Katie + John's Owensboro Wedding!
From the Bride: The ceremony took place in the church I grew up in. It's a beautiful 150-year-old church that my parents and grandparents all grew up in and got married at. The reception was held at the family farm and venue, White Chateau at Cecil Farms. I have been a part of so many other people's special day at the farm as their flower designer, but it was really special getting to celebrate our wedding where I grew up.
The flowers were a very special part of our wedding day and probably the most challenging decision I had to make. I wanted something I had never seen before or designed for anyone else. I chose a color palette that no other clients have requested of me yet and filled all statements full of blooms. One thing I wanted was the most grand cake and it stood over a foot taller than John and I, reaching 7 feet in the air, and was surrounded by a meadow of flowers at the base of the cake stand and surrounding the bottom of the cake table. We had 10 different cakes guests could choose from and a variety of cookies to follow! My baker, Becca Bakes, and I worked together to bring this idea to life and created a 5-tier cake for our cake cutting. With nearly 500 guests, we needed a lot of cake! This cake standing at 7 feet tall at the fireplace was a statement!
We danced our first dance to "Prayed for You" by Matt Stell. About a week before our wedding, I came across a prayer book I had journaled in from 2017 during my single season of life called “31 Prayers for My Future Husband”. In it I had prayed very specific prayers about the man I knew God would lead me to. Opening that book the week before my wedding had me in tears because I had been praying for John all these years. When I shared these prayers with John in the letters we wrote and read to each other during our first look, he cried as well because they all lined up with his character. Sharing those letters and having those few minutes together before the ceremony is a moment in time we treasure.
John and I both like to dance. Not like organized dance, but making up moves as we go. So I wanted our reception to be a dance party. The first vendor I booked was my DJ. We chose November 4th based off of DJ Shay's availability because she is great at reading the crowd and playing the music that will keep the dance floor full all night. And it stayed full until the lights came on and everyone went home! November 4th was the most fun night of our life!
Bride’s Advice: As a professional in the wedding industry myself, I always encourage clients to "pay the professionals" for your wedding day services so everyone can enjoy and be a part of the process of getting ready and be together rather than decorating or taking care of other tasks. I was told many times not to do my own flowers, but that was hard for me to let go of. This was my chance to go all out! I did all of the design work myself the week leading into the wedding and with the help of my friends and Kelley James Events' team, everything was in place! I still say pay the professionals if you are not the professional!
Photography + Videography: Rose & Oak Studios | Location: Owensbro | Venue: (Reception) Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church (Reception) White Chateau at Cecil Farms | Florals + Event Designer: Katie Ann Flowers | Wedding Planner: Kelley James Events | Caterer: Moonlite Barb-B-Q Inn | Cake: Becca Bakes | Rentals: Welborn Events, Jack Pedigo Table Rentals | Music: DJ Shay | Transportation: Feller Limousine | Stationery + Paper Goods: Oliver Creative | Hair: Maggie Larkin | Makeup: Caitlen Hayden | Bride’s Attire: Ella Park Bridal | Groom’s Attire: J.J. Fosters, Jim's Formal Wear | Jewelry: Ella Park Bridal, Jackie Blue Handmade | Credits: (Pianist) Jacob Hein (Vocalist) Lauren Payne (Live Stream) Wonder Boy Media