{Bride} Carter Thomas Griffin
{Groom} Flynt Houston Griffin
{Hometowns} Bride: Greenwood, MS, Groom: Knoxville, TN
{Wedding Site} Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Greenwood, MS
{Reception Site} Childhood Home of the Bride, Greenwood, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} White Phaleonopsis Orchids
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Hydrangeas, garden roses, tulips, ranunculus, and regular roses
{How did the two of you meet?} We met through mutual friends in Edwards, CO. I was living and working out in Colorado as a ski instructor and he was out skiing. I was skiing with a little girl, and her Dad had given Flynt his first job out of law school. I went to dinner with them at the end of their ski trip, and Flynt was there. This was back in 2011. He contacted me a couple of times over the next year and when I returned home for graduate school, he contacted me and came for a visit. We have been together ever since, and that was March 2012!
{What is your proposal story?}
Flynt and I went to San Francisco to go see one of our favorite musicians, Van Morrison. He planned an amazing trip from San Francisco to Carmel, Pebble Beach and back to San Francisco. As I boarded my plane in Memphis, TN, and he in Miami, FL, he sent a typed itinerary to me. I was in graduate school at the time in Oxford, MS, and he was living and working in Miami. He wouldn’t let me know any details about our trip until he boarded his plane! I was SO excited about all of the fun things he had planned. He had organized the trip down to every second: hiking, restaurants, tours, etc. Our first day was a LOT of fun, exploring around the city and seeing friends. The second day he planned some hikes, because he knows I love the outdoors. We went on one hike that ended at the ocean looking up at the Golden Gate Bridge. It was awesome and beautiful to see the bridge from that perspective. The next hike was in the Muir Woods. We went down a trail called The Steep Ravine Trail. It was dense, lush and filled with Redwoods. I was in heaven, to say the least. We were hiking towards the ocean. After about 45 minutes on our hike, a stream of light seemed to burst through the dense forest. I remember telling Flynt how beautiful it was. At the next moment, on a beautiful trail, with no one around, he said, “You know the only thing that would make this more beautiful, is if you would marry me.” I said, “What?” As I turned around, Flynt was holding a brown box with a BEAUTIFUL ring inside. He then told me how much he loved me, how he wanted to take care of me for the rest of his life, and all of the other sweet things that I cannot remember – Ha! He laughs and says that I didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes, but eventually I said, “Yes!!” A couple appeared out of nowhere, so we actually got to take pictures in the exact spot that we got engaged. We continued the hike and then finally turned around because I was dying to call Mom and tell her the exciting news. We went to Van Morrison that night. Needless to say, I wasn’t that into the concert J
{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} I was born and raised in the quaint Delta town of Greenwood. It has always been a special place to my family and me. I used to talk to my Dad about having a reception in our back yard. I wanted to get married in the back yard as well, but he had said he wanted me to get married in a church. Honestly, it was an easy choice. My father passed away shortly after my freshman year of college. The event was tragic, but when choosing where to have the wedding and reception, it was clear as to where it would take place: the church I was raised in and the house where I was raised. It was special to me in so many ways: allowing the presence of my father to be there, as well as the friends and families that have meant so much to me.
{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} I wanted neutral colors: elegant and simple, with a bohemian and relaxed flair.
{How did you pick “the dress?”} The dress I wore was actually my mom’s wedding dress. I had the top of the dress remade by Dawn’s Couture in Memphis. It was so special to wear my Mom’s dress. It was also special because I had worn the dress as a maid my senior year of high school. There is a picture of me wearing the dress, and my Dad is wearing a tuxedo, walking me down the aisle. To me, there are so many symbols in the photo. I wanted to wear the dress again, but I added my twist to it. The ladies at Dawn’s Couture specialize in remaking dresses. They truly did a wonderful job bringing my vision to life.
