With the Dog-Days of summer in full swing, I wanted to reflect back to the Spring weddings here on the farm from earlier this year. Spring technically begins in March and ends late June, but I would say that in the south, Spring ends early May.
Austin and Ryan, like so many of our couples these days, were very busy with finishing school and balancing work and wedding planning and LIFE. Austin contacted me early to handle Day of Coordinator, decorating, and all of her bouquets. Through many emails and a few meetings, I got to know her, her style, and her vision for her wedding day. She was wonderful to work with and with the help of some Pinterest pictures and such, we took a huge load off of her shoulders as we handled many of the details of wedding day.
With rain the week before and rain the day of her wedding, it often feels like a test of a bride’s spirit to deal with the thought of wedding day in rain. It is what it is and all the fretting in the world can’t change it. Austin, though surely a bit disappointed, was content with a plan B scenario. The compensation for a rainy day is the amazing richness of hues that shows up in your photos plus just look at those clouds in the background.
Thinking that the bride might need a slight distraction so she isn’t thinking about the rain scenario, I popped into the farmhouse with one of our baby goats for a mini-visit with the bride and bridesmaids. It seemed to be “just what the doctor ordered” as you can tell by her smile that she was tickled to have a little bit of goat cuddlin’ time!
Mauve has been a very popular color this year thus far. It stands out beautifully with the rich green backdrop of the grass – doesn’t it? HP Farms handled the bouquets (kudos to Jill – this is one of my favorite bouquets…truly unique!).
As the deadline approached for a final decision on the “inside or outside” ceremony question, the weather took a turn for the best and we were able to set up for the outdoor grove ceremony after all!
While guests are playing cornhole, feeding crackers to the goats, and have a bit of a break, it gives a bit of time for a few romantic photos.
The Tree Tunnel is one of the favorite locations. Somehow this area just produces magic each time.
Say “Cheese!” Don’t look now but I think that there are some photo hogs in the background!
With your wedding being one of your “high points” of your life, it is only fittin’ to stand in the hayfield in the shadow of High Point (the highest point of Lookout Mountain) for a photo.
The journey has just begun for them but with a tight family and a solid group of supportive friends, Austin and Ryan have a great treasure right off the bat.
Lots of vintage glassware, touches of purple vintage bottles, goblets, and votives, an array of farm flowers and a touch of elegance with those mauve roses all come together to make a very classy barn reception. Even the rosemary sprigs atop the linen napkins not only raises the level of your reception but it makes the barn smell awesome! This is simple elegance to a tee and all with the lavender accent to compliment the brides colors.
Some personal touches and a unique choice for a sign in – a whiskey barrel lid! I think maybe they found it on Etsy but kudos for thinking outside the box and finding something neat.
The cakes were beautiful. (Somebody help me remember who made these!). We displayed them in the dancehall which converted nicely as a dessert room. With all of the frames on the back wall, it really makes for a beautiful photo on this long whiskey barrel bar. The rustic influences and bits of greenery and succulents all play off of each other so it was both delicious and visually appealing – don’t you agree?
The evening continued with dancing and special moments. I think the rain eventually came in but who cares. Being in the barn with rain hitting the tin roof is always a cool experience. It was a special evening for all with a wealth of memories (and great photos). Congratulations to Austin and Ryan and thank you for being part of our farm history!
~ Margie
From the living area looking towards the back is the kitchen area then beyond that is the bathroom. We took a vintage door that was originally pulled out of the farmhouse and made it into a trolley door for the bathroom. This allowed the door mirror for prepping and with it being a trolley door it took up less space. And who doesn’t like the look of all of that trolley hardware? With the door open, it showcases the beautiful vintage mirror attached to the wall of the bathroom. This mirror came off of an old vanity desk.
If you know us at all, you knew that we would put a vintage farmhouse sink in this treehouse. The lace sink skirt, the brass hardware, and the vintage chandelier over the sink all play off of each other and somehow it makes even the kitchen a romantic spot.
Open shelving with the essentials, a real “mini-stove”, and a bonafide refrigerator. I don’t think anybody will actually cook but we wanted to leave our options open for the future.
The bar is just the right size for the two of you and the view isn’t so bad either with Lookout Mountain in the horizon. Often there are even goats in the pasture below you.
Beyond the kitchen is the bathroom. No composting toilet for our brides! A real toilet that flushes and a nice shower stall with subway tile; even large enough for two if you snuggle in.
As you move upstairs to the bedroom via the ladder you will find a king size bed awaiting you. The full rear wall is made out of vintage doors just to add some interesting architecture. There is the Boho vibe on the wall with the antlers and dream catchers. The large bed is inviting with soft pillows and such. A fan overhead for comfort and of course an A/C unit too.
The inside roof is made of recycled barn tin and not just any barn tin. When we began our wedding venue, we replaced our barn roof with new tin and kept much of the old knowing that one day it might come in handy. For sure, the vintage tin adds interest plus brings in the history of the farm to a new addition – marrying past and present. This is something that I always try to do is to blend the old with the new with each new project that we tackle.
From upstairs to downstairs, there is always great views. The large half-circle window at the crest of the treehouse not only lets in light but shows more of the foliage that surrounds the house. So many of the treehouses that we have seen prior to our own creation seemed way too dark for our taste. We wanted the best of both worlds. We wanted it light and airy so you could see all of the trees and canopy surrounding you. Wanted it romantic and cozy inside so you knew it was meant for lovers. It is the attention to detail that hopefully makes it memorable.
And even the porch has a homey feel to it. With a farmhouse style to it, we put a couple of vintage chairs on the porch just in case you wanted to sit and watch the lightening bugs before retiring for the night. The cafe lights above and the rock pathway leading you to the treehouse all are geared to beckon one and all to come for the night and let it be an enchanting ending to the most wonderful day of your life.
~Margie
Our 2018-2019 winter project was to build a tree-house honeymoon suite.
We have lodging options in our farmhouse and in our Mimi Guest House, but we wanted a special option for our bride and groom’s. Though we embrace the “farmhouse-vibe” both at our farm and with our other lodging options, we wanted to take it with a new twist with our new project. We envisioned a cute “mini-farmhouse cottage” style. The white outside walls, turned porch columns, long and skinny front windows, a cozy front porch, and a tin roof all SHOUT farmhouse.
The choices of the Groomsmen’s Attire are virtually endless these days. There is always a consideration to blend the guys look with the bride/bridesmaids, but in a world of “rustic-chic” where you can mix simple or informal with elegance or vintage, you don’t have to even be matchy-matchy. Let your groom stand out among his groomsmen but consider all of your choices.
