TAYLOR & ANTHONY
Charles H. Morris Center
Savannah, Georgia
December 1, 2017
HOW THEY MET: Taylor Rockette VanAllen & Anthony Ruffino had plans to stick to their traditional holiday schedule—spending Christmas Eve with her family in Florida before jetting off Christmas morning to join his family at their lake house. But to Taylor’s surprise, as they headed to baggage claim after arriving in New York, she saw her parents from across the carousel. “What were they doing there?” remembers Taylor. Anthony had arranged for her parents to catch the same flight but strategically made sure they sat in the front of the plane, while Anthony & Taylor reserved seats in the very last row. It quickly sank in that there had to be a reason they were joining them. After a joyous Christmas celebration with Anthony’s extended family, it became clear. He popped the question the following morning as they took a walk around the lake.
THE VENUE: From the start, they knew a Savannah wedding was in the cards but needed a place that could accommodate their guest count of 230, all while providing the personality and character they had envisioned. The Charles H. Morris Center checked all of their boxes, including the perfect outdoor space for cocktail hour.
THE CHANGE OF PLANS: The couple had originally scheduled an early September date for their celebration but were forced to reschedule to December 1st to avoid an impending hurricane. And while most of their original details easily transitioned to the new date, the change of plans wasn’t without a few hang-ups. “We had Forsyth Park reserved,” remembers Taylor, “and when finding a new date, the park was not available. Our photographer recommended Bethesda Academy, and let me say…it was the best change!” The adjustment meant that they would be tying the knot on a Friday (instead of Saturday) which allowed the couple and all of their guests to enjoy a full weekend in Savannah.
THE LOOK: Taylor fell hard for a Jaimie Sortino gown at Spina Bride in NYC that she customized with a low-cut neckline. Her makeup complemented her personality along with the day’s color palette and featured rosy, gold tones and a darker lip. To round out the look, she carried a sumptuous bouquet of garden roses, white scabiosa, astilbe, and Café au Lait dahlias. Her bridesmaids continued the trend in a variety of neutral, dusty rose and blush colored BHLDN dresses, and even one oh-so-flattering pantsuit.
THE CEREMONY: Taylor had worried that a December date could bring cold weather but the couple was blessed with 70-degree temps and plenty of sunshine. To account for the new date, the couple was forced to move their outdoor ceremony up to 4:30 pm to catch the last bit of sunlight. Taylor, escorted by her father, walked down the aisle to Dolly Parton’s ‘Forever Love’, where she met Anthony in front of a beautiful oak tree.
THE AESTHETIC: Taylor pulled inspiration from the season when planning her color palette, selecting tonal hues of red sprinkled with gold accents. To balance out the glam, she tied in natural greenery with warmer shades—antique ruby and brandy—to enhance the late Fall atmosphere.
THE RECEPTION: Cape Creations Catering wowed guests with a Southern-themed cocktail hour menu boasting BBQ hoecakes and fried green tomato bites, capped off with a grazing station of cheeses, meats, dips, and preserves. The tasty trend continued with the option of short ribs, chermoula salmon or a portobella mushroom entrée accompanied by a sweet potato risotto. The icing on the proverbial cake? A four-tiered, hand-painted, ombre cake by Vintage Soul Cakes that surprisingly tasted even better than it looked!
Check out their talented team of SAVANNAH WEDDING VENDORS …
Ceremony Venue: Bethesda Academy ll Reception Venue: Charles H. Morris Center ll Photographer: The Happy Bloom ll Event Planning & Floral Design: Ivory + Beau ll Catering: Cape Creations Catering ll Cake: Vintage Soul Cakes ll Gown: Jaimie Sortino ll Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN ll Hair & Makeup: Royal Hair & Makeup ll Men’s Attire: The Black Tux ll Rentals: Savannah Vintage Rentals, Savannah Special Events by Ranco, Beachview Event Rentals & Design ll Invitations: Minted ll Band: Emerald Empire Band ll Videographer: Ivory & Iron ll Officiant: Steve Barber
Having your wedding in Savannah, GA? Let us help make sure your guests have the weekend of a lifetime! Our travel team is on-hand to assist you in securing your hotel group blocks. Our stress-free service is easy to use and just one more thing you can check off your list!
