After seventeen years, eight months, four days and a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States Tim Pierce and Brandt Edwards are joyfully and happily married. Surreal. Unbelievable. Fabulous. Emotional. Incredible. Unbelievable. Spectacular. Amazing. Unbelievable…all words that attempt to describe the gamut of feelings experienced this past week.  Who’s going to wear the dress?  Who’s going to walk you down the aisle? Who’s going to give you away? Who’s going to take which name? All questions that were asked over and over…tongue in cheek and with great anticipation. But, the bottom line…they are legally married just like any other couple in the United States of America. The joy of that legality is second only to the unconditional love they’ve shared for the past seventeen plus years. Life is good!!!

Friends Dinner

The wedding weekend began on Friday evening at The Chef’s Table at Seasons 52. The guests were greeted upon arrival by a spectacular floral sculpture created by the floral artists at The Garden District. A gathering of friends spanning fifty years joined Tim and Brandt for an evening full of…

LAUGHS…

Libations…

 

 

Lucious Food…

and LOVE!!!

Nola, Todd and Tommy ‘s gift was an incredible way to begin the weekend. And, Scott’s gift of wine pairings took it over the moon.

  

The evening was capped off in The Corner Bar at The Peabody Hotel where the cocktail waitress took an unexpected interest in the party and generously gifted Tim and Brandt with the iconic Peabody ducks in chocolate and stuffed with chocolate. A sweet ending to the perfect Pre-wedding event.

Wedding Day

South Main “family” members, Terry and Philip Woodard allowed the use of their home for the ceremony and reception. Given the broad range of design skills many of their friends have it was a given the event would have a “not done ’til it’s overdone” aesthetic.  They gathered on Saturday morning and in record time created a magical setting for a spectacular evening.

The ceremony was held at sunset overlooking The Mississippi River…a body of water starting as a small stream and growing, growing, growing finally spilling out in the unbound Gulf of Mexico.  A body of water symbolizing Tim and Brandt’s relationship and it’s chance meeting that has grown into a love that also has no boundaries.

Tim wore his mother’s Cameo Brooch on his lapel and Brandt wore his mother’s Cameo Club pin on his.  Helen was Ms. Mississippi Senior and represented the state in Atlantic City in the Ms. America Senior Pageant.  She became a member of The Cameo Club after her reign. Guests gathered on the balcony as the groom’s entered…notice Tim wetting his lips before going on stage and Brandt saying, “oh shit, this is for real”.

Precious friend K.C. read from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. The author’s words speak of a love that allows two people to love each other wholeheartedly but maintain their unique and God-given individual identity.

Father Tommy Sheppard of St. Francis Old Catholic Church officiated. Father Tommy and The Old Catholic Church recognize all love…without condition.  Finding an officiant they felt good about and one that was “allowed” to perform all weddings was actually the most challenging element of the entire wedding process.

And in what was called a “beautiful ceremony” they were announced Joyfully and Happily married!!!

And now for what most of you have been waiting for…

The flowers were Glorious!!!

Eremurus, Amaranthus, Amaryllis, Anthuriums, Celosia, Calla Lilies and Orchids touched the ceiling in a divine display of celebration.

Tim’s personal aesthetic is seen in this architectural piece combining callas with champagne grapes, plums, eggplants and black berries

   

Every detail was given special attention not by one designer… but six!!!

And the food received rave reviews!!!

Guacamole Dressed Egg’s and Garlic Seared Beef Tenderloin

Himalayan Salt Rock Grilled Shrimp with Edamame Salad

BBQ Bourbon Chicken and Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Torte

Stilton and Fresh Figs

Manchego and Honeycomb with Berries

Let Them Eat Cake

The idea of a Bride’s cake and a Groom’s cake is passe’.  Just like Brandt signing on the bride’s line when applying for the marriage license.  These things take time…but it’s a new day.  Instead of two cakes…Tim and Brandt had THREE.

The first tier was devil’s food cake with marshmallow filling and chocolate frosting wrapped in chocolate modeling clay and topped with chocolate dipped marshmallows. Devil’s food cake with seven-minute icing was the cake Tim’s mother made for all of his birthday’s.  The cake was in memory of Fay as was the use of her amber vase filled with her favorite flower; lily of the valley.

The second tier was classic strawberry cake with fresh strawberry filling, buttercream icing, wrapped with white chocolate modeling clay and topped with crystallized strawberries. Photos of parent’s and favorite relatives graced the cake table remembering love past and symbolizing love eternal.

The top tier was classic caramel cake with caramel icing, topped with chocolate covered caramels and chocolate cigarettes and wrapped with chocolate modeling clay.  Tim Pierce, Designer…Holly Whitworth, Creator: Creative Cakes, Tupelo, MS.

The couple celebrated with Cristal…a gift they had been saving for an occasion like a birthday when both digits change…not thinking the possibility of a day such as this was a remote possibility.  The rose ball on the urn was in memory of Stella, Brandt’s maternal grandmother.  She was an amazing ceramic artist and loved pink.  She made the urn and they honored her memory with fifty pink roses.

Friends

The engagement was short…10 weeks. Unexpected to most, Tim wanted to go to the courthouse, say “I do” and be done. It was Brandt that wanted a ceremony in front of God and a few friends.  “A simple wedding”, he said.  The anniversary of when they met was considered but was quickly nixed as one lifelong friend would be out of the country. September 5 was chosen because a close cousin was already planning a trip to California and luckily it was a glorious day.  The guests list had to be small due to the venue.  Determining the guests list is truly an uncomfortable task.  However, they went with life-long friends, immediate relatives and the small circle of Memphis friends that have become known as “the family”.  Tim insisted on Black Tie.  Since it wasn’t going to be at the courthouse…it was going to be special, memorable and FORMAL!!!

   

  

 

   

Everybody Loves Bucky

Bucky and Tim have worked all over the world together.  The name Bucky has been spoken so many times those that had heard of him for the past 20 years were thrilled to finally get to meet this precious soul.

 

When you go to an event that runs smoothly, is beautifully designed and the food and libation are delicious…it’s because of people like this. You never see them or their sweat and even blood…not the tenderloin but Theta’s finger. There are no words to express the depth of gratitude for the professionalism, talent, attention to detail and most importantly love they offered.  “We couldn’t have done it without you” is not a cliche…it is fact!!!

Sunday Heirloom Brunch

Dear friends Carrie and Sam treated out-of-town guests to a delicious brunch topped off with a special splash of Southern charm and hospitality.

 

 

  

So there you have it…Tim and Brandt are married.  WOW!!!  How Wonderful!!!

Please know it’s an understatement, but…

The house(s) were lovely and a good time was had by all!!!