{better late than never} mr. and mrs. mccall: ryann's wedding recap!

Better (much) late than never, but I have FINALLY gotten it together to share Ryann and Andrew's big day!

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Oh my goodness. I am not sure how I am going to adequately be able to share Ryann and Andrew’s wedding day with you. I tried to soak in all of the details to share, but it was just so beautiful and fun, it will be hard to put it into words!

I arrived in Greenville Friday night to spend some time with a few of my college girlfriends. Sadly one of our friends Meredith’s flight got cancelled in DC so she was unable to make it. We stayed at Megan’s house, and she didn’t get home from a work conference until after midnight, so we of course had to catch up before hitting the sack. Before I forget, let me mention that I gave Tyler an “out” to this wedding because we have had so many and I knew he wouldn’t know many people, plus I really wanted some girl time! He enjoyed the weekend at home with my high school friends.

Saturday morning I was the first one up, so I got ready and ran a few errands while the other girls were still sleeping. Once everyone got up and dressed, we headed downtown to Main Street to walk around, grab brunch, and shop. The shopping didn’t last long because it was quite warm, so we went  back and changed into our bathing suits to go to Megan’s grandmother’s pool for a few hours. I was only there a little while because I had to get ready for Ryann’s wedding!! 

I was so rushed getting ready that I wasn’t really able to let the thought that Ryann was getting married sink in… I was kind of one of the last people in the church, but got a great seat where I had a good view of the bridesmaids and Andrew’s face when the doors opened to Ryann and her father walking down the aisle. I immediately started crying as soon as I sat down. There is something about wedding music that just gets to me.

Before the ceremony, the musician played “Be Thou My Vision,” one of my favorite hymns that was also sung at our wedding. It was gorgeous and the tears just started coming! I swear I started crying from the music. I could just feel the Holy Spirit in the sanctuary with us. Then the wedding party walked down the aisle and I really knew that the Lord was filling the room. I just adore “In Christ Alone,” especially during a wedding. Once the bridesmaids took their place, I immediately caught eyes with Jennings, one of the bridesmaids who I knew really well from Wofford. When Andrew, his father, and the ministers walked in, my heart was racing and I was so excited! I actually already knew what to expect Ryann to look like, because she had texted me a sneak peak of some of her bridals a few months ago. When the doors opened and Ryann and her father walked down the aisle, all I could do was smile! She walked down to “Trumpet Voluntary” that I walked into our wedding to as well, so it was just very special to me and made me remember the moments I walked down the aisle to my groom too!

Once Ryann and Andrew were together with the ministers, I could sort of catch my breath, until we all sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Y’all I just get so emotional with church music, especially the old time hymns. Growing up in a traditional church really gave me that love for the classic hymns!

Once Ryann and Andrew said “I Do” and “I Will,” I think my chill bumps finally went away! I was excited to get to the reception to take a breather from my emotions. At least I thought! On the way to the reception, I stopped to get some extra hair spray, bobby pins, and mascara because I hadn’t really done my hair very well prior to the wedding so I fixed it quickly in the car and reapplied mascara, because, well, I had none left that I initially put on!!

I found a parking spot in downtown Greenville, grabbed my camera and bag, and found the reception at this beautiful outdoor venue with a pretty white tent out by the river. The reception was held at the Wyche Pavilion, which is part of the Greenville Peace Center. I don’t know too many details about it, but it was a renovated brick building, with the old windows open to the outside. So you felt like you were inside, but you were actually outside!  I took some snapshots of the surroundings and details of the flowers, cake, food, napkins, etc., before the wedding party arrived. Surprisingly I didn’t recognize anyone that wasn’t in the wedding party, but when I saw the trolley pull up I was SO excited because I couldn’t wait to hug Ryann!

just gorgeous

Ryann and Andrew danced to James Taylor, “How Sweet It Is” which was super sweet and guess what, I started crying again! At this point the bridesmaids were all watching me blot my eyes with my tissue and couldn’t help but laugh at me! I finally stopped crying when Ryann and her father and Andrew and his mother danced to Stevie Wonder, “You are the Sunshine of my Life” which I was DYING to have as my dance with my dad, but instead he wanted “Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

All of the guests flocked to Ryann and Andrew, so I stood back for a bit and chatted with the bridesmaids and honorary attendants until I got to see her. She was the calmest bride I have ever been around! Calm, cool, and collective…. Happy and MARRIED!!! It was so great.

sassy bride!

