I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but when I lived in Florida, I discovered Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville on an episode of Whose Wedding is it Anyways and completely fell in love with the North Georgia resort. I immediately set my heart on having my wedding (though I was single at the time) at this gorgeous venue. Fast forward to my West Palm Beach wedding that turned out to be ocean side rather than ruins side…. I still am absolutely in love with the garden setting at the ruins at Barnsley Garden offer. And so was today’s bride, Amy.
Amy wed Will on September 5, 2010 at Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, Georgia. She didn’t want a matchy-matchy type of wedding with too much color, she wanted something natural and summery. Barnsley provided the perfect setting for this and The Decisive Moment captured the event beautifully. Opting for fresh spring palette, Amy and Will chose light spring colors straight out of the natural scape surrounding the ruins. Where ever possible she incorporated butterflies in remembrance of her father who passed in 2005. Read on to hear about how this couple met, all the details that went in to their special day and a touching memory of butterflies she had with her dad.
Now for the proposal . . . details!
We went to Barnsley Gardens the weekend before Christmas in 2009. I thought we were going to see the Christmas lights and have a lovely dinner. While we were at dinner Will hired the fairy godmother (a very nice woman that works at Barnsley Gardens) go into our room and get the cabin set up for the proposal. After dinner we walked into the cabin with a roaring fire, rose petals and flowers everywhere, tons of candles lit, a blanket on the floor with a plate of smores to make! He got down on knee and did his version of the Kay Jewelers commercial that he knows makes me insane. The one where it is storming and then there is a crack of thunder and then she leaps into his arms and he says “I’m right here – I will always be right here” That one! So he put some humor into what can be a very intense moment. Thank goodness!! It was so romantic. We got engaged and sat in front of the fire and just enjoyed the moment.
We want to know all about the wedding details! Was it the small and intimate setting or the big traditional?!
The wedding was the perfect size. There were about 140 people there. We only had two people stand up with us. It was a very casual setting. Will’s brother and his best friend wore suits and my sister and my best friend wore black dresses of their choice! Again, no matching. Erin (my sister) wore a beautiful black sundress and Maria’s (my best friend) wore a gorgeous black short cocktail dress. The weekend was amazing. The wedding weekend started on Friday night. That is when we arrived. Most everyone began showing up on Saturday afternoon. The weekend weather was bright blue skies and nice breezy days with the temperature around 80 degrees! It was amazing. The guys played golf and the families got a chance to explore the grounds at Barnsley Gardens. Saturday night we had a BBQ at the Beer Garden at Barnsley. Everyone just walked over and we sat outside and enjoyed our company and listening to all the wonderful speeches. It was so much fun. We did not want a formal rehearsal dinner so we just enjoyed a nice dinner with everyone coming and going as the pleased. It was relaxed and just a wonderful time to spend with our guests! Sunday arrived and all the guys played golf! The girls headed over the red room at Barnsley for a day of pampering. Bradley Boone owns a salon in Buckhead called Golden Blonde and he did our hair. Katie is a lovely young lady from WOO in Buckhead and she did our makeup.
Was there a theme or inspiration behind the décor?
My father passed away in 2005 of Lung Cancer and since I was a little girl I carried the fond memory of a butterfly I had with him. I found a beautiful monarch butterfly in our backyard that had died. I brought it in to him to ask what was wrong. My dad explained that he was gone and he went to heaven. The beautiful colors of the powder were all over my dad’s hand from the butterfly. He said that the butterfly would need to have all of his colors sprinkled back on him to fly. I asked him to do that for me. He explained that was only something that God had the power to do. He went and got a nice box and we buried the butterfly together. I was very sad but at that moment I felt so safe and peaceful that the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen was going to heaven and my dad was there with me.
It was a special moment/memory to me and at his funeral the priest compared life to that of a cocoon hatching into a butterfly. It was so ironic that he used that analogy as the basis of his service to honor my dad. I knew right then that he was with me that day and would always be with me. Butterflies are so special and I find them to be so beautiful. Since he couldn’t be with me on that day physically – I incorporated butterflies where I could in the wedding.
What were your playful twists that made the event unique?
My best friends Kelly O’Neal and Rene Guiterez (a married gay couple) whom I call Daddy and Papa walked me down the aisle. They mean the world to me so I felt privileged to have “my two dads” walk with me down the aisle. Another unique touch was the flower girls. They are my three nieces from Maine. They wore pillow cases dresses that were made by a friend in Senoia, Georgia. The pillowcases are all vintage and one of a kind. She had to find them one at a time while antiquing. When Eva from By Tulip put the flower halos on their heads – it made the perfect look for my wedding. We also had a wonderful man play the guitar while the guest were sitting before the wedding and he played for me as I walked down the aisle. I loved the guitar, it was so peaceful.
What was your splurge?!
My gown was designed by Lazaro. It was a beautiful Spanish style dress. It was perfect for an outdoor wedding at Barnsley Gardens. I think the biggest splurge was in fact having my wedding at Barnsley Gardens. I am truly lucky that I was able to hold my wedding in The Ruins. Yacht Rock was our band that performed at the wedding. They were so much fun. The music was timeless and everyone enjoyed every minute of it! They are the best and well worth the splurge. The flowers were amazing! Eva always does an amazing job. The Decisive Moment in my opinion made the day so special.
If there was one thing you could change…what would it be?
I honestly have no regrets. I wouldn’t have changed one thing.
Most memorable moment?
The most memorable moment for me was when we were announced married! It was so exciting and to stand in front of all my friends and family with my husband was so special. Also, I am proud to say that a butterfly landed on the front row on the back of a chair during the ceremony! I knew he would make it!
What was the best wedding advice you received?
No matter what the days brings – always remember that the day is about marrying your best friend and being with him forever. How exciting is that?
Photography: The Decisive Moment | Venue and Catering: Barnsley Gardens | Flowers: By Tulip | Music: Yacht Rock | Stationary: Tina Givens | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Caryn
*Barnsey Gardens and The Decisive Moment are advertisers of Occasions Magazine
Heather | February 15th, 2011 | See all posts by Heather
