Jeni and Justin
Jeni, who works in children's ministry, met Justin, an accountant, in 2006, months after becoming a widow. They took their time getting to know each other and eventually their friendship became much more. On a trip to a private North Carolina estate two hours north of their home near Atlanta he asked Jeni to marry him. Then, with close friends and family on hand, he popped the question to Emma, Jeni's daughter, too. In the late afternoon on September 10, 2011, the pair wed in a heartfelt ceremony on those very same grounds.
The Location
The couple rented Hawkesdene House for the wedding weekend. Its rustic location in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains provided the perfect setting for guests and family members to hike, play horseshoes, watch football, and dine alfresco in the days leading up to the nuptials.
The Stationery
The pair printed their favorite Bible passage, "Love never fails," onto the response cards --and even used the phrase as the color key, for their paint-by-numbers keepsake that guests colored in later at the reception.
The Fashions
Jeni chose a Legends by Romona Keveza gown from Bridals by Lori and accessorized it with Kate Spade pumps and a custom Elva Fields necklace of aurora borealis rhinestones and beads.
Justin and Emma were J.Crew chic: He in a classic suit with a pin-dot tie and Jack Purcell sneakers; she in a sparkling sequined dress maid for twirling.
The Finishing Touch
The bride's feather-and-rhinestone hairpiece was made with love, by a close friend.
The Bridal Party
Jeni's six bridesmaids wore various gray dresses of their choosing and carried small bouquets of pastel blooms.
A Furry Friend
The couple's pug, aptly named Handsome, sported a navy bow tie. He escorted Emma down the aisle, then spent the rest of ceremony lying on the bride's train.
Fitting Furniture
"For sentimental and practical reasons, I wanted to incorporate family pieces into the decor," Jeni says. Here, a vintage dressing table serves as a directional sign and holds fans for guests to use during the ceremony.
The Entrance
The bride's father escorted her down the aisle while 100 guests watched on from fruitwood chairs set up on the lawn.
The Ceremony
The couple stood in front of an altar made from a vintage dresser belonging to Jeni's late husband. It was topped with a cross of reclaimed barn wood and a floral arrangement in a pewter vase.
Family members and friends read passages from the Bible -- including 1 Corinthians 13, which cites "love never fails." The phrase holds special meaning for Jeni, who says she feels incredibly lucky to have found lasting love a second time.
The Ceremony
After exchanging their self-penned vows, the duo turned to Emma who surprised them with vows of her own. Then, each one of them sprinkled soil and water over a potted rose tree. It symbolized their unity as a family, and it's now planted in their backyard.
At the end of the service, Justin and Jeni gave Emma a necklace and a heart-shaped pendant etched with their fingerprints.
Picture Perfect
After the ceremony, the newlyweds took portraits around the grounds of Hawkesdene House with photographer Alan Friedman.
The Seating Display
Vintage mirrors doubled as seating charts for the adults; Emma's dressing table directed the young guests to the kids' table.
The Reception
After cocktail hour, guests sat down for dinner at long tables covered with flaxen runners, floral arrangements in milk-glass vessels, and napkins garnished with aromatic rosemary sprigs.
Guests dined on strawberry-goat-cheese salad with poppy-seed dressing, new potatoes with garlic herb butter, roasted trout, roast beef tenderloin with chimichurri sauce, and sautéed green beans.
An Artistic Touch
Continuing in the same vein as the invitation suite, a paint-by-numbers poster was set out for guests to embellish. It now hangs in the stairwell of the couple's home.
The First Dance
The newlyweds took to the floor to Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" as performed by the band Paris Luna.
A Sweet Treat
Guests were offered a variety of desserts from Gabriel's (a bakery near the couple's hometown in Georgia): brownies; fruit tartlets, mini cupcakes, including lemon and fudge-and-peanut-butter; and chocolate truffles. A trio of cakes -- fudge with vanilla buttercream, carrot with cream cheese frosting, and white cake with strawberry filling and buttercream icing -- decorated with fresh flowers were also served. One confection even boasted an antique topper first used at the bride's great-grandmother's wedding in 1915.
Sources
Photography: Alan Friedman Photo
Location and Catering: Hawkesdene House
Wedding Coordination: Jeannine Kennedy of Honeysuckle Wedding Company
Flowers: Amy Osaba Event.Floral.Design
Stationery: Soft Grey Paper
Cake and desserts: Gabriel's
Music: Paris Luna
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Linens: La Tavola; Party Tables
Hair and makeup: Atlanta West Hair Company
Engagement ring: Solomon Brothers
Groom's wedding band: Fabuluster