A fabulous and fun Friday afternoon welcomed the wedding of Kendra and Scott here at The Barn at Crooked Pines Farm.  Following a day of relaxing and girl time, Kendra’s bridesmaids donned their teal blue dresses as Kendra took her place in her beautiful lace gown.  Once the groom and his men were bow tied-up, everyone was lined up within the barn for the processional.  Leading the group was Scott with their close friend and officiant, Mike.  As the rest of the wedding party took their place up front, the doors were closed and reopened for the grand entrance of the bride as the sun shone down as brightly as her smile.  

Guests then witnessed Kendra and Scott exchange hand-written vows to one another talking about their love for the other person and the commitment they were making that day.  No matter how hard guests tried, not many were left with dry eyes after watching the two speak no truer words to their soon to be spouse.  As another symbol of their love, Kendra and Scott tied a knot in a rope as Mike read the significance behind this gesture.

After the couple was announced as man and wife, the guests stepped to the side lawn while the family and wedding party posed for pictures by photographer Johna Griswell of Johna Griswell Photography.  When it was time for DJ Gerald Allen, of The TC Show DJ & Entertainment Group, to announce the wedding party, guests were given a real
treat as each pairing did a little dance to a specially selected song upon entering the dance floor.  Guests then lined up for a delicious spread of food from Hallie Jane’s Catering from Madison, Georgia. 

When everyone had a happy plate, they turned their attention to the dance floor where each member of the bridal party was giving toasts to Kendra and Scott reminiscing on how they first met, mustaches, and sweet memories of their love of delicious food.  There has never been a wedding party so close and connected as Kendra and
Scott’s crew and it was neat listening to the touching stories.  Following the last toast, Kendra and Scott took to the dance floor for their first official dance followed by the other traditional dances with their parents.  

The dance floor then opened and guests circled around and cut a rug or two.  In the middle of this dance party, lights suddenly dimmed and Kendra was brought into the middle of the dance floor by their friend Mike.  We then watched as the groomsmen entered the room and took their stance around her while the Mission Impossible theme
song played in the background.  Scott, headlamp adorned, then sought out the garter and tossed it to the
single men in the room.  Kendra followed suite and tossed her bouquet before the two cut their gorgeous cake
created by Publix of Greensboro. 

The couple capped off the night with a little Newlywed-themed game we affectionately call “Getting to Know Your ‘Sole’mate” where the couple raises the shoe of the person who the question best fits.  Needless to say, this night had many unique and special touches that only a great couple who surrounds themselves with great people could bring to The Barn.  We were so happy to celebrate this special day with them and only wish the best for their days to
come!

A sunny Saturday afternoon was made even more perfect with the wedding of Elizabeth and Lane – a couple who has been with The Barn from the beginning.  This couple has become part of the farm family like no other and even opted to take their engagement photos here on the property adding an even more unique touch to their décor on
their big day.  Elizabeth and her girls primped and powdered up in our bridal suite while the floral work of Carla
DeLoach took over the bottom portion of our barn creating a beautiful and lush scenery for that evening’s events.  

When it was time to start the ceremony, guests were taken by surprise at the sounds of selected songs echoed across the lawn.  The groom and his guys walked out, cowboy hats adorning their head, to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” theme giving a classic Western feel to the barn scene.  Elizabeth’s girls took a whimsical approach and danced out to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” which lifted the spirits and readied the crowd for Elizabeth’s grand entry out of the barn doors.  When the chorus hit of “A Thousand Years,” the barn doors were opened and Elizabeth, escorted by her father, walked her way down the decorated aisle to her future husband.

When the ceremony, officiated by Danny Spivey, came to a close, family photos were captured by Angie’s Picture Palace as guests enjoyed drinks and corn hole on the side lawn.  Upon the announcement of the wedding party, guests lined up to enjoy a delicious spread from Octagon Café out of Milledgeville – complete with a mashed
potato bar! While the guests enjoyed their meal, they watched as Elizabeth and Lane shared their first dance as man and wife followed by a father-daughter dance, a groom-mother dance and the cutting of the cake, created by Wanda Sheppard.