{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} The wedding band that Flynt gave me when we said our vows was the ring that my Dad gave my Mom when they were married July 1, 1978. I don’t know if a ring is considered an accessory, but I think it is unique. Flynt’s gift from me was a pair of Tiffany cuff links that were my Dad’s. I feel that all of the ways that I was able to include my Dad in the ceremony were my favorite things J It also is so special to have married a man that I know my father would have loved and respected.
{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} That my mother took control haha! Pryor Lott of Pryor Engagements and my mom, Jane, really helped me get through the planning process. I was in the middle of graduate school, I had just moved to Miami, and I don’t handle stress well. Honestly, all I wanted was the band to be great and for everyone to have a wonderful time. I think we all worked together to achieve that.
{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Besides the marriage itself and marrying Flynt, my favorite moment of the wedding day would have to be my brother/sister dance. I have this thing with “Mustang Sally.” It was the song that my Dad and I always danced to. After his death, I appointed my brother as my “Mustang Sally” dancing partner. As I know it was annoying for him at time, he did help me celebrate my Dad and how much I have loved and appreciated him taking over that role. He is a wonderful, compassionate brother and it was very special to have him dance with me and for us to have such a fun, instead of sad, moment to kick off the night.
{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} Everything was perfect. Honestly, I guess my favorite moment was when I went inside to change out of my wedding dress. My sister-in-law and my best childhood friend were with me, and I looked outside of my bedroom window overlooking the backyard, and there was a party going on! People were drinking, dancing, eating and enjoying themselves, as well as being there to support my journey and commitment of marriage to Flynt. It was a surreal moment.
{Your favorite picture from the big day?} Although the picture didn’t turn out great, one of my favorite pictures was everyone on the front porch of the house. The other pictures that are special to me: I took a picture with my brother and his closest friends. It was a picture of the men in my life that I had always known as “Uncle ….” - the men that have always been a part of my Dad’s life, my life, and my family’s life. They stepped in and they have never left. I also love the one of Flynt and me at the “leave car.”
{The picture that represents the two of you best?} There’s a picture of the two of us looking at each other on the back porch. It’s not a great picture, but I like it. I also like one of the ones where we are on the dance floor. We love to have fun and dance!
{Groom} Flynt Houston Griffin
{Hometowns} Bride: Greenwood, MS, Groom: Knoxville, TN
{Wedding Site} Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Greenwood, MS
{Reception Site} Childhood Home of the Bride, Greenwood, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} White Phaleonopsis Orchids
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Hydrangeas, garden roses, tulips, ranunculus, and regular roses
{How did the two of you meet?} We met through mutual friends in Edwards, CO. I was living and working out in Colorado as a ski instructor and he was out skiing. I was skiing with a little girl, and her Dad had given Flynt his first job out of law school. I went to dinner with them at the end of their ski trip, and Flynt was there. This was back in 2011. He contacted me a couple of times over the next year and when I returned home for graduate school, he contacted me and came for a visit. We have been together ever since, and that was March 2012!
