Were there any children involved in the ceremony or reception that were memorable?
Caraline and Zack are two of the nicest people you will meet, and they are both incredibly family-oriented. Caraline especially adores babies, and I almost always saw her on the dance floor of her reception, late in the night, dancing while holding one baby or another! Their values were reflected in the way they incorporated so many little ones in their wedding party. Their three flower girls and two ring bearers were absolutely adorable, and all so clearly obsessed with Caraline and Zack. Some of my favorite photos are those when the little ones run up to hug them, hugging them so hard they almost knock the bride and groom to the ground!
Were there any unique traditions that made the reception or ceremony memorable?
Elberta is a small country town about 45 minutes outside of Pensacola, and it is surrounded by the most beautiful land and water (think fields, and orchards, and bayous – stunning everywhere you look). Even better than the landscape is the people. They show up to party, and I love it! My favorite tradition is the Elberta Wine Dance. During the reception, all of the guests line up to take turns dancing with the bride and groom. Before they can cut in, they drop a few dollars in a vase, take a shot, and hit the dance floor. It’s such a fun way for the couple to have a few moments with each of their guests, and the wine makes sure everyone is ready to have a great time for the rest of the party!
Were there special details with symbolic importance?
Caraline’s father passed away some time ago, and she honored his memory with a beautiful locket wrapped around the stem of her wildflower bouquet. It was such a beautiful nod to his impact on her life, and of course Caraline chose a photo that made her smile – no stuffy formal photo here!
