Southern Living Weddings

The Proposal

Beth Bratton knew a wedding proposal from Graham Patterson was imminent, but he still managed to surprise her one Christmas morning. “He spent Christmas Eve with my family for the first time,” she says. The next morning, he saved the best gift for last. After she opened the yellow coat that she had pined over, he insisted she check out the pockets, where she found a ring box. “My entire family knew it was coming, and they were so excited when I pulled out the ring. I immediately started hugging everyone and showing off my new shiny accessory—even before Graham had a chance to get on one knee!” He did finally get the chance to propose, and together they planned a small-town wedding with big-city style.

Photographer: Liz Banfield; 612/824-2465 or lizbanfield.com.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

The Programs

Programs were letterpressed in the wedding’s signature coral and gray scheme.

Love It? Get It!
Stationery: The Lettered Olive; 843/577-9100.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

The Venue

Beth grew up in nearby Scottsboro, Alabama, and always wanted to be married at Gorham’s Bluff. “It’s such a surprising place,” she says. “It’s in a small, rural corner of the state. Driving up the winding mountainous road, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, and all of a sudden you’re on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. It’s just beautiful and quintessentially Southern,” Beth says. “We all stayed in cottages on the grounds and felt more like neighbors than guests.”

Love It? Get It!
Ceremony and reception venue: Gorham’s Bluff; 256/451-843.
Wedding gown, veil, and head piece: Pnina Tornai.
Hair: Ashley Walker at A.P. Pearson Salon; 334/821-1186.
Makeup: Leslie Moore; 843/708-1918 or mooremakeup.com.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

Each bridesmaid wore a different style dress in one of three shades—orange, hot pink, or pale pink—and carried a unique bouquet.

Love It? Get It!
Bridesmaids’ attire: Thread.
Flowers: Tara Guérard Soirée; 843/577-5006.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

This bridesmaid chose a bright pink dress and carried a complementary bouquet featuring hot pink giant peonies and pink and red roses.

Love It? Get It!
Bridesmaids’ attire: Thread.
Flowers: Tara Guérard Soirée; 843/577-5006.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

A soft-pink bridesmaid’s dress was paired with a bouquet of white peonies, white roses and other flowers in subtle shades of pink.

Love It? Get It!
Bridesmaids’ attire: Thread.
Flowers: Tara Guérard Soirée; 843/577-5006.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Boutonnieres

The groomsmen’s boutonnieres were a simple arrangement of pink lilies wrapped in a blue seersucker print.

Love It? Get It!
Groom’s attire: Ermenegildo Zegna; and Kiton; barneys.com.
Groomsmen’s ties: Façonnable.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Artistic Interpretation

As a thank-you for Beth’s parents, the couple commissioned an artist to paint the ceremony.

Love It? Get It!
Artist: Live Event Artist.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Floating Flowers

Flower balls, made from roses and carnations, hung from the trees at the ceremony site.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour on the lawn provided a view of the river below.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Reception Tent

Beth says that the first thing she would do would be to hire a wedding planner and designer. “I wasn’t one of those brides who knew exactly what I wanted, and I was overwhelmed by the whole thing,” she says. “The first time we met with Kate and Tara, they asked us about who we were and it just clicked. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the process without them.”

Love It? Get It!
Event Design and Flowers: Tara Guérard Soirée; 843/577-5006.
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; 843/766-3366.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Signature Drink

Beth and Graham met while they were students at Auburn University and wanted to incorporate their love for the school in subtle ways. “My favorite drink is a pomegranate martini, so Kate and Tara [of Tara Guérard Soirée] came up with the ‘Tiger-tini,’ ” says Beth. “I knew I wanted a signature drink to be served as guests entered the cocktail hour, so long lines wouldn’t form around the bars,” she says.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Table Setting

Pink and white seersucker, bought by the yard at fabric stores, is a fun alternative to pricey, rented table linens. The fabric can be reused for projects or other occasions.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

Double Duty Menu

Cute, flower-shaped menus doubled as place cards.

Love It? Get It!
Caterer: Chef Kurt Jones of Gorham’s Bluff.

Photo: Liz Banfield,

The Cake

An astounding eight tiers of cake, with fondant icing and an intricate floral motif, was designed by Maples Wedding Cakes in Nashville.

Love It? Get It!
Cake: Maples Wedding Cakes; 615/867-2229.

Photo: Gemma Comas, Jim Franco,

Keep an eye out for our 2011 Weddings issue on newsstands January 21.

What was your favorite Southern touch on your special day? Share your ideas and photos on our Facebook fan page.

Outdoor Mountain Wedding

The Proposal

The Programs

The Venue

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

Boutonnieres

Artistic Interpretation

Floating Flowers

Cocktail Hour

Reception Tent

Signature Drink

Table Setting

Double Duty Menu

The Cake

Southern Living Weddings