Carly and Cameron’s Christmas wedding was a festive homage to their city of Memphis. From the Victorian venue that’s steeped in local history, to the dessert smorgasbord of local confections, the Whites celebrated their love for each other and their home. Their love story’s backdrop was set months earlier with a downtown Memphis engagement session. (Click here to see how we honored their favorite urban haunts).
The Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum was the perfect venue for this sweet couple’s nuptials. Cameron is a history teacher, and Carly’s elegant vintage taste made this historic mansion the obvious choice. An art-deco inspired gown blended seamlessly with both the setting and the season. Accessorized with glamorous earrings, and Marc Jacobs fragrance- Carly made the quintessential elegant bride. Anemones, delicate pine cones, winter berries, muted greenery, and soft white roses made the perfect bouquet for this winter wedding!
Likewise, the groom’s soft charcoal suit and powder blue tie made an understated compliment to their wintery palette. Notice how his colors mirror the grays found in their floral and greenery. Warm and dignified, Cameron looked striking and I knew he needed portraits worthy of Mad Men or GQ.
One of the many charms of the Woodruff-Fontaine is the plethora of locations and opportunities. We chose the front steps for their First Look location so we could move directly into some portraits that featured the estate’s architecture. Cameron said he was surprised that he became emotional when he saw his bride. Moments like these are among my favorites.
We had witnesses keeping close eyes on us!
Even though the Whites had a “White Christmas” theme, there were some Memphis allusions to Elvis’s “Blue Christmas” as seen in the attendants’ colors. As this was an intimate affair, the couple was flanked with a small bridal party, and two precious flower girls.
Again, this venue has so many options for portraits. More moments with Carly and Cameron were taken in the house, itself.
The ceremony and receptions at the museum are held in the carriage house. Guests were ushered into a light-filled space for the vows, and simply migrated to the next room for a moodier, more Edwardian vibe for festivities.
Thoughtful details reigned supreme during the reception! In place of a wedding cake there was a dessert bar filled with iconic confections from Memphis businesses. An painter captured all the proceedings on site- which is a phenomenal conversation piece, live entertainment, and heirloom artwork all in one. My personal favorite touch, was the guestbook- an illustrated edition of “The Christmas Carol.” This is a nod to their venue. The Woodruff-Fontaine has a seasonal display of a first edition of the novel, signed by Charles Dickens to his friend, the home’s original owner.
The details, love of history and Christmas rang a chord deep within me and made the Whites’ “White Christmas” a wedding I’ll always remember fondly.
Click here to tour the Woodruff-Fontain House Museum.
See the mansion set for a late spring wedding here.
Enjoy Carly and Cameron’s downtown Memphis engagement session here.
Flowers: CJ Lily and Company
Dress: Ballew Bridal
Hair and Makeup:
Suit:
Bridal Accessories: Marc Jacobs Daisy
Desserts: Muddy's Bake Shop, 17 Berkshire, West End BBQ, Makeda's Cookies
Artist: Erika Roberts Studio
Musicians: