Rachael + Clifton's Lexington Wedding
From the Bride: It might be cliche to say, but our wedding was just so much fun. My goal throughout wedding plan was for my fiance and I to have a relaxing, fun day with each other and our close friends and family. My girls and I got ready at a charming little Air BNB. We hung out all morning, drinking coffee and mimosas while we took turns getting our hair and makeup done. I was so calm, it really felt like a dream day. Once everyone was ready for the ceremony, we went to The Henry Clay Estate at Ashland to take bridal party and parent photos. This was the same location where we took our engagement photos, so it was a full circle moment! Then we went back to Harper Hall to relax for a few minutes before the ceremony actually started.
After my bridesmaids and I returned to Harper Hall, I started to get a bit nervous. But the moment I heard the string trio play the song Clif and I had selected for him and his groomsmen to walk out to, I calmed down. I actually got so excited, I started walking down the aisle before anyone could spread out my train and veil. It was such a surreal moment. A year of planning every detail, but when the doors opened up and I saw Clif, nothing else mattered. There could have been balloons instead of flowers and I don't think I would have noticed.
On our way to take more pictures at Ashland with the whole wedding party, our photographer drove us down Main Street where we saw a surprise my mom had coordinated for us. She had our names put on the marquee at the Kentucky Theater! These turned out to be some of our favorite pictures from the whole day. We danced our first dance to "I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You" by Imaginary Future and Kina Grannis. We named our specialty cocktails after our pets. The "Izzy" was vodka with cranberry juice, orange juice, a splash of pineapple juice, and a slice of lime. The "Frank" was an old fashion with honey simple syrup and a Luxardo cherry.
I work at Twirl Bridal Boutique here in Lexington, and my manager, Taylor, with the help of the other Twirl Girls, Madeline and Lindsey, took my phone and captured videos from the whole evening. She recorded bits of the ceremony and cocktail hour, interviewed people, and recorded my girlfriends and I dancing and singing to Taylor Swift on the dance floor. Clif and I were able to watch these clips and relive such a great night while we waited for our plane to our honeymoon destination the next morning. I loved that so much, I have silently promised to do this at every friend's wedding going forward.
Bride’s Advice: People told me this, but I wish I'd listened more. Just to take time to enjoy every part. It can be so easy to get caught up in the to-do lists and details, but at the end of the day this is the only time you get to be engaged. So just to enjoy that.
Photography: Julie Hay Photography | Location: Lexington | Venue: Harper Hall | Florals: Three Toads Farm | Caterer: Dupree Catering + Events | Cake: Stacey Maslin | Rentals: Purdon’s Rental and Sales | Music: (Ceremony) Carnegie Quartet (Reception) Kentucky Pro DJ | Transportation: Gold Shield | Stationery + Paper Goods: (Invitations) Court Street Gifts (Save The Dates) Minted (Signage, Programs, Menus) Canva | Hair + Makeup: Blush and Glow | Bride’s Attire: Twirl Boutique | Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Jewelry: Shelia Bayes from Twirl Boutique | Credits: (Bridesmaids’ Attire) Revelry (Day-of-Coordinator) Dana Cox