Every wedding starts with a love story. A classic boy-meets-girl kind-of moment that changes absolutely everything. And this particular love story all started with a visit to South Africa–her family on a safari and him being their guide. It’s the kind of chance meeting that’s so very magical, it deserves a wedding equally as special. Nina Mullins caught every moment of this happily-ever-after, and there’s even more in the full gallery right here.
From Always Planned…Our goal was to create an event that not only was a celebration of the bride and groom’s unique background, but to also invite each guest to share in their love story. The love story of how they met and fell in love while in South Africa – her family on an African Safari and him being their guide, as a professional hunter. The mix of personalities and styles proved to be a unique blend that is both glamorous and masculine at the same time.
Custom signage directs guests to the beautiful outdoor ceremony area. Surrounded by trees, the front lawn of the beautiful La Belle House at the Headley-Whitney Museum is the perfect location for the 200 guests to witness the wedding ceremony. Natural wood folding chairs keep with our rustic theme and by keeping the Alter Showpiece all white, our couple and their bridal party take center stage. Oversized rustic pillars, blanketed in all white and finished off with fresh floral hanging baskets, make this alter showpiece extravagant yet natural and rustic, thus keeping with our overall theme.
At the ceremony we combined his love for the outdoors with her love of flowers and finer elements. The rustic color of the natural wooden guest chairs, paired nicely with the more ornate gold shimmer fan programs. Blending Kentucky and South Africa could prove challenging, that is unless you have access to a steel drum band. The cocktail hour is held in the beautiful gardens and lawn of the Headley-Whitney Museum. Hi-top Cocktail tables adorned in LaTavola Dupoinique Iridesence linen in Brass color and topped off with unique floral arrangements, consisting of gorgeous purple hydrangea, garden roses, kale cabbage, stock and curly willow. Guests are greeted with the signature cocktail of Low Country Lemonade. A large oversized chalkboard has the menu of passed appetizers – Chilled Strawberry Soup Shooters, Weisenberger Mill Stone Ground Chedder Grit Cake with BBQ Shrimp and Mini Hot Brown Puffs.
Bourbon Tasting Lounge: Being from Kentucky definitely has advantages and one of those is Bourbon. We began with a 60×90 white pole tent, embellished with a white ceiling treatment and set with mood lighting. Complete with chic modern seating arrangements, rustic elements of wooden side tables and bourbon barrel cocktail tables. The area was completed with lanterns, fresh floral arrangements, antlers, a bourbon bar and cigars. To add to the overall guest experience, each guest was invited to learn the history of our Kentucky Bourbon’s and enjoy a sample as a Bourbon Expert from the Bourbon Review Magazine educated guests at the bourbon bar.
Reception Tent: Lining the pathway to the 60×120 Hi-Peak reception tent are beautiful rustic brown lanterns on shepherd hooks. Guests enter the large white tent and are surprised with antler chandeliers completed with amber colored crystals to add a splash of elegance to the rustic element. Windowpanes direct guests to their table, as a 24’ custom round bar welcomes guests to enjoy drinks all night long.
Guest tables are adorned with the stunning LaTavola Isabella Orchid linen and a series of 3 different floral centerpieces, some with antlers encased in glass domes add a touch of whimsy and dimension to the tent. A large 24’ custom round bar adds a sense of elegance, while additional cocktail tables add space for guests to mix and mingle. Each guest table is finished off with gold mercury glass votives, ivory silk napkins, gold shimmer menu cards and a glittery bon bon from Bedazzle my Bonbon’s at each place setting.
Lighting is an important element to our overall design and the reception tent is no exception. Each guest table has a pin spotlight as the wedding cake, groom’s cake and the bar become focal points with attention grabbing lights. After dinner, the live bank kicks off and our lighting instantly changed to a starry night gobo covering the entire top of the tent, washing the evening in a gorgeous hue and setting the tone for a night of endless excitement.
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Wedding Photography: Nina Mullins Photography | Ceremony Venue: La Belle House at the Headley-Whitney Museum | Furniture, Custom Bar, Lanterns, Chandeliers + Decor: Always Planned, LLC | Linens: La Tavola Linen | Wedding Cake: Tinkers Cake Shop | Invitations: Affordable Invitations | Ceremony Music: String Trio | Cocktail Music: Blue Steel Band | Reception Music: The Mighty Kicks | Bourbon Tasting: The Bourbon Review | Guest Transportation: Wombles Charters | Bridal Party Transportation: Gold Shield Transportation | Favors: Bedazzle My Bonbons