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We all know there is so much planning that goes into a wedding: the look, the details, and, especially in the South, making sure guests feel welcome and have a fabulous time. And, while I’m all for Southern hospitality, reading through Kelly and Austin’s sweet interview, I was most struck by how they felt. Your wedding day is filled with so many emotions and it goes by so quickly that it’s sometimes hard to remember everything, but reading that Kelly and Austin felt like the “luckiest people to be loved by so many incredible people” made my heart skip a beat. I remember feeling exactly the same way on my wedding day, and despite any snafus, marrying your best friend is always the best day ever!

Thanks to Alea Moore for capturing this beautiful day!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: It’s hard to choose, because every time we turned a corner, there was something else to admire, but my favorite detail was probably my bouquet. I never imagined that I would have something so beautiful and special at my own wedding, so I seriously cried when I saw it.

Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? It was a hard decision because having a first look can make pictures a lot easier and save time during the wedding, but it just didn’t feel right for us. I explained to Austin that when I imagined seeing him for the first time on our wedding day, he was standing at the altar waiting for me. There is this really powerful moment when you see each other for the first time after all of the anticipation, and we wanted that moment to be a part of what made the ceremony special. Seeing each other in that moment is one of our favorite memories from the wedding.

We wrote our own vows, and it was the most challenging and meaningful thing we did for the wedding. When you have to sit down and really decide what you can promise to someone, you realize to a greater extent what marriage really is. We did’t hear each others vows until we were at the altar, and it was so powerful hearing what God had laid on our hearts separately as a vision for our marriage. There were so many similarities, it was pretty evident that He had already started preparing us to become one. This was my favorite line, adapted from Ephesians 3:20 “…today, I enter into this covenant with hopeful expectation that God will do immeasurably more with our marriage than all we could ask for or imagine, according to His power and not our own.”

How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? The absolute best and most valuable thing we did while being engaged was going through pre-marital counseling. We got connected with a professional counselor through our church and spent six sessions with her trying to prepare for situations we would encounter in our marriage. Honestly, we went into the first session thinking “We’re a great couple… will there even be anything to talk about?”, but we were shocked when it ended and we still had so many things to talk through. We learned so much about each other, about ourselves, and about how to communicate through those conversations. When we finished the last session, we were actually sad that we wouldn’t get to go anymore, but we left feeling a million times more prepared for whatever marriage will throw at us.

We stumbled upon the Engine Room by chance during our venue hunt, and we knew from the moment we stepped inside that we would get married on those old wood floors, with natural light pouring in through the huge windows.

When we realized how much money it was going to be to cater a wedding for 240 people, we were in shock. We had to cut down the cost, so several friends suggested looking into food trucks, and that idea ended up saving us thousands of dollars! Since they don’t come with all of the extra staff, linens, dishes, etc., you are pretty much just paying for the food. To cut back on lines and add more selection, we got two trucks and had our own little food truck park for our guest to go up to and order their dinners. The trucks did’t just save us money, they also added a fun element to our wedding, and people have been raving about the food ever since.

We wanted simple cakes decorated with buttercream and fresh flowers. We couldn’t decide on a flavor, so we got several small cakes in different flavors from a cute bakery in Athens. The star of the show was this amazing tres leches cake that I still have dreams about eating.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? At the end of the wedding, we walked past all of our friends and family with sparklers, shouting congratulations and saying goodbye. Since we were moving away, it really was “goodbye” to so many of the people we love, which made the moment very bittersweet. When we got in the car and drove away, we were so overwhelmed that we barely had time to get out of the parking lot before we burst into tears. We got a few miles away and then pulled over the car and just cried together. We cried for how much our lives were about to change, for this scary new adventure, and mostly, for how every single aspect of our wedding was made perfect by all of the people we love and by the God who made it all possible. The only thing we could really say at that point was that we are the luckiest people in the world to be loved by so many incredible people, and that was by far the best day of our lives.

