Christmas In July

   With temperatures reaching record highs I thought thinking about cooler temperatures might make it a bit more tolerable so I decided to highlight our last wedding of the 2010 season.
  Maria and James were introduced by a mutual friend and developed a close friendship for several years before their friendship turned to romance.  Even before the question had been asked or the answer given, Maria knew she wanted a winter wedding and knew she and James would be sharing their anniversary with her parents, Lois and John, who were married on the same day 33 years earlier.  Maria's December 18th wedding celebration was filled with Southern charm and elegance and befitting of her genteel manner and personality.  Both the church and reception venue were already adorned with gorgeous Christmas decor which was another reason for choosing the date only 1 week before Christmas.  Wanting to take advantage of the beautiful decor as well as celebrate the Season Maria purchased a variety of sparkling silver Christmas ornaments which were displayed on 2 trees at their reception and served as thank you gifts for their guests.  In addition to the embellished tannenbaums that graced every corner and grand foyer, the noble Palmetto, South Carolina's state symbol,  would also have it's place of eminence.  Pawleys Island, South Carolina has provided Maria and her family a treasure chest of happy memories and another reason Maria and James chose to begin their Happily Ever After in The Palmetto State.   It was a day of enchantment for all and filled with many memories to place in the Madden treasure chest to be relived over and over. 

Congratulations ~ Best Wishes 

& 

Happy Ever After!!

 A magical wonderland.

Maria, wearing her mother's veil,  poses on the Grand Staircase .

 A Pink Cadillac was chosen not only to carry Maria's  pink and green color scheme, but to support Breast Cancer awareness and research.

Guests got to choose their favorite ornament as a thank you from Maria and James.

Sabal Palmetto known for it's strong root system, flexible trunk and ability to withstand fierce storms is a perfect symbol of Maria and James' commitment and dedication to one another was the main element of their wedding cake and Groom and Groomsmen's tie and bow ties.

After seeing another Grand Occasion bride's "GRIT" send off knew she wanted to use the traditional Southern staple not only to represent abundance and prosperity, but because she thought it looked like snow! And besides, what could be more Southern than grits?

Maria and James' wedding has been featured in The Atlantan Brides Magazine Fall/Winter 2011 issue.  We hope to have that article available soon.