Real Florida Wedding: Lara + Ross

Source: http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/9/17/real-florida-wedding-lara-ross.html

I think what I love best about Lara + Ross’ Florida wedding at Alys Beach Green and Central Park is the ultra-fab blend of seaside cool and Southern sophistication, courtesy of Buckner Productions.  The fresh whites of the bride’s classic Mikaella gown and the clean, neutral tones of the groomsmen’s lightweight suits are beachy, fun and effortlessly stylish while the rich burnt orange of the bridesmaids’ silk sheaths from Watters Bridesmaids and lush Nouveau Flowers bouquets add just the right touch of autumn elegance.   Like Lara, we like the uniqueness of the couple’s wedding cake from The Broken Egg and think it’s especially sweet it was made as an exact replica of the Alys Beach tower.  A black-and-white-tiled dance floor and a breezy open-air tent are perfectly chic accents for this upscale beach wedding.

P.S. Football legend Eli Manning was in Lara + Ross’ wedding party!  Can you spot the Southern superstar?

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met back in the fall of 2004 as architecture students. Ross noticed me immediately because he was irritated that I was always late for class!  I finally broke the ice in 2005 when I asked Ross to a DG formal. In 2006, I moved to Nashville and Ross moved to Jackson, but we ran into each other again the week Ross graduated from architecture school in 2007.  We began dating soon afterwards. Over the next year, I would drive to Santa Rosa Beach or Ross would drive to Jackson so we could see each other as often as possible.  After the distance took its toll, Ross moved back to Jackson and we dated for another ten months before he proposed.
Describe the proposal. Ross wrote me a letter every day for a week, surprising me in a different location each day with the next letter. On Saturday morning, he told me to pack my clothes for the day and to bring something I could wear outside. Ross took me to Pinelake, our church, and planted some trees with me while he read each letter he had written me. We then wrote a letter to ourselves to help us get through any difficult times together.  Ross proposed under the cross on the hill behind the church!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I found the dress at Lowe’s, a great place with a ton of great designers and styles to choose from! I had the best help ever!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We used the same vows both of Ross’ sisters used in their weddings.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Surreal, holy and amazing.
What was your favorite design element of your big day? We got married at Alys Beach but if I had to choose a specific thing, I’d have to say I loved our cake best of all!
Describe your wedding cake: We chose a cake made in the shape of the Alys Beach tower.
Describe your wedding flowers: The arrangements were very modern, textured and non-traditional.
Were there any wedding traditions or new ideas you included in the wedding? We incorporated both traditional and non-traditional ideas into our wedding.  My bridesmaids chose their own dresses in “neutral tones,” but my sister and Ross’ two sisters all wore matching dresses. Ross had his brother-in-law perform the ceremony while his other brother-in-law served as a groomsman. We also had our family and friends sing in the wedding. For our music, we chose guitars and harps. Each member of the wedding party poured sand from a small beaker into one large beaker that Ross and I still have.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We anticipate starting a business in residential architecture.

Congratulations, Lara + Ross!  Good luck on your new business!