We met with Kenneth and Kaitlyn back in October of last year via Zoom and got to learn a little about them. We of course love that fact that he is into a lot of techy things that I can relate to as well as how genuinely fun and kind hearted they are. The wedding day took place at a pretty new venue called “Venue at 21 East” which is actually one of the larger venues in the area now with a lot of to offer on their grounds. The plan changed since it was super cold and raining on the wedding day to an indoor wedding which was luckily more than doable. Also, we loved working with Penny at the venue which says a lot of everything the venue has going on.

The wedding day started with us actually being a little lost since Google was confused where the venue actually was with it being new but, once they described the gate and we drove just a second more, we found ourselves arriving to the huge property with fields for days. Once we were inside, we met one of the bridesmaids and also met Penny (the coordinator) to get a feel for the space and quick run down with the change of plans. We then went into the huge bridal suite to gather details and say hey as we always do then dove right into the details and venue coverage. As we were looking around for where we wanted to photograph the dress, we ended up seeing the small changing room where it was hanging and realized that it has a really cool mirror and would be great if we just moved a few things so we did that and then did the photographs of the girls in their custom flannels before making our way to the guys. The guys were playing Contra (this may be one of the only wedding blogs in existence to reference Contra and know what it is) and finishing up getting ready upstairs so we took them into the next room where the pool table is and of course had a blast with them all making jokes and taking some goofier photos together as well. We then ended off our time with them by taking solo portraits of Kenny. As we got back into the girls room it was time to finish up the back of the dress and set up for a father-daughter first look quickly before the guest arrived for the ceremony. Kaitlyn and her father shared a brief but beautiful moment together and everyone managed to hold back tears for the sake of makeup pretty well but then it was officially “go time” for the ceremony as guests were arriving. The space was decorated beautifully and even though in-door weddings can be tough lighting wise, everything turned out beautifully. After the family had been seated and everyone made their way down the aisle, the Bride rounded the corner and Kenny lost it which made for such a great moment. (Morgan almost always covers the groom’s reaction because she loves moments like these so much). As she was handed off and the faced each other hand in hand, they shared in beautiful vows, communion (accompanied by beautiful live music), a prayer and finished off with their kiss. As they made their way back up the aisle officially as husband and wife, Kenny gave a few fist bumps and the joy radiated from the newlyweds.

Switching everything from the ceremony space to reception mode quickly took quite a few hands but it happened quickly so that we could do the family and bridal party photos before they moved that as well. We finished quickly then made our way upstairs for a few photos with the Bride and Groom. This is always a short moment where the couple gets to soak up the fact that they’re officially married and are taking their first photos together before heading to the reception. It’s brief but, it’s always one of our favorite parts of a wedding day. As we made our way downstairs, it was time for Kaitlyn’s wedding dress to get bustled and we normally take advantage of this moment to get setup with lighting and how we want to space out the dance floor coverage wise. Once they were ready, the DJ announced them in and everyone cheered as they went straight into their first dance. All of their dances were some of the most beautiful moments everything from tears to laughs being shared and of course seeing them wipe each others tears had us a little choked up ourselves. At this point it was time for dinner and honestly, this was some of the best country cooking we have ever had at a wedding reception so, hats off to the chef(s). Everyone had eaten and their was something magical happening outside, a beautiful pink sunset and a rainbow somehow all at the same time so we all braved the cold to get some of the sunset as it was disappearing as well as the venue space a little bit. As we made it back in, we went straight for the cake cutting and then shortly after into toasts. The toasts were a rollercoaster of emotional moments and their were a few so we didn’t share as many photos as we wanted but, they were all beautiful and finished off with the Father of the Bride before going into their dance. You could tell from the speeches and this dance that he is one proud Dad and that he loves the woman Kaitlyn has grown up to be so it made for a very special dance. Kenny and his Mom danced next and ever since we have had Logan, the Mother-Son dances hit us a little differently so just assume that we may or may not have cried a little when Kenny leaned down to hug his mom and cried on her shoulder. Everyone then made their way to the dance floor for a little while before doing the fake sparkler exit out front (we ended up doing it a little early while it stopped raining a little bit). It turned out beautifully and actually made for a cool point for the DJ to transition the lights inside to be darker and crank up the music more. Everyone came in the front door and then were just all of the sudden on the dance floor so it worked out perfectly. Besides the bouquet and garter toss, the rest of the night was full of fun dancing, photos with family and then some of the moments where the dance floor was just full of happy couples slow dancing. As our night was coming to an end, we got to say goodbye and congratulate the now Mr. and Mrs. Miles with excitement as they were heading to one of our favorite areas for their honeymoon, Tennessee!

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Shockwave Entertainment - DJ

Penny Tanner - Day of Coordinator Venue

@ 21 East - Venue

Annette McCray - Catering

Pineland Bakery - Cupcakes

Cathy's Cakes & Creations - Cake

Jordan Zeigler - Bridal Hair

Teresa Harley - Florist

Coastal Georgia Tents & Party Rentals - Outside Drapery Decor

David McLendon - Officiant

Heart to Heart Bridal (North Liberty, IA) - Dress

Doland Jewelers (Davenport, IA) - Rings

Men’s Wearhouse - Suits

5-18-2019

Quinney Oaks Plantation is beautiful just like Christiana and Monte and their love for each other. The whole day was filled with stunning details and sweet traditions right down to the sixpence in her shoe and burying a bottle of bourbon on the venue site a month before the ceremony (which we learned is to ward off bad weather…it worked).

The girls started off the day getting ready in a cabin at Magnolia Springs Park in Millen Georgia, which looked out over a gorgeous pond. While preparations for the day began the ladies began their primping. Much of the time at the cabin was a wonderful time to just be around family and friends as they were pampered for the day ahead. There were snacks galore; of which the little flower girl seemed to like more than anything. As time drew closer to leave for the venue Christiana applied her final touch of nail polish to complete her look, and off we went.

Upon arrival at the venue we spent some time with the guys who had been hanging out in an on-site carriage house. After capturing the fun moments and laughter at this lighthearted part of the day, the men set off to complete the bourbon bottle tradition. Legend has it that if you bury a full bottle of bourbon upside down exactly a month before the ceremony and that it will ward off any bad weather. We have only witnessed this southern tradition once but, so far it’s one for one!

The ceremony was elegant and heart felt in a beautiful garden behind the plantation home. Each bridesmaid looked amazing in their black dresses which popped against the white gardenia bouquets, and the groomsmen looked very dapper in their white suits and black bow ties.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds were introduced and they went into their first dance. After a moment they invited all the couples up to dance with them. It was very touching to see them sharing that special moment with all their loved ones and friends.

I definitely cannot forget to mention how much we love the catering at Quinney Oaks. The food is always amazing and you can tell that it is made with love. Kirk and Judy Rocker, the owners of the plantation, are always wonderful and are there throughout the day to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Towards the end of the reception, there was a special unexpected toast with a bottle of late harvest Zinfandel that their family had made and bottled many years ago for this very occasion. There were lots of tears over the heart felt moment as the cork was popped and glasses were poured for everyone, the toast was made “May the worst days of your future be better than the best days of your past.”

Finally the guests showed the couple off with a beautiful sparkler exit as Chistiana and Monte walked out of the 1920’s plantation home, they road off into the night and will be taking their honeymoon to St. Lucia towards the end of June.