Southern Weddings

A planner herself (Mercy Design), it’s no surprise Tara’s wedding to her handsome Army beau was styled to perfection. The couple wed on a ranch in California and commissioned Braedon Flynn to photograph their rustic barn nuptials. The bride looked ethereal in a Romona Keveza gown and lace veil (we love Etsy treasures!), while her ‘maids rocked a more playful look in matching Anthropologie frocks. The girls carried cheery bouquets from Kim Curtis of Toast Events, and the gents looked dashing in their dress blues.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Oh my, this is a very crazy story, really. Chris and I met at a tiny high school in Bermuda Dunes, California, and fell head over high school heels for each other. Away at college we broke up, since we both had some growing up to do. I started dating a guy who Chris came to call “Sensible Shoes.” During our eight-and-a-half years apart, Chris and I separately traveled the world and lived out our dreams. Chris followed in his family’s tradition of joining the US Army. My boyfriend at the time (“Sensible Shoes”) had bought a ring and asked my parents for my their blessing, but I just couldn’t marry him. I went to counseling, prayed and prayed, and walked away before I ever got to the altar. At this time, Chris was in Iraq, a half a world away, when we began emailing daily. Things took a rapid turn from there, and the moment we saw each other and admitted our love, it was obvious we would get married. When we kissed that day, he told me he had loved me all his life.
Describe the proposal. Chris got down on one knee in front of a stunning Clyfford still painting in the modern wing of the national gallery in Washington, D.C. It was the perfect place: Chris was from the D.C. area, and it is where we would begin our new life together, and I have always loved art. He proposed with his late grandmother’s ring, some 66 years after it was first put on her finger.
Three words that describe the day are: Whimsy, love and barn.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The barns! I loved the barns. I spent MONTHS helping to restore that first barn. It was VERY special. I also adored the ring bearers and flower girls – seven in all, all my nieces and nephews – adorable!
What was Southern about your wedding? The ceremony and reception both were held at separate barns, at separate ranches. It was very rustic! Guests played bocce ball and tossed horseshoes at the reception, and horses were running outside during the ceremony. We served everything “family style,” and had salmon, steak and crispy fried onions.