Wedding: Amy & Josh – The Oaks Plantation – Pike Road, Alabama

If you have Cracker Jack in retro boxes and blue Kate Spade shoes at your wedding, chances are good that you’re my kind of people. 🙂

With 5 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen, 3 flower girls, 3 ring bearers, a maid of honor, a best man, 2 ushers, and 6 house party girls in the bridal party, The Oaks Plantation was abuzz with activity as Amy donned her David’s Bridal gown. Flowers by Melissa Kendall were on standby to complete the look:

When I went to gather the guys for pictures, one of the groomsmen had just discovered his pants were way too big. Now it’s not at all unusual for a groomsman to end up with a rented piece of clothing that’s a size too big or small, but these pants weren’t just a little big. More like, these-will-fall-down-to-my-ankles-as-soon-as-I-take-a-step too big. Luckily, the guys were wearing vests, so if we could somehow attach his pants to his shirt, the vest would help cover it. I’ve done some unusual things at weddings, but that was the first time I safety pinned a guy’s pants to his shirt (by the way, it worked!):

Most weddings at The Oaks Plantation take place behind the house, but Amy and Josh decided to mix it up have it in front, under the huge oak trees that grow there. Chandeliers hung from the branches (thanks to Amy’s dad and Josh), and just prior to the start of the processional, two of Amy’s sisters provided the musical notes:

The reception featured cornhole boards for the guests to play a few games, as well as catering by Incredible Edibles. The bride’s cake (also by Incredible Edibles) was a classically simple monogrammed style, while the groom’s cake (made by a friend) was a replica of the tugboat Josh works on. Guests could put together their own favors at the candy table, full of old school favorites such as Sugar Daddy, Dubble Bubble, and Cow Tales, all in galvanized buckets:

As the sun went down, the Blue Denim Band announced the newlyweds, and Amy (with a new ‘do) and Josh hit the floor for their first dance:

Then it happened – the bride and her family took over for the band…and when I say “took over” I don’t mean they picked up their instruments and pretended to play. They brought the house down with “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Rocky Top” like a bad*ss Southern version of The Partridge Family. Amy took the keys, Dad was on guitar, and Amy’s three sisters each covered drums, bass, and fiddle (and if you look closely, you’ll see that Amy’s sister Holli rocked that bass while VERY pregnant). I’ve shot weddings where maybe one or two members of the bridal party played an instrument or sang sometime during the wedding, but never an entire family – it was definitely one of the coolest things I’ve witnessed!

Amy’s dad (who’s the cameraman for the Woodhaven Pure Turkey TV show, for all you hunters out there) filmed the bride and groom’s grand exit. They made their way through a row of crimson and white Alabama shakers before the groomsmen ceremoniously dumped an entire bag of birdseed on Josh’s head:

Amy & Josh: it was totally worth getting bitten by bugs the size of jetliners at your reception, thanks for letting me be part of a fun day of firsts! And if I ever need a band or a tugboat, I know who to call. 🙂

Venue: The Oaks Plantation

Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal

Shoes: Kate Spade

Floral Designer: Melissa Kendall Floral Design

Band: Blue Denim