Southern Wedding at Twin Oaks Farm - Taylor & Jeremy

Taylor + Jeremy

 "We met in the hall at break my freshmen year of high school. Jeremy pulled me towards him by a boa I had on for spirit day and I've been hooked ever since! Its hard to believe that was over 9 years ago, and its even harder to believe that after all this time he still manages to give me the same butterflies I had in the hall all of those years ago. I'll forever be thankful that God placed such a special person in my life. He is truly a gift; one I feel undeserving of at times." 

What was your first dance song?

"My Best Friend by Tim McGraw"

How did you feel when you saw each other for the first time on the wedding day?

"Peace! Its so easy to get consumed in the hustle and bustle of the wedding day and get so caught up in the little details that you catch yourself forgetting what the day truly represents. We saw each other for the first time when I walked down the aisle. Once I stepped through the arbor and made my first step towards him nothing else mattered but him, and knowing I was about to marry my best friend was the most peaceful and assuring feeling I’ve ever felt. That moment is what makes the blood, sweat, and tears you put into planning your wedding day totally worth it! My second thought: he is smoking hot :)" - Taylor

"She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." - Jeremy

What was the most memorable moment of the day?

All of the feels!! We will always remember the happiness and love we felt that day, and to be surrounded by our family and friends was icing on the cake.

If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?

"Jeremy says he wouldn't change a thing. For me, there are a few things that could have been more organized, but at the end of the day we were still married and that's all that mattered to us!"

Do you have any advice to other brides & grooms?

"Don't lose sight of what your wedding day is about! Soak it all in. Oh, and leave room in your budget for a videographer. The day flies by too fast!" 

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

"Costa Rica"

-Vendors-

Venue: Twin Oaks Farm

Catering: Creekside Caterers

Wedding Cake: Marti's Cakes & Catering

Hair: Melissa Sterling

Makeup: Drew Graham

Dress: Essense of Australia

Florist: Classic Florist

Band: Nu South Playaz

Videographer: Small-Town Films

Second Photographer: Andy & Aimee Carter

Twin Oaks Farm Weddings - Maggie + Michael

Maggie & Michael

"Michael and Maggie met at Houston’s First Baptist in Houston, TX. Michael had been attending the church for about 4 months. On August 30, Maggie walked into the Sunday school class (the class specifically for young, single adults) for the first time. She was investigating new churches alone, and a leader in the group took Maggie into the class and sat at the table where Michael was sitting. Michael and Maggie immediately started talking, and they had much to talk about as they discovered that they were both from GA. The next week, Maggie returned to the class, but Michael was not there. September 13, Maggie attended the class again. Michael was back. He walked into the class and chose to sit next to Maggie. At the end of the class, Maggie mentioned to Michael that she had not seen him there the week before. The two ended up getting kicked out of the Sunday school classroom because they stayed in there too long talking. They went to church together, and then they went to lunch with the Sunday school class after the service. The other young adults at lunch saw the connection between Maggie and Michael (as they basically only talked to each other the entire lunch), and the others thought that the two had known each other for years. After lunch, Michael asked Maggie to coffee. Even though Maggie does not drink coffee, she said yes."

Venue: Twin Oaks Farm

Catering: Katerings by Kelly

Florist: Southern Florals & Drapes

DJ: Entourage Entertainment

Wedding Director: Callie Rackley - Sister-Secrets

Horse & Carriage: Horse Tails & Southern Belles Carriage Services

Second Photographer: Candice Emerson

Sisters are the best!

In the middle of the bridal party photos the bottom fell out and it poured! 

Maggie & Michael very calmly hung out in the hospitality barn until the rain stopped. They kept loving on each other and being completely adorable. Maggie mentioned to me "it's just memories!". I adore her and her attitude!

What was your first dance song?

"A mix that we created: we combined Lady Antebellum's "One Great Mystery", Hunter Hayes' "I Want Crazy", and Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"

How did you feel when you saw each other for the first time on the wedding day?

"We were overwhelmed with love and joy. We did a first look before the wedding, and it was exactly what we had envisioned. We held hands around a pecan tree, and then we came together. We had no words. We just wanted to be in each others arms and enjoy the moment. The wedding that we had been planning for months was finally happening. We were finally becoming one. At that moment, nothing else mattered."

