Brittany + Alec's Stanford Wedding
From the Bride: Our wedding located at Historic Shelby Manor at Arcadia Farms was a day that was an absolute fairytale. Shelby Manor was home to the first governor of Kentucky and our ceremony took place on the veranda. Guests received a complimentary lap blanket to break the chill from the October breeze. Mums, eucalyptus, cascading greenery, and a variety of white, silver, and gold pumpkins adorned the steps, balcony, and banisters complimenting the entrance of the magnificent 8,000 square foot, four-story, six-bedroom historic antebellum Greek Revival mansion. Guests sat in rows on the lawn as violinists, vocalists, and a pianist played classical love songs, waiting for the entrance of the wedding procession. My father and I made a grand entrance by riding in an elegant, white horse-drawn carriage. Only the sound of the hooves hitting the pavement could be heard, as we proceeded to the lawn of the mansion reminiscing of the era of the time that Shelby Manor was built in 1836. Visual artist, Annsley Dishman painted a canvas of the bride and groom during the ceremony that portrayed the mansion in the background.
Bride and groom took their first communion as a symbol of unity, followed by a family prayer led by the ministers. The unity ceremony incorporated the parents, Godmother, and siblings. They stood joining hands in prayer blessing our marriage and future together. We loved incorporating these special moments into our wedding since faith is the foundation of our marriage. Vows personally drafted by bride and groom, were shared to one another. Announcement of husband and wife concluded the ceremony. Dried flowers from special occasions, collected by bride and groom while they dated, were incorporated into the recessional. Flowers were placed in carefully rolled cones made from pages of a 1800’s songbook that was given to the bride by her grandmother for this special day. Guests lavished them upon the couple as they walked down the aisle.
Next, everyone moved to the pavilion and grounds of Arcadia Farms for the reception. Tables were decorated with golden candlesticks, hydrangeas, roses, eucalyptus, gold chargers, cascading table runners, and greenery. Sitting areas throughout the grounds allowed guests to have drinks provided by Wondering Spirits and hors d’oeuvres, as they enjoyed the beautiful scenery of horses in fields, and strolled the magnificent hydrangea gardens. Our signature drink was a Caramel Apple Sangria.
The Bridal party entered the reception with dancing and ignited the guests in the celebration. Toasts were made by the maid of honor and best man followed with a meal catered by Chaplin River Catering. The bride and groom danced to Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. Guests enjoyed dancing and music until the evening end, with a sparkler fireworks sendoff. Tonya Lynn Studios captured each memory in detail for enjoyment and reflection in years to come. Overall, it was an amazing day. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing!
Bride’s Advice: Important advice as you plan for your big day is to pause and take a mental picture of specific moments you want to cherish forever. Always remember the most important detail is that you will marry your best friend.
Photography: Tonya Lynn Studios, Rebecca Graham, Lukas Reynolds of Tonya Lynn Studios | Videography: Compass Films | Location: Stanford | Venue: The Historic Shelby Manor on Arcadia Farms | Florals: The Village Florist | Wedding Planner: Holly Whitaker and Lynn Upton | Caterer: Caplin River Catering | Cake: Farmhouse Sweets by Shaina Engle | Music: Josh Sadlon | Transportation: (Horse and Carriage) Around the Town Carriage | Hair: Bonnie Godby | Makeup: (Bride) Rebecca Graham (Bridesmaids) Molly Dawson & Allie Venable | Bride’s Attire: Steel Magnolia | Groom’s Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Jewelry: Bride’s earrings were the mother of the groom's wedding earrings | Credits: (Bar Service) Wandering Spirits (Wedding Portrait Painting) Presley Sutton