The wedding day had finally arrived! One of the many gifts of hosting the celebration at Auburn Oaks Farm was waking up in a beautiful Southern home right on the property. As Mother of the Bride, it was a joy to quietly start the morning by making sure coffee was brewing, juice was chilled, and breakfast was ready for the bridesmaids upon their arrival.
Thankfully, we had an abundance of delicious leftovers from our Bridal Brunch at The Botanic the day before—cheese grits, eggs, sausage, fruit and an assortment of pastries. In true wedding-week fashion, Ron had also made a Sam's Club run and stocked the kitchen with muffins, yogurt, and granola so there was something for everyone. Knowing it would be a long day leading up to the 5:00 p.m. ceremony, we had also arranged for a late-morning delivery from Chicken Salad Chick at 11:30 a.m. to ensure no one walked down the aisle hungry. With hair, makeup, photographs, and the excitement of the day ahead, keeping everyone nourished felt like one small way to care for the people who had gathered to celebrate our daughter.
Thankfully, we had an abundance of delicious leftovers from our Bridal Brunch at The Botanic the day before—cheese grits, eggs, sausage, fruit and an assortment of pastries. In true wedding-week fashion, Ron had also made a Sam's Club run and stocked the kitchen with muffins, yogurt, and granola so there was something for everyone. Knowing it would be a long day leading up to the 5:00 p.m. ceremony, we had also arranged for a late-morning delivery from Chicken Salad Chick at 11:30 a.m. to ensure no one walked down the aisle hungry. With hair, makeup, photographs, and the excitement of the day ahead, keeping everyone nourished felt like one small way to care for the people who had gathered to celebrate our daughter.
At approximately 7:00 a.m., three talented hair and makeup artists from Torie's Artistry Beauty Bar www.artistrybeautybar.com/ arrived, transforming the quiet farmhouse into a bustling bridal suite. Soon afterward came the nine bridesmaids and one very excited bride. The girls had all spent the night at The Graduate Hotel in downtown Auburn, and Auburn had thoughtfully arranged an early-morning shuttle to bring everyone to Auburn Oaks Farm.
The beauty team began promptly at 7:30 a.m., working through a carefully planned schedule of appointments that continued until around 12:30 p.m. Watching the artists at work was impressive. With calm confidence and remarkable efficiency, and southern drawls similar to Steele Magnolias, they curled, pinned, blended, and perfected each look while the room buzzed with laughter, conversation, and anticipation. There was no rushing or stress—just a steady rhythm as each bridesmaid emerged looking polished while still beautifully like herself.
The beauty team began promptly at 7:30 a.m., working through a carefully planned schedule of appointments that continued until around 12:30 p.m. Watching the artists at work was impressive. With calm confidence and remarkable efficiency, and southern drawls similar to Steele Magnolias, they curled, pinned, blended, and perfected each look while the room buzzed with laughter, conversation, and anticipation. There was no rushing or stress—just a steady rhythm as each bridesmaid emerged looking polished while still beautifully like herself.
The mother of the groom, mother of the bride, and, of course, the bride were the last appointments on the schedule. The artists began with makeup before rotating everyone back through for their hairstyles, a system that kept the morning moving seamlessly.
After seeing how stunning Auburn's updo looked at the rehearsal dinner, many of us decided to request a similar style for the wedding day. I'm sure each look had an official, trendy name, but I couldn't tell you what it was. What I can tell you is how wonderfully freeing it felt to simply sit in the chair and entrust my hair and makeup to talented professionals.
The rehearsal dinner look had been a bit more dramatic—appropriate for a sparkly sequined dress—and my husband couldn't quite get over the transformation. As only Ron could say, "You didn't look bad...you just looked completely different!" He wasn't wrong. My everyday routine consists of Revision tinted moisturizer, mascara, and a little lip gloss, so full professional makeup was definitely outside my comfort zone. But it was fun to step outside my usual routine for such a special occasion.
For the wedding, Auburn chose a style that was uniquely her own. Rather than wearing her hair in an updo like the bridesmaids, she opted to have it partially pulled back while allowing its beautiful length and soft curls to cascade over her shoulders. It was timeless, elegant, and perfectly distinguished her as the bride.
After seeing how stunning Auburn's updo looked at the rehearsal dinner, many of us decided to request a similar style for the wedding day. I'm sure each look had an official, trendy name, but I couldn't tell you what it was. What I can tell you is how wonderfully freeing it felt to simply sit in the chair and entrust my hair and makeup to talented professionals.
