Southern Charm Meets Big City Renita +Eric

Atlanta couple, Renita and Eric wanted a wedding that displayed a Southern flair while exhibiting a sense of classic elegance. Their goal was simple, incorporate details that gave a nod to the bride’s Southern roots and blended with the groom’s “Big City” upbringing in New York. The result was their current lifestyle in the Southern “Big City” of Atlanta.

Their wedding day was filled with so many memorable moments from her Dad and Pastor’s reaction to Saluting the Bride, a heartfelt speech from the groom, and Renita’s surprise wedding gift – a beautiful Eames lounge. To top it all off, guests gathered for fun in the photobooth to make an evening to remember! Take a look at this gorgeous wedding photographed by Neville Simpson, below.

Name of Bride: Renita Montgomery
Name of Groom: Eric Woodson
Occupations: Interior Designer & Marketing Consultant
Wedding Style: Southern Charm Meets Big City
Wedding Date: 09/27/2014
Wedding Location: Union Hill P.B. Church – Huntsville, AL

Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!
We meet through mutual friends and a work project. Eric knows that my family and friends are very important to me. We had gone to spend the weekend with my family in celebration of my mother’s birthday. My mother is not into extravagant celebrations but she had conceded to having our extended family over the night before for dessert. So as usual, I was busy getting prepared for the celebration. So in our normal tradition we gather together and hold hands for prayer before, eating. AS we gather in the circle, I notice that my brother and Eric are both missing , so I proceed to yell to instruct them that their presence is necessary so that everyone can began enjoying the desserts. They finally appeared and joined the circle. Before my dad commenced to say grace, Eric stops him and announces that he has to get something off of his chest and I get really nervous because I assume that something is wrong, So imagine my surprise as he drops to one knee and asks for my hand in marriage. After yelling and crying joyful tears, I say YES!!

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Gifts
Bridesmaids Gifts – Hat Boxes that had items that would come in handy for the wedding day. The boxes had: a pashmina, a clutch bag, a pair of Tom’s shoes and a cute foldable reusable bag to transport all of those things plus whatever else they needed.

Wedding Style
My gown is classic and timeless with a modern twist. The gown is the Bridgette by Olia Zavozina. Some of the highlights are the embroidered lace overlay, a detachable peplum, which I added my own details, and keepsake pearl buttons. I chose to the blush and Ivory color combination which added to the overall interest.My favorite accessory was the peplum “belt”.

Culture
No. It was a Christian wedding ceremony officiated by my father at the church were I grew up and he still serves as pastor.

Memories
Looking across the room after dinner at the reception and seeing Eric’s face that was as excited as I was. I know this seems like something small but leading up to the wedding he was not happy with this process AT ALL! So to see him enjoying himself it was great!!

Favorite item on wedding menu
Peach Cobbler

First dance song
Beautiful Surprise- India Arie

Help a bride-to-be out!
Don’t take the wedding planning TOO serious!! Things will go wrong, but they really are not that big of a deal. Enjoy each other throughout the process. The wedding is a DAY and you are starting a long journey together. What you don’t want …is it to be angry with each other after the wedding because of how you handled each other, money and issues prior to. At the end of that day…whether the flowers were perfect, the weather was perfect and the family did or did not behave…you will be HUSBAND & WIFE!! It a beautiful thing!