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Questioning the feasibility and rationale of her plan ,
Ashley confided in a friend on Thursday morning and asked her opinion . The foremost question her friend asked was , “ What are you most excited about for your March wedding ?” Everything that was important to Ashley could happen Saturday at the engagement party . Collin felt assured their plan would come together . With blessings from their parents and their pastor , Collin and Ashley committed to a surprise wedding . Still , would all the vendors be available — and , perhaps even trickier , could they keep such a secret in a small , southern town ?
Everyone was on board . The South hadn ’ t seen two women move that fast since Scarlett O ’ Hara and Melanie Wilkes fled Atlanta . Even Florence County ’ s marriage license rules fell in their favor ; couples only need a one-day waiting period .
Still , Ashley needed a dress . She ’ d ordered one from London and Lace in Columbia , but it wasn ’ t scheduled to arrive for months . Ashley ’ s mom called the boutique owner , Lisa Kyzer , to see what could be done . Lisa knew if anyone would be willing to help , it would be Eugenia Couture , the designer . Eugenia and her daughter , Barbara , happily met the challenge . Four seamstresses worked to complete and alter the ivory satin and lace gown . It shipped from New York that night .
Saturday night arrived . Ashley and Collin ’ s childhood friends , family , and bridal party went to Pam and Scotty Campbell ’ s house , expecting an engagement party . An hour into the party , Ashley ’ s Aunt Sue directed family and friends to the front yard for a picture . A group picture was something Ashley would do . The guests dropped their drinks and plates and left the warmth of the house without suspicion . Meanwhile , the bridal party was instructed to remain in the house for a “ surprise .” The bridesmaids met Ashley in her childhood bedroom , where they were surprised to find her wearing her wedding dress . As her mom handed out bouquets , Ashley explained that she was marrying Collin that night . Emotions varied from shock to denial . And yes , some bridesmaids needed it explained twice .
While surprise turned to tears of joy upstairs , downstairs Collin relayed the news to his groomsmen . Their disbelief matched that of the bridesmaids , although their responses were more subdued . With bow ties straightened and boutonnieres pinned , they were ready .
Outside , party guests waited restlessly for a photo to be taken . Then , a violinist came from behind the house . He played softly as the mothers of the bride and groom were escorted out of the front door and to the yard . The guests were confused . “ What is this ?” one of them asked . Multiple people questioned , “ Where did all these photographers come from ?”
Collin and Rev . Shane Patrick walked out to the front porch . When the pastor was seen wearing his liturgical robe , people realized what was happening . The energy among the crowd was electric . In the house , Ashley and her dad could hear their friends and family cheering . The bridal party filed out of the house and flanked the flowerbeds on each side of the porch .
A trumpet voluntary was played , and Ashley ’ s dad led her to the front porch . Under the porch light in the brisk December air , the pastor explained how Ashley and Collin had come to him 48 hours earlier with an idea . They wanted to surprise their guests with a wedding .
A radiant bride stood between the front porch columns of her parents ’ house . At each pause in the ceremony , she turned around to her friends and family and grinned with excitement . When the pastor pronounced the couple “ man and wife ,” the crowd cheered once more .
What ’ s most surprising about their idea ? Is it that a few southern women pulled off a wedding in 48 hours ? Not really . Is it that you could keep a secret like this in a small , southern town ? Almost .
What ’ s most surprising about this idea is that , in a year where “ huge ” was a buzzword and in a culture where “ bling ” carries more weight than substance , two young people traded a large , formal production for an intimate , joyous ceremony . Four hours later , they were still dancing in the back yard .
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