The rehearsal dinner look had been a bit more dramatic—appropriate for a sparkly sequined dress—and my husband couldn't quite get over the transformation. As only Ron could say, "You didn't look bad...you just looked completely different!" He wasn't wrong. My everyday routine consists of Revision tinted moisturizer, mascara, and a little lip gloss, so full professional makeup was definitely outside my comfort zone. But it was fun to step outside my usual routine for such a special occasion.
For the wedding, Auburn chose a style that was uniquely her own. Rather than wearing her hair in an updo like the bridesmaids, she opted to have it partially pulled back while allowing its beautiful length and soft curls to cascade over her shoulders. It was timeless, elegant, and perfectly distinguished her as the bride.
One of my favorite parts of the morning was simply listening to the girls' conversations. They laughed about work, engagements, dating, shared memories, and stories from college. Although many of them hadn't known one another before Auburn and Josh's engagement, by this point they had celebrated together through engagement parties, bridal showers, a bachelorette weekend in Destin, and countless wedding events. Watching them interact, you would have thought they had been lifelong friends.
Around 11:00 a.m., however, the morning took an unexpected turn. As Auburn was having her makeup applied, her eyes simply would not stop watering. The tears kept streaming down her face, making it nearly impossible for the makeup artist to create the soft, flawless look she had envisioned.
The evening before, we had both worn false eyelashes for the rehearsal dinner. They had been attached with adhesive, and although my eyes had felt slightly sensitive, I tolerated them without much trouble. With a fresh application of lashes and more adhesive that morning, it quickly became apparent that Auburn was having a different experience. Her beautiful crystal-blue eyes—already framed by naturally long, dark lashes—were becoming increasingly red, irritated, and watery.
The artists tried soothing eye drops, which briefly reduced the redness but did nothing to stop the tears. Each time Auburn gently blotted her eyes, it disturbed the makeup just enough that it became difficult to achieve the smooth finish everyone was hoping for. As a mother, it was hard to watch. This was her wedding day, and instead of simply enjoying the moment, she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Then one of her bridesmaids, her dear friend Julia, quietly stepped in. She asked Auburn if they could walk outside together for a few minutes. Away from the activity of the bridal suite, Julia gently shared what she suspected was happening. She believed Auburn was having an allergic reaction to the eyelash adhesive—possibly because some of the glue from the rehearsal dinner had remained on her lashes before a second application was added that morning.
Julia suggested removing the lashes altogether, explaining that if the adhesive remained, Auburn's eyes might continue to be irritated throughout the ceremony and reception. With remarkable patience, she spent the next 10 to 15 minutes using soft wipes and cotton swabs to carefully remove every trace of the glue that had become such an irritant.
Looking back, I'm not sure Auburn would have accepted that advice if it had come from me. But coming from Julia—calm, thoughtful, and so graciously reassuring (qualities that undoubtedly make her an exceptional speech-language pathologist)—Auburn trusted her. Torie agreed with the plan, the false lashes were left off, and little by little Auburn's eyes began to calm. Her natural lashes were already beautifully long, and once the irritation subsided, her stunning blue eyes became the focal point once again.
It was one of those quiet moments that could have become a wedding-day crisis but instead became a beautiful reminder that sometimes the right friend, with just the right words spoken at just the right time, is one of God's sweetest gifts.
Around 11:00 a.m., however, the morning took an unexpected turn. As Auburn was having her makeup applied, her eyes simply would not stop watering. The tears kept streaming down her face, making it nearly impossible for the makeup artist to create the soft, flawless look she had envisioned.
The evening before, we had both worn false eyelashes for the rehearsal dinner. They had been attached with adhesive, and although my eyes had felt slightly sensitive, I tolerated them without much trouble. With a fresh application of lashes and more adhesive that morning, it quickly became apparent that Auburn was having a different experience. Her beautiful crystal-blue eyes—already framed by naturally long, dark lashes—were becoming increasingly red, irritated, and watery.
