High School Besties to Bridesmaid: A Lily-of-the-Valley Wedding Celebrating my Childhood Friend

This one’s personal. I had the honor of being both guest and bridesmaid at my best friend’s intimate, whimsical Savannah wedding—a weekend-long celebration held at the charming boutique hotel, The Bellwether. We met in high school, stayed close through life’s big shifts, and now, I got to watch her marry the love of her life in the most magical, meaningful way.

Oh—and did I mention she’s also a wedding photographer who mentored me when I was just starting out? This wasn’t just any wedding. It was layered in love, memory, and the kind of storytelling magic she brings to her own work.

At the ladies’ luncheon on Friday, we both burst into tears the moment we saw each other. It had been ten years since we’d been in the same place at the same time, and this wedding felt like the most magical way to reconnect—with old memories, with each other, and with all the reasons our friendship has lasted through so many chapters.

• High School Besties to Bridesmaid
• A Wedding Weekend in Savannah Full of Thoughtful Touches
• Lily of the Valley Wedding Theme Meets Monique Lhuillier Magic
• High Tea Service, Ibis Plates & a Bagpipe Wedding Parade
• A Dance for the Generations
• Rooftop Cocktails & “A Goofy Movie” Karaoke
• Farewell Brunch & Herbal Centerpieces You Can Take Home
• 12-Hour Real Wedding Day Timeline
• Weekend Wedding Schedule at a Glance
• Why This Savannah Wedding Was So Special
• Why Savannah is the Perfect Destination for an Intimate Wedding
• The Bellwether Hotel: A Boutique Wedding Venue with Heart
• Why Multi-Day Weddings Make All the Difference
• What Is a Multi-Day Wedding?
• Why Your Photographer Should Be There for All of It
• More Than a Wedding—It’s a Weekend Worth Remembering

A Wedding Weekend in Savannah Full of Thoughtful Touches

More than a single-day celebration, this was a full Savannah intimate wedding weekend at The Bellwether Hotel, a boutique property tucked into one of the city’s charming, oak-draped neighborhoods. The couple created a weekend itinerary for their guests that captured the essence of Savannah:

• 🍵 Afternoon high tea
• 🍻 Brewery hopping through the city’s craft beer scene
• 👻 A spooky-fun ghost tour
• 🥂 Rooftop cocktails with sweeping skyline views
• 🎤 Late-night karaoke featuring deep-cut 90s gems

It was equal parts elegant and silly—Southern hospitality at its most magical.

Lily of the Valley Wedding Theme Meets Monique Lhuillier Magic

The ceremony and decorations drew inspiration from lily of the valley, a delicate flower symbolizing joy and sweetness. The bride wore Bloom by Monique Lhuillier—a soft, botanical green gown that made her look like she’d stepped out of a woodland fairy tale, and a cathedral-length Anthropoligie veil featuring embroidered lily of the valley along the edge.

Bridesmaids (including me!) wore mismatched sage and champagne tones that let her gown shine. Every detail felt intentional, from the ceremony backdrop to the vintage glassware on the tables.

High Tea Service, Ibis Plates & a Bagpipe Wedding Parade

Cocktail hour was a nod to high tea, with hors d’oeuvres served on delicate plates shaped like ibis birds—paired with tea-inspired cocktails and light bites. Guests sipped and snacked while mingling in the warm Savannah air.

And then came one of my favorite moments of the night: a surprise live bagpiper led us in a jubilant parade around the block—one of those delightful moments you never forget. Bagpipes at a Savannah wedding? Unexpected, yes. But it worked.

A Dance for the Generations

This wedding happened to fall on the bride’s parents’ 35th wedding anniversary—so after dinner (which, by the way, was flawlessly served by the Bellwether staff), the two couples shared a dance together. It was emotional, grounding, and just another sign that this love story is rooted in deep family love and legacy, and a reminder that marriage is both a beginning and a continuation.

Southern Tradition: Burying the Bottle

In true Southern tradition, the bride and groom honored the age-old custom of burying a bottle of whiskey to keep the rain away on their wedding day. About a month before the celebration, they made a special trip down to Savannah to bury the bottle in a large planter on The Bellwether’s patio. On the day of the wedding, with blue skies overhead, they dug it up together—laughing, celebrating, and toasting to sunshine and good fortune. It was a playful, symbolic moment that tied regional folklore into the weekend in the most heartfelt way.

Rooftop Cocktails & “A Goofy Movie” Karaoke

Once the sun went down, the bride changed into a flirty cocktail-length wedding dress and we headed to an upscale rooftop bar in Savannah for celebratory toasts.

But we weren’t done yet.

The night ended with a karaoke party at a local dive bar—where the bride and I belted out “Eye to Eye” from A Goofy Movie in full voice. Because love should be epic, goofy, and sung at full volume with your best friend.

Farewell Brunch & Herbal Centerpieces You Can Take Home

The next morning, the weekend wrapped with a farewell brunch where the centerpieces were potted herbs—mint, rosemary, thyme—all planted in rough terracotta pots. Not just beautiful, but practical: guests were encouraged to take them home. (Yes, I grabbed two!)

