Alexandra Rae Bruns and Matthew Scott Blair exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 at 3 p.m. outside Freyburg Hall in Freyburg. The couple was married by Pastor Tim Rowell of Flatonia Baptist Church under the live oak trees and a cedar arbor. Matt and Alexandra first met through the World Race, a year long mission trip and discipleship program.
The bride is the daughter of Shawn and Shawna Bruns of Flatonia. The groom is the son of Greg and Michelle Blair of Carrollton, Ga.
Grandparents of the bride are Douglas and Sandra Mica of Flatonia, Harvey and Gloria Oeding of La Grange, and the late Nolan Bruns Jr. Grandparents of the groom are Retha Helton and the late Danny Helton, and J.P. Blair and the late Melba Blair, all of Carroll County, Ga. Godparents of the bride are Danny and Audra Janecka.
The bride, escorted down the aisle by her father, wore an Ai Vy Grace fit-and-flare gown with added bishop sleeves and buttons down the train, gold and pearl earrings, and flowers in her hair. Carmen Weidemann altered and bustled her gown. Alexandra carried a bouquet of ranunculus, scabiosa, dahlias, various roses and nandina. The groom chose a burgundy suit with a patterned tie. The couple shared hand written vows with one another.
Natalie Tyer of Richmond, Va. led worship on acoustic guitar before and during the ceremony. Songs included “Worthy Of It All,” “Be Thou My Vision” and “Gratitude.”
Elizabeth Bruns Price served her sister as matron of honor and Katherine Bruns served her sister as maid of honor. Other bridemaids included Carlyn Clark, Abigail Schacherl Lueck, Katie Mares Dillon, Abbey Stroder Ratcliff, Kaci Pavlicek Rowell, Leanna Dunk Gray, Kaitlin Hukill, Bethany Hernandez Lugo and Laura Blount. The flower girls were Mabel Price, Ava Lueck, Margo Ratcliff and Murphy Ratcliff. The bridal attendants wore long dresses in a variety of fall shades and carried bouquets of ranunculus, scabiosa and roses. All wedding party flowers were created by Hey Poppy Floral Design in Flatonia.
Dan Paris, Jarrell Alexander and Luis Lam served the groom as best men. Other groomsmen included Trey Harper, Philip Wilson, Kevin Mandel, Scott Tinsley, William Bruns, Payton Waugh, Darrell Kundinger and Elijah Pequeno. The ringbearers were Oliver Price, John Price, Judah Dillon, Gideon Gray and Lincoln Gray. The groomsmen wore black suits with rust colored ties.
Wedding photos were taken by Madi Thorpe of Buford, Ga. and Reagan Herber of Austin.
Reception – Following the ceremony, a reception was held inside Freyburg Hall. The tables in the hall were decorated with ivory tablecloths and small vases filled with cedar and red-berried yaupon cut on family-land owned by the bride’s grandparents. Strings of fall colored pennants hung from the ceiling inside the hall. A special tent was hung for the kids’ play area. Guests enjoyed a chicken fried steak meal prepared by Red Richter of Richter’s Catering. Ali Janecka baked the couple’s three-tiered wedding cake of carrot and red velvet with cream cheese icing. A milk and cookies table with many flavors of homemade cookies were prepared by family members and friends, plus Chick-fil-a.
The grand march was led by Richard and Kelly Schacherl. After dancing, the guests sang “The Blessing” over the couple before sending them off under birdseed and lavender.
After a honeymoon to the southern coast of Portugal and the Azores, Alexandra and Matt are making their home in Gainesville, Ga. Alexandra will continue working as a therapist for kids, teens and women, and Matt will continue working as a missionary, primarily focused on men’s discipleship.
Rehearsal Supper – A rehearsal supper was given in honor of the couple by the groom’s parents. It was held on Friday, Nov. 8 at Mike Schulze Baseball Field in Flatonia.
Shower Courtesies – On July 26, a couples shower was hosted by Alexandra’s aunts, Audra Janecka, Deitra Novak, Nicole Mica and Stacy Otto at Janecka Lake in Waelder.
On Aug. 23-25, the bridal party gathered for the weekend in Johnson City at Lone Star Lokal and capped the weekend off on Lake Travis with additional family and friends.
On Sept. 28, a couple’s shower was held by Matt’s family at his church in Carrollton, Ga.
On Nov. 3, a recipe and gift card shower was held in honor of the bride, Alexandra, by the ladies of Flatonia Baptist Church.