by: Lauren

A simple southern wedding at the rustic Bowing Oaks Plantation in Jacksonville, Florida was the perfect setting for Alyssa and Trent’s wedding day. With a ceremony under the canopy of oak trees, and cocktail hour and their first dance on the stone patio, guests were able to enjoy every inch of the beautiful space throughout the day.

We love how this couple chose special moments to highlight during their wedding day. They exchanged vows in private prior to the ceremony and celebration with friends and family, their dog took a role in the wedding, and the groom’s college basketball coach officiated their ceremony. Every special moment was so beautifully captured by Bethany Walter Photography, and we’re thrilled to share the details and behind-the-scenes insights of their day with you.

A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

Tell us a little a bit about your wedding (your vision, color, style, and location choices).

We chose to have our wedding in Jacksonville, FL because that was home to us at the time and we were both really busy with school and Trent was playing basketball for the majority of our engagement.

A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

We are both pretty laid back people and wanted to do as much as we could ourselves for our wedding so we wanted our wedding day to reflect that.

When we first saw Bowing Oaks we fell in love with it. It represented the laid back rustic vibe we wanted and it had the perfect lay out. The oak tree was the perfect background for the ceremony and the patio with the string lights was the perfect spot for the cocktail hour and first dance.
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?

Our guests were always a priority for us while planning and making sure they had a good time. That’s why we incorporated items such as the photo booth, a great DJ, and good food. Having our day well documented with super talented vendors was also very important to us which is why we hired Bethany as our photographer and Take One Productions for our videography.

A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

What were your favorite parts of the day? (memories and stories)

Honestly the entire day was absolutely perfect. But of course some of our favorite parts were the vows, the ceremony, the dances, and the speeches. The first look with my dad was super important to me so that was a really special memory for me. And we also had our dog, Aubree, in the wedding so seeing her and having her around for the day was absolutely the best. Just being able to be surrounded by all of our friends and family and celebrate the most important day of our lives was so memorable for us.

A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.comA Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

Trent was honestly my biggest help throughout the wedding process. We didn’t have a whole lot of outside help so Trent and I made every decision together. He went to every wedding appointment and helped make every decision. He kept me sane and grounded.

Mrs. Carrie (our day of coordinator) was a saving grace the day of the wedding. It was so great of her to help us out and she was a huge help planning our ceremony and the events for the day.

A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com
A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?

My only advice would be to slow down and enjoy every moment. You are only engaged a short while and the wedding day goes by so fast so take it all in.

We love this couple’s classic style and their focus on important moments that really brought this day to life!

 

VENDORS WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN…

Photography: Bethany Walter Photography // Ceremony Venue: Bowing Oaks Plantation // Reception Venue: Bowing Oaks Plantation // Event Planning: Carrie Driscoll // Floral: Kelley’s Bloom Room // Videography: Take One Production // Wedding Cake: Lula’s Cupcakes // DJ: D’land Entertainment // Entertainment: KW Event Painting // Hair & Makeup: Amanda Hopcraft Makeup Artist // Officiant: Matthew Driscoll // Catering: PJ’s Catering // Photo Booth: Picture Time Photo Booths // Ceremony Musicians: Julia Seldoff – Ensemble Coordinator // Ceremony Musicians: Millie Hudson – Vocal // Wedding Dress: Love, A Bridal Boutique // Groom’s Attire: Jos A Bank // Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade // Bridesmaid Dresses: Love, A Bridal Boutique

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A Classic Navy & White Southern Wedding via TheELD.com

Lauren

Founder & Editor at Every Last Detail
Lauren Grove is the editor and owner of Every Last Detail. A clueless bride-turned-wedding planner, Lauren uses her experiences and knowledge to educate and inspire brides all over the world.

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