Lauren + Ethan's Hopkinsville Wedding

From the Bride: It was very important to us that we didn't see each other until I walked down the aisle so we opted for a first touch and prayer instead of a first look. We stood at the corner of an old smokehouse on our venue property, held hands, and prayed together. We read personal letters to each other also. It was so emotional and sweet and just set the tone for the rest of the day.

We got married in the Christian Church where I have always dreamed of getting married. Stained glass windows and a huge pipe organ made for the most gorgeous setting to say I do. Our bridesmaids in a non traditional white and groomsman in black tuxes. Our guests were invited to take communion with us as our "unity ceremony". Ethan's mom played "The Prayer" by Celine Dion.

After the ceremony concluded all the guests were invited to The Old Oaks farm for cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. Cocktail hour was held in the side yard of the estate while guests enjoyed passed appetizers and a string quartet (Sparkling Keys and Strings). We served a Paloma as our signature drink.

The reception was under a large tent in the pasture of the estate. At the champagne tower Ethan and I popped a bottle of 1988 Dom Perignon that was gifted to my parents at their wedding back in 1996. We danced our first dance to “Heaven” by Jason Aldean cover. We had Heather's Homemade Ice Cream Truck serving dozens of flavors of homemade ice cream. We also served mine and Ethan's favorite Crumbl Cookies, sugar and white chocolate macadamia nut. After dinner the band started (Bobby Harper Band) and the cigar bar opened. Ethan is a 4th generation tobacco farmer in Trenton, so we had his tobacco leaves being hand rolled into cigars. Fernando Morales, My Cigar Roller, was hand rolling the cigars so our guests could watch the process and enjoy a cigar rolled in the groom’s 2021 tobacco! Probably the highlight of the night.

Instead of a traditional guest book, we had a vintage phone set up at the reception where guests could leave us a message after the tone. We will cherish those voice memos forever. Photo booth, band, bars, ice cream truck, cookies and cigar roller made the reception so fun and unforgettable!

Bride’s Advice: Wedding planning shouldn't have to be the most stressful time in your life. It should be the most joyful time in your life. If you are finding yourself stressed and overwhelmed at wedding planning, take a step back, pause, and remember that the most important thing about the day is that you are getting married to the love of your life. Huge wedding or small intimate wedding it doesn't matter, make it your special day and enjoy the process of planning it.

Photography: Taylor York Photography | Videography: Brian Harrell | Location: Hopkinsville | Venue: (Ceremony) First Christian Church (Reception) The Old Oaks Farm | Florals: Hello Buttercup Flowers | Wedding Planner: Cheryl Ward of It Takes 2 Event Planners | Event Designer: Lauren Chester + Cheryl Ward | Caterer: North Meets South Catering | Desserts: Cake (Grandmother) Ice Cream (Heather’s Homemade Ice Cream Truck (Cookies) Crumbl Cookies | Rentals: Curated Events | Music: Bobby Harper Band, Simone Parker Sparkling Keys and Strings | Stationery + Paper Goods: Shine | Hair: Alissa Esters and Karlee Daniel | Makeup: Katy Moody Cusick and Emmy Ward | Bride’s Attire: Galia Lahav from The Dress Theory | Groom’s Attire: Briggs Clothiers | Credits: (Bridesmaids’ Attire) Bella Bridesmaids (Cigar Roller) My Cigar Roller Fernando (Photo Booth) Nashville Smile Bar