The band cranked up and the party was ON! It was very warm outside, but not uncomfortably hot and the fans in the venue were facing right towards me… Score! We danced, and danced, and drank some cold beer (necessary for an outside June wedding), and danced! By the end of the night my feet were absolutely killing me!

zlam

I had a few girls who are currently in my sorority come up and start chatting with my about my blog. They said they had heard a lot about me from Ryann and started following me, too. One girl asked, “were you a ZTA?” and I asked Jennings (who was a ZTA too and on my “board” when I was Vice President), “was I a ZTA?” Jennings responded “Charlotte was one of the most intense ZTAs ever!” Thanks, Jennings! But really, I was- I was competitive and really, truly love(d) my sorority! That is how I met Ryann and these other sweet girls. And how I could forget my BEST friends!

wofford

zetas

zeta chant

After the band played “Shout,” it was time for Ryann and Andrew to hop in the rickshaw to their hotel for the night! All of the guests lit sparklers and waved them for their grand exit. I got to stand beside Ryann’s mom who I know fairly well and I just told her over and over how much fun I thought everyone had, including me! After sending Ryann and Andrew off, I met up with my girlfriends to go to some of the bars downtown since I had never been before. When I met up with the three of them, I saw Ryann and Andrew being led down Main Street on the rickshaw and of course yelled to them to get a picture! Y’all Andrew is such a good sport!!!! I know it was his wedding day, but he was just so into the moment and was so fun! I don’t know him terribly well, but I feel like I do now.

I am so happy for Mr. and Mrs. McCall and hope they are having a blast settling into their new home in Raleigh!

Congrats Ryann and Andrew. I love you both!

Blog Twin Guest Post!

Thank you Shannon for guest posting while I am getting ready for the wedding in a few days! Y'all she is a hoot---- enjoy!!!

 Hey y'all! I'm Shannon and I blog (most of the time) over at Guard Your Heart. I say most of the time becuase I have, unfortunately, fallen victim of a serious mush-brain syndrome over the last several months.

I assume this serious syndrome is no stranger to Miss Charlotte (or wait a second MRS. CHARLOTTE!!!!) as I am afraid it may directly correlated with having a diamond ring on your left hand.

You see, I too, am engaged, and it will not be long until I am also a married MRS. like our girl Char! With the wedding approaching quickly (April 6th!) I have really become a very slack blogger. My sincerest apologies to those who actually read Guard Your Heart, but I could not be more excited about guest posting on Laws in the Lowcountry while Charlotte enjoys this special special time!

When Char asked if I would guest post, I was super excited, but I was uncertain as to what exactly my subject matter should be. Seeing as she is such a terrific blogger, I wanted to make sure I was up to par fo you all, her lovely readers. At first, I was like "Um, duh, Shannon. You will blog about your wedding." but then... I was like "Um, no, Shannon. Your wedding is not that exciting and people are probably tired of hearing you blab about it." But honestly, the fact is that I am tired of hearing myself blab about it! So.. onto the next idea...

I thought I would share with you all why I happen to think Charlotte even asked me to do this guest post in the first place: because we are FREAKISHLY (is that even a word?!?) alike!!

Over the last few months of becoming blogging besties, we have discovered quite a few striking similiarites, and I thought it may interesting/entertaining to some of you if I shared the list. So, whether or not this is actually interesting/entertaing to you at all, here goes nothing....

The ridiculous list of those things which make Shannon and Charlotte confused about their identities:

1. Brown hair, brown eyes.

2. Good ole Southern girls. Both from the great and beautiful state of South Carolina.

3. We were both members of Zeta Tau Alpha, although at different schools, we are the same age, and were active members at the same exact time.

4. We were both Vice President of our respective ZTA Chapters at the same exact time. Hence, we sort of know each other in "real life" from trainings, conferences etc.

5.We were both engaged within the same year and married with two weeks of one another.

6. Not only are we freakishly alike, but, as fate would have it, our fiances are freakishly alike.

7. Tyler and Coleman are both hunting freaks.

8. The boats that sit in our respective front yards may be identical (due the the camoflauge they are covered in).

9. The four of us all love dogs, and both couples are parents to black labs. Although C and I also have a 95 lb. 9-year-old chocolate daughter too :)

10. We both swoon over a good deal, and spend more than one is a suitable amount of time shopping. Especially in the J.Crew outlet.

 11. Similar to the J.Crew obsession, you all will soon enough see that our wedding gowns are very similar in design. If I know one thing froom my days in the bridal business, a girls gown says A LOT about her.

  12. We both adore our friends and family and would do anything to keep a smile on their faces.

  13. We share a serious love for all things of the Carolina Coast. Ty and Char have obviously moved back to the Lowcountry and are loving being near the water just like Coleman and I do.

  14. Being the sweet southern girls that we are, we love our monograms! That being said, please be advised that all wedding gifts should be personalized with the brides new initials. None of this sharing a monogram with the hubs business, please.

  15. As you can see in Char's bachelorret recaps (btw, my bach was also in Savannah, duh.) the girl loves to dance. And yes, so do I. Funny thing is Coleman hates it...Charlotte is this true of Tyler? Wouldn't surprise me if it were!  YES!! SOOO true!

