In the events business, I have the
privilege of witnessing many celebrations - and weddings
especially - from an interesting, firsthand viewpoint.
Often I am honored to present the
bride her bouquet
wrapped in a grandmother's lace and secured with an heirloom cameo or brooch
evoking emotions of all sorts. Often too I get to pin a boutonnière on a groom
because his hands are a little shaky and then have what may be the only quiet,
still moment of the day with a guy that's often my friend or marrying a friend
of mine.
I get to don the cake with flowers,
light candles upon candles upon candles, sneak peak at the bride in her dress
and veil before the crowd, bring a diet coke to the mother of the bride and a
myriad of other little things that just make the day special. Little things
that make the day memorable too. These little things are even more special and
memorable when I know the bride and groom - cherish them more so.
Growing up in Hawkinsville, I've
known LL's family for years, and her home place is a stone's throw from my
Granddaddy's church. Laura Lyn is my office
manager. She's the steady hand guiding the SS JFI through the wild waters
of being a small business - a small, multifaceted business for that matter! LL
is probably the one of the most brilliant and poised and eloquent and gracious
gals I've ever met... And then hiring her was a brilliant decision on my part!
Really. Brilliant move ol' Jimmy!
The brilliance of me hiring Laura Lyn
is only outshone by the brilliance of Brince marrying her. Brince is the
brother of my best friend Maggie
Griffin and has been a great buddy of mine since we were children growing
up in Hawkinsville. We grew up in what I feel is a magical place of Georgia
farmland and Ocmulgee River bottom - all intertwined with memories of the
shockingly cold Mock Springs, late night monopoly games and enough AB's BBQ to
feed an army. Such a childhood could not have been shared with a finer friend.
Now we're all "grown up."
Yes we still have fun times at the river and eat BBQ, but being grownups now
means Brince is my insurance agent and the former Miss
UGA and Miss Warner Robins and marvelously intelligent college gal runs my
business rather than the pageant circuit. We're buying and building houses and
celebrating one year anniversaries - Brince
and Laura Lyn's first year of marriage proper and my first anniversary of
their wedding date... For it was memorable, special and full of so much fun and
meaning for me for two such amazing people in my life to be joined.
As Mr. and Mrs. Harris Brinson Coody
celebrate their first anniversary, I want to toast this amazing couple and
share some of the images from their special day. Selfishly, it was awesomely
special for me to be a part of that day. I could elaborate on the details of
the food, flowers, decor and the dress, but this is honestly a case where
pictures are worth the thousand words I would use.
Laura Lyn and Brince's rehearsal
dinner and wedding reception further mean so much to me, for they agreed to
let me include them in Dinner on the
Grounds. Special day, special memories and even special weather that day
for two incredibly special folks in my life. Happy anniversary y'all! The honor
of being a part of your story and wedding is all mine.
Photography: VUE Photography
Venue: Twin Oaks
...don't forget to check out Laura Lyn's blog, Miss New Coody!