Holly + Dakota

Dakota and I met our first week of nursing school and there was an instant connection. We quickly began dating in February of 2015 and took on nursing school together. We spent the first two years of our relationship traveling and spending as much time together as possible.

DaKota proposed on September 10, 2017 while on a spontaneous cruise that we had taken. I was completely caught off guard and equally impressed that he was able to pull of the surprise with me having zero idea. We enjoyed the remainder of our cruise as a newly engaged couple, disconnected from the rest of the world. When we got home, I immediately began planning. We decided that we wanted a fall wedding and we checked out several venues before deciding that Bell House Bed & Breakfast was the perfect choice for us. We chose our best friends and siblings to be in our wedding party, Dakota’s father was our officiant, and we were wed surrounded by our friends and family. Our wedding day was a magical day. I worried that I would be stressed and have to handle bumps in the road but to my surprise it was one of the calmest days of my life. Everything was perfect. I spent the morning with my girls drinking mimosas and getting pampered, while the guys were able to sleep in and eat breakfast before arriving at the venue. DaKota and I chose to not have a first look and that the first time we would see each other would be when I was walking down the aisle. Getting to see DaKota’s face as I walked down the aisle was one of the most special moments of the day. Another moment I won’t forget is  holding hands through a divider as his father prayed over us prior to the wedding. It was the perfect way to begin our marriage. For our ceremony, we chose to write our own vows and we also did a tree planting ceremony where we planted a magnolia tree and added a pitcher of dirt from our childhood homes to it. This was important to us because it symbolized the two of us becoming one family. After the ceremony we moved into cocktail hour where homemade hors d’oeuvres were served and our guests were able to help themselves to a Smores bar. Dinner consisted of a country style meal from Top O’ The River with all the fixins. Our DJ, Amado, made sure to keep the party going for the reception and there was never a dull moment. We danced until we couldn’t dance anymore. We ended our perfect day with a sparkler exit and by signing our marriage license. We left the venue and went to Taco Bell, which didn’t surprise anyone that knows us. The day after our wedding we flew to Aruba for our honeymoon. ❤

VENDORS

  • Venue: Bell House Bed and Breakfast
  • Photography: S. Weathington Photography
  • Bridal Hair Stylist: Kelsee Dutton
  • Bridal Makeup Artist: Brianna Lynch & Katy Ray
  • Florist: Mike Cova
  • Wedding Dress Designer: Diane’s Formal Affair
  • Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Azazie
  • Menswear: Tommy Hilfiger
  • Caterer: Top O’ The River
  • Cake: Publix
  • DJ: Good Times Entertainment
  • Jeweler: Verragio/ Diamond Depot of Oxford
  • Videographer: Down In Front Production
  • Spraytans: Sugarmoon Studio
  • Invitations: Minted.com

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