April 21, 2018
We had the sweetest time photographing Sam and Cory’s engagement session last January! We began at Eden Gardens State Park and turned it into a styled shoot on the beach right after! After spending so much time together, we knew their wedding was going to be a good time. Needless to say, we got to know them really well and see the way they interacted…which was so genuine. Cory loves his bride, you can see it in his eyes. The way he looks over at her and smiles, and she returns with the giggles. 🙂 They are two of the kindest, most relaxed people we’ve ever worked with and their wedding felt like one big celebration of their love. And the details. Oh, the details! Sam, you have great taste. 🙂
We asked Sam to share more with us about their wedding day and the planning that went along with it.
What advice would you give out to a couple planning their wedding?
Enjoy every second of it! It’s such a fun and exciting process but it can also be stressful, so do it in whatever way works best for you. For us, that was a long engagement that gave us plenty of time and lots of organization. Cory wants to add, “Use Mandi and Haylee, splurge on a videographer, and don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Why this venue?
Ugh, we adored the Southwood House from the first time we saw it. We knew we wanted a beautiful outside wedding, but we also wanted some of the comforts of inside (like air conditioning and bathrooms) so this gorgeous plantation style house on an equally gorgeous piece of land was perfect.
Most memorable moment of your wedding day?
For Cory it was the first look we did before the ceremony, for me it was the time right after the ceremony we spent together. The whole day is so fun and exciting, but those moments you get to be together just the two of you and soak it all in are the best.
Any other details that help tell the story of your day?
The best part was really just the people who were there to celebrate with us! Having all of our best friends from high school in the same place as all our best friends in college and getting to see my extended family bond with his extended family was so great. Our parents, my bridesmaids, his groomsmen, and even all our vendors, we just had the most wonderful people around us who made the day so happy, stress-free, and fun.
Tell us a little about your honeymoon:
It was INCREDIBLE! We went on a week long Caribbean cruise and loved every second of it. We got to go ATVing through the jungle in Honduras, visit the Mayan ruins in Belize, and even won second place in an “Amazing Race” style adventure in Cozumel. It was the perfect balance of fun and relaxing, we would do it all again in heartbeat.
Is there anything you would change or do differently?
I honestly can’t think of a single thing… it was a such a wonderful, fun day.
If you’re looking for a gorgeous outdoor wedding, Southwood House and Cottages is a dream location! The mossy oaks and the light shining through them create a beautiful backdrop!
Sam and Cory, we were honored to be a part of your union as husband and wife and look forward to your next milestones to come! We love you both!
Vendors that made it happen:
Photographer | Lily & Sparrow Photo Co.
Videographer | Aletheia Creative
Florist | A Country Rose
Hair Stylist | Cabello’s Salon
Makeup Artist | Lisa Davis
Bridesmaids Dresses | David’s Bridal
Ceremony Venue | The Southwood House
Catering | Andrew’s Catering