When the cake had been cut, guests then got a special treat when Elizabeth stepped back to the dance floor with her stepfather, Mike.  This last dance was followed by the opening of the dance floor where guests enjoyed music from DJ Eddie Vanderpool of B&E Entertainment.  This group danced the evening away and were pumped and ready to go when the time came to toss the bouquet and grapple for the garter!  Fortunately for those single ladies, Elizabeth brought a second bouquet for throwing rather than using her hand-crafted bouquet created from broaches, beads and pins from family members.  Pictures don't do her real bouquet justice.

As Lane and Elizabeth ran off through a sea of sparklers, guests cheered for this sweet couple.  It is crazy sometimes how close we get with clients after they select The Barn, but it is so fun to flip through pictures of our first bridal show and see Elizabeth with her mom touring our venue.  Thank you, Lane and Elizabeth, for letting us be such a big part of your big day! We wish you the best and know your life together will be filled with lots of smiles and happy times!

Sometimes you leave an event wishing you could spend just a little more time with the couple and this was one of those events.  Leanna and Will exude what all couples should share between them – pure joy to spend each moment growing together. This couple lit up the room, the lawn and the barn with their free spirits and their go-with-the-flow attitudes. Not only were we amazed at this young couple’s affection towards one another, but the love they have for their family and friends showed greatly when scanning the room and watching the guests smile
blissfully upon the newlyweds. 

This couple held their ceremony at the back of the barn utilizing the white cotton curtains to frame out our wooden barn doors.  When Leanna turned the corner, their officiant Dr. Mike Cavin, tapped Will on the shoulder to allow him to take his first look at his beautiful bride.  As her bridesmaids eyes filled with tears, Leanna, escorted by her father, made her way down the aisle to her future husband.  During the ceremony, the couple lit a unity candle using flames from candles lit by their parents at the start of the ceremony.  These moments were captured by their photographer David Parks of David Parks Photography in Americus, Georgia.

After they were announced husband and wife, Leanna and Will invited their guests to the side lawn for corn hole, roasted peanuts and a little bit of socializing.  The blessing was then given and guests were invited to enjoy a delicious buffet spread from At Your Service Catering.  While enjoying their meal, they witnessed the first dance of Leanna and Will as well as a sweet slow song for Leanna’s dad and a slow-turned-speedy song for Will’s mom.  This family sure can cut a rug!

Following these traditional dances came one extremely heartfelt toast from one of Leanna’s bridesmaids.  She spoke kind words on how Leanna and Will were there for her unconditionally throughout her life and they were her second family.  The closeness of everyone showed when DJ Matt Osborne of Spectrum Entertainment cranked up the music and guests danced their way into the center of the barn.  There were many melodies sung out as well as a few lip synching battles witnessed underneath our string lights that night. 

After tossing her bouquet and watching the guys fight it out for the garter, guests lined the sidewalk with sparklers in hand to wish off Leanna and Will.  They then left with a unique and personal favor - a jar of BBQ sauce made by one of Leanna’s family members.  It is such a blessing to spend time with such fantastic people who are also surrounded by fantastic people.  We feel so lucky to have been picked to be part of this special day for Leanna and Will and only wish them the best for their many years together.  Congratulations!

A Saturday sprinkled with rain brought Amanda and Bryan’s outdoor ceremony to a beautiful indoor retreat with guests gathered together under the string lighting of the interior of the barn. Taking their place in front of a
gorgeous arbor from Berry’s Catering and Floral, guests watched as this couple said their vows and walked away for the first time as a married pair.  The guests then stepped out onto the now rain-free side lawn to enjoy a drink displayed upon a copper top table piece brought in by the catering team.  

While guests mixed and mingled, the couple was captured in varying spots around the farm by Lindley’s Photography.  This husband and wife photography team spaced out around the venue snapping photos from every angle and of every event.  Needless to say, the pictures this team took were phenomenal! A particular photography love of ours was the moment the sky darkened and Amanda and Bryan stood in front of a ’55 Chevy truck brought in as the getaway car following their farewell later that night. Surrounding by headlights, the bride was dipped down by her groom for some of the most unique photographs we have seen on our farm. 

Stepping inside, guests were surrounding by the sounds of Tim Cadiere and Wash Board Road – the musical artist for the evening.  As Tim and his band played, guests lined up for an unbelievably delicious meal from Berry’s Catering and Floral.  Complete with salad, mashed potatoes, a shrimp and grits bar, bacon-wrapped chicken, rolls, cornbread, and a vegetable medley, not one guest left with an empty or unhappy stomach.  The food was complimented even more when guests enjoyed slices of the cake created by Erin Mills of Big Day Cakes Bakery in Augusta.  
 