Don’t miss Kelly + Austin’s highlight film from Imagine Video Productions!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Austin and I lived just minutes from each other in Woodstock, Georgia without crossing paths for almost 18 years. When we finally did meet, we spent most of the summer together, becoming close friends. At the end of the summer, Austin left for his second year at UGA, and I prepared to start my first semester at Georgia Tech. To me, Austin was the older guy who had everything he needed in Athens, but for some reason, he showed up at Georgia Tech almost every weekend over the next couple of months. Little did I know, Austin had started liking me over the summer, and had been patiently waiting all of those months to ask me on a date when I was ready. Finally, Austin came to Atlanta and told me that he really liked me, but I needed to “stop leading him on” if I wasn’t interested…and if I was interested, he’d like to take me on a date. I replied with a “maybe” and made the poor guy wait a MONTH before officially accepting his offer, but his patience paid off. After a year of dating long distance, Austin decided to join me in Atlanta and there was no looking back. I began to realize that the crazy love that Austin had for me and the things he was willing to do for me paled in comparison with the lengths that God is willing to go to show me His love. When being with someone teaches you that, you know that they’re a solid choice for a husband.
Tell us all about the proposal! In his fourth year of school, Austin was offered an internship with Boeing in Charleston for the upcoming summer. When he accepted that internship, Austin forwarded me an email they had sent him that was an invitation to a weekend in Charleston to get to know the city and his future managers (all expenses paid!), so he invited me to accompany him. On our second day, we went over to Middleton Plantation from our hotel, and spent the morning walking through the beautiful gardens and taking video footage (because Austin wanted a montage of the trip, obviously). At one point, Austin sent me down between the ponds overlooking the marshes as he set up the camera for another shot. As he walked down to meet me, he had the biggest smile on his face, said he had something to give me, and pulled out a letter. It was when I opened it that I realized that this was no ordinary letter. It began with “To my fiancé…” and as I read the rest (with tears in my eyes), he explained all of the reasons why I was the woman he had been praying for. I finished the letter and Austin got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Obviously, I said “yes,” and we just stood there in the freezing rain, crying and laughing and enjoying the moment. Austin then explained to me that the entire Boeing trip was a big lie! After asking my parents for their blessing, Austin had spent months designing my ring, sending me fake itineraries, and even helping me pick out a “business appropriate” outfit for the meeting with his managers. Since we didn’t have any meetings to get to after all, we spent the rest of the weekend calling friends and family with the big news. It was something I will never forget!
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 240
Describe your wedding flowers. The flowers at our wedding were heavenly. Lindsay Coletta did everything without much guidance from me and on very short notice, but somehow, the florals were better than I could have even imagined. She did lush greenery down the long guest tables, whimsical arrangements for the head table, and the most amazing bridal bouquet I’ve ever seen. Because of my smaller budget, I asked for quality over quantity. That was the best decision I made, because having a smaller amount of flowers that were breathtaking was way better than having a ton of flowers that were just blah.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our location was definitely a very Southern aspect of our wedding. Monroe is a tiny, charming town, kind of out in the middle of nowhere. The venue itself is an old cotton mill that is brimming with Southern charm and history. Bistro lights over the dance floor, s’mores by the fire pit, and a ton of people dancing gave our big wedding a hint of that casual backyard feel that makes the South such a great place to call home. And we can’t forget one of the best elements, a food truck entirely devoted to macaroni and cheese.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? After our wedding, we moved to the charming city of Charleston. Austin works for Boeing as a Database Administrator, and I am preparing to apply to Physician Assistant school. We’re really looking forward to getting to know this city and making it feel more like home. We hope to spend the next few years going on adventures, eating gelato, and taking advantage of living at the beach.

Photographer: Alea Moore Photography / Videographer: Ryan Lindsay / Planner: It Takes Two Events / Venue: The Engine Room at Monroe Cotton Mills / Florist: Lindsay Coletta / Cake Baker: Cecilia’s Cakes / Caterer: Happy Belly Food Truck and Mac the Cheese Truck / Rentals: I Do Linens / DJ: Mike Zarin / Paper Products: Allee Rodenbaugh and Minted / Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Hair and Makeup: Megan Neary / Bride’s Shoes: J. Crew Factory / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: RenzRags / Groom’s Attire: “Napoli” by Suitsupply, “Clifton” by Allen Edmonds, J. Crew Factory, H&M, and Daniel Wellington / Groomsmen Attire: J. Crew Factory / Photo Booth: Classic Photo Affair / Bartender: Lyght House Cocktails / Engagement and Wedding Bands: Solomon Brothers

marissa Written with love by Marissa
4 Comments
  1. avatar carolyn reply

    I love that this bride ROCKED her glasses on her special day :)

  2. avatar Yours Truly Wedding Albums reply

    Gorgeous choice of colors and I love the location!

  3. avatar Loverly reply

    We are loving this bride’s bouquet! Great color combo.

  4. avatar Amy reply

    Just beautiful – perfect pictures, gorgeous wedding. Enjoyed it all.