The artists tried soothing eye drops, which briefly reduced the redness but did nothing to stop the tears. Each time Auburn gently blotted her eyes, it disturbed the makeup just enough that it became difficult to achieve the smooth finish everyone was hoping for. As a mother, it was hard to watch. This was her wedding day, and instead of simply enjoying the moment, she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Then one of her bridesmaids, her dear friend Julia, quietly stepped in. She asked Auburn if they could walk outside together for a few minutes. Away from the activity of the bridal suite, Julia gently shared what she suspected was happening. She believed Auburn was having an allergic reaction to the eyelash adhesive—possibly because some of the glue from the rehearsal dinner had remained on her lashes before a second application was added that morning.
Julia suggested removing the lashes altogether, explaining that if the adhesive remained, Auburn's eyes might continue to be irritated throughout the ceremony and reception. With remarkable patience, she spent the next 10 to 15 minutes using soft wipes and cotton swabs to carefully remove every trace of the glue that had become such an irritant.
Looking back, I'm not sure Auburn would have accepted that advice if it had come from me. But coming from Julia—calm, thoughtful, and so graciously reassuring (qualities that undoubtedly make her an exceptional speech-language pathologist)—Auburn trusted her. Torie agreed with the plan, the false lashes were left off, and little by little Auburn's eyes began to calm. Her natural lashes were already beautifully long, and once the irritation subsided, her stunning blue eyes became the focal point once again.
It was one of those quiet moments that could have become a wedding-day crisis but instead became a beautiful reminder that sometimes the right friend, with just the right words spoken at just the right time, is one of God's sweetest gifts.
The entire wedding day was built around a carefully orchestrated timeline that Auburn, the photographer, and the wedding coordinator had thoughtfully developed months in advance. Every detail had its place, and unfortunately, there wasn't a single extra minute built in for unexpected makeup complications.
By the time Auburn's eyes had finally settled down, she was understandably a little flustered. She worried there would no longer be enough time for the pajama photos with her bridesmaids and that the delay might cut into the "first look" photographs. I reassured her that everything was going to be fine. Throughout the morning, I had been quietly taking candid photos of the girls laughing, visiting, and enjoying the preparations. More importantly, despite the unexpected detour, we were still remarkably close to schedule.
Soon it was finally time for Auburn to slip into her wedding dress. We even paused for a few photographs of me using the tiny button hook to fasten the seemingly endless row of buttons down the back of her dress.
Now for the truth behind those beautiful photos—they were a bit of "fake news."
Caroline Wallace, Auburn's matron of honor, was actually the one who knew how to use the button hook. She patiently fastened every button while I stepped in afterward to pose for the sentimental mother-of-the-bride pictures. In addition, Caroline was brave enough to competently steam-iron Auburn's gown! I am amazed by the skills and confidence of young women these days!
By the time Auburn's eyes had finally settled down, she was understandably a little flustered. She worried there would no longer be enough time for the pajama photos with her bridesmaids and that the delay might cut into the "first look" photographs. I reassured her that everything was going to be fine. Throughout the morning, I had been quietly taking candid photos of the girls laughing, visiting, and enjoying the preparations. More importantly, despite the unexpected detour, we were still remarkably close to schedule.
Soon it was finally time for Auburn to slip into her wedding dress. We even paused for a few photographs of me using the tiny button hook to fasten the seemingly endless row of buttons down the back of her dress.
Now for the truth behind those beautiful photos—they were a bit of "fake news."
Caroline Wallace, Auburn's matron of honor, was actually the one who knew how to use the button hook. She patiently fastened every button while I stepped in afterward to pose for the sentimental mother-of-the-bride pictures. In addition, Caroline was brave enough to competently steam-iron Auburn's gown! I am amazed by the skills and confidence of young women these days!
Just as I thought we had navigated the biggest challenge of the morning, my phone buzzed with a text from Ron.
"Trey doesn't have a cummerbund."
Of all the wedding-day emergencies I had anticipated, a missing cummerbund wasn't one of them.
The nearest Men's Wearhouse was nearly an hour away, so I immediately texted Trey's cousin Brian, as I knew he owned a tux for all the AU sorority formals. Perhaps he had a cummerbund to loan Trey. Brian graciously checked, only to discover his tuxedo included a vest instead. In fact, both Brian and Trey admitted they had to look up exactly what a cummerbund was!
Thankfully, our family once again proved that weddings are a team effort. Uncle Mike drove into town to pick up the missing cummerbund, delivered it to Uncle Beau's VRBO, and Beau completed the final leg by bringing it to Auburn Oaks Farm just in time. Could the photographs have looked perfectly fine with everyone's tuxedo jackets buttoned? Absolutely. But there was something reassuring about knowing every detail—even the hidden ones—was exactly as it was meant to be.
