January 8, 2017: Kayla & James Roberts
Kayla & James were married at The Clark House in Livingston TN, and let me tell you, this venue is truly one of our favorites. I can't describe it any better than their website does: "The Clark House is the Upper Cumberland's most beautiful wedding and event venue specializing in customized, one-stop, all-inclusive designer weddings, receptions and events. Nestled in the rolling hills of Livingston, Tennessee, The Clark House is an early 1960's Greek revival home that provides the region with a location that combines sophistication, Southern elegance and charm. The estate includes The Clark House and grounds, the wildflower gardens, a graceful outdoor pavilion, a charming pergola on the back lawn, and the rustic barn." It is beautiful and provides almost everything! This wedding was extra special to me, because Kayla and I have been friends since we were in diapers and best friends since 5th grade. We went on summer vacation together 5 years in a row, maybe more, if you count the cruise we went on senior year of high school. Kayla is one of the funniest, most loving people you will ever meet, so when she was telling me about James and what a good guy he was, I was so happy for her. You should see the way he treats her; they fit together entirely. They had an intimate ceremony inside The Clark House, in one of their small, elegant rooms, in front of a fireplace. Their family was there, probably less than 20 people, and it was perfect for them. No wedding party either, just bride and groom. Kayla wore a lace-covered dress with a keyhole back and a satin belt that fit her perfectly. James wore nice jeans, a button-up, and a stylish vest.
Their love story, as told by Kayla:
"James and I actually met on Tinder, the dating app, and surprise! Turns out he lived less than a mile from my house. He is the exact opposite of me when it comes to personality and that's why we get along so well. He's more reserved, and I'm more.... whatever you wanna call it, haha. We truly balance each other out. He's also very old fashioned in his beliefs ,and he makes me feel like a respected woman and wonderful wife. He is such a good man. We had the best time dating. Every day was better than the last, and our marriage has been the same way ...We knew after just a couple months of dating that this was it. That we had found the one that completed us. We drive each other crazy, but we are also crazy in love."
Favorite part of the day:
"I think our favorite part of the day was just the fact that we were surrounded by our family, and it didn't last too long. We wanted short and sweet. We wanted to be married more than anything regardless of how we did it, but we have mentioned several times that it couldn't have been more perfect. That wedding was just our style."
The Clark House provided most everything, including the flowers and food. Their bouquets are always so impressive and gorgeous, and their fooooooood. Their food is always insanely delicious, seriously. Kayla and James just had some sandwiches and pasta salad and small finger foods, but I didn't know sandwiches and pasta salad could taste so good. Their cake and cupcakes were from P-Dilly's in Cookeville. Take a look at their Intro - we are pretty proud of it!
January 15, 2017: Caroline & Doug Hampshire
Caroline & Doug were married at The Saltbox Inn in Cookeville, TN. We love this beautiful indoor/outdoor venue. It has multiple sites at which to have the wedding ceremony, lodging, and "luxury" transportation. The wedding coordinator was Katie Hall Design & Events. Caroline & Doug's wedding was unique, and we loved it. Caroline's dress was one of a kind and was lovely; it was fitted and satin with an open back and cap sleeves. She wore a birdcage veil, which accented the dress perfectly. Her bridesmaids wore different dresses, all in jewel tones.
Their love story, as told by Caroline & Doug:
Caroline: "We met when I moved to Squadron 19 as a sophomore at USAFA. I thought his first name (Ora) was weird and cool. I remember he played an original song at the squad talent show on his guitar. It was a zombie apocalypse romance!"
On friendship: "Doug did this amazing thing where he would document the "many faces of Caroline" by taking a picture of himself imitating the facial expression. It was a hoot! And Doug was always prepared with two essential things: music and milk. He humored me by listening to my fiddling or singing, and he always had whole milk available for my late night dessert cravings. You see he had a really nasty habit of staying up until like 3 in the morning, so I could always count on him."
Letters to Brazil: "After Doug graduated, we kept in touch via text for a little while, but I'm an awful texter (as many people know). So I told him that he may as well just write me a letter...and he did! He wrote the first letter to USAFA where I was working BCT and then from there we kept writing back and forth even after I'd moved to Brazil for my semester abroad."
Relationship: "Doug and I both knew what we were looking for: a person whom we loved deeply, a friend and companion, and someone who was chasing after God just the same. I've never run out of things to talk about with Doug...it's been the best ongoing conversation of my life. We're two imperfect human beings just trying to understand the unconditional love of a perfect God."
Engagement: "It was hilarious! Doug was a nervous wreck. He swears he blacked out sometime along the walk back to my apartment in London. Premade plans had gone awry, and we were almost back to the apartment. The giveaway was when he implored that we turn back to Southbank with the lights in the "sparkly trees" because (with forlorn face) "they would be gone soon." We turned back and he asked with a cigar band first (like his father and grandfather before) and a second time with the ring. It was even more beautiful than I'd imagined it! Rest assured...the tree lights on Southbank are never taken down."
Doug: "I was a junior in CS-19 when Caroline moved into the squadron. She seemed like the nicest person, even if I couldn't keep up with her hipster fashion trends. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile. Or a beanie."
On friendship: "Caroline quickly became one of my favorite people to be around. She'd come over to try out an audition piece for me or to bring me a fresh batch of snow cream from the terazzo. Of course I was gonna keep milk in my fridge if it meant getting a 2 am visit from Caroline working on her papers. Losing sleep was definitely worth it. I think watching her Southern Belle DVD from finishing school was one of the defining moments of how close we'd gotten."
Letters to Brazil: "Alright, if we're being completely honest, I was pretty into Caroline at this point. So when she said I should just write her a letter, I grabbed a pen and paper that day and sent her one. And in a time when FaceTime and texting allow instantaneous communication with someone anywhere in the world, a letter making its way through the postal system all the way from Brazil somehow just had more weight and meaning. Plus English majors are incidentally very eloquent writers, so her letters were a joy to read."
Relationship: "The way I've come to see my relationship with Caroline is like a triangle with God at the top; the closer I am to God, the closer I am to her, and being near her brings me nearer to God. It's amazing being with someone who loves God more than she loves me. Caroline is my best friend and she's the way I want to begin and end every day of my life."
Engagement: "Well we had walked back through the park every single time we'd gone back to her apartment because the shortcut she normally takes had always been closed. So of course the one time it was open was when I'm about to propose to Caroline. I just saw my plan derailing and had no way to improvise in my mind since my heart was beating so loudly I couldn't hear myself think. And the apartment was set up with roses, champagne, and my guitar, so I couldn't let us get all the way back there. So in a last minute panic, I said the only thing I could even think of: that I wanted to see the pretty lights in the park because "they would be gone soon." I mean, it was Christmas time and I had no way of knowing that those lights were actually in the trees all year.. But despite the minor setbacks, she said yes and instantly made me the happiest man in the world (and definitely the most relieved)."
Favorite part of the day:
"One of [our] favorite things about the wedding is the fact that it was a destination wedding for the majority of guests and to have so many attend literally from sea to shining sea and even further, from Virginia to California, Alaska to Texas and many states in between and from England and Germany, is an extremely humbling and emotional thing."
Flowers were by Heather Seals of Foxglove. DJ was Brent Cantrell with Cosmo Creations. Caterer was Grade-A-Catering (so yummy!). Jo West of Jo's Custom Cakes and Catering, Inc made the cake. We worked with Ellie Odom Photography, and I was so surprised by this, but this was the first time we had worked with her! It was such a pleasure, and her photos are great. She posted some from the Hampshire wedding on her Facebook. Here is their Intro!