What was the most memorable moment of the day?

"The most memorable moment was the soaked groom, the bride under the garage, and the missing ring. When the rain came, my dad and I (Maggie) were in the carriage ready to head down the aisle. Instead, a thunderstorm came, so they took shelter in an open garage. About 20 minutes later, still pouring rain, the wedding director came and said the groom had returned to the guest house to use my sister's blow-dryer to blow-dry his white suit...which was soaked completely through. Then, the caterer came to me and said that she did not want to alarm the bride, but Michael's ring was missing. To the caterer's surprise, I said, "Oh, I have it!" In the end, the rain stopped; Michael's suit dried; and Michael's ring made it to the ceremony. Everything else ran smoothly, and Michael and I had an eventful wedding that was perfect and certainly unforgettable."

If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?

"We wouldn't change a thing. Everything was perfect. We had family and friends. We had the most amazing vendors. We had blessings showered on our marriage (aka: rain postponed the ceremony). Most importantly, we entered into a covenant that will hold us together forever."

Do you have any advice to other brides & grooms?

"Our advice is to plan the wedding together. Often, the bride makes all of the decisions; the groom has no idea what will happen at their wedding. Michael and I worked with my mom to plan every detail. We made decisions together. We worked hard to create the wedding we wanted. It really made the wedding planning months a time to work together and to spend a lot of time together...a lot of work, but the reward is priceless. Everything did not go as planned, but our wedding was perfect for both of us. Our advice: work together! It is how you will be living the rest of your life."

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

"Fiji! We went to four different resorts in the Yasawa Islands."

Georgia Military College Wedding - Milledgeville, Georgia - Diana + Jesse

Diana + Jesse

"Like the Keith Urban song - we fell in love in a cop car. I was working at the District Attorney's office and was at the Sheriff's office to participate in a ride along to learn more about the entire criminal process. Deputy Riner requested "the redhead", and the rest is history!"

Venue & Catering:  Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA

Wedding Coordinator/Florist:  Ellen Kirkland with assistance from Charlotte Bearden

Videographer:  Combat In the Wild, LLC 

Cake: Slice - Shannon Stubbs 

DJ:  Nightlife Entertainment - Justin Seymour

Hair & Makeup:  Charmed Salon & Spa - Jodi "Dee" Brynteson and Dana Wolfe

Bride's Dress:  MoriLee by Madeline Gardner - Bridals by Gilbert in Perry, GA

Tuxedo Rental:  Bridals by Gilbert in Perry, GA

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Belsoie, purchased from Formally Yours in Lilburn, GA  

Officiant:  Milton Bayne - Bride's Uncle

Second photographer: Jenny Prater

Like father like son...

and the star of the show...

Of course we had to sneak out to get on the roof;)

What was your first dance song?

"Yours (Wedding Edition) by Russell Dickerson"

• How did you feel when you saw each other for the first time on the wedding day?
  "I thought that she was beautiful, her dress was beautiful, her veil was beautiful, and I was so happy to be there in that moment and on that day marrying her!" - Jesse I was so overwhelmed with emotion - tears immediately came to my eyes as soon as he turned around. I felt like it was such an important moment in our journey, and one we will remember and look back on for the rest of our lives." -Diana
  What was the most memorable moment of the day?

  "My most memorable moment was the first dance. After all the planning and work toward our big day, being announced and going into our reception with all our friends and loved ones in the room, I felt like I could finally take a deep breath and it felt like we were alone in the room because all I could focus on was Diana."  - Jesse 

  "My favorite moment was the first look - seeing the look on his face when he saw me in my dress for the first time. I will remember the look on his face for the rest of my life. Having those few minutes with just us was such a blessing and a quiet time on a crazy and exciting day! Close second - taking pictures on the roof at sunset and twirling around in my ball gown - I felt like Cinderella, which I think every little girl dreams of!" - Diana

  If you could do it all over again, would you change anything? 

   "No!" - Jesse 

  "No, it was an amazing day and if anything went wrong I never knew about it!!" -Diana
  Do you have any advice to other brides & grooms?