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Peaches are such a beloved staple in Southern agriculture and cuisine, and for couples like Ashlee and Tom, who live right in the heart of Georgia’s peach country, they take on an extra special meaning. From bridesmaids outfitted in mismatched peachy hues to the flavor of the ice cream Ashlee and Tom enjoyed during their first look, peaches played an important role in inspiring the look and feel of every detail of this sweet celebration. Ashlee said it best when she said, “Our goal was for our guests to be able to take a bite of a peach and to taste the peach ice cream, and, if just for a moment, be taken back to a time when life was much more simple than it is now.”

We’re so grateful to Haley Sheffield for sharing Ashlee and Tom’s beautiful wedding with us!

My first memory of Tom is from an Easter party in second grade; I’d found the “prize egg” during the hunt, and Tom came up behind me and stole the egg from my basket. Thankfully, one of the other guys in our grade wrestled it back from him. Tom swears he stole it because he had a crush on me, but I’m not quite sure if I believe that. We still laugh about it! Years later, when I told my parents that I was going on a date with Tom, my mom’s first reaction was, “the punk that stole your Easter egg?!” My parents adore Tom now, but he did have a reputation to overcome. Tom and I dated for eight years before we got engaged in June 2013.

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Yes, Tom and I did a first look and I’m so happy that we did. Our ceremony was at 7:30 P.M., so we wanted to do our photos before the official festivities began. I also wanted the first glimpse to be private and secluded, instead of in front of a large crowd. We saw each other on the front porch of the Lee Pope House and spent an hour walking through the peach orchard and venturing over to Pearson Farm to get peach ice cream, which is one of our favorite things to do together.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We wrote our vows together and repeated them after our officiant and close friend, Zack. My favorite phrase from our vows would have to be, “I vow to reach for your hand through any crisis and to turn to Christ through any trials.” I love how that phrase unites us with the Lord and is a gentle reminder that although we may lean upon each other, we ultimately look to Christ above all.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. The music at the ceremony was one of my priorities. I chose to walk in to “Baleen Morning” by Balmorhea, which moved me to tears the first time I heard it a few years before our wedding. We also asked our guests to sing along with us to Steve Moakler’s song, “Holiday at Sea.” The lyrics to that song hold a deep meaning to us and remind us that this earth is only our temporary home.

Three days before our wedding, my lab, Odie, suddenly passed away. I was devastated and worried that I wouldn’t be able to put on a happy face through all the festivities that were about to take place. On our wedding day, I found comfort in the ordinary. Instead of anxiety, I looked at the crowd spread across the lawn at Lee Pope and I saw love. Instead of imperfect details, I saw the countless hours that everyone had pitched in to make that day perfect. I felt calm in the gentle breeze that day. I took deep breaths for the first time in months and felt thankful for the unseasonably cool temperature. As Tom and I slipped away, hand in hand, to share some peach ice cream, I found contentment in the simplicity of it all. For the first time of our 14-month engagement, I was able to see what that day was truly about. Although it was by far the most challenging part of our wedding and something most brides hopefully won’t have to face, I am grateful that it gave me the vulnerability to realize what a sacred day our wedding day was. I’d become so wrapped up in every detail being perfect that I’d neglected to focus on the real meaning behind the day.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Our ceremony venue and reception venue both hold a very special place in our hearts. Our ceremony venue is a house near our family’s farm that holds so much farming history. I have a special connection with the Lee Pope House, and I knew immediately that there was no place I’d rather join our lives at than there. Tom and our families spent over a year fixing up our barn for the reception.

Tom is a farmer and I wanted our entire wedding to represent that tradition. Our wedding was centered around peaches–what this small county in Middle Georgia is famous for. Our goal was for our guests to be able to take a bite of a peach and to taste the peach ice cream, and, if just for a moment, be taken back to a time when life was much more simple than it is now.

Don’t miss Ashlee + Tom’s video from Hampton Road Studios!

