What attracted you most to your husband?- Well we were young and in middle school, so of course because he was cute to this teenage girl, but as I got to know him I loved that he was so goofy and fun. He always made me laugh and smile, even when we were just friends! He still does, and I need that! He is also so selfless, he puts me first and treats me like a lady, I love that.

How did he propose?- He couldn’t wait any longer! He had asked my parents earlier in the week and he proposed to me at his house on October 30th down on one knee! He had planned a fancy outing to ask me the next week but he just couldnt wait.

What inspired your vision for the wedding?- From day one I wanted a Southern style wedding complete with a grooms cake, Mason jars, the little white church and collard greens. I had my aunt do the flowers (shes a florist) and she really helped me shape a lot of my ideas and visions into intertwining pieces that could work together. We had wildflowers bouquets, lots of lace and Mason jars full of sweet tea. It was incredible! Every detail was taken care of in that Southern point of view. Valerie at the RCC really took my food visions and made them into a beautiful reception with all kinds of Southern flair!

How did you chose your dress?- Everyone always said when you put your dress on you’ll know. Well I did! I had gone to about 2 places before I stopped at Aurora Bridal in Melbourne. I tried a few dresses on there and when I slipped into my dress I broke down in tears. Well, not just me my mom and other clients in the boutique too. I knew right then it was the one. Every time I tried it on after it got even prettier, I swear!

What was your biggest planning challenge?- Planning actually went really well. My mother was my right hand woman! We also hired a day of planner to help with all the chaos and running around on the day of the wedding, that was AMAZING! It left my family time to enjoy the day with me and not worry at all. If I had to pick the hardest part of planning i would be picking the flowers because nothing you want is native to hot and humid Florida! I lucked out becuase my aunt, the florist from Ohio, got what i wanted even if it didn’t grow here!

Favorite design element of your big day?- The flowers. Everything from the little hanging flowers in the church to the door wreathes with M’s to the reception centerpieces in the tins to the wildflower bouquets to my gorgeous white boquet to the bushes we put on the church steps to the ivy we had on our flower cart for the favors was PERFECT! I gave my ideas to my aunt and she ran with them and made them more perfect than I could have ever imagined. I also loved loved loved our Southern candied pecan favors. Pretty AND delicious!

Anyone go above and beyond?- Your mom (grandmother, aunt, sister etc) will be your best help! In my case that is what made it so smooth for me. She helped with everything!

Wedding flowers- I think I already wrote too much about them haha! They were PERFECT. They were light and airy yet elegant and charming. Southern garden meets the wedding chapel. I knew from day one i wanted hydrangeas and wildflowers and that shaped it all.

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?- The grooms garter song/dance. OH MY! Bruce is a ham and that was hilarious and funny. He wouldnt let me know what song it was until I heard it so I didnt know what to expect. It was totally in his character to be silly and goofy like that. I also cannot forget the way he looked as we said our vows. He was so happy and excited yet steady and kept it together. He was amazing, unlike me, the crier!

Describe your wedding cake- My wedding cake was right there with my flowers, simple yet elegant and in the theme. I had a ivory and white cake with a lace like pattern, kind of resembling my dress. My aunt placed some airy flowers and hydrangeas (my must have wedding flower) on the top along with our silver M. It was delcious and that was our main concern for the cake. We wanted it to be pretty but it HAD to taste good! Who wants to eat cake that isn’t good???

How was your experience with the photographer?- Amazing! We had SO much fun, even the groom who hates pictures usually! It was so nice to have two people so we could both get separate before shots. You both took our ideas and personalities and really brought them in the pictures I think. I loved your work from the first time I saw it and I am so happy we got to have your shoot our wedding! Many of my friends have seen the sample book you sent us and want you to shoot their weddings when they get married! I’m serious!

Vendor Shout outs-
* Rockledge Country Club- Valerie is absolutly AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She takes care of EVERYTHING at the reception basically from linens to food, shes your girl.
* Jackie Becker (Uniquely Yours Event Planners) was my day of planner and she was the girl to get the job done! She was awesome and got everyone in line and in the know for the big day!
* Concept Photography- Obviously, amazing work and even better personalities! Plus, they love to meet at Tijuana Flats, YUM!
* Old St Marys Church in Rockledge, Fl- It is owned by the city of Rockledge now and they rent it out for weddings. Renee is in charge of it and it was the absolute perfect place for my Southern style wedding. I loved it, everything about it!!!!
* Cake- Publix in Cocoa Beach. You cant beat a Publix cake- taste and style.

Advice- HAVE FUN! It really does go by quickly…

Thanks for everything guys!

Erin & Bruce Mason