At a crosswalk across from the church they both attended while in college at the University of North Carolina, Emerson Schulz and Jeff Kenna met for the first time. “Looking back, I think it’s quite symbolic of a later walk we’d make down the aisle, and the journey of faith, love, and sacrifice that we will walk together in the course of our lives,” describes Emerson. 

On a visit to their alma mater during a trip from their new home in Austin, the two opted to take a walk around campus and attend the university basketball game. “I was completely surprised when he kneeled down by a tree, where he would often find me studying, and popped the question,” reveals Emerson. “Both of our families then surprised her as well to celebrate the great occasion,” Jeff adds.

The ceremony was set to take place in one of the newest and largest cathedrals in the United States. “It has a more modern dome with ‘Carolina Blue’ and gold accents,” illustrates the bride, who mentions that she asked their floral designer to incorporate lots of light blue flowers into the colorful arrangements on the altar and throughout the sanctuary. “Light blue is also the color that symbolizes Mother Mary, which was important to us, as we were getting married on Mother’s Day Weekend.”

Emerson entered the house of worship to the tunes of “Prince of Denmark’s March.” She was resplendent in a timeless ball gown, beautifully complemented by a veil constructed by her mother. “My mother is my best friend and also a talented seamstress. Using the pearls from her own wedding dress, she adorned the veil with floral lace and her pearls, serving as the ‘something old,’” shares the bride. She carried a feminine bouquet of lush peonies, hydrangeas, roses, and tulips, as well as a handmade cross rosary that her older brother made for her. “It was made of pearls and blue beads and was my ‘something blue’ object,” she says of the sentimental religious piece. 

“I felt there was no better favor to share with my guests than a feast of flowers for their eyes.”

Having bonded over their love of travel, especially to Europe, the twosome took inspiration from the groom’s favorite loafer company that happen to have two lions in its branding and are similar to crests they saw while vacationing in France. “We are also both summer babies, so we always laugh about our Leo personalities and ways of looking at the world so similarly,” tells Emerson of the astrological details that helped to form their wedding motif. 

Continuing with an elevated “European meets chic-Carolinian” concept, the couple arranged with their planner – Gina Myers of La Cosa Bella Events – to have the reception décor focus on showcasing an abundance of fresh blooms. “I wanted to use my family’s collection of Dutch chinoiserie vases to bring in the rich blues, so my florist used many of these vases for the table floral arrangements,” details the bride. “Giving flowers can be considered one of the most endearing forms of flattery and love, so I felt there was no better favor to share with my guests than a feast of flowers for their eyes.” 

During an amazing sit-down dinner, guests were able to get a front row seat to a choreographed routine of a Two-Step-meets-Carolina-Shag performed by the newly married couple, followed by the bride dancing with her father and then again with her mother. “I grew up in a house full of music and dancing, so it only felt right,” confides the bride of her twist on tradition.

To keep their guests energized and on the dance floor, Emerson and Jeff offered a range of wedding cake flavors. “We chose ‘Summer Loving,’ a light lemon-blueberry buttercream as the largest layer, ‘Jamocha Me Crazy’ as the middle layers, as we loved the pairing of our favorite guilty pleasures of coffee and chocolate, and ‘London Fog’ as the top layer, which consisted of the most unique flavors we have ever had in a cake, Earl Grey tea and caramel,” Emerson divulges. 

Looking around the room, taking in the view of their loved ones celebrating together – including Emerson’s friend and French pen pal from middle school – felt like a dream. “Emerson and I shared a very similar childhood. We both come from strong families rooted in faith, and both have only brothers for siblings,” Jeff describes. With these qualities at the forefront, their nuptials were focused on guest experience, centered on faith, incorporated family, and filled with fun. “We wouldn’t change a thing, except spend even more time with those we love!” declares Emerson.

This real wedding was originally published in the Fall 2024 expanded-digital issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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