One Couple's Pastel, Garden-Inspired Spring Wedding in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

“Our first date was a nighttime herpetology hike, which was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I quickly realized it was right up my [now] husband’s alley,” says Mary, an interest that soon had them adopting a pet leopard gecko together named Mr. Victor. The two bonded over their love of nature, with Troy even finding a special spot in their local downtown Hattiesburg to propose. Troy couldn’t wait, proposing only a few minutes into their walk to this destination. Despite the change of plans, he’d organized a surprise engagement party with their families, a chance to celebrate their newly engaged status.

And when it came time to plan their wedding, the two knew something involved with nature would take priority. Right in the heart of Hattiesburg, they found a private estate—the Crawford House and Gardens—surrounded by lush greenery and across from a park they visited frequently when they first began dating. It was the perfect space to say their I do’s, with the theme of a “timeless, dainty garden celebration.” Another important aspect of their wedding day was that it felt intimate and intentional while staying true to their spirits. “I wanted everything to feel soft and romantic, with a palette of light, delicate colors and dainty, feminine flowers,” Mary says.

Part of this intimate feel was a circular ceremony space with a platform under a canopy of trees and fresh floral arrangements lining the aisle. “[The circular space] created this beautiful feeling of being surrounded by love, with everyone close to us, and gave every guest a perfect view… It was such a special moment for Troy and me,” Mary adds.

Since Troy had worked in a garden shop, they knew that florals would enhance the garden theme. They achieved this through the use of both pastel and vibrant wildflowers, dahlias and a new favorite for Mary, butterfly ranunculus. These arrangements were both “delicate and whimsical,” perfectly incorporated with the animal motifs throughout the decor, like hummingbirds, butterflies and even a nod to their pet gecko. Mister Victor made appearances throughout their custom patterns, invitation suite and escort favor wall, the latter of which made keepsakes for each guest.

Carrying the whimsical aesthetic of the day was Mary’s bridal gown. Though initially, it wasn’t what she’d envisioned for herself, its “playful yet elegant” touches of the puffy sleeves and romantic details fit the vibe she was going for, and it made her feel “like [herself] but in the most elevated way,” she says. With her bridesmaids in shades of pink, her groom opted for a blue suit with accents of paler hues, including a baby blue boutonniere of wildflowers.

Before Mary’s mother walked her down the aisle, the happy couple spent a few moments together during their first look. Mary says, “Our first look was one of the most anticipated and special moments of the day… The look on my husband’s face was everything—it was like I could feel the depth of our love in that moment, and it set the tone for an amazing day ahead.” And Mary’s uncle officiated the wedding, making it a true family affair. During the ceremony, the two exchanged vows they’d written themselves and, in all the excitement, even kissed before they were prompted.

Their reception was also outdoors in a round sailcloth tent on the grounds of the estate. Guests were greeted by a pastel floral seating chart that led them to their garden-inspired tables, complete with dusty shades of pink and Maison Margaux plates as place settings. The bar had Lemondrop martinis, a nod to the newlyweds’ favorite drink of choice during their dating days. One of their favorite parts of the wedding day included unexpected toasts from guests. Mary says, “We hadn’t planned for them, but so many of our loved ones stood up and shared the kindest words—it was unexpected and so heartfelt.”

Their three-tiered wedding cake was multi-flavored with pink champagne, lemon blueberry and regular wedding cake in a pink hue – the perfect whimsical and romantic touch to match the aesthetic. Though they trusted a team of vendors to deliver their perfect garden wedding, their advice for other couples during the process is to not fret the tiny details and hand over the reins to your planner. “Cherish the time when your two groups of loved ones come together. Oh, and definitely eat your reception food and take pictures before the ceremony!” Mary says, also noting that marrying your best friend makes it all more worthwhile.