Bay Bride - December 2015

Heather Ladner + Todd Smith

September 19, 2015

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photography by Sean Smith

A heartfelt ceremony and a rousing reception unite these two Mississippi State grads!

Wedding theme: Maroon & Silver

Ceremony Took Place:  St. Clare Catholic Church Waveland, Mississippi

Reception:  Our Lady of the Gulf Community Center

Wedding Planner:  My mother

Photographer:  Sean Smith

Places Couple Registered:  Martin Miazzi, Heritage House, Bed Bath & Beyond, Belk, & Amazon

Invitations: Michael's

Rehearsal Dinner: Longfellow Community Center with catering by BB's BBQ and music by Dennis Devilbis

Bay Bride
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Offering Bridal Registry!

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The Ceremony

Hair and Makeup:  Lynette Frazier

Florals by:
French Potager, Martha Butler

Time of day:  6:30 pm

Weather: perfect

Wedding ceremony music: Emily Gruzinska (vocals) & Geri Roberts (piano/organ)



Wedding Officiated by:  Father Michael Marascalco

Matron of Honor:  Christine Weakley

Maid of Honor: Hillary Ladner

Best Man:  Mike Smith (groom's father)

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 Bridesmaids

Julie Evans Hight                    
  Paige Ladner Coward                    
  Josephine Hood Azuma                   
  Kathryn John Satcher                
 Casey Hedgpeth Culpepper                       
 Haley Ashton Smith                     
 Maggie Elizabeth Smith

Groomsmen

Christopher Allan Symmes
Jared Ross Giardina
Jeremy Luc' Lemere
Joseph Kell Robbins
Denis Joseph Damiens
Jesse Charles Raley III
Damian Lamar Holcomb
Mitchell Lance Owen
Austin James Calhoun

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The Reception

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Most Romantic Moment: Our first dance.

Wedding reception music:  Isis

Catering: My parents organized all the catering.  They cooked most of the items, but our friends and family also contributed.

The Reception Menu:  We had a Cajun themed spread - Prime Rib, Gumbo, Pasta Salad, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish pies, Shrimp & White Beans, Pastalaya, Jambalya

The Most Talked About Food Item:
Mimi's Sweets Table
My grandmother is known for her incredible sweet treats.  I came up with this wild dream to have her make all sorts of sweets for the wedding and we would have one table dedicated for her baking.  People loved it.  There was nothing left on the table at the end of the night! She made pecan mini muffins, all sorts of cakes, pralines, Mexican wedding cookies, and so much more! I still have people asking for the recipes.  What made it so special is that everything on the table was handmade with love!

Signature Cocktail:  The bride and groom's drink of choice was beer from Lazy Magnolia!

Cakes by:  Rene Loranger/Hollywood Casino

Favorite toast: We did toasts at the rehearsal dinner only.  My favorite was my little sister's because it was real and from the heart. Plus, she hates public speaking so it meant the world to me!

Best Dancer at the Reception: Mike Smith...hands down! (my father in-law)

The "wow factor" of your wedding/reception that everyone talked about:  The decorations.  My mother worked for months on the decorations and handmade most of the items we used. She really outdid herself! What made it extra special was all of the friends and family that helped pull it together.  Basically, everyone played a small role that when put together it was shockingly beautiful.

The most unique detail of your wedding/reception:  The fact that every item on the menu was handmade.  Oh, even though I don't like to admit it, it was very much Mississippi State themed. We left to the fight song playing with cowbells ringing and pompoms shaking.

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Lighting: Southern Productions

Videography: Matt Barrett

Transportation: King

Rentals:  Southern Productions and ABC Rental

Honeymoon location: Sandals LaSource Grenada

Bride's favorite part of the entire event: I loved the band.  All I wanted was a good band and Isis definitely lived up to my dreams! I danced the entire night with my most favorite people in the world!

Groom's favorite part of the entire event: Hahaha... probably the fact that it was over!

Gifts for Wedding Party:
Men: Boss cups and maroon Bulldog socks
Women: Kate Spade earrings, monogrammed Colombia fishing shirts, & bags

Guest Favors: Cowbells