Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Featured Wedding: Alexandra & Craig cont’d

Craig proposed to Alexandra during a surprise trip to Cumberland Island, Georgia. This small yet stunning island is most famous for having what many consider to be the most beautiful, undeveloped beaches in the country as well as wild horses. When Craig planned the trip, he wouldn’t tell Alexandra where they were going. She assumed they were going camping based on his hints as to what she should pack – “casual, outdoor clothes and swim suits,” but then he also said she needed some nice dresses.

One June 21, they drove to Fernandina Beach and hopped on a ferry.  Alexandra still had no idea where they were heading. When they finally arrived at Cumberland Island, they were led to an amazing, large Southern-style plantation house, the Greyfield Inn.

Alexandra, continues her tale as follows:

“It was located amongst the most unbelievable Live Oak trees I’d ever seen with wild horses grazing on the lawn. It was breathtaking! And, I knew at this moment what Craig was up to! After we toured the Inn, we decided to head to the beach. We took a short bike ride through a quaint; dirt path canopied by small oak trees, and arrived at a picturesque beach with no homes or buildings anywhere in sight. Craig led me to the sand dunes that displayed postcards sticking in the sand made from pictures of us from the past eight years. The postcards created a trail that lead to a portable DVD player in a Gazebo. Craig had made a short video with OUR song playing in the background. At the end of the video it said, “turn around” and he had changed into jeans and a white linen shirt. He was walking towards me. Cumberland Island couldn’t have been a more perfect and meaningful location for the two of us. I grew up adoring and riding horses and Craig was raised on the water in Jacksonville. It was perfect for us, and it was so romantic. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better engagement!

Wedding Details

I wanted my wedding to be a combination of elegance and modern details. Kelly Wearstler’s ultra-chic BG restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman in New York was our primary inspiration, but I wanted to add a Great Gatsby twist. I love BG’s color pallet and furnishings, but I also wanted to create the sense of a grand affair with lots of draping, statement flowers, and candles. Brides today are using more event-like décor for their receptions, and I really wanted mine to feel like a wedding while still modern.

My dress and shoes were absolutely my two favorite aspects of my wedding…

My dress was from Monique Lhuillier. I saw it for the first time on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily right after her runway show. I had been eyeing a different dress that I had already tried on twice in Los Angeles at the Lhuillier showroom, but when I saw my dress, I knew it was “The One.”

My shoes were an incredible gift designed for me by my father’s close friend, Vince Camuto, and his wonderful staff.  I gave Vince’s designers a picture of my dress and they used the pleating detail from the bust to create a gorgeous platform, peep-toe pump.  Actually, they made two sets of shoes for me. The first pair had my maiden name “Alexandra” and “Dillard” hand stitched one word on the inside of each shoe. Then, the second pair had my new name “Alexandra” and “Lucie” written in them. The second pair also had Swarovski crystals on the tops making them the perfect reception shoes. For an extra special touch, our wedding date and information was added to the soles of both pairs.

Invitations

Our save the date card featured a photograph of Craig and I taken outside of a gorgeous building in downtown Little Rock. I was wearing a light gray dress and Craig was wearing a suit without a tie. We were holding a sign made by our calligrapher that said “Save Our Date,” and Craig was kissing me on the cheek. It was adorable yet formal at the same time, and it truly set the tone for the rest of our wedding.

Our invitations were spectacular in my opinion. The entire invitation suite was completely hand written from the outer and inner envelopes to the invitation and reply cards. We also added a monogrammed, old-fashioned wax seal to each invitation for another traditional touch. The monogram, designed by our calligrapher, incorporated our initials. We used it on the Lucite bars in the ballroom, on the cocktail napkin, and even on the custom pillows that my mother surprised Craig and I with at the reception.

Favorite Moments

Walking into the reception was the first time Craig and I saw our wedding cake. It was over-the-top incredible! I knew that it was going to be covered in flowers and what the colors would be, but I had no idea it was going to be so amazing! We decided to use Lisa’s Cake Boutique in Conway, Arkansas. The flowers were made by the mother of the head designer at the Bakery. She just happened to be coming to the United States from Peru for a cake convention (lucky us). She sculpted and hand painted the hundreds of flowers used on the cake. The flowers were so life-like that most of our guests did not realize they were made of sugar. At four feet tall, it was spectacular!

Another moment that was very meaningful to me was visiting my paternal grandmother, Big Mama, at her home immediately following our ceremony. My family and I grew up next door to my grandparents, so we were always very close. My grandmother was unable to attend our wedding, so it was wonderful being able to share our excitement with her that day. She loved seeing us in our wedding ensembles, and our photographer captured this moment so well.

The band’s music was a combination of all of our favorite songs. And, we must have done a great job, because the dance floor was so packed that when it was time for us to leave at midnight, out guests just weren’t ready to go, so we extended to party for another hour!

Having my father walk me down the aisle was without a question the most emotional yet wonderful part of the wedding. There’s never been a daughter who loved their father more than I do, so having him “give me away” was heart wrenching yet sweet. Also, as I walked down the aisle, the sun was setting at the perfect time through the church’s stained glass windows, and there was a gorgeous glow lighting up Craig and our minister as I approached the altar. It was stunning, and I will never forget that sight!

One of my favorite moments during the wedding ceremony, was when my uncle, George Andrews read the same scripture that my grandfather read to my parents at their rehearsal dinner over 25 years before. After our reception, we found a framed copy of the scripture in our honeymoon suite. It was the most thoughtful and significant gift.

Our first dances at the reception were another huge highlight. Craig and I danced to Rod Stewart’s “Have I Told you Lately That I Love You,” and as we danced alone in the middle of the dance floor, I looked around and saw all our friends and family. I couldn’t believe how many people came all the way to Little Rock, Arkansas to be with us. It was overwhelmingly joyful! Then, my father and I danced to “My Girl,” a song that has forever been special to my sisters and with our father. In the middle of the song, I motioned for my sisters and my mother to join us, and the five of us danced the rest of the song together. I loved that moment!

Later during the reception when everyone was in party mode, Craig jumped on stage and sang to me “Ain’t No Woman Like the One I Got.”  It was so adorable!  He usually doesn’t know the words to any song, so I was shocked to hear him sing from start to finish.

I honestly married the sweetest man on earth!