Hey, y’all! :D
I’ve adopted a slight Southern accent because I’ve just spent the weekend in southern Kentucky! Yeah!
A couple of months ago my cousin and his fiancĂ©e entered a contest to win an all-expenses-paid dream wedding in the bride’s hometown of Bowling Green, KY. Well they ended up WINNING, and this weekend they got hitched!
The contest was sponsored by a local television station and, similar to the Today Show Throws a Wedding event, viewers were given the option to vote on a whole bunch of wedding details. The bride’s dress, hairstyle, groomsmen’s tuxes – the works.
One thing that was not up for debate was the ceremony and reception location. “The place every Kentucky girl dreams of getting married at” according to my new cousin-in-law. The infamous Olde Stone Country Club in Bowling Green, KY!
Tucked behind split-rail fences and rolling hills, this country-club was one of the most grand, pristine and elegant I’ve ever seen.
Have I ever mentioned that I’m sort of obsessed with country clubs? I don’t know why – I just think the concept is cool. Not necessarily having to pay boatloads of money to belong somewhere, but just that you have a place where everyone knows your name.
Cocktails at your bar, dinner at your table. You catch my drift!
On the day of the wedding, the family arrived super early for pictures and afterwards, with a couple of hours to spare, my Dad and I ordered up a pre-ceremony brew in the lounge. Hey…when in Rome Kentucky! ;)
A cold, crisp Landshark on tap. I’ve never seen LS on tap. I think I may like it better than Corona Light!
My Aunt (mother of the groom and my Mom’s sister) arrived on the scene a short time later. Nerves of steel this one. No brewha needed. ;)
Grandma was also on hand, so we had ourselves a little photoshoot. Two generations…
Now three!
My Grandma told us this weekend about her wedding. It was held on a Tuesday in 1947 while my Grandpa was still in college. He was in the service during WWII and went to school after he got home.
I clearly inherited her stature, while my brother got his from my Grandpa – he was super tall too!
After cocktail hour, it was time to get the show on the road. The ceremony was held in an opulent, European-esque, super intimate parlor. Isn’t it gorgeous?!
Since the wedding was sponsored by the local television station, and they had to tape it, there were tons of cameras and spotlights in the room. Very dramatic!
I adored the sparkly winter decor. Ice blues, deep silvers and crisp whites were the perfect accent colors.
The ceremony got underway and everyone got a glimpse for the first time of the bride who was donning the hairstyle and dress that was voted on for her.
She looked stunning!!!
A few teary vows, an exchange of rings and one first kiss later,
they were husband and wife! :D :D :D
A cocktail hour followed in which we sipped champagne and beer, before being ushered into the grand ballroom.
My cousin and his wife are big golfers and named each of the tables with golf terms. Green, putt, hole in one – you get the picture. :)
The bride and her Mom also made all the centerpieces, featuring sparkly confetti, wispy feathers and glittery snowflakes.
The whole reception was like a winter-wonderland!
Unfortunately Ben and my little brother couldn’t make the trip with us, so we saved them honorary seats…and beers… ;)
Dancing lessons came along with the couple’s dream-wedding package and they totally knocked the first dance out of the park. OMG you should have seen my cousin’s face concentrating so hard on his box step. CLASSIC & SO ADORABLE!!! :D
The rest of the night we ate,
danced,
and most importantly, we ate cake!
My sister-in-law and I were talking and we both agreed that after attending a million weddings after our own, we’ve picked up so many ideas about what we would’ve/could’ve done differently at our own weddings.
I think if I could go back in time, I’d definitely theme it out. Mardi Gras, Winter Wonderland, Autumn Harvest… I love a good theme! :D
Well the wedding was a smashing success and to think that they got it all for free is just the icing on the cake (sorry, had to!) We don’t get to see our extended family very often either, so getting to spend so much time together this weekend was amazing.
I’ll tell you what isn’t a smashing success…our return trip home. Delayed in Nashville (where we flew out of) and now stuck in Detroit. Hopefully we’ll make it home before kick-off time of the Superbowl. Ben said he’s got a spread fit for a King ready for us at home! YES!! :D
Hope you all had a fabulous weekend – talk to you tomorrow!
