Posted on: January 7th, 2015 by admin

Katie + Neal | Harper Fowlkes House + Vic’s on the River | Tampa Wedding Photography

Ok, where to begin with this wedding…

Katie and Neal could quite possibly be the cutest couple around. I could probably write a thousand words, but thats why I take pictures — so I don’t have to. ;) But I will share a bit about them so you can get an idea for why I loved photographing them so much. Literally everything to do with their wedding had a deep, sentimental meaning to these two. From where they did their first look, to the flowers and rings, down to the cross that hung where they were married and the arbor they were married under.

Their first look was at their home church, Independent Presbyterian. Neal was standing by the pew where they FIRST MET over 3 years ago on a crowded communion Sunday. What a great spot to first see each other on their wedding day. “Love brewed just walking and talking down Bull Street over mochas. We had so much fun; we decided to do it again for the rest of our lives.”

Katie’s something new was a gift of earrings from Neal that he bought at a local antique shop. Her bracelet was her something borrowed from her mom. It was her mom’s pearls that her dad gave her on their wedding day. Her something old was her baby bonnet from her baptism that was wrapped in her flowers. Her something blue was the bridesmaids dresses.

Now here’s a super cool one — the rings. Neal’s ring was made by a former co-worker in Yakima from a part he designed for landing gear which led to his getting a job in landing gear with Gulfstream in Savannah. On to Katie’s rings.. the engagement ring is a rose cut diamond dating from 1850-1880’s. The wedding band was made from Neal’s great-grandmother’s ring which was given to her in the 1870’s by a union veteran.

The preacher was Dr. Johnson who was preaching the day they met at Independent Pres.

The Arbor from that these two were married under was made by Neal’s dad in WA. Neal and his dad spent a lot of time together in the wood working shop and Neal even got to help finish the arbor when they were visiting for an engagement party. The design is based on the railing design of Monticello.

The cross from the wedding Neal actually made out of cypress from the plantation Katie grew up on in Panther Burn, Mississippi. Incredible right?!

The flowers were all done by Nonnie, Katie’s grandma. Each bridesmaid had a Gullah rose for Savannah. The arrangements included magnolia leaves for a MS tie back. The wheat, milo and cotton were all from the Mississippi Delta, and were Katie’s daddy’s crops.

Something fun was the two receptions (meaning lots of dessert!!) “We found that wedding traditions in the Northwest and Mississippi Delta are rather different. We tried to blend the two by having a Delta Reception immediately following the ceremony – drinks, jazzy background music, light hors d’oeuvres and cake cutting followed by the North West reception – sit down dinner, speeches, and dancing. It was fun to join together! Our first dinner date was at Vic’s on the River. I had the meatloaf and he had the shrimp and grits.” I had the meatloaf as part of my meal, and YUM!! Vic’s never disappoints, but everyone knows I love meatloaf or I wouldn’t have named my cat that…

At the reception they had a quote ” I had so much fun with you today, let’s do it again tomorrow. “Neal used this a part of his proposal. It’s something really sweet he says from time to time. He makes me smile!”

Ok, not quite 1000 words (just over 600..) but let’s let the pictures say the rest. Enjoy!

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