The night went flawlessly thanks to the tireless work of their wedding planner, Beth Mobley who facilitated the entire evening.  She ensured that each guest left feeling like they had the time of their life that evening and we can attest that no one left not loving every minute.  Whether dancing to the band’s music or enjoying a delightful meal, the love that surrounding Amanda and Bryan that evening was evident with the numerous smiles across the crowd’s
faces.  We feel so honored to have  been part of such a special moment for Amanda and Bryan and wish them the best for their long and happy life together. Congratulations, you two and thank you for letting us celebrate the  wonderful people you are!

A beautiful Saturday afternoon was made even more beautiful when guests witnessed the marriage of Beth and Todd out on the lawn behind the barn.  Nestled between two whiskey barrels, the couple standing along with Father Doyle, their officiant, traded words of love, shed a few tears and smiled so genuinely at one another that
everyone in their presence felt the love Beth and Todd have for one another.  The wedding party then followed the couple off the lawn to a whimsical music choice while guests went to the side lawn where they enjoyed drinks which were served by At Your Service Catering, corn hole, and even got the chance to light up the night with glow
bracelets and rings.

When it was time for the announcing of the wedding party and family, everyone came inside to sit at the beyond gorgeous farm tables handpicked by Beth from Lake Oconee Rentals.  At the center of the tables, guests
enjoyed looking at floral arrangements in mason jars from Wedding Designs – the same company who created the beautiful bouquets and boutonnieres for the ceremony.  The DJ, Kurt Kesler of CG Sound & Lighting, then announced tables for the bar-b-que spread from Georgia Butts BBQ of Eatonton.  Some of the tables even got into a celebratory mood when Kurt announced them as the next in line – this meant cheering and clapping ensued. 
Once the bar-b-que had settled and the night began, guests watched Todd and Beth share their first dance, then watched Beth and her father dance sweetly under the glowing lights in the barn followed by Todd and his mom sharing one of the most touching mother-son moments we’ve seen (so touching that new wife Beth brought a hankie over to the dance floor).  Guests then noticed that Beth had changed from her red high heels into her signature shoe - Nike Shox - that were bedazzled with her new initials. 

The couple then walked over to the dessert table where they cut the traditional first slice of cake for Todd and then shared a cookie – a touch Beth wanted for her special day.  The cake and cookies, created by Publix of Greensboro, went quickly as Mike and Carla, members of the wedding party, gave heartfelt toasts to the newlyweds.  Once the toasts were done and hugs given, the attendees gathered to the dance floor to party it up the rest of the evening.  Moments on the dance floor were captured by photographer Michelle Cottengain, owner of Little Butterflies Photography, as family members laughed, boogied, and cut a rug or two. 

As the night came to a close, guests enjoyed a shuttle service to their hotel accommodations from Avalon Limousine Services, and then Beth and Todd took their turn to ride off into the night.  This fun-loving couple brought a sense of family unity, overwhelming love and happiness to our barn that we adore.  Congratulations, Beth and Todd! We wish you all the best in your life together and hope the memory of your wedding day with us was as special to you
as it was to the staff here at The Barn.

A day meant to be filled with rain was filled with joy, laughter and smiles for Katie and Zachary.  Prior to the ceremony, Katie and Zack had a first look captured by Kyle Hitchcock Photography.  Such a sweet time for the couple to have a quiet moment together before the hustle and bustle of the night.  When the time for the ceremony arrived, the family and wedding party walked across The Barn’s luscious green lawn to an arbor decorated by the florist.  When the big moment for Katie’s arrival arose, the beloved barn doors opened wide as Katie’s father, David, escorted his little girl down an aisle donned with sheppard hooks and mason jars.  The rustic white chairs from Oconee Event Rentals sat guests as they watched the marriage of Katie and Zack beneath the pines.

Following the ceremony, guests spent time on our side lawn enjoying appetizers from Save Room For Seconds Catering.  When they got quenched for a drink, the bartenders from At Your Service Catering served them an ice cold beverage in a custom-made koozie designed by the bride.  When the wedding party was announced, Katie and Zack had their first dance, followed by a father-daughter dance and ending with a choreographed mother-son dance.  Guests then lined up for a delicious spread by Save Room For Seconds Catering including chicken, salad, rolls, and other fixings.  While enjoying their food, guests sat at tables with sweetly simple centerpieces and could view the elaborate centerpiece on the buffet table created by Designs by Kent, the couple's choice for florist.

