Abby Raworth & Clayton Wilder
Married
Jan 3, 2026
Ocean Springs ,
Mississippi
Photo Credit
Haley Anspach Photography
Style Guide
Color Palette
Style
Formal, Glamour
Season
Winter
The Proposal
Abby and Clayton’s story begins long before their wedding day, rooted in the quiet familiarity of growing up side by side. The two spent twelve years walking the same hallways and sharing the same classrooms, their friendship keeping them close as they both grew into confident and inspiring individuals! During their senior year of high school, their friendship blossomed into something timeless: true love. True love is a gift that not everyone experiences. For Abby and Clayton, there was no doubt; they couldn’t imagine doing life without one another. One without the other was out of the question; witnessing their love story and seeing how it has already grown and will continue to grow brings us so much joy, knowing that we were able to be a small part of their journey!
What Abby thought would be a quiet dinner at one of her and Clayton’s favorite restaurants turned into a surprise moment she will cherish forever. Before they even made it inside, Clayton proposed in a French-style courtyard, with glowing lights overhead and a brick path leading her toward her true love and his timeless commitment to care for her. After taking it all in together, they were greeted by friends and family, eagerly waiting to celebrate.
In Preparation
From the very beginning, the vision for Abby and Clayton’s wedding was to create an atmosphere that felt timeless yet undeniably modern. As the planner and designer, we leaned into a winter‑refined palette of gold, creams, whites, and touches of black—to strike the perfect balance between classic elegance and contemporary edge. Every choice was not only made with Abby and Clayton’s vision but also with their emphasis on keeping their guests in mind. The goal was to ensure each person felt as cherished as the couple themselves, which meant phenomenal visual and textural design elements that captured every gaze.
Abby’s vision for the wedding was to create something timeless, yet with a distinctly modern edge. Marrying just after the New Year felt like the perfect opportunity to embrace a color palette that reflected the season—mixed metals layered with creams, whites, and touches of black for added depth and sophistication. Above all, she wanted her guests to feel just as special and celebrated as she did. A lively band was a must, along with thoughtfully curated, playful details that made the night unforgettable—custom stir sticks, iconic hats, and personalized napkins that tied the entire experience together with intention and charm.
The Big Day
As Abby slipped into her gown, the entire atmosphere shifted. The dress elevated every space it entered, becoming a focal point without ever overpowering the moment. It framed her with poise and grace, allowing her natural beauty to shine while adding a layer of editorial refinement. In that moment, it wasn’t just a wedding dress, it was a portrait of classic elegance brought to life. For the bridesmaids, simplicity was the point: clean lines, a universally flattering silhouette, and a color that lets every woman feel instantly confident. Instead of competing with the bride or the day’s design, the dresses became a grounding element of the aesthetic, giving the entire bridal party a cool, editorial cohesion. And the groom and groomsmen? Classic black tuxes—what more can you say! There’s a reason the look never goes out of style.
Throughout the evening, the energy remained high with personalized espresso martinis that quickly became the night’s unofficial signature. As the party rolled on, the guests were treated to the the ultimate late‑night indulgence—hot dogs, corn dogs, and fries served just when they were needed most. It was the perfect, playful finale that brought everyone together for one last shared bite before the night came to a close.
It was one of our most breathtaking floral installations to date—a sculptural, all‑white dreamscape that stopped every gaze. Layers of crisp white anemones mingled with soft, cascading orchids, creating movement and texture that felt both ethereal and intentional. The arrangements struck the perfect balance between modern edginess and organic romance, transforming the space into living artwork.
The wedding cake was a showstopper in every sense—set atop a lush floral meadow and framed by the glow of hundreds of candles, it felt almost too beautiful to cut. Its presence alone anchored the room with this dreamy, cinematic magic. And while we couldn’t tell you exactly how much it weighed, we can promise you this: it was a lot, and every layer was worth it.
The groom’s cake was a playful nod to the Mississippi Coast—an ode to its charm, its culture, and yes, its love of a little friendly gambling. Designed as a refined poker table, it carried a sweet wish for the couple: a little luck as they step into their new marriage, dealt with style.
A trolley photo under the Mississippi Coast sky, adding a special touch of their French courtyard proposal to the night. The perfect ode to where their story began and the sweetest way to end the celebration.
The Retreat
The couple enjoyed an undisclosed, private honeymoon experience.
Hallmark Wedding Vendors
EVENT PLANNER: The Wedding Collection
Contributing Vendors
Photography: Haley Anspach Photography | Reception Venue: Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort | Caterer: Naomi‘s Catering | Wedding Cake: French Kiss Pastries | Florals: The Wedding Collection | Rentals & Decor: The Wedding Collection | Wedding Gown: I Do Bridal Couture Covington | Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung | Entertainment: Got Groove NOLA | Groom Suit: S.F. Alman | Hair Stylist: Antonian Salon | Engagement Ring: Pav & Broome | Wedding Bands: Beje Wholesale Diamonds | Invitations: Paume Design Company | Live Painter: Denise Hopkins Fine Art | Makeup Artist: Antonian Salon | Transportation: Gulf Coast Tours Trolley and King Limo Biloxi: | Videographer: Films by Mattlan | Fairytale Fountains: Gearbox Entertainment | Draping/Lighting/Vintage Car: Southern Event Productions |
