Southern Weddings

Having your wedding somewhere that isn’t traditionally a venue comes with its fair share of challenges, but if a place has special meaning to you and your beau, all of the headaches that come with tasks like mowing lawns and renting generators can be so very worth it. Charlotte and Zachary have been visiting Zachary’s family farm together since they started dating, and especially after he chose the location as the place where he proposed, they knew it would be the most meaningful place for them to become husband and wife. As you can see, all of the work they put into preparing the farm for their 225 guests paid off, and every sweet bit of it was captured beautifully by our Blue Ribbon Vendor, Mint Photography!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Zach and I have known each other since we were children. We were both born in Temple, Texas, and grew up there. My family and I moved to the Dallas area in 2001. After relocating to Austin with my family in 2010, Zach and I reconnected. Our romance blossomed at a summer concert in Belton and we started dating.
Tell us all about the proposal! Zach proposed in March 2012 during a picnic on the bluff overlooking the river at his family’s farm in Temple, Texas, where we were later married.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? The Baird family farm, where Zach’s grandfather lives, has a special place in the hearts of the Baird family. It is where Zach proposed to me, and where we have spent many happy times fishing and kayaking.

The long walk with my dad across the pasture to the ceremony site was so memorable. During that walk, it seemed that everything had come together, even despite the threat of rain. I could finally relax and enjoy the moment.

The rustic setting–the farm’s pecan orchard and hay barn–was very Southern. We loved serving Southern foods, from the fork-tender barbecued brisket, sausage, and turkey, to the pies displayed on vintage cake stands and topped with Blue Bell ice cream. The bridal party, as well as many of our guests, wore boots, and we gave away jars of Texas honey as favors

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Choosing a venue where we had to bring in generators for electricity, lighting, tables, chairs, a dance floor, decor, restroom facilities, etc. proved to be more work than we had anticipated, but my family and friends pitched in to help set up, decorate, and clean up. All of the hard work was worth it to have our wedding and reception at the Baird family farm, a place that means so much to me and my husband’s family.

When did y’all get married? April 27, 2013
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 225
Describe your wedding flowers. We were married in the pecan orchard on the bluff overlooking the river. Two towering pecan trees wrapped with billowing tulle bows and two large, flower-filled garden urns framed the wedding party during the ceremony. White ceramic vases hung from shepherd’s hooks along the aisles of white chairs. My bouquet was a natural gathered bouquet of white and ivory flowers and the boutonnieres for Zach and his groomsmen were made of white lisianthus blossoms. Tables at the reception were decorated with simple flowers displayed in vintage vases, milk glass, and jars. Hay bales covered with burlap provided extra seating for the children to have a better view of the ceremony, and additional hay bale couches draped in cloth served as extra seating at the reception.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. We both love pie, so we had 27 assorted pies instead of a wedding cake. The flavors included Southern pecan, peach, apple, cherry, blackberry, strawberry rhubarb, buttermilk, and Almond Joy.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The fact that everyone seemed to have a great time. The barbecue, pies and band were great, and it was so much fun to see generations of family members dancing together!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We built a new home together in Salado and moved in after our wedding. We are enjoying settling into married life and our new home, and we are looking forward to building a family and future together.

Photographer: Mint Photography / Planner: Michelle Jones Meeks at Majestic Time Wedding & Event Planning / Venue: Private residence / Florist: Creative Innovations / Pie Baker: Texas Pie Company / Caterer: Louie Mueller Barbecue / Rentals: Marquee Rents, Party Rentals of Texas, and Best Memories Tent & Dance Floor Rentals / Lighting: Action Rental / Band: Sloppy Joe Band / Bride’s Gown: Watters / Bridal Salon: Serendipity Bridal / Paper Products: Studio W Designs / Hair Stylist: Christopher Rodriguez at Allure Salon / Makeup Artist: Timea Peterfia / Men’s Attire: Jos A. Bank / Transportation: Fairway Sports Vehicles

Mint Photography is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Lisa