Following some colorful and heartfelt toasts, Katie and Zack stepped over to the whiskey barrel table and cut their cake, also created by Save Room For Seconds Catering.  Guests were able to pick a slice of cake or enjoy various cupcake flavors as their sweet treat for the night.  When the dance floor officially opened, Walter Reynolds, from Z97.7 Radio, led the night with a variety of music for all guests to enjoy.  Capping  off the night for Katie and Zack was a run through a line of sparklers held by their dear guests.

Katie and Zack brought a fun loving and joyful spirit to The Barn that we love seeing on wedding days.  When the bride and groom are that happy to be spending a lifetime together, the guests are just as enthusiastic to help celebrate such a special day.  Congratulations, Katie and Zack! We hope your day at The Barn was fantastic and that all your days to come are just as magical as this one.

What we have dubbed as a wedding full of cowboy boots and southern roots kicked off our April line-up of weddings this year.  Heather and Garrett chose to have their ceremony at the back of our barn and utilize the white cotton curtains to frame the doorway they stood in front of.  Full of fun, the wedding party and groom danced their way down the aisle before taking their spots.  When the bride arrived, escorted by her father, the music slowed down and faces turned to catch a glimpse of the main lady of the night.  Their officiant, Jeremy Melton, led a ceremony tailored to the couple giving friendly advice from the heart.  Within the service, the couple participated in a sand ceremony as an analogy of blending lives together and never being able to separate those grains. 

Following their ceremony, guests enjoyed appetizers from At Your Service Catering as Pix by Gigi, the couple’s photographer, snapped shots of the newlyweds in our fenced-in field.  Once the couple was announced, the wedding party and guests enjoyed a buffet from At Your Service Catering including pulled pork, fried chicken, green
beans, rolls and macaroni and cheese.

When the time came to dance, C&D Entertainment kicked off the night with the traditional dances and then led into group dances that got the crowd up and off their feet.  A unique aspect of the night came when the DJ led the couple in a newlywed game involving shoes.  The couple raised the shoe of who the question fit best and it provided many laughs from the audience to watch the couple participate in this.  

After the cake was cut (and the cake war between the bride and groom was over) guests went outside to line the pathway with sparklers for the couple’s farewell photos.  Following this fake farewell, guests went back inside to enjoy the rest of their evening.  Once back inside, guests danced and we even spotted a little boy getting’
down while eating a cupcake! 

We want to thank Heather and Garrett for choosing to spend their special day with us and wish them all the best!

On Friday evening, 120 Gatewood students arrived at The Barn to dine then dance the night away for their 2014 Prom. The prom committee set the tables earlier in the week to have a rustic yet elegant feel using burlap squares, wooden slices, colored mason jars, flowers, and jars with birdseed and candles.  A unique aspect to their night was
the choice to use silverware, cloth napkins, glasses and plates from Oconee Event Rentals. This really brought the event a classy touch without inhibiting the fun that was to come.
 
Once students had enjoyed a delicious spread of food, including chicken, steak, rolls, carrots, rice and greens, from Sweet Kneads, the lights went off and the dancing started.  Ricky Discenza, the disc jockey of choice from Beauty and the Beat, led the crowd through numerous songs that inspired group dances, a few lifts of dates into the air, and lots of smiles and laughs. From his set-up, students enjoyed dancing under neon lights, seeing colorful circles float
through the air and enjoying the billow of smoke from the fog machine.  Roger Cannon Photography, Gatewood’s photographer of choice for the evening, used these elements to capture unique images that spoke wonders of the
evening the students were having.
 
One of our favorite, and previously unheard of pieces of décor, was the date wall.  Students and their date’s name were written on pieces of distressed wood and hung on our barn doors.  At the end of the night, the date would go and grab his piece from the wall and hand it to his date as a souvenir from the night.  Other souvenirs were given as
guests left including a t-shirt and tumbler with the night’s theme abbreviated on the side: Southern Roots.
 
