Bay Bride - July 2015

April 18, 2015

Emma Carver + Jay Mason

The Basics

Parents of the bride: Ashton and Tula Carver

Parents of the groom: Dennis and Jane Mason

Ceremony Took Place:  Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church

Reception:   The Longfellow Community Center

Wedding Planner:  Alicia Cool Lick, Imagine That

Photographer:  Ann Madden

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Places Couple Registered: Maurice Milleur pieces at Fashion Express, Belk, Macy’s, Target

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Bay-Waveland accommodations for wedding party: The Bay Town Inn, The Gathering Place, The Rose Cottage, and The Hollywood Casino

Bridal Luncheon:  Sycamore House

Rehearsal Dinner: Lou Lou’s on Main

Hair and Makeup:  Hairworks (228) 467-0104

Florals by: Imagine That

The Ceremony

Wedding ceremony music: Joy Mehrtens and RJ Pierce

Wedding Officiated by: Fr. Dennis Carver

Maid of Honor: Corinna Carver

Best Man:  Brian McClellan and Joel Weese

Groomsmen: Dan Mardis and Matt Armistead

Bridesmaids: Amanda Monti Estrade, Sarah Crowe Turbe, Natasha Dinsmore

Bride wore:  Allure Romance

Groom wore: Tux from Anthony’s Menswear

Time of day: 2:30 pm

Weather: Rainy, but the skies cleared for pictures and the ceremony

Most Romantic Moment: The doors of the church opening, with the silhouette of the bride and her father and the Bay of Saint Louis in the background made for a picturesque grand entrance. Seeing the groom at the end of the aisle waiting excitedly, and feeling the overwhelming good vibes of love from our friends and family, made time feel like it stood still.

Wedding reception music:  Marcel Lanoux, Nightshift Sounds. An awesome mix of ’80s, ’90s, and Oldies-But-Goodies. The bride and groom were introduced to Huey Lewis’s “Power of Love” and ended the night with Journey’s “Faithfully.”

Father-Daughter Dance: “She’s got a Way,” Billy Joel. Mother and Son Dance: “Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong. 

Bride and Groom Dance: “Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran. The bride and groom also danced with the flower girls and other children in attendance to Frozen’s “Let it Go.”

Catering: Neil Favre, Southern Delights, at 228-463-1277

The reception menu:  Shrimp and grits, mini muffalettas, and a cookie table featuring 40 dozen homemade cookies driven all the way from Pittsburgh, PA. This is a tradition in Pittsburgh that we had to bring home to the Bay.

The most talked about food item: Shrimp and Grits

Cakes by: Melissa’s Cakes, Long Beach MS

Favorite Toast: Joel Weese and the groomsmen sang “Afternoon Delight” after his speech, then proceeded to dance to Ninja Turtles!

Best Dancer at the Reception: Joyce Frame, Aunt of the Groom

The "wow factor" of the wedding/reception that everyone talked about:  Singing “Country Roads” with all of our West Virginia friends, and teaching them how to do the Second Line!

Honeymoon location: Disney World

Bride's favorite part of the entire event: The entire week! We had a family and bridal party BBQ on Thursday, rehearsal and luncheon Friday, ceremony and reception Saturday, and a big Southern brunch on Sunday. Several days full of celebrating with our closest family and friends.

Groom's favorite part of the entire event: When the doors opened and she walked in for the first time. We didn’t want to see each other prior to the ceremony, so this moment was truly amazing.

Gifts for Wedding Party: Wooden monogrammed coasters and etched mason jar beer mugs for the guys, Thirty-One bags with pearl jewelry for the girls

Guest Favors: Tabasco and pralines, because we are sweet and spicy!  We let our guests decide who is who!  We also gave a “Wand of Wishes for the New Mr. and Mrs.” at the church for our grand exit (streamers with bells and ribbons).

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The Reception

The most unique detail of your wedding/reception:  This was a “destination wedding” for most of our guests. I am originally from Bay Saint Louis and moved to West Virginia after Katrina to finish school at West Virginia University. Jay is from Pittsburgh, but also went to school at WVU. We met through mutual friends.

Being from Mississippi, as well as surviving Hurricane Katrina, is quite the conversation piece. Many people have preconceived notions about Mississippi, and it was such a treat to show off Bay Saint Louis! Everyone loved our little beach town, and continue to talk about how much fun they had, and how hospitable everyone is.

We wanted to use as many local vendors as possible and show off all of our favorite places in the Bay. Guests received welcome bags with Mardi Gras beads, toiletries and snacks as well as information on our favorite things to do, places to see and eat.  Not only did they have a great time, but they enjoyed some incredible coast cuisine, with an even better atmosphere.

We really got to show off what the coast has to offer. Our favors were also pretty unique. We gave out Tabasco and pralines because we are sweet and spicy! Although, everyone has their own idea of who is the sweet one and who is the spicy one! After the wedding we brought down the house at the Blind Tiger. They didn’t know Yankees know how to party as well as Coasties! Needless to say, we brought the North and South together again!!!