Liesl and Kevin
Working 60 and sometimes 80 hours a week as Martha Stewart's executive assistant, Liesl Menning hardly expected to find love. But on October 31, 2007, love walked through Liesl's office door in the form of musician Kevin Haynie. Kevin was performing on Martha's TV show (Kevin plays guitar and banjo in country singer Josh Turner's band). The two kicked off a whirlwind long-distance romance. Says Liesl, "We joke that we're like the couple in Green Acres -- city girl meets country boy." One thing they do share is a concern for the environment. "We wanted to have a wedding that was elegant and also eco-friendly," Liesl says.
Invitations
The stationery suite, from Crane and Co., is printed on recyclable paper; calligraphy by Debi Zeinert.
Bouquet
Martha made Liesl's bouquet, which features amaranth, gladiolas, and Queen Anne's lace and is tied with a vintage ribbon.
Rings
Liesl's wedding ring (it was her grandmother's), Kevin's ring (from Tiffany and Co.), and a charm necklace (by Dogeared Jewels and Gifts), a present from a colleague) rest in the custom ring bearer's box from D. Sharp.
Flower Girl Baskets
The flower girls carried maple veneer baskets with a handle of eco-friendly ribbon, filled with punched flowers made of biodegradable seed paper.
Trolleys
A trolley transports guests to the ceremony site.
Bride's Family
The bride's family: The boys wear clothes from Brooks Brothers and ties made by Tiecrafters from vintage linen.
Groom's Family
The groom's family poses with the couple.
Maid of Honor
Liesl with niece and maid of honor Hannah Stadler, in a custom muslin dress by Amsale.
Flower Girls
Liesl poses with nieces and flower girls, Sophie and Ella Hill, and junior bridesmaid, Hallie Haynie, Kevin's daughter; the girls wear dresses from Us Angels.
Ceremony
The bride and groom exchange vows in an open field, framed by two small maple trees planted especially for the occasion.
Special Guest
Martha's French bulldog, Sharkey, attended.
Bride and Groom
The couple wear matching smiles.
Happy Couple
The couple share an "uplifting" moment.
Reception Barn
The reception barn is festooned with a garland made from strips of maple veneer as well as biodegradable and vintage ribbons.
Special Guests
The couple poses with some of Liesl's Martha Stewart "family": Robin Marino, Darcy Miller, Martha, Charles Koppelman, and Kevin Sharkey.
Guests
Country singer Josh Turner and his wife, Jennifer.
Seating Cards
Cotton seating cards from The Lettered Olive are printed with vegetable-based ink; each table is named for a tree indigenous to Tennessee.
Favors
Guests receive tree saplings from the Arbor Day Foundation; tags detail regions in which the trees will thrive.
Centerpieces
The centerpieces hold flowers from organic grower Madison Creek Farms (the nearby property of Peggy Lynn Marchetti, daughter of country legend Loretta Lynn), including zinnias, Queen Anne's lace, and football mums.
Place Cards
Recycled CD sleeves, rubber-stamped with soy-based ink, also act as place cards.
Head Table
The head table is set with monogrammed organic linens from Transylvanian Images that were embroidered by Liesl and a friend. Beeswax pillar candles (from Creative Candles) glow in glass hurricanes, and maple-veneer lamps hang from above.
Father of the Bride
The bride's father, Fritz Menning, dons a Stetson.
Guests
Julia Eisemann, Martha's administrative manager, enjoys the festivities.
Guests
Guests at the head table enjoy both the food and the company.
Kids Table
The children's table is decorated with glass Ball jars, bushels of apples, and gift boxes filled with eco-friendly toys, such as a windmill generator and cards for coloring; the table is covered with recycled paper, on which the kids can draw with twig pencils.
Apples
Ella Hill samples a sweet treat.
Kids Table
The youngest guests, including ring bearer Jackson Hill, have a table all their own.
Cocktails
Martha created the "Menning Mimosa" cocktail, a mix of orange and lemon juices, prosecco, and Grand Marnier; it was served with For Your Party's debossed napkin (no ink!).
Food
A guest carries her plate to her table.
Buffet Table
The organic buffet dinner includes fried chicken brined in sweet tea, heirloom tomatoes, and corn pudding from Tayst Restaurant in Nashville.
Food
A waiter presents a tray of tasty bean casserole.
Sweet Treats
Monogrammed petits fours made by the bride's sister, Karen Menning Porter, who owns Tilly's Cakes in Neodesha, Kansas.
Candied Apples
Veneer tags attached to red-hot candied apples serve as place cards for the kids.
Chocolate Banjos
Miniature chocolate banjos from Martine's Chocolates are a nod to Kevin's profession.
Guest Book Quilt
In lieu of a guest book, guests are asked to write on squares of linen, which will be sewn into a keepsake quilt for Liesl and Kevin.
Cake
The homespun dessert buffet features a charming three-tier cake (Liesl's sister adapted the recipe from Martha's apple-spice cake using organic ingredients) covered with white-chocolate maple frosting and decorated with organic apples and currants. The cake stand is wrapped in the same veneer that adorns lamp shades and candles.
Favors
Guests receive a disc of Kevin's songs tucked into their place cards; the CD features an illustration of the couple drawn by Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings.
Dancing
The bride cuts a rug with friend Mary Curran.
Music
Kevin serenades his bride with one of the many love songs he has written for her.
Dancing
The couple take their first spin on the dance floor as husband and wife as musician Billy Dean performs one of his favorite songs, "Everyday Was Made for You and I."
End of Night
Liesl and Kevin steal away for a quiet moment.
Sources
Location: Fairpath Farm, Franklin, Tennessee
Catering and Candy Apples: Chef Jeremy Barlow, Tayst Restaurant.
Flowers: Madison Creek Farms
Calligraphy: Debi Zeinert, The Blooming Quill, and Elizabeth Porcher Jones.
Custom Gowns: Amsale, 800-765-0170.
Flower Girl Dresses: (No. 583) $152, Us Angels
Invitations: Martha Stewart Weddings for Crane & Co. Stamps
Ring Bearer's Box: D. Sharp
Tree Favors: Arbor Day Foundation
Chocolate Banjos: Martine's Chocolates.
Petits Fours and Cake: Karen Menning Porter of Tilly's Cakes
CD Recording: Kent Wells Productions and Bayou Recording Inc.