A Sentimental Wedding in Louisiana with Southern Charm and Bespoke Details
Throughout their college years at Louisiana Tech, Summer and Philip Matulia’s paths crossed countless times, creating a foundation for what would eventually become an enduring love story. Their initial connection was formed through Summer's brothers, who played alongside Philip on the university's baseball team. Despite the natural connection they both felt, their relationship began as a friendship that gradually evolved into something more profound.
It was inevitable that Summer and Philip would become friends, as they always found themselves gravitating toward each other at parties and social gatherings. The two had an undeniable chemistry that everyone around them could sense.
Love at the Baseball Field
As a devoted sister who never missed her brothers' games, Summer inadvertently had a front-row seat to her future husband's stellar college baseball career. During his senior season, Philip began seeking Summer out in the stands before his at-bats. She sat in the same spot every game, so he knew exactly where to look. Whenever their eyes met, smiles would creep across both their faces.
“Whenever their eyes met, smiles would creep across both of their faces.”
Their special connection deepened when Summer began sending Philip a good luck gesture before each at-bat – a tradition that paid off spectacularly when he hit a homerun that cleared the right field wall immediately after receiving her encouragement. This exchange became their ritual, a silent communication that spoke volumes about their growing feelings for each other.
It wasn't until after Summer graduated and moved away that fate intervened in the form of Summer's mother, who encountered Philip at the annual "First Pitch Banquet" at the baseball stadium. After greeting him with a hug, she looked Philip in the eyes and said, "Philip Matulia, I just KNEW you and my daughter would find your way to each other. I am so surprised y'all didn't. Y'all would've made an amazing couple."
Philip's response was both confident and prophetic: "It's not too late, Mrs. Teri."
Those words set everything in motion. Shortly afterward, Philip expressed to Summer his desire to take their friendship to the next level, and they've been inseparable ever since.
An Old-School Proposal
Philip's proposal exemplified spontaneous romance rather than elaborate planning. After enjoying dinner following Summer's hair appointment, the couple had previously discussed proposal logistics such as whether she wanted a photographer present, or friends and family gathered for the moment.
Summer told Philip that whatever he did would be perfect, with her only request being that her hair be down, since she wears it up for work most of the time. What Summer didn't realize was that her casual response had sparked something in Philip. Later that evening, he went upstairs to retrieve the ring, returned, and simply told her that he couldn't wait any longer.
The couple was thrilled and shocked by the spontaneous moment. They celebrated by calling all their family and friends to share the news of their perfect, old-school proposal.
A Sentimental Celebration
Working with wedding planner Delia Jeffcoat of Delia Jeffcoat Events proved to be one of the couple's wisest decisions. Summer describes her wedding day as exceeding all expectations, with Delia being the reason she never had to stress or confirm anything throughout the planning process.
The couple exchanged vows at First Methodist Church in Shreveport, with Jason Walsworth from Temple Life in Ruston serving as their officiant. The ceremony beautifully set the tone for what would follow at their reception venue, Chinaberry in Bossier City.
For the bride, making the day as sentimental as possible was paramount. Every detail held deep personal meaning, creating a tapestry of memories that honored both their love story and their family heritage.
The newlyweds departed their reception in the same black 1987 Chevrolet truck that Summer's parents had used at their wedding nearly thirty years earlier. The vehicle, which had sat unused for almost two decades, was lovingly restored by Summer's father with the help of friends specifically for this occasion.
Perhaps the most touching moment came during the bridal party photos captured by photographer Laura Caraway and videographer Roger Braniff of Braniff Productions. As the bridesmaids posed by a tree planted in memory of Summer's grandfather, two large butterflies appeared, dancing in circles in front of Summer's face before settling nearby for the remainder of the photo session. Summer's mother later wrote that they felt something different while this was happening. They knew those butterflies were guided and purposed for them from her parents, referencing a promise her late mother had made to send clear signs of her presence.
The couple honored Summer's late grandparents with photo charms attached to her bouquet, and she walked down the aisle to a song her grandfather had selected before his passing. These deeply personal touches transformed an already beautiful celebration into something truly transcendent.
Southern Charm and Bespoke Details
The wedding featured impeccable blue and white décor accented with pink florals, created by Kyle Loyd of Colony House Flowers. Rather than micromanaging their work, Summer allowed the professionals to let their passion and creativity flow, trusting they would do far better than she could even imagine.
Party Central provided the elegant rentals that completed the sophisticated atmosphere at Chinaberry. Summer's bridal look was perfected by Touched by Grace, who handled both hair and makeup services. She found her dream gown at Patsy's Bridal Boutique in Dallas, while her bridesmaids each selected their own perfect pink dresses that made them feel beautiful and confident. The groom and his best men wore tuxedos from Squires, while the groomsmen complemented the wedding party in classic black suits.
Lane Howard of Anything Goes Catering, owned by one of Summer's father's best friends, provided delicious Southern cuisine that celebrated the couple's Louisiana heritage. La'Mionnies Events created their first-ever wedding cake for the occasion, and instead of a traditional groom's cake, the couple offered a "groom's cart" filled with various desserts to give guests more options.
The reception atmosphere was further elevated by DJ Chica, who kept the celebration lively and ensured the dance floor was never empty. The entrances and exits were particularly meaningful, with the couple entering to Philip's baseball "walkout song" – a nod to where they met – and departing to "September," commemorating their September 21st wedding date. For their first dance as husband and wife, the couple swayed to the romantic melodies of "Love Like This" by Lauren Daigle.
A Bucket List Honeymoon in Japan
For their honeymoon, Summer and Philip escaped to Antigua's Sandals Resort, working with travel planner Stefanie McIntosh to create the perfect beginning to their married life together. Among their many cherished memories, snorkeling in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters emerged as their favorite experience, a peaceful adventure that symbolized their dive into a new life together.
Summer's advice for future brides is to make it as sentimental as possible. By weaving their unique love story into every aspect of their celebration, Summer and Philip created a deeply meaningful experience that perfectly honored their journey from friendship to forever.
WEDDING TALENT
Reception Location: Chinaberry, Bossier City, LA; Planner: Delia Jeffcoat Events, Shreveport-Bossier, LA; Floral Design: Colony House Flowers, Shreveport, LA; Rentals: Party Central, Lafayette, LA; Cake: Tammy DuBose Jones; Catering: Anything Goes Catering, Shreveport, LA; Entertainment: DJ Chica, Bossier City, LA; Invitations: Lauren Giddens; Officiant: Jason Walsworth, Ruston, LA; Bridal Boutique: Patsy’s Bridal Boutique, Dallas, TX; Hair & MUA: Touched by Grace, Shreveport, LA; Groom’s Attire: Squires Formalwear, Shreveport, LA; Photography: Laura Caraway, Bossier City, LA