GROOM: Courtland Raye Murrell
Hometowns: Groom- Avon, MS Bride- Pearl, MS
Wedding/ Reception Site: Cotton Market Venue, Pearl, MS
Bride’s Bouquet: White hydrangeas with green and pinecones
How did the two of you meet? In Nashville, TN in P.T. school
What is your proposal story? I woke up one morning with a note beside my bed stating “Hello Gorgeous! Meet me for a brunch in our favorite spot.” Which is the Junction on MS STATE campus. Upon arriving to the junction, I find a blanket laid out, my favorite coffee (Albino Squirrel from Strange brew) and to my surprise, no boyfriend, just another note. The note states “You are about to play a game, follow the clues and you only get one lifeline. Good LUCK.” Each clue leads to a new spot on campus where we share individual and shared memories, leading from the building all of our classes were in, to the Sanderson (workout center), to the baseball field (Dud Noble) and lastly to Davis Wade Stadium. Each clue led to a new gift at the site for our 2 year anniversary. We had just purchased season football tickets a couple of months before. The last clue read “The game ends in a spot where we will spend many of nights, ringing our cowbells for the Maroon and White, now can you remember the seats?” Luckily I had a saved email with our actual seat assignments; otherwise it would have been a long day looking for the last gift! Oops! Arriving to our seats in the last gift bag is a brass cowbell, that states “Will you Marry Me??” and up from the bottom of the stands he walks up and gets on one knee. Of course I said YES! I don’t know which was prettier, the brass cowbell or the ring!! Ha!
What inspired your wedding and reception locations? I wanted a simple, rustic look with the feeling of being outside. So the barn was perfect.
What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers? WINTER!! I love neutrals, winter, and WHITE!
How did you pick the dress? It was actually in the window on display, and I knew coming in I wanted lace and a timeless dress. Well walking in I stated to my friend (pointing at the dress in the window) “That’s TOO MUCH lace”. Dress after dress none seemed to be “the one.” Finally, my friend told to lady, “Get the one out of the window… Molly you can never have too much lace. Just try it!” Well, it fit perfectly and I knew before she even finished buttoning it up that THIS WAS THE DRESS!!
What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it? I would have to say the item my sister gave me to carry around my bouquet which was my “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. She gave me a blue ribbon with my mother’s wedding ring on it and a picture locket of my mother stating “You are always in my heart.” My mother passed away when I was younger so this was really special to me that I could have her be a part of my day.
What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process? Probably picking out the food and theme. The rest was easily due to my fabulous wedding planner, Kendall Poole Ellis, with Kendall Poole Event Planning. She and her team made everything much more simple and less stressful.
Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day? I would have to say the first time I saw my son and daughter (1 year old twins) all dressed up in her mini flower girl dress and his sweet tux. My husband and me both discussed how “real” the moment felt seeing them for the first time, that we were finally going to be a family.
What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day? I guess I would say seeing all my friends and family from over the years in one place. People I haven’t seen since college or in a long time being under one roof and celebrating.
Your favorite picture from the big day? ALL of THEM!! I would say my favorite is the one of Courtland leaning me back to kiss me in front of the barn after the ceremony.
The picture that represents us best? Our first look photos. We are always laughing and joking. Not two people that get really emotional. So the photo shows us laughing as soon as he turns around.
VENDORS:
Photographer: Mary Moment Photography
Event Planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning
Dress: The Bridal Path
Bride’s Jewelry: Stella and Dot
Hair: Amanda Powell of Plush Salon
Make-up: Brittany Upton of Drench
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Bridal Path
Tuxes: George Sherman Clothiers
Venue: The Cotton Market
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Florist: Fresh Cut Catering and Floral
Catering: Fresh Cut Catering and Floral
Band: Union Road
Bride’s Cake: Denalda Parker
Groom’s Cake: For Heaven’s Cakes
Print Material: www.theamericanwedding.com