Tell us all about the proposal! I was in North Carolina photographing a wedding and Tom decided to come with me. He mentioned that he’d like to stay an extra day, which I found odd, because Tom is usually itching to get back to work on the farm. We went to visit Tom’s brother-in-law, Stephen, who is also a photographer. Stephen told me that he was “rebranding” and that he needed a new headshot for his website. The three of us went to a mountainside park close to Stephen’s house and I began taking photos. After we were done, Stephen somehow convinced me to let him take a few photos of Tom and me. He positioned Tom a few feet behind me in the background and then told me to look towards Tom. Tom was down on one knee holding the most beautiful ring, and all I remember was telling him he was “making a scene.” Those pictures are so special to us.
When did y’all get married? August 2, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 250
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I wanted my dress hunt to be very simple and relaxed. I took only my mom with me and we made a fun girls’ day out of it. We found my dress at the first shop we visited, The Sentimentalist in Atlanta. I loved how light and breathable it was. I’m a very low key person, so I wanted simplicity as well as comfort, and the Elizabeth Dye gown provided both. I selected a gold scalloped belt to accent the waistline.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $50,000-$75,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Directly after the ceremony, Tom, Haley (our photographer), Aphid (our dog), and I snuck away for about 20 minutes. Tom took us to the edge of a field that overlooked the entire county–a gorgeous view. We caught the tail end of the sunset and it was the first time we’d gotten to be alone that entire month, really. It was so quiet and I felt so at peace at that moment.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We purchased a 100-year-old farmhouse and are knee-deep in renovations. Married life is so fun. I love not having to say goodbye at night. When he leaves for work in the morning, he kisses me on the forehead–he thinks I’m still asleep, but I’m not. I love that. I just love sharing this life with him.

Photographer: Haley Sheffield / Videographer: Hampton Road Studios / Planner: Molly McKinley Designs / Venue: Private residence / Florist: Lindsay Coletta Designs / Cake Baker: Jan McCord Catering / Caterer: Leon Holloway / Rentals: Southern Vintage / Band: Celebration Band / Paper Products: Emma Torrence / Bride’s Gown: “Tempest” by Elizabeth Dye / Bridal Salon: The Sentimentalist / Hair and Makeup: Sarah Elisabeth Makeup Artistry / Bride’s Shoes: “On the Floor” by Seychelles

Haley Sheffield is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Atlanta Wedding Planner & Designer | Peach-Inspired | Atlanta Wedding Planning & Design reply

    […] special thank you to Southern Weddings for featuring this sweet fete. You can view their feature here. Also, make sure to check out their amazing wedding day […]

  2. avatar Kyla Fetzner reply

    Those wedding videos get me teary every time! I really like how they incorporated a line from Oceans into their day :)

  3. avatar Victoria reply

    Hello!

    I’m a bride who is looking for mix and match dresses, and these bridesmaids dresses are gorgeous! I know that they are most likely no longer on sale, but I just have no idea where to look for this kind of style. Comfortable, breathable, and slightly more casual. Could you direct me to a place where I could find that? Thanks!

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With an eight-year age difference between them, Cayla never thought she and Adam would end up together. But, once they had both taken their time growing up, these two realized their long-time friendship was something more. While their relationship may have taken awhile to bloom, their venue choice certainly didn’t! Once Adam popped the question, Cayla knew exactly where she wanted to get married. She even booked the gorgeous Sweet Meadow the day after they got engaged! Sweet Meadow was a gorgeous backdrop for this self-proclaimed tomboy to mix wildflowers, unique china, and a stunning Leanne Marshall gown from our sweet friends at The Sentimentalist (remember our fancy team shoot? I got to wear a gown from them as well!).

Big hugs to Blue Ribbon Vendors, GodWink Art for sharing this fun day with us!

I’ve never worn a stitch of makeup, would cry if I was told I had to wear pink growing up, and would rather wear jean shorts and one of Adam’s t-shirts than just about anything else in the world. I definitely find the most beauty in things that are simple and unique. Being in a family with four sisters, we were all pretty excited about dress shopping, and I had a list a mile long of places people suggested I go. I went to a few websites and nothing stuck out to me until a friend suggested The Sentimentalist. I went to their website and followed them on Instagram immediately. I was obsessed, and I hadn’t even been there yet! When my mom, sisters, aunt, cousin, and I walked into the boutique, they all said, “Cayla, this place looks just like you! It’s perfect.” The ladies were so helpful and so sweet. There was one adorable room with a rack full of the most gorgeous, vintage-style dresses that fit the exact look I was going for. I think I tried on every dress at the store just for fun, but it was the third one that stole my heart. They were all beautiful, but once I decided on that one, there was no turning back.

I can’t handle it, these minis are way too cute!

Describe your wedding flowers. My mother-in-law was our florist, so that was pretty cool! From the beginning, I told her, “I just want them to be wild.” The bouquets were made up of wheat, berries, blush roses, ivory carnations, ivory hydrangea, and yellow craspedia. They were all tied up together with a piece of twine. The boutonnières were also made out of wheat and craspedia, decorated with an old vintage button, and we added a piece of cotton to Adam’s.

