the very first conversation Caroline and I had, I knew we would be friends. Caroline + Bryce went to CNU (GO Captains!!), which is where they met. I just LOVE working with CNU couples and these two are my 3rd to date. Caroline is also a Phi Mu- BONUS! I love working with sisters! <3
Before we knew it- September was here!! With an outdoor ceremony planned- Caroline and I had our fingers, toes, legs – you name it- crossed in hopes that Hurricane Harvey wouldn’t cause too much trouble for us. We were practically pretzels! This is where flexibility (pun absolutely intended) and great planning is key.
I had TWO packets made up for Caroline + Bryce’s wedding day. Plan A, of course, was for no rain. Plan B, was in case of rain. Part of Plan B meant moving the ceremony location from Windsor Castle Park to the reception location, which was The Smithfield Center. Caroline wanted to wait until the morning of the wedding to make this call. This meant we needed a SOLID plan in place to make sure all vendors and guests were made aware of any changes to the ceremony location, if we had to implement Plan B. The week leading up to the wedding, I communicated with vendors about the two plans and informed them that the final call would be made the morning of.
Unfortunately, Harvey won in the end and we had to run with Plan B. I quickly alerted all of the vendors and Caroline, Bryce, + family mass texted the wedding guests about the change in venue.
Prior to the wedding weekend, the photographer and I chatted about wrangling all the clear bubble umbrellas we could find to ensure these two were able to take outdoor photos come rain or shine. Thankfully, aside from a light drizzle and a camera lens that kept fogging up- the first look and wedding party photos turned out beautifully- and we didn’t even need the umbrellas. I still can’t get over Caroline’s dress- stunning!
Isn’t she the cutest! <3
Even with Plan B in place, I still had a couple of options available for Caroline in an effort to make her wedding day dreams come true. Plan B(a) was to have the ceremony on the deck at The Smithfield Center. Just in case there was a break in the rain, we had the rental company deliver the chairs meant for the Windsor Castle Park ceremony to The Smithfield Center and set them up on the deck. This allowed us to make a VERY last minute call about the ceremony. Plan B(b) was to have the Ceremony inside the reception hall.
Maybe it was the pureness in their vows or the love and joy radiating from all who were present, but the sun even peered through the clouds during the ceremony. It was gorgeous and these two deserved every ounce of sunshine they could get.
Meanwhile, all I could think about was my first conversation with Caroline where she asked if I brought the rain lol. For those of you who are curious, of all the weddings I’ve planned, it has only rained at 4 of them and that includes Caroline + Bryce’s wedding, where we ended up having their ceremony outside, and my own wedding…and we all know that story. That’s a pretty good track record, I’d say! I’m praying I didn’t just jinx the rest of my 2017 couples….
Following the ceremony, family pictures commenced and the rain held off until the VERY end of the photos. Couldn’t have planned it better myself!
As for the reception, this crowd knows how to party! The dance floor was packed at all times and everyone had an absolute blast. I knew the evening was a success when Caroline said “This was the most fun I’ve ever had!”
A few super cute personalized touches that I loved were:
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On each table, Caroline + Bryce had a picture of themselves at the age on the table # (ie: table 1- baby pic, table 13- tween pic)
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Bryce’s mom made the wedding cake <3
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Bryce’s wedding gift to Caroline was a personalize CNU license plate that said “CPTSM8” (Captains Mate).
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The family made a LOT of the decor items themselves, including the lattice backdrop!
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It was the Photographers birthday and Caroline + Bryce had everyone sing to her! 🙂
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Bryce’s grandfather married Caroline + Bryce!
Congrats, Mr. + Mrs. Johnson! I wish you both all of the love and happiness that life has to offer <3
[pro tip: here’s another faux exit success! The photographer was contracted to leave before the exit, so we staged it with a few of the guests! Who doesn’t love playing with sparklers twice?!?]
Dress | BHLDN
Venue | THE SMITHFIELD CENTER
Caterer| COUNTRY BOYS BARBEQUE
Photographer | KIR2BEN
Hair + Make Up | DHALIA EDWARDS TEAM
Florals | EDWIN LITTLE
DJ | PAULA SHRUM
Videographer | WILL BURCH
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