Looking back, that's what I remember most about the morning. There were little surprises, a few unexpected problems, and plenty of moments that could have caused stress. Instead, they became reminders of how many people were quietly working behind the scenes, eager to help in whatever way they could, simply because they loved Auburn and Josh.
"Trey doesn't have a cummerbund."
Of all the wedding-day emergencies I had anticipated, a missing cummerbund wasn't one of them.
The nearest Men's Wearhouse was nearly an hour away, so I immediately texted Trey's cousin Brian, as I knew he owned a tux for all the AU sorority formals. Perhaps he had a cummerbund to loan Trey. Brian graciously checked, only to discover his tuxedo included a vest instead. In fact, both Brian and Trey admitted they had to look up exactly what a cummerbund was!
Thankfully, our family once again proved that weddings are a team effort. Uncle Mike drove into town to pick up the missing cummerbund, delivered it to Uncle Beau's VRBO, and Beau completed the final leg by bringing it to Auburn Oaks Farm just in time. Could the photographs have looked perfectly fine with everyone's tuxedo jackets buttoned? Absolutely. But there was something reassuring about knowing every detail—even the hidden ones—was exactly as it was meant to be.
Looking back, that's what I remember most about the morning. There were little surprises, a few unexpected problems, and plenty of moments that could have caused stress. Instead, they became reminders of how many people were quietly working behind the scenes, eager to help in whatever way they could, simply because they loved Auburn and Josh.
Around 3:30 p.m., the entire wedding party—including the flower girls and ring bearers—made our way to the wedding barn chapel. By that point, we had experienced a few passing afternoon thunderstorms, so we carefully made the hundred-yard walk with umbrellas in hand, hoping to keep everyone and everything looking as fresh as possible.
The photographer did an incredible job leading the process. With so many people involved, she efficiently organized the various groups, quickly capturing family photos, bridal party shots, and all the combinations needed before guests began arriving. The goal was to return to The Main House by 4:00 p.m. so the girls could have a few quiet moments to relax and prepare before the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.
Remarkably, we actually stayed on schedule.
The photographer did an incredible job leading the process. With so many people involved, she efficiently organized the various groups, quickly capturing family photos, bridal party shots, and all the combinations needed before guests began arriving. The goal was to return to The Main House by 4:00 p.m. so the girls could have a few quiet moments to relax and prepare before the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.
Remarkably, we actually stayed on schedule.
Back at the house, the groomsmen gathered casually in the kitchen and living room while the bridesmaids retreated to the back bedroom for a few final hair and makeup touch-ups. I was completely unaware of what was happening behind that closed door. In fact, I was peacefully relaxing on the sofa, thinking everything was ready.
What I didn't know was that several of Auburn's bridesmaids had quietly decided to take matters into their own hands and completely redo her makeup.
After all the tears, blotting, wiping, and reapplication throughout the morning, they felt her makeup had started to look a bit heavy and cakey. Their solution? Start fresh. They gently removed most of the makeup and recreated a softer, more natural look that allowed Auburn's true beauty to shine through.
And the result was absolutely stunning.
Auburn looked radiant as she prepared to walk down the aisle. Her makeup was elegant, fresh, and perfectly suited to her. Ironically, I didn't learn about this behind-the-scenes rescue mission until the day after the wedding! Looking back, it makes me smile because it perfectly captures the spirit of the entire day—friends who noticed a need, stepped in with love, and quietly made sure Auburn felt her very best.
What I didn't know was that several of Auburn's bridesmaids had quietly decided to take matters into their own hands and completely redo her makeup.
After all the tears, blotting, wiping, and reapplication throughout the morning, they felt her makeup had started to look a bit heavy and cakey. Their solution? Start fresh. They gently removed most of the makeup and recreated a softer, more natural look that allowed Auburn's true beauty to shine through.
And the result was absolutely stunning.
Auburn looked radiant as she prepared to walk down the aisle. Her makeup was elegant, fresh, and perfectly suited to her. Ironically, I didn't learn about this behind-the-scenes rescue mission until the day after the wedding! Looking back, it makes me smile because it perfectly captures the spirit of the entire day—friends who noticed a need, stepped in with love, and quietly made sure Auburn felt her very best.
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