{What is your proposal story?}
Flynt and I went to San Francisco to go see one of our favorite musicians, Van Morrison. He planned an amazing trip from San Francisco to Carmel, Pebble Beach and back to San Francisco. As I boarded my plane in Memphis, TN, and he in Miami, FL, he sent a typed itinerary to me. I was in graduate school at the time in Oxford, MS, and he was living and working in Miami. He wouldn’t let me know any details about our trip until he boarded his plane! I was SO excited about all of the fun things he had planned. He had organized the trip down to every second: hiking, restaurants, tours, etc. Our first day was a LOT of fun, exploring around the city and seeing friends. The second day he planned some hikes, because he knows I love the outdoors. We went on one hike that ended at the ocean looking up at the Golden Gate Bridge. It was awesome and beautiful to see the bridge from that perspective. The next hike was in the Muir Woods. We went down a trail called The Steep Ravine Trail. It was dense, lush and filled with Redwoods. I was in heaven, to say the least. We were hiking towards the ocean. After about 45 minutes on our hike, a stream of light seemed to burst through the dense forest. I remember telling Flynt how beautiful it was. At the next moment, on a beautiful trail, with no one around, he said, “You know the only thing that would make this more beautiful, is if you would marry me.” I said, “What?” As I turned around, Flynt was holding a brown box with a BEAUTIFUL ring inside. He then told me how much he loved me, how he wanted to take care of me for the rest of his life, and all of the other sweet things that I cannot remember – Ha! He laughs and says that I didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes, but eventually I said, “Yes!!” A couple appeared out of nowhere, so we actually got to take pictures in the exact spot that we got engaged. We continued the hike and then finally turned around because I was dying to call Mom and tell her the exciting news. We went to Van Morrison that night. Needless to say, I wasn’t that into the concert J
{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} I was born and raised in the quaint Delta town of Greenwood. It has always been a special place to my family and me. I used to talk to my Dad about having a reception in our back yard. I wanted to get married in the back yard as well, but he had said he wanted me to get married in a church. Honestly, it was an easy choice. My father passed away shortly after my freshman year of college. The event was tragic, but when choosing where to have the wedding and reception, it was clear as to where it would take place: the church I was raised in and the house where I was raised. It was special to me in so many ways: allowing the presence of my father to be there, as well as the friends and families that have meant so much to me.
{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} I wanted neutral colors: elegant and simple, with a bohemian and relaxed flair.
{How did you pick “the dress?”} The dress I wore was actually my mom’s wedding dress. I had the top of the dress remade by Dawn’s Couture in Memphis. It was so special to wear my Mom’s dress. It was also special because I had worn the dress as a maid my senior year of high school. There is a picture of me wearing the dress, and my Dad is wearing a tuxedo, walking me down the aisle. To me, there are so many symbols in the photo. I wanted to wear the dress again, but I added my twist to it. The ladies at Dawn’s Couture specialize in remaking dresses. They truly did a wonderful job bringing my vision to life.
{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} The wedding band that Flynt gave me when we said our vows was the ring that my Dad gave my Mom when they were married July 1, 1978. I don’t know if a ring is considered an accessory, but I think it is unique. Flynt’s gift from me was a pair of Tiffany cuff links that were my Dad’s. I feel that all of the ways that I was able to include my Dad in the ceremony were my favorite things J It also is so special to have married a man that I know my father would have loved and respected.
{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} That my mother took control haha! Pryor Lott of Pryor Engagements and my mom, Jane, really helped me get through the planning process. I was in the middle of graduate school, I had just moved to Miami, and I don’t handle stress well. Honestly, all I wanted was the band to be great and for everyone to have a wonderful time. I think we all worked together to achieve that.
{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Besides the marriage itself and marrying Flynt, my favorite moment of the wedding day would have to be my brother/sister dance. I have this thing with “Mustang Sally.” It was the song that my Dad and I always danced to. After his death, I appointed my brother as my “Mustang Sally” dancing partner. As I know it was annoying for him at time, he did help me celebrate my Dad and how much I have loved and appreciated him taking over that role. He is a wonderful, compassionate brother and it was very special to have him dance with me and for us to have such a fun, instead of sad, moment to kick off the night.
{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} Everything was perfect. Honestly, I guess my favorite moment was when I went inside to change out of my wedding dress. My sister-in-law and my best childhood friend were with me, and I looked outside of my bedroom window overlooking the backyard, and there was a party going on! People were drinking, dancing, eating and enjoying themselves, as well as being there to support my journey and commitment of marriage to Flynt. It was a surreal moment.
{Your favorite picture from the big day?} Although the picture didn’t turn out great, one of my favorite pictures was everyone on the front porch of the house. The other pictures that are special to me: I took a picture with my brother and his closest friends. It was a picture of the men in my life that I had always known as “Uncle ….” - the men that have always been a part of my Dad’s life, my life, and my family’s life. They stepped in and they have never left. I also love the one of Flynt and me at the “leave car.”
{The picture that represents the two of you best?} There’s a picture of the two of us looking at each other on the back porch. It’s not a great picture, but I like it. I also like one of the ones where we are on the dance floor. We love to have fun and dance!
