left together as "R's".

And so L and M.....

The Icing on the Cake

Sweetly scented peonies and Grandmother's Sweetheart Roses adorned the cake. It was perfect.

The Groom's Cake

Logan raises cattle, hence the cows. The cake was chocolate mint and had big luscious chocolate curls on the top. Again, doesn't it look like it just grew there?

The Groom's Cake Pedestal

A Room with a View

And each tented table felt like a "room with a view". Some looked toward the lily lined pond, some at the hosta and caladium bed, some at the wedding finery. You were truly in a garden setting and it felt like the tents just grew there. Perhaps they did.

The Fabulous Menu

Don't forget the fabulous menu that was served on these beautiful heirloom plates---Chicken and Spinach crepes with White Wine Sauce, Roasted Asparagus Salad, Fresh Fruit, and an assortment of Hot Muffins and Breads with Strawberry Butter.

The Brides's Table

The Children's Table

The old picnic table covered in burlap was perfect for the children.

The Caterer's Screen

We wanted the caterer to have a bit of privacy so we devised a screen from weathered wood, burlap, and vintage tablecloths.

Old Blue/Green Canning Jars

Every table had a "collection" of old jars with fresh flowers in them and a nest. Every table was also set with place settings of family china, crystal, and silver. I do have to say that it looked beautiful. The whole thing was a mix of formal, natural, and vintage and it came together with aplomb!

Family Silver, China, and Crystal

Lots of Magnolia Branches

The tents got put up on Thursday. Tent poles are not attractive. Who knew that two days before the wedding with everything else to get done that I would want to wrap the poles and peaks with magnolia branches? Not me! Otherwise I would have been dreading it for days. Since it was a spur of the moment decision I just started it and it got done! Thank goodness Kim was there to help me finish! It softened the look and made it blend with the natural landscaping--Thank you, Logan, for getting the magnolia branches for me. I started out stealing them from a local business that I won't mention--after all, I'm sure I'm on camera anyway.

On to the Brunch

The Marriage Arbor

And finally--the door arbor that Sam built for the bride and groom--or Honey's Door's as they are now called because of the picture I took of our rescued Honey Girl under them one misty morning. Old crocks filled with an abundance of various greenery and lilies, a bird bath used in the background as a flower filled urn. I scattered peony petals on the ground and added them to the arrangements for scent.

The Bride's Entry Doors

More doors from T.P.'s house, this time used for the Bride's entry. Moss initials, flower stands, and antique urns on either side finished the setting. Huge nests and greenery filled the urns.

Roses, Peonies, and Hydrangeas

Roses, Peonies, and Hydrangeas--can't get much better than that!

The Junior Bridesmaid carried a nosegay of Fairy Rosebuds and Sweetheart Roses. The Sweetheart Roses are from a bush that was dug from my Grandmother's yard. Mother loves it and I try to remember to take stems of it to her from time to time.

The Bouquets

The bridal bouquet was made up of huge old-fashioned garden roses in blush with trailing ribbons in color shades that reminded you of old tea stained lace tablecloths. The matron of honor carried hydrangeas and peonies. The scent was heavenly.

Some of the Special Guests

So the woods foliage was thriving and the turtles were attending the wedding--all was as it should be. You've got a little background going on, back to the main event!

Fighting for the Pond

Let me explain the "fighting for the pond" comment. When Walmart came in they ruined the overflow that kept my pond filled. As a result it dried up. Totally. Completely. Not a drop of water left. And not a single turtle and we had lots and lots of turtles. They had to move elsewhere. I will save the Walmart story for a later time, it's much too complicated and the wedding is the focus of the moment but I just want you to know that I went to battle for this little pond that Daddy dug. I had loved it, planted around it, and concentrated on it's design and beauty way to long to have it dry up and be ignored! So you see the pond is nice and full and Megan chose it as her spot to be married. A full pond and lilies all around so that Megan could have the colors of nature for her wedding. There are no coincidences. Period.

This is the shady flower bed in the middle of the pond yard. I've not had time to pay a lot of attention to it in the last couple of years but I did want to spruce it up a bit for the wedding! All I did was add the large green pots because I thought they would be great with hostas later. For now I wanted a little more color so caladium and coleus were the answer. And a nest, of course!

The Door Arbor

Thought you were going to get to see the whole thing, didn't you?? Not now, we aren't to that part of the fairy tale quite yet! But you do get to see the nest at the top, a symbol for health and happiness.

Speaking of Nests........

Nests have always been one of the trademarks in my florals. I use nature as my guide lines for the most part and since birds have continually built in my door wreaths and baskets for years and years I consider it completely realistic to have nests nestled in any spot I can nestle them!

One of the Many Nest Arrangements

I had nests nestled in many places. One was on the bar in an old, old yellow ware pot that a dear friend gave me years ago, Aunt Daisy. Aunt Daisy was an "honorary" aunt, there being no blood between us but I adored her. Aunt Daisy is no longer with us but her memory lives on with me in so many ways.

The Bar

Empty in this picture but filled later with the "fixings" for Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Screwdrivers. I can't think of a better way to have orange or tomato juice!

Hors d'oeuvre Table

There were arrangements on every table and all were in old crocks, pitchers, or the old blue/green canning jars. I used greenery from an assortment or shrubs and lots and lots of lilies! They had just started putting the appetizers out on this old farm table covered in a vintage lace tablecloth.

The Menu

Megan wanted three main things for her wedding--she wanted to have it here and to have beautiful flowers, she wanted great photographs, and she wanted to have a delicious brunch. Here is the menu--Chicken and Spinach crepes' with White Wine Sauce, Roasted Asparagus Salad, and Fresh Fruit. There were also silver bowls of mouthwatering muffins and breads with strawberry butter. Not to mention a table of hors d'oeuvres and a bar with Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Screwdrivers. This wedding had it all!

We chose an old window for the menu and it was enhanced with a pretty wallpaper backing. It's easel was an old rusted lawn chair which added a little whimsy. [I do like whimsy and I love it when it all comes together!]

Adorable Birdseed Bags

These were the bags of birdseed to throw at the newly wedded couple. Very sweet and we had them spilling from an old flower pot of Aunt Lina's. Like I have said we had so many things that we used from family members past and present!

The back of the fan had all the Wedding Party listed and at the bottom a "special thanks" to Aunt Ellen and Uncle John". It was our pleasure and I was beyond thrilled that Megan wanted the wedding held here.