The Night Before.
Rehearsal Dinner of Mr. & Mrs. Dalton Hardison at the Hendricks Building in Water Valley, Mississippi
“The best love stories begin with a night like this.”
-UNKNOWN
There were so many days, nights, early morning coffee chats, shopping trips, and "workdays" that revolved around making this one night truly unforgettable. A night that meant everything.
To know Lizzie and Dalton is to love them. Their hearts are generous, giving, and full of grace—which made all of us feel this deep desire to make everything absolutely perfect for them.
When Dalton decided he wanted to spend forever with Lizzie, he asked me if I’d capture the moment he proposed. Without hesitation, I said yes. Their proposal was the picture of elegance and timeless romance (which deserves its own blog post, by the way). It set the tone for what was to come—and gave us an early preview of the level of detail we’d be chasing when rehearsal dinner planning began.
The dinner took place at The Hendricks Building in Water Valley, Mississippi—a quaint, old-timey town filled with character and charm. Next door sat The Hummingbird Bakery, where the kind-hearted owners kept us fueled with homemade treats during our three-day setup. The smell of fresh-baked bread floated through the air, adding a cozy warmth to the whole experience.
We quickly learned that in a town like Water Valley, everyone knows everyone—and when new people come to town, the whole place is curious. Think “famous in a small town.” We had curious visitors peeking through the windows to catch a glimpse of the décor, and even the local garden club stopped by to say hello. It was like a breath of fresh air in a world that usually moves way too fast.
The venue itself was spacious—6,000 square feet of creative freedom. We took full advantage of it. Billowing drapes were suspended through the center of the room, dividing the space just enough to give it flow while still keeping it open and airy. Family and bridal party tables were serpentined, with greenery and glowing floating candles, creating a romantic, ambient atmosphere. Whiskey barrels served as dessert and drink stations, dressed in fresh florals and framed photographs of Lizzie and Dalton, adding a personal touch to every corner of the space.
The food? Absolutely incredible. Guests were welcomed with starters like fruit and cheese, spinach & artichoke dip, and a rich crawfish dip. For entrées, we served fried chicken tenders, smoked pork loin, Philly cheesesteak sliders, and hot ham and cheese sliders. The sides were Southern comfort at its best—a mashed potato bar with all the fixings (bacon, cheese, green onions), brown sugar green beans, and creamy macaroni and cheese. If anyone left hungry, well… they simply weren’t trying.
The evening closed with heartfelt speeches from the best man, the bride’s father, and several dear friends. Emotions ran high in the most beautiful way. As the final notes of soft music played and guests slowly trickled out, there was this undeniable sense of warmth and joy in the room—a reminder of why we put our hearts into every last detail.
I would like to close with this bible verse:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
What a joy it was to witness the night before forever.
Credits for decor: Chrissi Hardison, Wendy Lester, Vangie Harris