We believe in planning a deeply meaningful beginning to married life, and we love to see couples who feel the same. Molly and Josh’s sweet wedding day is filled with beautiful, yet completely personal details. The two were married in the middle of the giant pecan orchard where Molly has spent hours and hours riding the very same horse that carried her to her groom on her wedding day. They included a selection of Molly’s late grandmother’s favorite hymns within their ceremony, and even rode their prized ponies to their reception at her family’s farm. Topping off their day, “Pop” (Molly’s grandfather), surprised them with a memorable fireworks display!
Thanks to Ashlee Culverhouse for these sweet photos! P.S. See Ashlee’s own wedding on our site here!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I borrowed my MeMa’s pearl earrings from my mother – something old and borrowed. My oldest sister, Ashlee, embroidered the most beautiful blue horseshoe on the underside of my dress, and I had a new, sparkling dress, of course!
Our venues are part of my heart and soul. Josh and I were married in the middle of a giant pecan orchard, the same orchard I spent hours riding through in middle school, high school, and college on the very same horse that carried me to my groom. Our reception was held on my parents’ farm in the middle of my mare’s pasture. My horses were pastured right next to the tent and received all the apples and carrots they could have ever wanted. Every time I go ‘home,’ I think about all the fun we had that night. Those memories will forever be just a few steps away.
Two family friends designed Molly and Josh’s flowers, using dahlias, peonies, succulents, ferns, roses, lilies, berries, Queen Anne’s lace, and tulips! “I don’t know how they did it, but they did it flawlessly! My flowers were by far one of my favorite things,” said Molly.
Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? Absolutely. I wanted to get all of our pictures together and our family pictures done so that we could spend as much time as possible at our reception. We also gathered the bridal party and a few others at the house between the ceremony and reception to watch the Kentucky Derby – it’s important to get your priorities straight!
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. As guests arrived, my violinist played a number of hymns that were provided to me by my MeMa. She was something special, and ever since she passed away, I wanted her to be included somehow in my wedding. While we were going through some of her things, we found a list of her favorite hymns, and I knew that was exactly what I wanted for the prelude. My absolute favorite movie in this entire world is The Man From Snowy River, so my bridesmaids walked down the aisle to Jessica’s Theme: “Breaking in the Colt.”
Between the hustle and bustle of everyone driving from the ceremony site to the reception, Josh and I were together, riding horses back to my parents farm. It’s a little more than a mile between the sites, and our time together was relaxing and beautiful. I am so lucky that my two most prized ponies were able to be a part of our wedding.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: I loved every single thing about our wedding: the flowers, the horseshoe boxes, the kids roping the straw calves, my horses being a part of everything, and the band! If I had to have just ONE favorite, it would have to be my steed, Flint, carrying me to the ceremony. He was a perfect gentleman, and I couldn’t have dreamed of anything more magical. Also, a pretty memorable detail was the HUGE fireworks show that my grandfather, Pop, surprised us with. He has since passed away, and that was such a special moment for us to share with him.
How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. First, I must preface our first meeting with the first time I ever saw Josh. It was October of 2007 at the Georgia National Fair and he was the front and center act of the hypnosis show. I was in the audience and was smitten by his good looks and funny personality, even recording small video clips of him the whole show! In May of 2008, I came home for the summer and picked up my normal summer job at the local veterinary office. I was walking dogs outside the first time I ever saw him. After weeks of pondering, I asked him if he happened to be in the hypnosis show at the fair. It was him! I showed him all the videos I had taken of him and was sure I had scared him off. We started eating lunch together every day, and then we fell in love!
Tell us all about the proposal! My sister was scheduled to have her baby on a Sunday in Chattanooga. I made plans to go up with my mom for the weekend, and decided spur of the moment that I wanted to go see Taylor Swift that Saturday in Nashville. I bought the tickets and immediately called to ask Josh if he wanted to go. He did, so the next day we headed to Nashville. I wanted to walk downtown and take in all the pre-concert activities that were going on, but Josh wanted to get away from all of the people and get something to eat. We finally we settled on a roadside hotdog stand off the beaten path and headed toward a place to sit that Josh spotted up the road. I quickly scarfed my hotdog while taking in the garden around us. When I turned back around, Josh was holding the most perfect diamond ring in his hand and said, “Are you ready?!” Between my, “is that real?” “are you serious?” and “am I ready for what??” he got down on his knee and I said YES.
When did y’all get married? June 7, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 210
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. I love red velvet, and I would not go any other way. My husband is more of a traditional fellow. He goes into a coma when he eats my mom’s Chocolate Groom’s Cake, and, as expected, he chose it for our wedding day, too.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Do what YOU want to do! I did everything exactly how I wanted to do it, and I don’t regret a single thing! I am so grateful for all the helping hands that helped me build my vision on that day. Spend more money on what is most important to you.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? The thing I looked, and still look, forward to every day is seeing him when I get home from work. We were long distance for over five of the six years that we dated, and I can FINALLY come home to him every single day!
Photographer: Ashlee Culverhouse Photo / Videographer: Perry Swanson / Ceremony Venue: Big Indian Creek Farm / Reception Venue: White House Farm / Florist and Special Details: Karen Freeman & Linda Troxel / Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker:Jan McCord / Caterer: Pat Coody, In Good Taste Catering / Rentals and Lighting: Tent-sational Events and Taylor Services / Band: Celebration Band / Paper Products: Created by Ben Freeman and Printed by FastSigns / Bride’s Gown: “D1410” by Essense of Australia / Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil/Jewelry: Erica Koesler / Hair Stylist: Katie Freeman Owen / Makeup Artist: Linsey McCord Freeman / Bride’s Shoes: “Heritage Western X Toe” by Ariat / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Heidi, Arabelle, Kylie, Nadia and Mirabelle” by J.Crew / Groom’s and Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank / Director: Cindi Holly / Additional Vendors: The Melon Vine and The Something Blue Shoppe / Ceremony Musician: Baylee Culverhouse / Officiant: Jim Hamlin
Thank you for featuring this beautiful shoot. We are so proud and honored to be a part of it.
That dress is perfection! Never has a backless dress looked so elegant to me!