Happy blogging! It is my first time to EVER blog. While it has been on my mind since opening the store, I have been sort of afraid to do it. However, I knew that it would be super fun and important to blog about my bride’s wedding days and when they are actually in their dress. I have had one #margaretellenbride tie the knot so far, so it is time to get this blog on the net. I thought what better way to start it than on my own anniversary!?! I figured I could answer the same questions that I am asking my brides to write about and tell my own story. So, my first blog is dedicated to you, Tyler, and to five wonderful years. Our story started on June 22, 2013.
How did Tyler and I meet?
I knew sort of who Tyler was a few years before we were introduced. Side note: I literally have butterflies and the biggest smile on my face as I type this. I remember seeing him on a four-wheeler ride. He was SO cute, looked older than me (actually 6 months younger than myself), and I was so confused how I didn’t know who in the world he was. After all, we lived in the Mississippi Delta where everyone knows everyone. But, I didn’t know him.
Fast forward to two years later when we were seniors in high school, we were introduced to each other through his brother and a high school friend of mine. We literally hit it off the first night we met and the rest is history.
Our Proposal…
Our proposal was intimate and not expected. It was Friday, October 19, 2012 and we had been on the road to my sister’s in Hernando, MS for my 22nd birthday. We were going to see the 2012 USA Olympic Gymnastics perform (lover of elite gymnastics right here) that Saturday. Instead of waiting when we were all dressed up and in downtown Memphis, Tyler proposed the Friday night before while we were at my sister’s. He had at some point given my sister my ring to put in my niece, Kennedy’s, jewelry box. She danced into the room to show me all of her new costume rings that were in the box and there my ring was. I was shocked that they made a child’s ring look so real. Kennedy was shocked, too. Tyler got down on one knee, said the sweetest words, and of course I said, “Yes!”. Kennedy was VERY upset that the ring was not hers. Sassy! My nails were chipped and I had on yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt. But you know what? I was surprised and, in the end, it didn’t matter because we were getting MARRIED!
Our Wedding Details:
Our wedding was traditional for the ceremony with a rustic, personal reception. To my surprise now, I really let my mom handle SO much of my wedding planning and coordinating on the actual day. If you know my mom, Barbara, then you know she is hands on and likes to do things herself. She decorated the week of, made the food for the reception with the help of her friends, and orchestrated it all while being the mother of the bride. Oh, and she cleaned up the next day on her birthday. She is a true super mom! I pretty much gave her pictures from my Pinterest board and let her go to town. Not even kidding! We married in my church, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville, MS. My parents, brother, and sister all married there which is very special. I knew I wanted an outdoor reception. I did not want it where a ton of weddings had been because I wanted it to be different. I chose Belmont Plantation. It is an old antebellum home built in 1857, and it is the last mansion standing along the Mississippi River in the MS Delta. With over 9,000 square feet of space, we were able to stretch the reception into the downstairs rooms and in the large backyard. I am very sentimental, so personal touches were extremely important to me. My brother, Jonathan, who was seven years older than me, passed away in May of 2002. It was important for me that he be with me somehow on that special day. I placed a small photo of Jonathan into a small frame and attached it to my bouquet. This has to be one of my favorite additions on my wedding day, and I would tell anyone that has lost someone to do the same. We enjoyed family and friends during that day, and it was hard to even make our exit that night because I didn’t want the night to end. In fact, our reception director came to find us to tell us we had to go right then because the sparklers were going to burn out before pictures. Ha! This is totally me not ever wanting to leave the party. We drove away that night in an antique blue Chevrolet owned by a family friend and stayed at the Greenville Inn and Suites in downtown Greenville.
Favorite Memory from Our Wedding Day
My favorite memory from my wedding day is by far the singing of “You Are My All in All” by my fourth-grade class. We had just ended my first year of teaching, and these kids were (still are) my heart. While practicing in our classroom, I would just get so teary. Having them there, so excited, and during the most precious moment of the wedding was so special. I hope that they will always know that. They are going into their 10th grade year, and it is so hard to believe. They will all go and do such great things.
A funny memory: We also still laugh about being so hungry once we got to our hotel after the reception. My mom had sent us back with food, and we didn’t even worry with not having a fork or utensil. Hands deep in the bag eating probably 40 meatballs and just laughing at ourselves.
One Piece of Advice for Someone Preparing to Marry
Take it all in. Be calm. Enjoy. I was so calm and enjoyed my day so much. I think being stress free is so important. I will also always give the advice to have a videographer. I regret not having one so very much. There is nothing more I want than to tune in and watch our day all over again. Photos were also SO important to me, and I am forever thankful to Faith Barnett with Mississippi Roots Photography and Kyla Holcomb for capturing our memories.
Our Honeymoon:
We honeymooned in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We stayed at Sandals Grande Riviera, now known as Sandals Ochi. It was a remarkable vacation and one that I will remember forever. Brides, if you can wait a day to go on your honeymoon I totally suggest that. We chilled on Sunday, opened gifts, made sure our bags had everything in them, and drove to Memphis for a flight the next morning. This gave us a day to rest and relax before going on our honeymoon.
I am not sure that I am quite the blogger, but I am so excited to share all the wedding stories of my brides. If you are a Margaret Ellen bride and want to be featured please fill out the form here. Happy Friday!