1. Real Weddings

A Classic Wedding at Shuford House and Garden in Hickory, North Carolina

Growing up as childhood sweethearts, Emily Bovard (22) and Alex Long (23) wanted their wedding to be sweet a

Growing up as childhood sweethearts, Emily Bovard (22) and Alex Long (23) wanted their wedding to be sweet and homey. The day started at Mountain View Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina, since that's where they first met. Alex moved to the small town in sixth grade and met Emily at their children's choir practice one Sunday night. After their traditional Christian ceremony, the newlyweds headed to Shuford House and Garden. The young couple used to walk to the historic house from Emily's childhood home. They would sit in one of the giant trees and talk and kiss. With romantic memories and stunning gardens, Emily and Alex couldn't think of anywhere else to have their reception. They rented a tent and dance floor and decorated with natural flowers and pastel bunting for a classic, homespun look. See all our favorite details, captured by Revival Photography, below.

Emily carried pink roses, white anemones, white hydrangeas and mint lamb's ear in her bouquet. The bride wanted all the flowers to look soft and natural for her classic wedding.
Before Emily went dress shopping, she knew she wanted at least a little lace for the classic bridal look. She immediately fell in love with this modified A-line gown. It was lace overlay with crystal embellishments along the neckline and at the hip. Emily also loved the corset back and sweetheart neckline—so chic.
The bridesmaid bouquets echoed Emily's arrangement for a cohesive look. The flowers included anemones, peonies, hydrangeas, roses and lamb's ear. The bridesmaids wore pink knee-length dresses from Anthropologie, and Emily loved how the pink and white bouquets popped against their attire.
The ring bearer donned a white shirt, a white bow tie, suspenders and slacks. He even had a little rose boutonniere to complete his look. Although he was a little less formal than the groomsmen, who wore three-piece gray suits, he definitely matched the wedding's theme.
Emily and Alex exchanged vows at Mountain View Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina. It was the church they grew up in, so it had a lot of meaning. They decorated the chapel with candelabras and ferns at the altar and pink roses on some of the pews.
Emily and Alex made all the escort cards themselves using blue stock paper and a silver marker. They were displayed in unfinished wooden rounds surrounded by green moss for a little rustic flair.
Emily searched for months for mismatched china. Each of the place settings were topped with wildflower-seed packs that said "Plant these seeds and wildflowers will grow" along with the couple's name and a short thank-you.
The reception tables were decorated with pink peonies, white hydrangeas and white pillar candles on top of unfinished wooden slabs hand cut by Alex.
Paula Little made Emily and Alex's cake for dessert. It was entirely decorated with buttercream rosettes for a romantic touch. The topper included two little wooden birds that said "We do" in white paint.
When the childhood sweethearts were growing up, they would walk to Shuford House and Garden from Emily's childhood home in Hickory, North Carolina. They used to sit in one of the giant trees and talk and kiss. The gardens were always stunning, so Emily and Alex couldn't think of anywhere else to have their reception. They rented a tent and dance floor for the celebration.