Haley + BJ's Lexington Wedding

From the Bride: Nothing mattered more to me than being able to share our special day with our close friends and family. We selected The Apiary for our ceremony and reception, mostly because of the style of the venue. The old world feeling mixed with elegance was just what we were looking for. We like the moody setting, and being able to have quick access to both indoor and outdoor. Walking into the front of The Apiary, you are greeted with their iconic checkered floor, dark wood features, and immaculate gardens. Having our wedding in late October, the weather ould not have been better; we were blessed with a warm day and a slightly colder evening, with the perfect amount of sunlight. Our wedding was a little different than most, having just under 25 people in attendance; we wanted to have a very intimate event with little distractions, and we achieved just that.

We started the day with a hair and makeup team at our Airbnb for myself, my mother, and three future stepdaughters. My husband and his brother decided to go to our local motorsports store and make a trip to Buc-ees - typical, am I right?

My brother picked me up in a 2019 Chevy Camero, and we were off to the venue. I did a first look with my dad, which quickly became emotional. Our ceremony took place under The Apiary’s outdoor tent, surrounded by their fall-themed flowers and greenery. We had a string trio for our ceremony; they played “Tale As Old As Time” from Beauty and the Beast for my processional song. The ceremony itself was short but sweet, with our dog Kinley in attendance. She definitely stole the show the entire night, and that was fine with us! Following our ceremony, my husband and I were able to have a moment to ourselves in the wine cellar, while our guests enjoyed passed appetizers of beet tuile and spanakopita. Our signature drinks included a glass of champagne and a smoked old fashioned made with Jake's Cigar Bar bitters. Our main focus was our five-course dinner menu, including plates like autumn squash salad, spiced blood orange and hibiscus sorbet, and Sakura Farm Wagyu beef. Each item was paired with a different wine, and we finished everything with my personal favorite dessert - dark chocolate mousse with raspberry preserves. Our guests said the dinner was one of the best dinners they've ever experienced, especially the synchronized plating.

We finished the night with some dancing, as well as cigars out in the gardens. My dad was the cigar connoisseur for the evening, and we used antique ashtrays from Feather Your Nest (a vintage store in Lexington). My dad and I barely made it through our father-daughter dance song, “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele, so we broke out into an un-choreographed dance to “The Middle” by Zedd to lighten the mood. My husband and I had an emotional first dance to “Millionaire” by Chris Stapleton, one of our favorite artists. We felt surrounded by love with all of our guests; it was the most special moment we’ve ever experienced.

Our wedding was one of a kind, and I wish I could relive it over and over again. The Apiary venue is beyond flawless aesthetically speaking, and their staff made everything go so smooth. The staff provided a lovely, clean, and artisanally crafted environment and culinary experience.

Bride’s Advice: Take into consideration your day of timeline, and listen to your photographer’s suggestions on how to make it flow easily.

Photography: Captured by Crouch | Location: Lexington | Venue + Caterer: The Apiary | Florals: Michler's | Cake: Tinker's Cake Shop (Cookies) Hope Arnold | Music: String Elegance | Stationery + Paper Goods: Bride | Hair + Makeup: Bangs & Blush | Bride’s Attire: Relix Bridal (Boots) Idyllwind | Groom’s Attire: Logan's of Lexington | Jewelry: John Hardy - Weddings Band: Sheila Bayes - (Engagement Rings) Family Heirloom from Dominion Jewelers (Earrings) Dominion Jewelers