Paige Wearing The Lennox Chiffon Dress
How did you meet the love of your life?
On my college summer breaks, I would nanny for a local family. In the mornings, the three kids would have swim team practice at the neighborhood pool. This was a great way for me to catch some sun, read a book, or scroll social media while the kids were occupied swimming laps— however my mind and eyes found themselves pulling from my phone or book toward the kids loud and funny swim coach, “Coach Zach”. It became a little game for me to try to captivate his attention like he had mine. At all of the team pool parties, we seemed to find each other. The children and the “pool moms” caught on to our mingling and would conspire to get us to date. One afternoon, we traded numbers and planned to go Father’s Day shopping together after the parents came home that evening. And as I sat in the mall food court with what was to be my future husband eating Taco Bell, my mom boss texted me saying “you would not believe what the kids are talking about right now... ‘Miss Paige and Coach Zach are going to get married. They talk to each other every day!”
When did you know that this person had stolen your heart?
Zachary was the sweetest, most polite gentleman from the very first date. I knew in my gut that this was serious before it was serious. But the night that I first remember thinking this guy has me for real, was after a long day moving my family’s items out of a storage unit (first of all, so kind for him to ask to help me with that!). We were driving the 45 minutes home, talking and singing and getting lost— literally. After about an hour of driving down the highway we noticed we did not recognize our surroundings. We did not realize we were driving in the wrong direction until we crossed into the neighboring STATE. We turned around to go home and I remember being excited that I now got to be with him another 2 hours before he dropped me off at home.
Tell us the story of the proposal.
Zach surprised me with something that is truly unique to me. Ever since I was a child, I loved spending hours looking for 4-leaf-clovers everywhere I went. I got pretty good at it too and can now spot them within seconds (small flex). However, Zach wanted to challenge me to a four-leaf-clover competition one day at a park where we walked on our second date. After finding a collective 7 four-leaf-clovers, he proposed to me next to the river. I for sure won the clover game that night and also that little game I would play in my head to catch his attention at the pool all those summers.
How would you describe your personal style? What were the most important factors for you as you considered how you wanted your bridal look to manifest?
I never imagined myself as a classic bride and I wanted my wedding to be remembered not for the food or the music or the venue but for the way it made people feel. Having a wedding that matched my personal style and personality was important to me: people-focused, environmental, care-free, whimsical. I wanted my bridal look to reflect these aspects of me. Zach and I decorated his look with the same ideas of being true to ourselves, picking items that match our personalities and favorite things instead of the classic wedding traditions. Zach wanted to stand out as I did, and we agreed that giving him a flower crown would set the mood for our day and commitment to one another.
How did you find Wear Your Love?
Instagram ads! The vibe of these dresses drew me in QUICK!
When did you know you had found your perfect dress?
I never liked many dresses that I looked at online. Although I never went dress shopping in person either, the traditional dresses just seemed too normal for me to spend so much on them. The two piece trend was one I loved but most two piece dresses really only had that feature: being two pieces. But I loved the Lennox chiffon in that it had a fun ruffle detail at the bottom, a chiffon bow-tied top, off the shoulder lace. Although I never tired it on, I knew it was made for me. I actually ordered it before we were ever engaged!
What went through your mind when the Wear Your Love box arrived at your doorstep, and you pulled out your dress for the first time?
It was so beautifully crafted. I was eager to put it on and I did so in the bathroom of a friends house. It was perfect from the moment I slipped it on.
What is the name of the dress, and did you request any custom aspects?
Lennox Chiffon, no customizations
What was your wedding theme or style?
We got married on the side of a mountain and the theme was very boho— way more Pinterest than I could have ever imagined! Peacock chairs, feathers, I gathered all our bud vases from flea markets or good will. We bought table flowers from Trader Joe’s the day before. Everything was beyond anything I feel like I could have ever dreamed!
How involved was your love in the planning? Did your families help with planning? Did you hire a co-ordinator, planner, or event stylist?
Haha to be honest wedding planning was the most stressful time for us. I am a worrier, a people-pleaser, and a slight control-freak but nothing brought it out like planning this wedding did. I lowkey hated the process because I was so worried about things going wrong or things looking ugly the entire time. Now I would tell brides not to worry at all because all the worrying in the world cannot stop a pandemic and on the other hand cannot stop people from loving you on your special day!
Let's show your wedding venue some love! What is the name of the wedding venue you chose and why did you choose it for your special day?
Oakleaf Cottage in Chattanooga! I chose them because they are a gorgeous intimate venue who do SO MUCH for their couples! They have a beautiful forrest venue and it includes nearly everything from tables to plates to decor. So it took a lot off my hands and I am so grateful I booked with them!
What was on your wedding soundtrack playlist, aisle, reception, and first dance?
Ceremony playlist: Josh Garrels- pilot me Josh Garrels- Little Blue Lover- acoustic Cover- john Adams Jon Bellion- blu acoustic Groomsmen walked down to stupid deep- acoustic by Jon Bellion Bridal party and I walked down to Can’t Help falling In Love by Kina Grannis (crazy rich Asians soundtrack, best version!) Our first dance we swing danced to Would That I by Hozier. Hozier’s voice in a love song?! My favorite!
What was your favorite moment of the day?
The weekend of our wedding, we rented a cabin to host our wedding party and their significant others. Although I loved every moment of feeling like a magical woodland princess on my second wedding day, my favorite memories were those spent with my favorite people at that cabin. Eating leftover pizza in the hot tub with my hubby and best friends in the world after a long day was my favorite part.
Who was involved in your special day? We'd love to shout out to all your favorite vendors! Add all social media information, so each person gets the credit they deserve.
Photographer: @peytonmariahphoto
@wildflowerfilms_ were our videographers for the rehearsal dinner/pool party and wedding! They captured our day and personalities so perfectly. The amazing @kridleyhair did hair and make up @creeksideflowerfarm was my amazing, mind blowing, florist. By far my favorite things to look at from this day. She nailed our bouquets and crowns!
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for anyone planning a wedding?
Use Instagram to find all your vendors. You can see their personalities and style, you get more results because some vendors don’t want to pay to be on the “wedding wire” sites, and DM’ing is so quick and easy to get quotes! Don’t be afraid to nix things. Especially in this new coronavirus world, anything goes! I wish I would have hired a bar singer to play music rather than a dj because dancing is not a very pandemic friendly activity and a live singer would have been more our style. Also try to live in the moment! I found myself thinking about what was coming next the entire day and not so much enjoying what was currently happening. So try not to be a wedding planner on your wedding day! One last thing: don’t rule out elopements and intimate weddings! My 9 person wedding in the dark was the best moment of my life and celebrating our love later with only 50 people was still so special to us. I really can’t imagine 100 or 200 person wedding really feeling any more special (plus small weddings are way more affordable!)
Now that you can look back with 20/20 hindsight, was there anything you'd do differently?
Totally but I won’t bore you with regrets! Ultimately, there are always little things you wish you did differently but it does not take away from the magic and specialness of marrying the love of your life!
What's your favorite thing about being married so far?
Waking up next to my love everyday and getting to be a team through everything. It’s so wonderful to know that this person is a constant in my life and arguments and hiccups are no longer thought of “is this going to work?” But instead it’s “we will make this work” and that’s just such a cool promise to have with your person. I love getting to love and serve him and being loved and served in return. Marriage is the greatest thing!
Paige is wearing the Lennox Chiffon Dress, sweep train 8-inches,Ivory lining, and the Kenna Veil.