Interior designer Farris Ann Luce instantly connected with Tyler Crace, when they met during her first week of college at the University of Georgia. After dating through school and for one year after graduation, he proposed over Fourth of July weekend at her family’s home on Lake Martin in Alabama.
“We have spent every Fourth of July together there since we started dating, and it is where he first told me he loved me, so it is a very special place to us,” Farris Ann says. Tyler got down on one knee on the deck, overlooking the water. “My dad accidentally popped the champagne right before, when he didn’t know I was still inside! I just laughed—I knew what was coming and couldn’t wait!”
As Farris Ann couldn’t picture herself getting married anywhere else besides where she grew up, they started planning a traditional southern wedding with unique and modern touches. Her florist, Amy Osaba, and graphic designer, Caroline Borders, were thrilled that she was embracing color to reflect a gorgeous Alabama spring.
To help plan everything, Farris Ann hired Neillie of Mariée Ami, who planned her sweet sixteen party in 2010 and who she interned for in college. “There was never a question of who I would call on to plan my wedding,” the bride says “In fact, Neillie came straight to the lake house the morning after Tyler and I were engaged, and we got right to booking our band, photographer, and florist.”
Farris Ann had a more difficult time finding her dress than her planner. The pressure of finding “the one” overwhelmed her, but she eventually chose a stunning, floral Oscar de la Renta gown. “I’ll never forget standing in the ODLR store on Madison Avenue, while onlookers peered in the window–every girl should shop for a wedding dress in New York City!”
Because the church where they were getting married has a conservative dress code, she had shoulder straps made for the ceremony. And on the morning-of, she completed the look with pearl and diamond earrings, gifted to her from Tyler.
The groom wore a tuxedo from Sid Mashburn for the service and changed into a custom white dinner jacket, also by Sid Mashburn, for the reception. Groomsmen were all in black tuxes, while bridesmaids looked beautiful in blush tops and skirts from Monique Lhuillier’s collection for Bella Bridesmaids.
On a May day, their Catholic ceremony was held at the Cathedral of St. Paul in downtown Birmingham. The Samford University A Cappella Choir sang hymns and Neillie’s darling son, Bruce, was the ring bearer. “The ceremony was so special and holy,” Farris Ann says. “Our priest told us during the rehearsal not to worry about how loudly we recited our vows—it only mattered that we hear each other. I loved this piece of advice, and our hushed voices made our vows feel that much more intimate.”
Once announced as husband and wife, everyone headed to the reception space, where a gospel choir and plenty of champagne was waiting for them. Then, the group of nearly 300 guests sat down for a delicious dinner at around 9:00 p.m. After dinner, a second line band came out to the tables and started playing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
“We paraded around the club, making a full circle to all the dinner tables, wedding party in tow,” the bride says. “The guests followed quickly behind to get the party started!”
Their band, the Atlanta Showstoppers, had everyone on the dance floor all night, after the newlyweds had their first go to “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” by Leo Sayer. At one point during the party, Farris Ann’s mom walked in the middle of a clearing with a microphone in hand, and “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake came on. “Before we knew it, an entire flashmob made up of her friends had overtaken the dance floor!” the bride says. “The group practiced for weeks leading up to the wedding, and it really paid off! Plus, the pictures are priceless.”
At the end of the night, Farris Ann and Tyler jumped into their getaway car, and she burst into tears! “I was fairly dry-eyed the whole day, but at that moment of getting in the car with my husband, all the emotion caught up with me. I was blissfully happy and overwhelmed with emotion from the most wonderful day of my life.”
