plus size bride and groom holding bouquet in a field

REAL WEDDING | Gold, Glitzy Neutrals and Pops of Pink Springtime Wedding in NC | Jordan Maunder

Courtney and Noah had a lovely North Carolina in springtime wedding in early April. With golden glitzy neutrals, pops of pink and lots of greenery, the two had a perfect Southern wedding. Courtney had some great advice for fellow Pretty Pear Brides. You’ll want to read on to see more!

Courtney & Noah

Lace Applique Edge wedding veil
Vendor Love – Photography: Jordan Maunder  | Styling/Vintage Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters  | Event Planning: Vision Events  | Invitations & Calligraphy: Emily O. Holmes / handlettering from Filled & Flooded AND Annie Howard | Bride’s Attire: Willowby by Watters – Penelope Gown fromThe Dress Theory  | Bridesmaids Attire: Picked their own dresses (many from ASOS, Rent the Runway, Instyledress and BHLDN) | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Ceremony and Reception Location: The Bradford | Catering: Durham Catering Company | Videography: Surveyor Creative  | Cake: Simply Cakes | Honey favors: Bumble and Branch

How did the two of you meet? Christian Mingle, actually! Around 2 years ago. Describe your engagement: Noah proposed at the State Capitol Building in Raleigh, where we had walked to on our first date. Our friends were taking pictures of us for a “photo shoot” (I didn’t believe that was really what it was) and then he proposed. After we kissed, he turned me around and I saw my entire family run out from behind the building! I had had no idea they were there. Personal or handmade details: I made all of the “place cards” for the seating chart. I spray painted gold these plastic animals and then cut a slit in the back of them to place the name card. Guests were instructed to “find their party animal” in order to find their seat. My mother’s lace from her dress was sewn around the edge of my veil. It was my something “borrowed”. My grandfather passed away when I was 14. I was his first grandchild and he always wanted to be there on my wedding day. My mother took one of his handkerchiefs and had it embroidered with our wedding date, names, and his initials. I also took my bridals while wearing his flannel shirt and gave my grandmother a framed picture of it on the wedding day. She carried it around with her for most of the wedding. 🙂 Describe your Flowers: I wanted lots of natural, light, fluffy and white-ish pink flowers. I love the look of succulents so that’s what the groomsmen’s bout’s were made of. The bridesmaids’ and my bouquets were probably my favorite flowers – lots of garden roses and succulents.  For the tables, I just wanted greenery and so we ordered a TON of eucalyptus. Our wedding planner and vintage rental ladies styled it perfectly! Memories and Stories about the Day you would like to share: My dad and I did a first look instead of Noah and I and it was perfect. I’m the oldest child in my family and my dad and I have always had a very special relationship. He burst into tears the second he saw me and could barely keep it together. He was a mess and so was I. Those are definitely some of my favorite pictures from the wedding. The moment I walked down the aisle was so priceless. Noah hadn’t seen me yet (we had done a private prayer moment where he was blindfolded beforehand) and about 5 minutes beforehand, I became so overwhelmed with emotion that THIS WAS THE MOMENT. I started laughing and crying and just couldn’t stop. So the second the doors opened and I began walking down the aisle, I lost it. And so did Noah! Everyone around seemed to disappear and we both could not stop laughing and crying. It was perfect. During our ceremony, we wanted to take time to encourage our parents. They didn’t know we were doing that and so they were stunned when we walked over to them to hug and thank them. It was a sweet moment. Your first dance song: Stand by Me – Imagine Dragons version The thing that we would have done differently is? We so badly wish we had gotten pictures of the food! The one thing we forgot to ask for was pictures of our food. It was all so delicious and one of the best parts of the night and we forgot to ask to get pictures of it. And be sure to eat all the food!!/Be sure someone puts a to-go box in your getaway car for you to enjoy later. 🙂 If we could have spend our wedding dollars differently, we would have: I honestly don’t think we would’ve done anything differently. My parents were exceedingly gracious and blessed us beyond belief with a fantastic wedding. Your advice for other plus size brides: Be sure you’re comfortable in your dress! The last thing you want is to be tugging and pulling at places all night. Be sure to get a good seamstress who can help make the dress into your vision.  Also make sure your photographer is a good one who knows how to photograph curvy girls well! I took my bridals a few weeks before with a different photographer and felt so insecure and horrible about how they turned out. Jordan (our photographer for our wedding) did and UNBELIEVABLE job. I had never felt so beautiful that day AND when I saw the pictures. What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage? Living with a boy is a hilarious adjustment. Noah was already my best friend but now he’s even more so. Yes, little things annoy you or things get on your nerves but the best part is having a safe place to talk about them inside of your marriage. Marriage is one of the safest places I know.

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Shafonne Myers is a certified wedding and event planner who longed for bridal inspiration that looked like her. She has created a website and magazine that brings bridal inspiration to plus size brides. She does speaking engagements educating the world about plus size brides and self confidence.