Reception-Food/Drink
The reception was held inside the barn at the Walters Barn venue. During the cocktail hour, the guests munched on delicious bruschetta along with signature drinks prior to the meal. The bride and groom each created a signature drink for their guests. The groom and groom’s father make homemade beer. It started as a hobby and now the groom’s father has a store, Gravity Home Brew that sells specialty beer. The groom’s father provided the guests with his specialty … cold homemade beer. The bride created a purple violet martini which she named a “Violetini” each topped with lavender Easter Peeps chicken floating on top. (eek! So cute!)
The guests dined on a fabulous farmland meal which included: chicken, beef, squash, green beans, fresh green salad tossed with pecans and cranberries, biscuits, gourmet mac-n-cheese served in individual glassware with various toppings, along with refreshing southern iced tea, wine and champaign. The meal was served from a large screened in porch on the property that has a beautiful stone fireplace. The fireplace was decorated with a handmade rag banner and rag wreath. Romantic candles in mason jars decorated with vintage lace and German millinery violets finished off the fireplace décor along with white faux taxidermy feathered chickens lovingly referred to as “the wedding chickens”. The guests loved them!
The wedding cake was one of Ouefcake’s specialties, a Blue Moon Marmalade - Tres Lechi cake (as in Blue Moon beer) covered with beautiful lavender violets. The groom chose to have refreshing cold, tart, key lime pies in lieu of a groom’s cake. The pies were topped with vintage spun cotton bride and groom picks and were displayed in a vintage white kitchen cupboard lined with crochet dollies. Champaign cupcakes with champaign mouse filling were served in vintage teacups. The teacups were displayed on a tiered wrought iron stand handmade by the bride’s father.
Reception-Music
DJ Mark provided a variety of music during the reception that made everyone want to dance and celebrate. One of the highlights during the reception was when DJ Mark played “All You Need is Love”. The bridal party sitting at the head table eating, all spontaneously began to sing along with the song while holding hands in the air and swaying. The singing was contagious and soon all of the guests at the reception were holding hands and singing in unison. Another highlight of the reception was when Kerstin (a friend and co-worker of Violets’) sang ‘At Last’. It was so romantic.
Reception-Table Decor
Rustic farm tables and chairs were used for the guest’s dining and seating. The farm tables were so lovely that handmade lavender burlap runners were used on each table instead of tablecloths. The centerpieces were made up of various varieties of live African violet plants under glass cloche domes. Large rosettes adorned each table made from satin and calico fabric, ribbon, lace, tulle and vintage purple county fair prize ribbons for “African Violets … Best in Show”. Each table was adorned with vintage chalkware wedding cake toppers under glass domes, wedding themed flash cards, celluloid and chalkware farm animals, candles in mason jars that were decorated with vintage lace and German millinery violets, vintage violet porcelain trinket dishes, vintage place cards and handmade calico cloth napkins. The bridal party’s table was set with the mother-of-the-bride’s vintage amethyst stemware, silver napkin rings monogrammed with a “V” (Violet) and antique Limoges violet floral dinner plates. The wedding décor came from the bride’s mother’s, grandmother’s, great grandmothers’ and aunt’s extensive collections of antique and vintage items that have been lovingly collected a piece at a time and passed down from generation to generation.
Reception Decor
Barn columns were decorated with curly willow twigs adorned with vintage chenille and spun cotton birds. Purple turnips and Georgia peaches from the farmers market were used in various vignettes, along with purple net turnip & pecan farmer’s market bags that the bride’s grandfather obtained from a local farmers market. Antique lavender hardbound books with beautiful worn gold, gilded lettering were used in various vignettes. Some of the titles included “Lavender and Old Lace”, “The Honeymoon Wife”, “To Have and to Hold” and “The Flirt”. Banners were hung with vintage photos of the bride’s grandparent’s wedding which took place on the same date 57 years earlier. The bride’s grandmother and great grandmother’s wedding dresses were displayed on vintage dress forms along with photographs of them wearing the dresses. The gift table included packages wrapped in vintage wedding gift-wrap. A vintage suitcase was repurposed to hold wedding cards. A large chalkware garden angel statue on the gift table held a vintage flashcard sign that said “Thank You”. Other decorative elements included vintage bride and bridesmaid dolls, a purple antique wheelbarrow (filled with ice to hold cold bottled drinks), an antique white tufted sofa (used as a photo prop and for seating), an antique purple wrought-iron bed with violet sheets and chenille quilt (also used for seating), vintage lingerie gowns that hung next to the bed and a large pink fringe umbrella and stand that was originally used as a movie prop (which provided a little outdoor shade). The table holding the guest-book included a miniature rustic metal Ferris wheel with chenille/spun cotton brides & grooms in each seat. The groom proposed on the SkyView Ferris Wheel in downtown Atlanta, GA. The bride and groom’s rings were custom designed and made. Violet’s engagement ring is a beautiful pear shaped amethyst with diamonds set in rose gold. Brandon’s ring is titanium with a purple burl wood inlay. A wedding keepsake book was handmade from an antique book titled “Violet with Eyes of Blue”. The keepsake book included planning notes from the bride, mother-of-the bride and Fairy Godmothers, photos from the wedding showers, wedding dress shopping, cake tasting, along with wedding décor mementos (napkins, spun cotton bride/grooms, etc…). The guestbook was vintage and included a vintage aurora borealis sequined ribbon and German millinery violets. The barn was lit with lavender, gardenia and violet scented candles that softly scented the barn and added to the romantic ambiance. Prior to the wedding, while setting up the wedding décor, the bride’s aunts wore lavender t-shirts embellished with rhinestones that spelled “Fairy Godmother”. They also wore vintage sheer, white, organza wedding aprons with heart shaped pockets.
Reception-Wedding Favors
Each guest took home a lovely sentimental candle wrapped with a picture of the Walter’s Barn, tied with lavender raffia and adorned with a vintage millinery violet flower as a reminder of the romantic, fun filled day. The candles were displayed in a wooden crate that had a CINDERELLA vintage grape crate label.
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