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Retro & Romantic

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Meredith Sheffer & Eric Rose; May 24, 2009, St. John’s Lutheran Church & Historic Rice Mill

Photographs by:

Ashley Brokop

Meredith designed her invitations, programs, place cards, and menus and printed them at home. Her bridesmaids then helped assemble the suites.

REPITITION: “My mother had given my grandmother a handkerchief and wanted to incorporate it into my bouquet,” says Meredith. “It was trimmed in red, one of our colors, and embroidered with my grandmother’s name, Rose, which, coincidentally, is my new last name!”

DANCING SHOES: Meredith wore cream-colored vintage shoes that matched the look and feel of the vintage-funky details like mix-and-match fabric table runners and a light-up letter “R” for Rose.

BIG PAYOFF: Meredith’s DIY initiative left her with a feeling of accomplishment after the Big Day. “I was really proud,” she says, “and when we walked into the Rice Mill and saw everything set up, I was awestruck.”

Three of the bridesmaids dresses were “ladies’ choice” from Anthropologie, and the two solid ones were also self-selects. To coordinate them all, the bride simply talked colors with her gals, and then made each one a three-strand necklace from chunky, blue amazonite stones. The end effect was streamlined but not “matchy matchy” says Meredith, and reinforced the wedding’s colors.

Opting for a “plain” gown cost less than one loaded down with intricate handwork. Meredith pinned a fabric rose to her dress and covered her decollété with a beaded necklace to hide the nervous flush she’s prone to.

A friend sent Meredith mix-and-match fabric remnants, which she sewed into table runners.

The carnival light “R” (for Rose, the couple’s last name) came from a set-designer pal and warmed up the reception at the Historic Rice Mill Building.

SUR LA TABLE: Guests dined on Southern specialties like shrimp and grits and pork chops, as detailed on menus designed and printed by graphic designer Meredith.

Meredith fancied up a cake from Publix with iron sparrow silhouettes her mother had found.

Retro & Romantic