  "Wear comfortable shoes!" - Jesse 

  "Relax and enjoy the day. Regardless of what happens, you will still be married at the end of the day. Don't sweat the small stuff because it doesn't matter and you won't notice or remember it! Delegate and get as much help as you can do you won't have to stress about anything, especially day of!!" - Diana

   
  Where did you go on your honeymoon?

  "Turks & Caicos" 

Texas, Georgia, God's Goodness & Waffle House - Ellen + Cody

Ellen + Cody

"Anybody who hears me and Ellen' story probably thinks how crazy and random and unbelievable and lucky it is that were engaged…but God doesn’t think so. Proverbs 16:9 says “The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” and that’s exactly what happened. Both Ellen and I can see God’s providence all over our relationship from way before we even met. Let me explain... 

When Ellen was applying to nursing school, she wanted to go to Augusta, but through God’s sovereignty she ended up going to Georgia College in Milledgeville and rooming with Ashah.  Through Georgia College, Ellen did all her clinical and externships in Macon, and after graduation she got a job at the hospital and moved out here. (where Ashah was now living ).While living in Macon, Ellen and Ashah would run together now and then and keep in touch. 

I’m a Texan, born and raised, and never thought I would live outside of the greatest state ever. But just like with Ellen, God had a different plan in mind. After college I decided that I wanted to be a college basketball coach. While I wanted to stay in Texas, a coach who recruited my brother was now at Mercer University and through this I was able to get a graduate assistant coaching position for Mercer basketball. In June of 2015 I packed my bags, fully focused on my “career” and nothing else in mind…Well, just one other thing in mind.

Now Ashah’s best friend Michelle and her family went to the same church I grew up in (If you want that story on how that happened ask Ashah). In March of 2015, 3 months before moving out to Macon, I was shown a picture of this girl from Michelle that I “just had to meet” when I moved. (I later learned that Ashah had also showed Ellen a picture of this stunningly handsome man moving from Texas). Being a tough guy and all, on the exterior I was like whatever, maybe I will. I don’t like to be set up, I never had been and I never wanted to, but for some reason this was different, I really wanted to meet this girl. I mean, she was really cute in the picture I was shown.  

I’m really thankful Ashah didn’t waste any time in introducing us. On my 4^thday in Macon, Ellen and I met at a movie, which was supposed to be a group setting, but by the open seats in the theater it ended up pretty much being a double date with Ashah and her husband Ben. Now Ashah and Michelle had kept telling me how “cute” Ellen was, but when I saw here for the very first time I realized “cute” didn’t do her justice. The only thing I could think of was “she is drop-dead gorgeous.” We had a really good time that night, but I wanted to take it slow and not freak her out so I didn’t ask for her number yet.

The second time we hung out with Ben and Ashah, 3 days later I asked Ellen for her phone number. After a couple days and texts later, I called Ellen and asked her out, where unbeknownst to us at the time, we both went on our last, first date ever.  We dated throughout the summer, and grew to love each other’s company and conversation more and more each day. We became “official” in mid August and our strong affection for each other grew into love.

I can’t pinpoint an exact time, but somewhere in the fall I knew I loved Ellen and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I started the ring shopping process in November and by February 2016 I had her ring.  With basketball season in full swing I had to wait until the season was over to propose. On Sunday, March 13^th, I couldn’t wait any longer.  We both really enjoy the outdoors, and Ellen loves to watch the sun set. We had been out to the spot before, so I told Ellen we should go watch the sun set and then go out to eat. We went out to Lake Tobesofkee, laid a blanket out on the ground and were watching the sunset. I pointed out something along the shoreline and told her we should go take a look at it. After helping Ellen up, I got down on one knee, and when she turned around I asked her to marry me. She said yes! Seeing how evident God’s providence was in me and Ellen meeting, we can’t wait to get married and see what God has in store for us throughout our life and marriage."

Cody saw a leaf, grabs it off the tree & said look it's like mistletoe! Haha!!!

This photo below is a cell phone picture from that night when we all went to the theater. Ben & I tried to make the night last longer so we invited them to go to Waffle House after;)

 OF course we had to do a remake;)

Cody & Ellen, We love you both. We are so thankful to the Lord for y'all & I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE WEDDING!!!;)