It’s not every day that a bride does her own hair (not to mention her own flowers!) for her wedding day — nor every day when Grandma puts together a special wedding dessert in her own kitchen. But both of these heartwarming images, along with many other homey touches, are part of this wedding album from nuptials on the campus of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, courtesy of Stephen DeVries. The bride gets busy with curling iron and hair spray, and the next thing you see is a lovely cascade of curls; a few minutes’ work before the makeup mirror, a couple of finishing touches with the gown and veil, and she’s ready to slip on pale-blue jeweled heels.
The wedding color of the day, it seems, is blue — tied in to the Auburn University favors, the maids’ dresses, and the groom’s elegant pale-blue tie and dapper plaid vest. After a simple ceremony in a simple chapel, with white fabric cascades and greenery as décor, the newlyweds have a fun moment “jumping for joy” — and then it’s time for celebration. The reception buffet includes banana pudding (what Grandma was busy making!), as well as the gold-trimmed wedding cake — and the favors include tiny seedling pots that each guest can take home. All too soon, the bride and groom know it’s time to take their leave. With a banner proclaiming “We’ve tied the knot!” and “Just Married” on the back window of the car, they drive off into the evening…and a new life together.