After meeting each other when they were young’uns (pre-cell phone young, y’all!), Lindsay and Ty’s wedding day was the accumulation of years of love and memories! As you can imagine, they shared so much throughout their years together, so when it came to plan their wedding, they chose wedding details based on meaningful moments. From the cabin where Lindsay got ready, the same site of their sweet Christmas proposal, to their gorgeous reception at Ty’s family’s farm, each detail came full circle with their relationship. And, major kudos to Lindsay for getting all her thank you notes out before their wedding day – y’all know we’re all about snail mail!
Big SW hugs to Mark Williams Studio for not only capturing this lovely day, but for creating the beautiful blooms as well!
My something borrowed was my Grandmother’s sash from her wedding dress in 1949 that I wrapped around my bouquet. My something blue was a patch I had sewn into my wedding gown, with my initials sewn in blue thread. My something old was my maternal Grandfather’s engraved pocket knife that the team at Mark Williams Studios incorporated as a “charm” on my bouquet. My something new was a handkerchief Ty had made for me with the words “Oh heavenly day, all the clouds blew away, Got no trouble today with anyone. The smile on your face, I live only to see. It’s enough for me baby, it’s enough for me, oh heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day. Only I’m glad to be here with you. I love you, Ty. 4-26-14” embroidered on it. They are the lyrics of the song “Heavenly Day” that was played during the ceremony.
Our venues were probably the most special part of our wedding. As a little girl, I had always envisioned a rustic wedding out at the cabin–a place that is so special to me. We got engaged at my family’s cabin, had the wedding at the cabin, and had the reception at the Tyson Ranch (Ty’s family’s land). My daddy worked so hard to make the cabin the place that it is, so it will always hold a special place in our hearts. The Tyson Ranch happens to be directly across the dirt road, and it is a beautiful property, complete with ponds, a barn, and horses in the pastures. At first, we weren’t sure how we would make the reception work out there, but I was determined and I had a vision. It turned out to be the most picturesque event ever.
On the Franklin farm, we have an old vehicle that my uncle fixed up into sort of an “open-air” bus. It has steps that you walk up to get in the back of it and a top and sides, but no windows or doors. It feels like a small school bus, but it has bench seats on either side. For years, the Franklins have been loading up in the “Red Rover” to go on rides around our farm, so we decided it would be neat to ride on “Red Rover” with my uncle driving. The entire wedding party rode and we had a blast on that short little ride. Our arrival to the reception made quite a scene! The “Red Rover” was decorated beautifully and fit our style just right.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our venues were out in the country on family land, all of our closest friends were included in the wedding, our vows and music were traditional, our menu at the reception was Southern food, and our band was a Southern band. Our wedding was a perfect example of the charm of the South.
How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Over fifteen years ago, our two neighboring churches would often attend services at the other church. Our paths first crossed when Ty was sixteen years old and I was fourteen. Ty sang the special music that night, and dinner was served in the social hall afterwards. Although I didn’t know it at the time, Ty had noticed me when I first walked into the sanctuary that night, and he was extremely nervous. All throughout dinner, we were eyeing one another, trying to make sure the other didn’t “catch us looking”. A few days later, Ty called my parents’ house and asked to speak to me (this was before cell phones, texting, etc.). We talked effortlessly for hours that very first time. The rest is history.
Tell us all about the proposal! Each year, my Daddy and I go out to the family farm to get mistletoe for a Christmas tradition. This year in particular, Ty informed me that “Mr. Marty (my daddy) said he wanted us to meet him at 3:00 to get the mistletoe.” I had been wrapping last-minute gifts all day and was not keeping track of time. At 3:10, Ty came in and said to me “Well, are we going to just let your Daddy do it by himself?? We need to go if we are going!” Ty drove right past the usual farm and informed me that Daddy wanted to try a new tradition this year, so we were going to get the mistletoe from my daddy’s cabin instead of the family farm. When we arrived at the cabin, Daddy wasn’t there yet. I was frustrated as I thought about all of the presents that I could’ve gotten wrapped during this time, but after a couple of quiet minutes went by, Ty began to tell the story of “this boy and this girl” as we sat beside the pond. He told our story from the beginning and said that it had always been a fairy tale, and that he never wanted the fairy tale to end, but he did want it to continue on to the next chapter. He got down on his knee, opened the ring box, and popped the question! Our parents, siblings, and closest friends were all on “standby” on the dirt road near the cabin. After the proposal, Ty summoned them all inside for champagne and food that Ty had arranged. Needless to say, Christmas 2013 was the best Christmas ever.
When did y’all get married? April 26, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? About 400
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? We did not do a first look. Ty and I both are very traditional, so that wasn’t even a consideration for us. We did not even talk to each other at all that day until I walked down the aisle, but we did write each other letters that we each read before the ceremony.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I guess the biggest challenge was working a full-time job as a nurse in a management position, basically taking no days off until the wedding. It was hard to focus my attention at work when all I could think about was wedding details! The second biggest challenge for me was my personal goal to get every single thank you note for all of our shower gifts written prior to the wedding. I was determined to have them all finished before the big day, and finding the time to sit down and do them was difficult.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I remember getting dressed inside the cabin as all the anticipation for this day continued to build. Just a few moments before it was time to start the ceremony, I looked out the window and saw all the people seated, as well as people standing, as there were no more seats available. Seeing all of our dear friends and family out there who had all come to share in this special day with us brought tears of joy to my eyes. It was at that moment that I told myself, “It is happening, let’s do this.” I couldn’t wait to walk down that aisle to meet my best friend at the altar.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We are looking forward to having each other all to ourselves, like for evenings on the couch with popcorn and movies! We love to travel, so there are many fun times ahead. But mostly, we are just looking forward to getting to spend every single day with our best friend–doing life together, with the person we love the most. Doesn’t get any better than that.
Photographer: Mark Williams Studio / Florist and Stationer: Enamore by Mark Williams Studio / Planner: Lisa Jones / Ceremony Venue: Private residence / Reception Venue: Tyson Ranch / Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: Sweet Cheeks Bakery / Caterer: Honey Catering / Rentals: Savannah Special Events / Band: Sam’s Drive-In Band / Personalized Cups, Plates, and Napkins: Party Innovations / Bride’s Gown: Mikaella / Bridal Salon and Veil: Bleubelle Bridal / Hair and Makeup: Emily Warren and Taylor Kennedy of 30 Volume Salon / Bride’s Shoes: Belk / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “675” by Mori Lee / Bridesmaid Dress Salon and Men’s Attire: J’Adore Bridal
That decorated red rover truck is just TOO cute!!