First Shot

Our wedding was held on Cedar Brook Farms, our fifth generation family farm in Fulton, Missouri. We got married at 10:30 AM the morning of August 9, 2014 in the Lone Oak Chapel, a well manicured pasture surrounded by cedar trees and flanked by one double-trunked oak tree in the center. Our ceremony was unique and ours--we had all FOUR of our grandmothers as flower girls, and our nephews paraded down the aisle with signs, our dog, and an antique wagon. In lieu of the tradtional unity candle, we actually "tied the knot" using jute rope. Our musicians were all close friends who played poular music on their instruments (bassoon, cello, guitar, violin, and keyboard). Notably, I walked down the aisle to Bruno Mars' "The Way You Are" as arranged by my best friend Taylor Smith. Our favors were snack bag programs filled with some of our favorite treats. Following the ceremony, our 300 guests rode horse drawn wagons across the pasture to the recently restored Old Farmhouse, where my great grandmother lived for many years. Guests enjoyed passed hors devours and a brunch buffet, including made-to-order omelettes, pancakes/waffles, prime rib, and bottomless mimosas and sangria (out of mason jars, of course). Instead of the dollar dance, guests contributed to our honeymoon fund by putting dollars in the cigar box of the person (bride or groom) they most wanted to see in a dunk tank. Near the end of the reception, we counted the dollars, and I got to dunk my husband. Guests lined up to take their turns as well. We ended the day with Kenny Chesney's "It's That Kind of Day" and exited into the farmhouse. Our wedding was farm vintage chic. Our centerpieces and decorations were entirely comprised of antiques collected by close family and friends and fresh flowers grown and arranged by the local florist, a family friend, and my mom. My family did all the preparations--making and painting rustic signs, making hundreds of yards of bunting, and building the ceremony altar, the cross, and the cake backdrop. The dainty details among our palette of dusty rose, celadon green, ivory, and gold made our wedding beautiful and personal. If you choose to publish our wedding, I'd be happy to provide more details as you wish. Thank you!