Some wedding weekends are lovely. Some are memorable. And then there are the rare ones that feel like they belong in a movie. A & L’s wedding weekend was one of those.
The bride’s mom, Holly, has been one of my dearest friends since our days at the ZTA house. She’s my sorority big sister and college roommate and we’ve shared nearly three decades of friendship, adventures and milestones together. I met her the first day of rush and never looked back. Honey asked Daddy-O for permission to marry me at Holly’s wedding. We lived just a few doors apart as newlyweds. We work together in the travel business.
And because our lives have remained so intertwined, I’ve had the privilege of knowing A since she was born. I can still remember helping decorate her nursery, attending birthday parties and cheering her on through every stage of life. So being there to watch her marry the love of her life felt incredibly special.
Adding to the sentiment was the fact that the wedding was in Savannah. Being back in my hometown, where Honey and I were engaged twenty-five years ago and exchanged vows twenty-four years ago, brought back so many memories. It somehow feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once.
I flew down several days before the wedding to spend time with Mother and Daddy-O, and when wedding weekend finally arrived, they dropped me off at the JW Marriott Savannah. The funny thing is that when I was growing up, I was absolutely, positively, under no circumstances supposed to venture to that end of River Street. Certain doom would have followed, according to my parents. Funny how places change. Today, it’s a vibrant parts of the city.
Honey arrived shortly after, and before long we were settled into our room admiring one of the most beautiful welcome gifts I’ve ever seen. The box perfectly coordinated with the wedding invitation suite, and the custom watercolor artwork became a theme we would see woven throughout the weekend, including a stunning installation behind the reception bar. The attention to detail was remarkable and I KNEW y’all would want to see!
After settling in, we spent the afternoon wandering Savannah, shopping our favorite stores and eventually stopping at a wine bar for espresso martinis and a little snack before the evening festivities began.
The welcome party was held at Soho South and set the perfect tone for the weekend. Longtime Savannah friends may remember it as a restaurant years ago, but it now serves as a wonderful event space. The evening was relaxed, welcoming and full of excited conversations as guests from different seasons of the couple’s lives gathered together.
Afterwards, Honey and I made a late night stop for chips and dips. I mean, why not?!
The next morning began with breakfast overlooking the spectacular JW Marriott atrium. I’m honestly not sure whether to call it a lobby, museum or exhibit hall. Between the towering geodes, museum-quality displays and even a dinosaur, it is unlike any hotel public space I’ve ever seen.
The remainder of the day was spent poolside with two of my sorority sisters. What a gift that was. One of those friends and I actually attended high school together in Savannah, meaning we’ve known one another for most of our lives. We talked and laughed for hours, catching up in the way only old friends can.
That evening, it was finally time for the wedding. Honey and I met up with M and C back at the Wine Bar for a round of drinks before catching the trolley to the church.
The ceremony was held at First Baptist Church, one of Savannah’s most beautiful historic churches and the oldest standing church building in the city. I attended several weddings there during my years on the Savannah social circuit, and it remains every bit as beautiful as I remembered.
The service itself was lovely. There is something uniquely moving about watching a young couple stand on the threshold of the rest of their lives together. Watching a college friend walk his oldest daughter down the aisle and give her away truly made me weepy. How are we here?! As A and L exchanged vows, I found myself holding Honey’s hand and thinking about the promises we made all those years ago.
The reception began with cocktails overlooking the Savannah River. Guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, Hugo spritzes and the music of a saxophonist while the sun dipped lower over the city.
And then the ballroom doors opened. Jaw-dropping doesn’t quite do it justice. The room was overflowing with flowers, crystal and candlelight. Every detail had been considered and every space felt intentional. A custom martini bar featured a monogrammed ice block that chilled the cocktails as they flowed through the sculpture and into waiting glasses. The band was extraordinary and kept the dance floor packed all evening long.
It truly felt like a wedding worthy of a magazine spread. Yet what I’ll remember most wasn’t the flowers or the décor. It was the love. The affection and tenderness surrounding this couple was unmistakable. They are deeply loved by their families, cherished by their friends and admired by everyone fortunate enough to know them.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came when Chris, the father of the bride and another dear college friend, offered a blessing over the newlyweds. His words spoke of faith, service, character and the kind of marriage they hope to build together. There wasn’t a dry eye in sight.
As the evening continued, Savannah-themed hats appeared, warm grilled cheese sandwiches circulated through the crowd and trays of chocolate chip cookies were delivered to happy guests still dancing the night away.
Eventually, after one final dance, the newlyweds slipped away to begin their happily ever after.
As I watched them leave, I found myself wondering if perhaps our children’s weddings will be even more meaningful than our own. Maybe it’s because we now understand the depth of the commitment being made. Maybe it’s because we’ve experienced the joys and challenges that come with building a life together. Or perhaps it’s simply because there is something extraordinary about watching a child you’ve known since birth find someone who loves them so completely. Whatever the reason, this weekend felt especially meaningful.
Of course, it should come as no surprise that Holly hosted the party of a lifetime. Anyone who has known her since college could have predicted that. She has always been the life of the party, the organizer of the fun and the one making sure everyone around her feels welcomed and celebrated. This weekend was no exception.
By Sunday morning, Honey and I slept in, grabbed breakfast on Broughton Street and made the drive home in time to celebrate Father’s Day. Our hearts were full. What a privilege it was to witness the beginning of such a beautiful new chapter for two wonderful people.
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