Photographer: Miki McCurdy Photography, Greenwood, MS; Kim Houpt Photography, Madison, MS; and Amy Clayton Stevens, Charleston, SC (Aunt of the Groom)
Photo booth: Amurica Photo Booth
Event Planner: Pryor Lott, A Pryor Engagement
Dress: Dawn’s Couturiere Custom Bridal, design/alterations
Bride’s Jewelry: grandmother’s cluster, diamond earrings, bracelet of mother’s, ring of mother’s, band from Flynt as wedding gift, engagement ring from Flynt
Hair: Bride: Lanier Clark, Jackson, MS; Bridesmaids: Brii Alicea, Grenada, MS
Make-up: Bride: Lanier Clark, Jackson, MS; Bridesmaids: Brii Alicea, Grenada, MS
Tuxes: Phil’s Squire Shop
Videographer: Johnny Jennings Photography
Venue: Home of the Bride
Lighting: CWP Productions, Owner: Chris Pritchard, Little Rock, AR
Rentals: Mahaffey Tent and Party Rentals for tables, headed up by Mark Huels, flooring, tents, plates, dinner/glassware
Florist: Oxford Floral
Catering: Elizabeth Heiskell, Woodson Ridge Farms, Oxford, MS
Bar: The liquor was purchased from Jacks Package Store, Greenwood, MS
Band: Super T Revue, Nashville, TN, and Piano: Holly Peel, Greenwood, MS
Bride’s Cake: Karyn Belk Burrus
Groom’s Cake: Karyn Belk Burrus
Print Material: Save the Dates and Invitations by Nest Paper Studio in Oxford, MS; Calligraphy for invitations, Susan Beckham, Greenwood, MS; Church/Wedding Programs, Greenwood Info Sheet, and Map for out of town guest bags, designed by Shawn Hodges at Rooster Crow, Greenwood, MS and printed by Lawrence Printing in Greenwood, MS.
Car Service: Shotgun Shuttle, Greenwood, MS; Alluvian Shuttle, The Alluvian in Greenwood, MS
Photo booth: Amurica Photo Booth
Event Planner: Pryor Lott, A Pryor Engagement
Dress: Dawn’s Couturiere Custom Bridal, design/alterations
Bride’s Jewelry: grandmother’s cluster, diamond earrings, bracelet of mother’s, ring of mother’s, band from Flynt as wedding gift, engagement ring from Flynt
Hair: Bride: Lanier Clark, Jackson, MS; Bridesmaids: Brii Alicea, Grenada, MS
Make-up: Bride: Lanier Clark, Jackson, MS; Bridesmaids: Brii Alicea, Grenada, MS
Tuxes: Phil’s Squire Shop
Videographer: Johnny Jennings Photography
Venue: Home of the Bride
Lighting: CWP Productions, Owner: Chris Pritchard, Little Rock, AR
Rentals: Mahaffey Tent and Party Rentals for tables, headed up by Mark Huels, flooring, tents, plates, dinner/glassware
Florist: Oxford Floral
Catering: Elizabeth Heiskell, Woodson Ridge Farms, Oxford, MS
Bar: The liquor was purchased from Jacks Package Store, Greenwood, MS
Band: Super T Revue, Nashville, TN, and Piano: Holly Peel, Greenwood, MS
Bride’s Cake: Karyn Belk Burrus
Groom’s Cake: Karyn Belk Burrus
Print Material: Save the Dates and Invitations by Nest Paper Studio in Oxford, MS; Calligraphy for invitations, Susan Beckham, Greenwood, MS; Church/Wedding Programs, Greenwood Info Sheet, and Map for out of town guest bags, designed by Shawn Hodges at Rooster Crow, Greenwood, MS and printed by Lawrence Printing in Greenwood, MS.
Car Service: Shotgun Shuttle, Greenwood, MS; Alluvian Shuttle, The Alluvian in Greenwood, MS
RSS Feed