12-Hour Real Wedding Day Timeline

Time	Activity
11:00 AM	Getting ready at The Bellwether
1:00 PM	First look + portraits
3:00 PM	Ceremony
3:45 PM	High tea hors d’oeuvres
4:30 PM	Bagpipe parade
5:00 PM	Dinner + speeches
6:30 PM	Anniversary dance
7:00 PM	Outfit change
7:30 PM	Rooftop cocktails
9:00 PM	Karaoke at a local bar

Weekend Wedding Schedule at a Glance

Day	Event
Friday	Ladies Luncheon, Brewery Outing + Ghost Tour
Saturday	Wedding day at The Bellwether Hotel
Sunday	Farewell Brunch and beach trip

Why This Savannah Wedding Was So Special

It wasn’t just the lily of the valley wedding theme, or the rooftop views, or the ibis-shaped plates. It was the layers of meaning—decades of friendship, creative storytelling, and intentional hospitality—that made this a weekend we’ll all carry with us.

This was a love story deeply rooted in connection, family legacy, and celebration. A fairy tale made real, one rooftop toast and bagpipe parade at a time.

The bride and I go way back—we were on dance team together in high school, spent afternoons learning to sew side by side, and even made our own prom dresses. She was the one who took me to my very first concert (Boys Like Girls and Never Shout Never—iconic), and when I started my own business, she mentored me through it all—cheering me on, answering questions, and sharing her hard-earned wisdom.

Being part of her wedding day wasn’t just meaningful—it was an honor.

Why Savannah is the Perfect Destination for an Intimate Wedding

Savannah blends Southern elegance with storybook charm—making it one of the dreamiest spots in the country for a destination wedding. From oak-lined alleys at Wormsloe Historic Site, to the cobblestone streets and secret gardens of downtown Savannah and Forsythe Park, to sunrise walks on Tybee Island beach where the lighthouse glows golden in the morning light… it’s a city made for memory-making. I personally visited the beach twice during the wedding weekend, and both mornings had the beach to myself—quiet, beautiful, and full of promise. Whether you’re after history, nature, or charm in every corner, Savannah delivers.

Thinking about turning your Savannah wedding into a full destination experience? Don’t miss my guide to the Best Engagement Photo Locations in Savannah, Georgia—perfect for couples planning a getaway weekend, a beachy Tybee session, or just soaking up the charm of the Lowcountry ahead of the big day.

The Bellwether Hotel: A Boutique Wedding Venue with Heart

Just a few blocks from Forsythe Park and the buzz of downtown, The Bellwether House Hotel is a boutique gem perfect for weddings of 10–30 guests. This historic Savannah inn is upscale without being stuffy—think cozy corners, curated vintage decor, and thoughtful luxury at every turn. They serve high tea daily for all guests as well as cocktail hour, and their tucked away cocktail bar is ideal for toasts under the stars on the back porch. The service was flawless, the food impeccable, and the location walkable to everything you’d want your guests to explore. For couples dreaming of a Savannah boutique hotel wedding that’s as stylish as it is heartfelt, The Bellwether is pure magic.

And the best part? The bride and groom can revisit The Bellwether House for years to come, on anniversaries and just-because weekends.

Why Multi-Day Weddings Make All the Difference

When your guests are flying in from across the country—or across the world—why limit the celebration to just a few hours? A multi-day wedding gives you the chance to stretch out the joy, slow down the pace, and truly savor time with the people you love. It’s how you get both: the classic wedding day you’ve always dreamed of and the personal, intentional moments that make it feel uniquely yours. From welcome dinners and city tours to farewell brunches and beach sunrises, these extended celebrations let your guests feel cared for and connected. And no, they’re not just for Cancun resorts—multi-day weddings can be just as magical in historic cities like Savannah, where every corner offers another opportunity for memory-making.

What Is a Multi-Day Wedding?

A multi-day wedding doesn’t mean you’re getting married three days in a row—it simply means your wedding is part of a fuller, more relaxed experience. It usually includes a welcome event the day before—like ours, which featured a ladies’ luncheon, a men’s cigar meetup, and a haunted Savannah ghost tour—and wraps up with a farewell moment after the big day, like a brunch or beach outing. It’s about creating space to connect with your guests, honor your story, and make the most of everyone being together in one place. Especially for destination weddings, it’s the best way to soak it all in without feeling rushed.

Read about another multi-day celebration I captured: A Summer Solstice Wedding in Northern Idaho.

Why Your Photographer Should Be There for All of It

So many of the most meaningful memories don’t happen during the ceremony—they happen over coffee the morning of, or while laughing through a ghost tour, or during a quiet hug goodbye at brunch. When your photographer is there for the full celebration, we’re able to tell the whole story: not just the vows, but the buildup, the joy, the little in-between moments that make your wedding yours. These aren’t just snapshots—they’re legacy memories you’ll look back on for years to come.

More Than a Wedding—It’s a Weekend Worth Remembering

Whether you’re planning a weekend celebration in Savannah or a cozy gathering somewhere else, I specialize in capturing stories that feel like you. Let’s dream it up together.