At the end of the night, the King and Queen got crowned (Congrats, Nash and Ellen!) and the students rode away
via limo, party bus or snazzy car with great memories of their 2014 Prom.  Needless to say, the staff here at Crooked Pines Farm won’t forget this night either.  Thank you for choosing us as your venue, Gatewood students!

Handmade cake toppers and banners and coozies....favors and garters and wedding veils too-zies...custom made wedding dress tied up with string, Etsy is one of our favorite things! 

Etsy is a website that, for lack of a better explanation, is like Amazon's way-cooler cousin mixed with Ebay's selling experience. All of us here at The Barn (well, minus Duncan) can get lost browsing around the site for endless periods of time. It is a treasure trove, I tell you. 

I give you...a whole section of the site..just for weddings. Drool.

For the sake of examples, we will use our Marketing & Event Coordinator Amanda's Etsy shop, TheCreativePorcupine. Amanda simply set up a shop, posted her items, and voila! She's in business. Check out these cute as pie mugs that she made for a custom order:

The magic of Etsy is that anybody can do what Amanda did by setting up a "shop." That means that people who create really neat, original, incredible stuff can sell it all over the world, instead of only marketing through word of mouth locally. 

One of our favorite things about Etsy is the weddings section as seen in the first photo up there ^^^. If there is anything at all you want customized for your wedding, chances are you can find it. Those really cool name hangers? Simply search for them and take your pick. There are 3,736 to choose from right now.

Want some really cute, really unique invitations? There's a whole section on that.

And we can't possibly forget those bridemaids' gifts that you need for your girls. Don't fret. There's 235,248 items there to choose from. I bet you'll find the perfect item.

So maybe now you all understand a little better why Etsy is so awesome. We here at The Barn LOVE when our brides show up to decorate and they have bunches of "Etsy items." We get a little bit giddy about it, no lie. 

It is the little touches like this that can make your day (or even just every day of your life) unique. These items are often handmade according to your specifications, and you get the added satisfaction from knowing that you're buying something from an individual who takes pride and joy in his or her work!

I hope you're just as hooked on Etsy now as we are! Happy browsing!

Every girl knows that the right pair of shoes can make her whole outfit just perfect. For all of you brides, this is especially true! In years past, virtually every bride wore a  pair of conservative, white, closed-toe heels. Today, that is simply not the case! There are no limits to what you can wear on your wedding day. I have done a little research and found several different styles to present to you for a little inspiration.

First, and probably the most popular right now, are cowboy -- ahem -- cowGIRL boots. Especially with the popularity of southern, country, or rustic weddings in a barn like ours, this trend is everywhere. Boots have great qualities to take into account. The right pair of western boots can be super comfortable, they have ankle and arch support, and they can reflect your personality and wedding-feel if you are a boot-loving southerner. 

Another option that is both good for your feet and somebody else's is to wear TOMS brand shoes. The company even makes a special line of "bridal" shoes with either lace or sparkly fabric. You can find their whole line here. The best feature of Toms is (in my opinion) the fact that for every pair of shoes they sell, they donate another pair to someone in need around the world! It is a great cause, and the shoes are super comfy. 

Like I said at the beginning, brides used to always wear "typical" white shoes...pumps, flats, etc. While it isn't the ONLY type of shoes to wear on your wedding day now, traditions became traditional because they stand the test of time. For all you very classic brides, white shoes could be the perfect way to complete your bridal look. They can be spiced up with bling, peacock feathers, or just about anything else that you can imagine to make them personalized (and maybe a bit more modern) while still retaining that classic elegance.

The old saying goes: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something....BLUE! I have seen so many pictures of brides with blue shoes in every shade and hue all over Pinterest (which is where all of these fabulous footwear images came from). It seems that shoes are a quite popular item to use as a "Something Blue" to complete the adage of things a girl needs to have a complete wedding attire. Like I said, there are blue shoes in whatever shade and style suits your fancy.

My last piece of advice is certainly not least. Darling ladies, your wedding is exactly that...YOUR wedding! If you want to wear a pair of hot pink platform stilettos, while they might not be very comfortable, you should go right ahead and wear them! Whatever makes your heart sing is what you should wear. I personally love red heels. They have been my trademark shoes since I was in high school. So on my wedding day, I will most likely wear something like this:

I hope this post was informative and helpful! Happy shoe shopping, ladies! 

~Chelsea