Shelby and Justin's wedding was at Whitehall Mansion & Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky. The venue was an absolute dream and the wedding was beautiful. The love that Shelby and Justin have for each other shines through every one of these photos and it's an honor to share them with the world. Brides & Weddings recently interviewed the bride to get the details on her and Justin's wedding!
Justin and I met when we were both in high school. I added him on MySpace because I thought he was a cutie, and a little over a year later he asked me to be his girlfriend by giving me a teddy bear with a sign around it's neck that said, "Will you go out with me?". We dated for four years, through both of our college careers, before he proposed in the sweetest way - by surprising me with a picnic where he had laid out candles and a blanket, and that same teddy bear with a sign around it's neck that said, "Will you marry me?" He makes every day a wonderful adventure and we are so thrilled to be married.
Brides & Weddings: What was your theme? What inspired you to pick that theme?
We didn't necessarily have a set theme, though we chose mostly garden decor. Our venue was a beautiful mansion and gardens, and our wedding tent was nestled into the gardens. We choose various greenery and floral elements to decorate the inside of the tent, while keeping the elegance of the mansion with light colors and lots of gold!
Brides & Weddings: Describe the dress you chose and the moment you knew it was the one.
My amazing mama and mother-in-law planned a trip to Bridals by Lori in Atlanta, GA to find a dress. I went into the trip having no idea what style or details I wanted the dress to have. One of the bridal consultants pulled the dress for me so I never actually saw it on the hanger, but as soon as I put it on and looked in the mirror, I knew it was the dress I would walk down the aisle in. The details in the beading and lace are the most beautiful I've seen in a wedding dress.
Brides & Weddings: What was your favorite detail?
Our cake was one of the most beautiful (and tastiest) details of our entire wedding. We spent hours and hours trying to figure out a design for the cake, and every bit of planning paid off in the end.
Brides & Weddings: Describe the first dance.
Our first dance was almost surreal. Leading up to the wedding, I expected to be nervous to have everyone watching our every move all day long, but it was the exact opposite. Even though all eyes were on us, it felt like it was just the two of us. We danced to "Giving it All to You" by Haley & Michaels.
Brides & Weddings: Any advice of other brides & grooms?
Don't sweat the small things. We spent so much time planning every intricate detail, and the day of our wedding none of that mattered. Your wedding day is a day for your family and friends to come together and celebrate your love, so make the most of it and have a blast!
