For some, Christmas may be a distant memory until December rolls back around. But for newlyweds Callie Lane Lyon and Noah Slack, the magic of the season is lingering well into 2023 as they relive the memories of their wintery wedding in Greenwood, MS. Sparkling beneath the glow of holiday lights and surrounded by seasonal greenery, the couple tied the knot and soaked in an evening of festive fun with their 375 guests. If you’re already pining for next Christmas, take a peek at this enchanting wedding!
Callie Lane and Noah made each other’s acquaintance in their first year at Mississippi State University thanks to a mutual friend, and it was the start of something special. Four years later, Noah decided to make it official, planning for a proposal over the Christmas holiday. “I thought my family was going out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Giardina’s,” Callie Lane tells us of her engagement evening. “As Noah and I drove to the restaurant for what seemed like a normal family dinner, he mentioned wanting to look at a new kitchen storefront Viking had on display. We parked, then strolled alongside the beautiful Yazoo River.”
The river, which runs through downtown Greenwood, provided the perfect proposal backdrop, particularly given its Christmastime decor. It was adorned with twinkling lights, holiday music pumping through the speakers, and local businesses showcasing their prettiest holiday displays. “It is one of my favorite places to visit during the Christmas season,” admits the bride. The couple strolled and enjoyed each other’s company for a bit. Then, without further ado, Noah got down on one knee and asked for Callie Lane’s hand in marriage. Thoroughly surprised, Callie Lane said “yes,” and Noah slipped a ring on her hand from local jewelry shop Lynbar, where her sister happened to be working part-time over the winter break.
In keeping with the Christmas theme, Callie Lane and Noah launched into the planning process for their big day, beginning with setting a date. With visions of a wintry wedding, the couple locked in a December 17, 2022, ceremony at North Greenwood Baptist Church, followed by a reception at Greenwood Country Club. They also hired a planner, selecting Pryor Hackleman of A Pryor Engagement. Even better, Pryor collaborated with Callie Lane’s sister-in-law, Katie Lyon, who works closely with her on wedding designs and florals.
The couple’s love for the season made the wedding day aesthetic a no-brainer. “I wanted the aesthetic to be a nod to the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ while still having a traditional, classic wedding vibe,” explains the bride of her vision. She went with an array of white florals contrasted by seasonal greenery, with little pops of peach and champagne for depth.
Up next? Shopping for the perfect dress, of course! Luckily for Callie Lane, one of her Kappa Delta sorority sisters owns The Bridal Path, a beautiful boutique in Jackson, MS. “She helped me find the perfect dress,” the bride tells us. “It’s an A-line gown with a ‘V’ neckline. Detailed with lace and scattered sequins over champagne tulle on the top, the dress flows into a full satin skirt. The back of the gown featured covered buttons all the way down to the end of the train.”
On the wedding day, Callie Lane gathered with her 11 bridesmaids to chat, reminisce, and get glammed up for the main event. “We got ready at my parent’s home, where I grew up,” the bride tells us. “All of the bridal party spent Friday night after the rehearsal dinner there. Lasa Bennett, a friend of mine and my local hairdresser, did my hair and makeup. Then, she and her Legends Salon & Spa team did hair and makeup for the [rest of the bridal party].”
First looks followed, with an opportunity for Callie Lane to have special surprise moments with her father and bridesmaids before making her way to Noah’s arms. They met up for their pre-ceremony rendezvous in the small church Callie Lane grew up in. It may have been a bit too small to host their ceremony, but it was the perfect spot for a sweet exchange between the future Mr. And Mrs. Slack!
“When we decided not to hold the ceremony at the small church I grew up in, someone shared with us a wonderful idea of how we could incorporate the special place into the wedding day,” says Callie Lane. “We had our first look in my church, where Noah was waiting at the altar. I walked down the aisle to him. We had special time together — hugging, praying, and chatting about how excited we were.”
And just like that, it was official! After a traditional ceremony led by Callie Lane’s childhood pastor, the bride and groom joined their bridal party for a trolley ride to their grand reception at Greenwood Country Club. An evening of dinner and dancing ensued, with fabulous food stations featuring an eclectic mix of dishes such as Mississippi Delta catfish tenderloins, pork tenderloin medallions and yeast rolls with apricot glaze, hot chili meatballs, chicken and waffles with maple syrup, seafood gumbo over rice, cherry tomato caprese skewers with balsamic drizzle, and roasted vegetable pastry squares.
For dessert, guests feasted on a magnificent four-tiered affair from Karyn Burris of Grapevine Cakes. Dotted with fresh flowers and coated in buttercream icing, the special cake was certainly a hit! The groom’s cake was equally delicious — a caramel cake with family recipe white chocolate bread pudding.
Everyone danced the night away to Unfazed Show and Band, and then it was time for the newlyweds to depart, which they did with flair. “We exited through a tunnel of our friends and family holding up sparklers,” says Callie Lane. “Fireworks lit the sky as we drove away in a 1964 blue Lincoln Continental convertible that my cousin owns.” When asked about her favorite details of the day, the bride gushes, “The live garland, Christmas lights, and lit Christmas trees. These added a gorgeous, festive vibe to the elegant evening.” We couldn’t agree more!
In case you’re curious how the couple spent the rest of their Christmas break, they took off on their European honeymoon — the perfect Christmas memory to accompany the perfect Christmastime wedding. “We traveled to Ireland!” exclaims the bride of their post-wedding journey. “We visited the lovely capital city, Dublin, then traveled to the phenomenal Ashford Castle, and ended our honeymoon in Cork City for our first Christmas together as a married couple. It was charming, romantic, and unique. We loved every minute of the adventure.”
Thank you for sharing your day with us, Callie Lane and Noah! And thanks to Kristen Pugh for the photography.
RESOURCES
Ceremony: North Greenwood Baptist Church
Reception: Greenwood Country Club
Planner: Pryor Hackleman of A Pryor Engagement
Photographer: Kristen Pugh Photography
Videographer: Matthew Moore of Third Bird Films
Flowers: Pryor Hackleman of A Pryor Engagement and Katy Lyon of Katy Coleman Design Co.
Stationery: Rebekah Caraway Design & Paper
Calligraphy: Mary Mitchell Hill
Bride’s Hair and makeup: Legends Salon of Greenwood
Bride’s gown: Eddy K from The Bridal Path
Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaid
Groom’s attire: Conerly’s
Catering: Greenwood Country Club
Cakes: Karyn Burris of Grapevine Cakes
Ceremony Music: Vocalists — Anna Leigh Montgomery, Cissye Gallagher, Elder Philip Green, and Stephen Pillow. Pianist — Ray Maddox
Reception Entertainment: Unfazed Show and Band
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