Legacy Bride: Sarah Groves in Loretta at the Bleckley Station

GownsReal Weddings

Jun 30

Today we are sharing photos from Sarah & Jonathan Groves' wedding at the Bleckley Station. Sarah chose our Loretta gown to wear on her wedding day and she is absolutely stunning!! She's taking over the blog today to share al about her wedding day. Make sure you read all about her family heirloom pieces she wore for her wedding. We love this sentimental details! Sarah also did her own hair for her wedding and let's just say, she looks fabulous!!

Jonathan shares how they met

Sarah and I first met at a college homecoming event in 2016 when we played a game of Spikeball against each other. She definitely caught my attention, and I wanted to talk to her more, but she had already left by the time I worked up the nerve. After that night, we didn’t have much contact with each other for nearly two years. I saw her on campus again in 2018 and worked up enough courage to introduce myself knowing she didn’t remember me. We had a good conversation and after that would at least say hello to each other in passing on campus that semester. Unfortunately, an opportunity to really get to know her never presented itself since our paths rarely ever crossed. I graduated that December not knowing if I would ever see her again since we were barely even acquaintances. Then in May of 2019, she happened to be ushering at my brother’s high school graduation. Seeing her that day motivated me to create an opportunity the next time I saw her, and I began to pray that God would give me an chance to have another conversation with her. So, I made sure, even though I had graduated already, that I could find an excuse to be on campus during the next big school event. I loaned a tent to a friend to use for a tailgating party, and when I went to pick it up, I conveniently ran into her. That night, Sarah and I talked like old friends for nearly 10 minutes even though we barely knew each other. I left campus that night so excited that my prayer had been answered. The next day, I messaged Sarah and asked her to coffee. To my surprise, she quickly replied with a yes! After our first date, we both knew that this had potential to be something special, and it didn’t take many more dates after that to know that we were meant for each other.

Sarah's Wedding Day Memories

A funny story behind my veil. It actually was my sister Hannah’s veil. She generously let me borrow it after an attempt at making my own veil (YouTube made it look so easy!) ended in a disaster and many tears a week before the wedding! But it all worked out in the end and it was a special moment having my sister help me put on the same veil she had worn on her wedding day. I never chose specific “wedding colors” but instead went with a theme/mood to guide my wedding vision. My florist Cara worked with me to put my vision into words and we came up with a vintage/classic theme with a deep-toned color palette. The final product was exactly what I was envisioning, the atmosphere of a bygone era, right down to the *real* pears in the floral arrangements and Nat King Cole playing over the speakers. One of my favorite moments from the wedding was our first dance. The DJ cleverly set it up so that the giant curtain separating the guests from the dance floor slowly raised as our first dance song, “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole, began to play. It was very magical and felt just like one of those old black and white Hollywood films. Both Jonathan and I are very close with our families and so it was important for us that they felt included in the wedding day itself. One of my favorite ways we did this was by having a special time where all our younger cousins, nieces and nephews came out on the dance floor for a special “kids dance” (so CUTE!!). I also made sure the photographer took a photo with Jonathan and I sitting on the steps with all of my nieces and nephews! They stole the show that day and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Sarah's wedding dress shopping experience

Katherine Marie Weddings was an answer to prayer the moment I walked in the doors. Just the week before I had mentioned to my friend Molly how I was struggling to find a bridal shop that offered private wedding dress try on sessions and would let me bring my mom and sisters along. She suggested I try Katherine Marie Weddings and later that day I spoke with Allie on the phone and she was so kind and said not only would she work me into her schedule that same week but I could bring my mom and sisters as well! She closed down the whole shop for us for hours and made us feel right at home. Finding my dream wedding dress could have been a stressful situation (especially during a pandemic) but Allie turned it into the sweetest time that felt intimate and special for me and my family.I remember looking at all the beautiful dresses and feeling like this was going to be the hardest decision of my life! If you know me you know how much I despise making decisions (just ask my sisters!) but it actually ended up being the easiest decision! The lace sleeves of one dress quickly caught my eye and so Allie pulled it and a few other dresses based on the classic/feminine style I wanted. She had me try on the one that had caught my eye first, Loretta. I put Loretta on and stood on the riser in front of a beautiful, golden, full-length mirror and it was like MAGIC. I was surprised just how much it felt like it was made for me! I have never felt more like myself in anything before and my mom (who is also my BFF and knows me better than anyone) confirmed my feelings when I walked out and she said “ohhhh, Sarahhhh” (her version of “yes, yes, yes!”). I tried a few other dresses that were beautiful but none of them left me feeling like Loretta. I tried her on again and Allie added the final touch of a cathedral veil and that was it…I was a BRIDE!!! I still can’t get over how the first wedding dress I ever put on ended up being the one.

Wearing Loretta on her wedding day

Loretta was the perfect dress for the best day of my life. I felt timeless and beautiful but also very comfortable and like myself. I styled my hair in a loose bun so that all the beautiful buttons (ever since I was little I wanted lots of buttons on my wedding dress just like my grandmother had on her wedding dress in the old black and white photo I would stare at from her wedding day) down the back would show, as well as the beautiful lace detail around the neckline. It was so special getting to show Jonathan the dress for the first time during our first look. He loved it and I couldn’t stop smiling!!

It was so fun to have Sarah, her mom and her sisters in the boutique trying on dresses. When we pulled Loretta, her mom gave me the look of "I think that might be it" and she was right! Thank you Sarah for sharing your day and this special moment with us!

Sarah's Vendor Team

Photographer: Sposa Bella PhotographyFlorals/Décor: Cara Groves Floral DesignsInvitations: Designed by the BrideVenue: The Bleckley Station | InstagramCatering: Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill | InstagramBaker/Cake: All About CakeDJ/Band: Ben PhillipsHair: Sarah did her ownMake-up: Sand & Shadow Makeup ArtistryDress: Katharine Marie Weddings | InstagramDay of Coordinator: Melanie GuillRings: Foster Watch Service (Traveler’s Rest, SC)Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Men’s WearhouseBridesmaids dresses: AzazieBride Accessories (jewelry, shoes, heirlooms): My earrings were borrowed from my mother-in-law and were the same ones she wore on her wedding day. The pearl bracelet was borrowed from my mom. The gold Italian leather shoes were given to me by my older sister Hannah. And finally, the leaf pin on the ribbon wrapped around my bouquet had belonged to my grandmother Theresa.