~~~~~
What are you most looking forward to during the Superbowl: The game, the commercials or the food?
1. Food
2. Commercials
3. Game
It’s true. ;)
Hope 02.07.2011
What a beautiful wedding! I just love weddings! I really like the details of this wedding. So beautiful!
Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner 02.07.2011
The wedding looks beautiful! I am forever seeing things I could have done differently at my wedding! In fact, about a month before my wedding, I almost changed absolutely everything because I got so overwhelmed!
Lynne 02.06.2011
Wow! From near my home in Iowa to my hometown (hit spot on) in Kentucky! I was raised right there. This makes the world seem so small. Did you take some Blue Bunny to them? Looked like a beautiful ceremony. Sorry you didn’t make it home.
Amanda (Eating Up) 02.06.2011
That’s so fun! I love winter weddings. They seem so magical!
Jenny 02.06.2011
Of course I am looking forward to the commercials and food!!!!!!!!!!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt 02.06.2011
How amazing that they won the contest!!! It looked like a beautiful wedding. I absolutely love your dress. Great color for you!
Allison @ Runs A Latte 02.06.2011
Speaking as someone who is in intense wedding planning mode, I would die if I could win all expense-paid wedding! What a dream! Oh well, I’ll keep trucking along until September. Since Da Bears didn’t make into the Superbowl, I am most looking forward to food/commercials – about equal in my book!
Natalia - a side of simple 02.06.2011
The wedding looks like a great time! That’s so amazing that they won the contest :) A sure sign of some blessings! I love your dress, too. It’s so flattering and the color is so vibrant! Where did you get it?
girliefriend 02.06.2011
Looks like a fabulous time! Welcome to Detroit! Hope you make it home safely.
jane 02.06.2011
looks like a beautiful wedding! loved your dress-and your mom looked hot! ha, that sounds weird, but she looked great!! :-)
Caylie 02.06.2011
Wow – such a beautiful wedding!! I keep thinking of things that I could have done differently at my wedding – everytime I see or go to a wedding. But, I am very happy with my wedding (minus the dj)… just happy to be married!!
And I’m most excited for the game!!! What Wisconsin girl wouldn’t be, when her team is in the Super Bowl!!! Woot! Go Pack!
Clare @ Fitting It All In 02.06.2011
What a BEAUTIFUL wedding! And I love your blue dress!
This superbowl it’s definitely commercials & halftime show for me. If it’s not my team, I couldn’t care less!
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles 02.06.2011
What a gorgeous wedding!
And I LOVE Landshark – so so so good!
Heather (Heather's Dish) 02.06.2011
what a beautiful wedding! i do miss the Southern accents… :) and i’m looking forward to the game, commercials, and then food…which i’m blaming on being sick!
Lindsay 02.06.2011
OMG you look fabulous!
where is your fabulous BLUE dress from?!?!?!
i am IN love with it
(and i need such an item for bounceback ball in cleveland!)
Iowa Girl Eats 02.14.2011
I got my dress at Francesca’s! http://www.francescascollections.com/
Dishes of Mrs. Fish 02.06.2011
How beautiful! :) Plus how cool that they one it all too! Looks like a great time!
Dishes of Mrs. Fish 02.06.2011
haha….homophones.
one should be won. :)
Mimi 02.06.2011
What a beautiful wedding! It must take a lot of faith to put wedding decisions in the hands of TV viewers, but looks like it all worked out!
I just wish a TV station around here would host a similar contest!
P.S. I’m sorry about your flight. I’m originally from Detroit, though, and it’s not THAT bad…
Sarah 02.06.2011
I’m excited for the game! I do have a mini bag of lime and salt popcorn that I’m going to eat tonight! I’m excited for that too.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn 02.06.2011
Oh my goodness, absolutely beautiful!! I never win anything, but hands down I would DIE if I won a wedding!
Slash giiiiirl I am only watching the commercials on Hulu! And eating, obv:)
Jenn | the kitchen dish 02.06.2011
Looks like a great wedding! Good luck getting back for the game!