Monika & Houston’s Wedding
January 27, 2022
Who doesn’t love a floral dreamland? We certainly do! And let me tell you, Monika and Houston’s wedding was just that. From the bouquets to the ceremony, from the centerpieces to the fireplaces, their wedding was an absolute dream. Andraya, our in house florist, went above and beyond making their vision come to life. Let’s walk through their day and see how the utilized each space in McAlister-Leftwich and, hopefully, provide some inspiration for yours!
Getting Ready
Monika and Houston chose to utilize our Bridal & Groom’s suites to get ready for their big day. Monika and her bridesmaids were able to do hair and makeup & relax before walking down the aisle. We love being able to provide this space for HMU, catering (you are more than welcome to bring in your own food!), and the perfect dressing room for our brides.
While Monika and her bridesmaid’s relaxed on the second story of McAlister House, Houston and his groomsmen were able to get ready and hit a few golfballs on the third story (and don’t worry, you are not able to see each other! Each suite has a separate entrance!). They guys were even able to play some corn hole outside and utilized the connector hall for some incredible photos. They were able to avoid the stress of getting ready at a different location before the ceremony and enjoy everything that the venue can offer.
Ceremony
As mentioned earlier, their ceremony florals were nothing short of perfection. They used the bay windows in Gant as their ceremony backdrop and framed it with a beautiful floral install and their guests watched as they tied the knot in our beautiful chiavari chairs (that are included in your rental!).
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour took place in the rooms of Leftwich. Our in house bar was simply, but beautifully decorated in Dixon while guests were able to sign their guest book located in the foyer of Leftwich. Guests were able to mingle throughout the other rooms in Leftwich enjoying their drinks and the historic home. This is also a great time to utilize the lawn during beautiful weather. Guests are able to easily flow from outside to inside throughout cocktail hour.
Portraits
Monika & Houston chose to do their portraits on the lawn of Leftwich and McAlister. Another benefit of the venue? You don’t have to go anywhere for portraits! The grounds are perfect for your photos before or after your ceremony. That’s the thing about 100 year old homes, their beauty is timeless and the perfect backdrop. There are many locations to choose from for your photos based on where your ceremony and reception takes place. Monika and Houston used the lawn and porches for theirs! Aren’t they beautiful?!
Reception
Gant was flipped from the ceremony to the reception during cocktail hour. Guests browsed the seating chart in the connector hall, then made their way to their tables, which by the way, are insanely beautiful! Their tables were a mix of round and long, which is one of our favorite combinations! The mix of tables shapes and sizes creates more space for guests and also creates a beautiful visual as you enter the room. For their dance floor, Monika and Houston chose to put it in front of the fireplace. That is a beautiful location because the fireplace offers a great backdrop for first dance photos!
Thanks for joining us as we walk down memory lane! We were honored to have been a part of Monika and Houston’s day and could not have done it without the incredible team of vendors! For more inspiration, head over to our instagram @mcalisterleftwich to see more beauty!
Vendors:
Planner: @melaniediamont
Caterer: @1618onlocation
Florals: @foral.andraya
Rentals: @partymakerseventrental
Photographer: @chelsearenay
DJ: @dowoaksevents
HMU: Vaga Blonde
Desserts: @easypeasydecadentdesserts
Wedding Gown: Simply Stunning