Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: The Lumsden-Daniels Wedding

By Anna Cooper

Photography By Christen Jones Photography

Jessica Lumsden married the love of her life, Danny Daniels III, on November 10th, 2018. The ceremony was located at Davies Plantation in the Hillwood venue. The rustic ceremony was presided over by Richard Golden, uncle of the groom. The big day was sunny but extremely cold; it was literally 30 degrees outside, but the couple was happy as long as the sun was shining.

Jessica is the daughter of Hayley Strickland and Roger Elliott of Munford, Tennessee. The maid of honor was Maggie Billings and the bridesmaids were Sydney Lumsden, Kolbie Reid, Cameron Daniels, and Kaitlyn Elliott. Each member of the bridal party wore Marsala Clara Chiffon skirts with dove-grey Sophie Chiffon Tops from Revelry of Austin, Texas. The adorable flower girls, Briley Coop and Adley Strickland, were clad in coordinating Marsala colored dresses that matched the bridesmaids' skirts.

Danny is the son of Danny and Heather Daniels of Shelby Forest. His best man was Troy Dow and the groomsmen were Ryan Ingram, Parker Wells, and Trey Elliott. Each of the groomsmen wore white button-down’s from Gap with navy-blue slacks from Men’s Warehouse, suspenders from H&M, a burgundy tie and pocket square from The Tie Bar, and a pair of light brown dress shoes from Journey’s. The absolutely delightful and charming ring bearers were Maddox Ingram and Reece Diffee. The two quickly tottled down the aisle just before the flower girls.

With a handkerchief from her Great Aunt Betty, new Diamond earrings, a borrowed bracelet, and blue personalized wedding intimates, Jessica was ready to walk down the aisle. Her hair was styled by Kaitlyn Berryhill of Hair and Body Works in Brighton, Tennessee and her make-up was applied by the graceful hands of Kasey Acuff of Kasey Acuff Makeup in Memphis. Jessica wore an ivory wedding dress with straps, lace, tulle, and sequins; the back of her dress was sheer with buttons down the back and lace. The top of Jessica’s dress was fitted tightly on the top. At the waist, it flared out and had a small, beaded belt. Her veil was chapel length and had a floral design around the edges. Jessica also had a chapel length train that trailed behind her as she walked toward the love of her life, Danny.

The groom awaited his bride at the end of the aisle wearing a white button-down from Gap, navy blue slacks and vest from Men’s Warehouse, burgundy tie from The Tie Bar, and light brown dress shoes from Journey’s. The groom was framed by greenery, red petals, and large lanterns on the mantel behind where they gave each other their vows. All of the flowers were by Kacie Cooper Floral Design and consisted of red, burgundy and white flowers, greenery, and red berries in bouquets. The men’s boutonnieres had greenery and red berries, but the couple’s mothers and grandmothers had white roses and greenery for corsages. During the reception, there were greenery and red petals with lanterns as centerpieces on tables. The same flower scheme was added to the bride and groom’s cupcakes and table.

Drapers Catering of Memphis catered Jessica and Danny’s reception. The couple decided on a Mexican Style Buffet with many different items to choose from! Sweet Scentsations of Atoka provided a wedding cake composed of strawberry cupcakes with vanilla icing, but the top tier was a strawberry cake with vanilla icing. The groom's cake, also by Sweet Scentsations, and was composed of white cake cupcakes with white and burgundy icing. The DJ for the reception was Jordabella Entertainment of Arlington, Tennessee. For the First Dance, “Faithfully” by Journey was played. The father-daughter dance was to the song “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack and the mother-son dance was to the song “Simple Man” by Shine Down. The photographer was Christen Jones Photography of Memphis and the videographer was Lynn Productions of Jackson. Invitations were completed via White Lace Designs on Etsy; they were burgundy, navy blue, and floral invites with an RSVP card. The Calligrapher was a friend of the happy couple, Vanessa Smith.

The couple had several soirees before their big day. An Engagement Party was hosted by Sydney Lumsden, sister of the bride, at Munford United Methodist Church and had a burgundy/rustic theme. Friends of the couple held a shower at the Shelby Forest Civic Center.

It was hosted by Maggie Billings, Troy Dow, and Kolbie Reid. At the Daniels family shower, Heather Daniels, Kim Welsh, and Barbara Daniels hosted, also at the Shelby Forest Civic Center. A fiesta themed shower was held at Jessica’s work and was hosted by Maribeth Childress, Teresa Cox, Melba Tross, and Erika Deaton. The Lumsden family shower was hosted by Hayley and Diane Strickland at The Old Band Room in Munford. The Rehearsal Dinner was hosted by the groom’s family at Hillwood, where the wedding was also held.

The two were introduced by a friend one night while midnight bowling. Jessica didn’t know her friend had concocted this plan to introduce the two. Ever since then, Jessica and Danny have been together.

The two became engaged on Thanksgiving Day in 2016. Danny’s grandparents own Bud Hill in Shelby Forest and he told Jessica that his granddad had left a mini disc (an important anniversary gift) at the Hill and that they needed to go grab it. When the couple got there, Danny asked Jessica to come and help him look for it, and so she did. Danny had it marked and “found it.” As Jessica started to head to the car, Danny pulled out a ring and got on one knee. Jessica said, “It was the most special moment of my life and I was lucky enough that his dad was disguised in hunting attire and hidden in the wooded area and videoed the whole thing.”

The two honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Danny is an industrial metering welder and installer at MLGW and Jessica is the attendance secretary at Millington Elementary.

We want to forward our best wishes to the happy couple!