  16. We both think chocolte should be a food group. In all honestly, I had some semi-sweet morsels for breakfast the other day. Opps?

  17. She was editor of her high school yearbook and I was editor of my high school newspaper. We are cool. We know.

  18. Neither of us can stand poor grammar. THERE is a different between THEIR home and THEY'RE home. (Que the fact that we were both editors.)

  19. We were both camp counselors during our high school summers.

   AND

  20. We are both SO happy to finally be calling the men of our dreams our husbands.

 

To be quite honest, I know there are more than these 20. Seriously, it is a problem that we are the same person, but we have come to terms with it, and we hope that you will find our quirky similarities amusing. Until next time friends, here is to hoping that Char is enjoying this time away. Speaking for all of us, we cannot wait to hear all about the big day!!

 

xo,

Shans

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!

If you didn't know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sign up at Take Charge. Think Pink! to get reminders about breast health.

 

Here are some staggering statistics about breast cancer.

 

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her life.
• Men can contract breast cancer
• In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
• Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women
• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
• The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).

Source

 

 

Breast cancer is something serious but something you can find early. Check your boobies once a month!
 
Check for any hard lumps that aren't normal and when you go for your womanly check up, get your doctor to check you there also!
 
Breast health isn't something to be ashamed of anymore. It's real.
 
Take the stand against breast cancer.
 
Also, PLEASE save your Yoplait pink lids! If you don't know where to sent them, email me and I will get them sent to the correct place! Or if you don't know what I am talking about, let me know!
 
Ta ta and SAVE THE TA TAs!
 
 

Law and Order SVU Addiction

It's true.... I have a problem.

 

I don't know what it is about Law and Order SVU but I am completely obsessed with it. Last night was the season premiere and I was completely enthralled in the 2 hour episode! Seriously, I don't know what it is about that show. I know the whole storyline behind the show is kind of unhealthy and scary, BUT I just love this freaking show. A lot. I mean, enough to write a whole blog post on it!

I really hate Stabler left as well as the old ADAs. Benson might be the reason I still watch. I just love her (girl crush??).

During interim (like Maymester in January) freshman year, my roomie Kensley and I started watching this show because we were so bored and had nothing else to do.

 

My obsession got so crazy that I dressed up as Detective Bension for a ZTA Function (Famous Couples). You had a friend pick your date for you and then when you got to the function you had to find your secret partner. I asked my date myself and told him what to wear because he honestly had no idea who Detective Stabler was. He was such a good sport!

 

Bathroom pic. Typical freshmen.

 

 

 

THEN I started buying the seasons on DVD and my friends and I started passing them around.

 

I'm now to the point where I have seen every single episode. I still watch them over and over and Law and Order Tuesday on USA is my favorite day of the week!

 

So, yes. I am a weirdo and I love this show. It is my guilty pleasure! There you have it. I love this show!!!!

 

What is your favorite show?? I love Revenge too and CANT WAIT for the season premiere on Sunday night. Hope I get back in time from our flight into Indy.

 

Ta ta (or maybe I should start saying "dun dun" hehe),

 

 

Friday Fancies: GO WOFFORD!

Happy Friday! And Happy Friday Fancies! I love linking up with {av} on Fridays (And I love there is a chance she and I may meet her next weekend while I am in Providence!)

 

Even though Wofford has a bye this weekend (hello recruitment weekend, GO ZTA!!), I had to put together an outfit for this week's Friday Fancies theme!

Wofford by perrowck featuring a mustard dress

This is your typical Wofford gameday outfit. We wear dresses (and mostly flats) to our games! You can truly see from the pictures below we have a very distinct look for games!

 

This mustard dress from Modcloth is absolutely perfect for a Terrier football game.

 

Since it is getting chiller by the day (well, at least here in Illinois), you must take a cardigan with you in case it gets cold! Wofford students are really spoiled that there is an outlet mall just down the road from the school, so I stocked up on cardigans like these from J Crew

Another Wofford staple you will find are Tory Burch ballerina flats. Every girl and her mother has a pair. OR you can see girls sports cowboy boots like  these. Always a good choice.

 

Another good choice is a  black Longchamp to throw your tailgating goodies (read: booze) in to tailgate! We always had an awesome tailgating spot and SO much food (and mimosas). GOSH I MISS IT.

 

Last but not least, you need some cheap jewelry to throw on!

 

 

 1st Homecoming

 

 

Wofford @ Clemson

 

Senior Year

 

 

Junior Year

 

 

Sophomore Year

 

 

Babies Freshman Year!

 

Guess I'll be cheering as Clemson takes on Florida State this weekend instead of my Terriers!

 

Ta ta,