1. Real Weddings

Katherine & Hank: A Modern Wedding in Memphis, TN

Katherine and Hank had heard about each other for years through a mutual friend, but it wasn't until that friend was moving out of town that the two f

Katherine and Hank had heard about each other for years through a mutual friend, but it wasn't until that friend was moving out of town that the two finally met. Katherine and their pal were heading to the movies for a last hurrah, but first her friend wanted to stop at Hank’s. When I met Hank, he was standing at his sink with his back to me. He turned around to shake my hand, and it was definitely love at first sight -- we both remember feeling like we’d been hit by lightning, Katherine says. The Bride Katherine Dudley, 31, bank vice president The Groom Hank Gray, 38, artist The Date October 28 By the time they'd been together just a few months, Katherine and Hank knew that they were made for each other. Hank picked out a ring, and planned to pop the question at a casual birthday barbecue for Katherine's mother. Unfortunately, the ring didn't appear until the next morning. As soon as the box arrived, Hank threw on a suit, bought some flowers, and headed off to surprise Katherine at work. He thought he remembered my office door being frosted glass, but it's not, so pretty much the whole office watched as he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! Katherine remembers.

Katherine and Hank's guests enjoyed a five-tiered cake covered in ornately patterned fondant, featuring a large G monogram on the center tier and a basket of green cymbidium orchids on top. Each of the cake's tiers was a different flavor.
Instead of large arrangements, we used just a few flowers on each table, and each was different, Katherine explains. The unusual style was a perfect fit for the couple’s minimal, modern aesthetic.
I am very family-oriented, so I wanted some part of the celebration to take place at home, Katherine says. Luckily, her parents’ yard was large enough to accommodate their celebration. Apricot-hued lanterns hung from the top of the tent and the fireplaces inside the house were lit, providing the party with a warm glow.
Hank and I wanted the event to reflect our personal style, and we both have a contemporary, minimal tastes, Katherine says. I wanted everything to be sophisticated but subtle. Purple was a prevalent hue of the day, as reflected by the bride’s bouquet of orchids.
Katherine and Hank's 350 guests held sparklers aloft while the newlyweds made their exit.
We wanted the readings to reflect our spiritual beliefs and inclusive of all faiths and lifestyles, Katherine explains. She and Hank chose the scripture and a poem by Carl Sandburg to personalize their nuptials.
Pale green and apricot were the accent colors in Katherine and Hank’s palette. Floral wreaths in light green adorned the doors of the cathedral where they were married.
Katherine and Hank had their first dance to their 13-piece band's rendition of C’est Si Bon (It's So Good). We loved the '40s sound to this song, plus the lyrics say it all! Katherine says.
Katherine wore her mother's wedding gown, which her aunt and a cousin also wore at their weddings. The Empire waist dress featured a square neck and short sleeves. She also wore her mother's veil, which Katherine's grandmother had purchased in Brussels when her daughter was just eight years old.