High school sweethearts Meghan + Chris were married on the bride’s family farm, right in front of the water, where their family, friends and a few cows and ducks (no joke!) attended. Their wedding was chock full of family-made details, including the line of quilts hung in the background. They provide a comfy backdrop for the blue-infused ceremony. Isn’t the hydrangea-decked altar beautiful? Special thanks to Cyn Kain Photography for sharing!
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Chris and I met in high school. Neither of us can really pinpoint the exactly when we met, but we clicked as buddies immediately. Then, a few years later, we started dating the summer before our senior year.
Describe the proposal. We had been dating for SEVEN years! To say I expected it was an understatement. I even had a “proposal” dress because I was so convinced that I would predict when he would pop the question. He had other plans. He bought the ring on a Tuesday and came home that night and proposed, just him and me in our bedroom. It was so sweet and I had no time to snoop!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Farm-chic, family-oriented and FUN!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? No, we stuck with the tradition. It was nice for those long spoken words to transform into a personal and special meaning for me and Chris! We did break from tradition with our unity ceremony. Chris and I planted a water oak tree, complete with soil from our childhood homes, in order to signify our growing relationship.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Well, there was the farm part – it is a working farm and over the years has grown tobacco, cotton, cows, pigs, and chickens. A dozen or so cows attended the ceremony (great for background ambiance!) along with my Papa’s pet geese and ducks! I am such a Southern girl, so I really wanted that reflected in the wedding. We used my great-grandpa’s ’72 Chevy Cheyenne pickup truck as our gift “table.” We had hay bales, hydrangeas and country garden flowers as decorations. We had quilts displayed that were collected from members of my family, one of which was a wedding ring pattern made by my great grandma. My Uncle Tim handcrafted many of our wooden tables out of old barn wood from the area. All 300+ of our napkins were sewn by my grandmother and great aunt from fabric that was purchased in the 60’s and 70’s. Anoop Desai, an UNC graduate and top 10 American Idol contestant, sang Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love” for our first dance!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: Ironically, I actually went the morning before Chris proposed to look at a Watters gown I had my heart set on but I hated it on! So that night, after Chris gave me the ring and the excitement had died down, I started having panic attacks about finding the perfect dress. That week, I went to Victorian Rose in downtown Raleigh, NC. This time I loved everything I put on! In order to decide, my mother, aunt, grandmother and three of my bridesmaids came with me and voted on their favorite. Their votes were priceless because I am still madly in love with my Rosa Clara gown!
Describe your wedding flowers: My girls and I carried bouquets of white peonies, white hydrangeas and white spray roses. The altar under which we married was covered in blue hydrangeas and the tables were decorated with a variety of country garden flowers.
Photographer: CynKain Photography // Videographer:Cline Video Productions // Planner: bride’s mother // Venue: The Kelly Farm // Florist: Floral Designs by Eddie // Wedding Cake Baker: bride’s aunt // Caterer: Chef Gregg Hamm // Hair Stylist: Brittany Smith // Make Artist: Stef Sevilla // Paper Products: By Invitation Only // Band: In the Pocket // Bride’s Dress: Rosa Clara // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil: Gardenia by Details by JLynn, veil by Victorian Rose Boutique // Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff
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Christy, August 22, 2011 10:18 am reply I think these are terrific! Great southern charm, and just beautiful work!
Kirby {Colors of Honey}, August 22, 2011 10:59 am reply oooo! so yummy for a backyard BBQ themed wedding and also a great way to get family and friends involved! invite them all over to help you make and package everything. xo Kirby
Lauren, January 3, 2012 9:41 pm reply Kirby {Colors of Honey}: I love this idea. We are actually doing this for our wedding. My fiancé makes his own BBQ sauce that he calls Laurens Sauce. Does anyone know where to get jars that we could use for this?
Lisa, August 22, 2011 11:30 am reply So cute! And I love that it functions as both an escort card and delicious favor :)
Emily Steffen, August 22, 2011 11:58 am reply Makes me wanna eat some BBQ! :) YUM....loving the post! Thank you, you sweet SW ladies! :)
Meagan, August 22, 2011 3:55 pm reply I think this is absolutley fantastic!! By far my favorit, (and not just because im a huge BBQ fan) but I love how you can even change it to something for every couple! Might have to steal this Idea for my own wedding!!! XoXoXoX
Jen Martodam, August 22, 2011 5:59 pm reply LOVE IT!! So authentic and true to the B&G! Great idea Emily!
Katie, August 22, 2011 8:29 pm reply So cute! I wish I would have thought of this!
Liz, August 22, 2011 11:30 pm reply ADORABLE!!! GO, EMILY! :D
Lauren @ ELD, August 23, 2011 9:39 am reply LOVE these!! SO perfect- it's always in my list of ideas that I give brides!!
dena swenson, August 24, 2011 10:48 am reply These are a great idea! I love them!
Victoria, August 30, 2011 12:24 am reply Love the BBQ sauce idea. Great for favors!!!
Escort Cards VS. Place Cards & Seatings Charts Too | Heart Love Weddings, April 7, 2012 9:53 pm reply [...] Idea & Photos by Emily Steffen Photography via Southern Weddings [...]