Bay Bride - February 2017

Melody Van der Linde + Zac Fillhart

November 19, 2016

photography by Ella J. Reese Photography

The Basics

Ceremony took place at:  The Sycamore House, on the back patio under the oak tree

Reception at: The Sycamore House

Wedding Planner: The bride coordinated everything with help from the groom while on a ship working for two months right before the wedding!

Photographer: Ella J. Reese Photography
 
Places Couple Registered: We decided not to register anywhere.

Bay Bride
is sponsored by

offering local bridal registry

---

Click here and scroll down for archived
Bay Bride stories

---

Invitations: Design from Etsy, printed by S&L Office Supplies

Bay-Waveland accommodations for wedding party: private house close to the beach, rented through VRBO

Rehearsal Dinner: Sho' Nuff BBQ of Picayune, catered at the groom's restaurant, Starfish Café

Hair by: Keith Alexander Salon

Makeup by: The bride, with help from her bridesmaids and friends 
 
Florals by: The French Potager

---

---

The Ceremony

Wedding ceremony music: Eve Eisemann, cello, and Dalton Roan, guitar, playing their own arrangement of "Simple Gifts" 
 
Wedding Officiated by: Rev. Carey Hammit, of Lagniappe Presbyterian Church

Groomsmen: Samuel Maggio

Bridesmaids: Melissa Bell, Laura Dillingham
 
Bride wore: beaded one shoulder ruched chiffon dress, with royal blue petticoat

Groom wore: grey suit with blue silk suspenders and blue paisley bow tie
 
Time of day: 4 pm

Weather: Cool and clear
 
Most Romantic Moment: Before the wedding, the groom had a surprise gift delivered to the hair salon for the bride - a special necklace with silver setting around a blue topaz, handcrafted by Sandy Maggio, silversmith at Smith and Lens.

---

The Reception

Wedding reception music: Heather and the Monkey King

Catering: The Sycamore House and Fatsumo Sushi
 
The Reception Menu: Sushi from Fatsumo's, BBQ shrimp and grits, pepper-crusted filet, Saigon chicken tacos, salmon with mango hearts of palm salsa, duck liver pate, hors d'ourves
 
The Most Talked About Food Item: Filet and sushi! 

Cakes by: There wasn't a wedding cake, but wedding ice cream sundae bar - brown butter, strawberry basil, vanilla bean, and apples & cinnamon, all handmade by The Sycamore House. 

Favorite toast: The Captain's toast (bride's father) 

Best Dancer at the Reception: Jace Ponder
​

The "wow factor" of your wedding/reception that everyone talked about: The food!

The most unique detail of your wedding/reception: For the reception, having a sundae bar instead of cake. For the wedding, walking out to "Star Wars" music! 

Lighting: Stella, of The Sycamore House, rigged up a beautiful chandelier and strings of lights for the back patio for us!

Rentals: Chairs from ABC Rental

Honeymoon location: Eleuthera, Bahamas

Bride's favorite part of the entire event: Actually saying my vows out loud to him, looking into his eyes, holding his hands. I got unexpectedly choked up, with how much I love him. And dancing with him at the reception! 

Groom's favorite part of the entire event: Seeing her for the first time all day coming down the aisle, wearing the necklace I gave her as a surprise earlier. 

Gifts for Wedding Party: 
Groomsman:  blue paisley tie 
Bridesmaids: Swarovrski earrings, candle

Guest Favors: Handmade marshmallows, made by Cloud 9 Marshmallows, of Gulfport

Funniest moment of the event: During the ceremony, when the pastor accidentally said "do you take your husband..." to the groom! Thankfully, the groom corrected him with "wife"! ​