I saw some pictures taken at Sweet Meadow on Facebook a few years ago and knew that’s where I wanted to get married someday. Adam proposed on a Friday night. I called Sweet Meadow and booked that Saturday! I didn’t even have to look anywhere else; I just knew.

What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? Three letters: DIY. We did so many fun DIY projects! I couldn’t have done any of it without my family and friends. My dad married us, Adam’s mom did the flowers, and I made the cake and all of the yard signs. Adam and I also made the corn hole boards and the piece that hung from the tree at the ceremony. The details just meant so much more to us after we had worked so hard on them.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Half of our seating at the ceremony was hay bales with quilts from family and friends laid across them. We served Hudson’s BBQ at the reception, as well as Southern sweet tea and lemonade. We played corn hole and checkers, and danced to all of the best Southern classics. We also had an old-fashioned popcorn bar and photo booth. We wanted everyone to be relaxed and have a great time, just like they would at any Southern backyard barbecue!

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. I made my wedding cake! I wanted a naked cake, so I made a yellow cake with buttercream icing and shaved almonds in between each layer. I put the red apples on top to give it a little touch of fall. I also had several other cakes, like carrot cake, cheesecake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake, and key lime cake, to name a few. I had eight pies as well!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Adam and I have known each other our whole lives because our families have always gone to the same church. However, since he is eight years older than I am, we didn’t really grow up together. Never in a million years would we (or our families) have thought that we would end up together, but thankfully, God had other plans. When we got older, my mom would always say, “Cayla, what do you think about Adam?” My response was always, “Mom, he’s cute… but he probably still thinks I’m 12 years old.” Little did I know, he realized I had grown up. Shortly after our first date, I decided that there was something different about this guy…I was pretty sure I was going to marry him. It took him a little longer, but since he had waited on me to grow up, I didn’t mind waiting on him to figure it all out. :)
Tell us all about the proposal! CrossFit is a huge part of our lives. We’ve been doing CrossFit together ever since we started dating. In January 2012, we, along with a few friends, decided to open up a gym, CrossFit92. Adam gets to the gym after work at about 5:30 every evening. Our families were there, but most of them work out at our gym, so nothing at all seemed fishy about this certain afternoon. I began my workout at about 5:30. The music was blaring, weight was being thrown around, and everything was normal. I finished my burpees, turned around, and saw Adam on one knee. I was in shock–I couldn’t believe it! He asked me to marry him, and of course, I said, “YES!” Immediately after I spoke, all of my friends and family circled around us, showing us so much love. It was perfect and I wouldn’t change one thing about it.
When did y’all get married? September 20, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? About 300
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? Yes! We decided to do a first look, and I would suggest it to every bride out there–I was counting down the minutes! Getting to see him and spend time with just him before the ceremony began was something I wouldn’t trade for anything. It was such a special moment for us to be able to just hang out for a little while without being rushed or stared at. I think it calmed both of our nerves completely!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We didn’t write our own vows, but my dad performed the ceremony, which was pretty special.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: My very favorite detail was that we used mix and match dishes at every place setting. All of the collecting was well worth it when we saw the finished product!
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? Less than $10,000
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Well, I’ve talked him into getting a dog, so that’s next on the list! Right now, we are just enjoying each other, but kids are definitely in our future. We are just so happy we get to enjoy this adventure together.

Photographer: Godwink Art Photography / Venue: Sweet Meadow Farms / Pies: McEntyre’s Bakery / Caterer: Hudson’s BBQ / Rentals: Top Notch Events & Rentals / DJ: Johnny Volk / Paper Products Printing: Vista Print / Bride’s Gown: “Samantha” by Leanne Marshall / Bridal Salon: The Sentimentalist / Hair Stylist: Madison Rogula / Men’s Shirts: JCPenney / Men’s Pants: American Eagle / Groom’s Vest: J. Crew

Godwink Art is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Cayla & Adam | Tallapoosa Wedding Photographer » GodWink Art Photography reply

    […] https://southernweddings.com /2014/10/20/georgia-barn-wedding-by-godwink-art/ […]

  2. avatar morgan denney reply

    This is the most beautiful and simplistic wedding i have ever seen. If my time ever comes i would imagine it to be somewhat like this! Fantastic job.

  3. avatar Emily Clair Lonon reply

    Those monogrammed handkerchiefs are a dream….do you know where she found those??

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

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