Get sweet on this Southern hospitality bourbon bash

The Offbeat Bride: Katy, ICU Nurse

Her offbeat partner: Matthew, Grad Student

Date and location of wedding: Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery, Frankfort, KY — 03/26/2016

Our offbeat wedding at a glance:

Our family and friends are scattered all over and we knew this was the only time we would ever get them all in one room together for our Southern hospitality wedding. My attendants alone came from Austin, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and New York. Buffalo Trace's reception area is a giant, rustic, 100-year-old log cabin that is so warm and inviting inside.

Our decorations had a sort of winter-in-spring vibe with lots of cool colors (teal, mint, greys, and winter whites/creams) along with skeleton leaves and birch logs in our centerpieces. We always imagined ourselves getting married in winter (our favorite season), but we never wanted to risk missing out on all our guests being able to attend because of bad weather.

Tell us about the ceremony:

Matthew and I walked down the aisle together to a segment of “Jane Doe” by Converge. We saw our wedding very much as a celebration of the continuation of an already formed partnership of over six years. We wanted that to be reflected in our ceremony. When we got to the end of the aisle we each hugged all of our parents and stepparents to honor their place in our lives. And I high-fived my big brother, because that's what we do.

Our officiant was our good friend, Jay, who introduced us and brought us together through many parties and gatherings at his house. My brother did a reading from “Gifts from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Matthew and I wrote our own vows in which we both mentioned our cat and he promised me he would do everything he can to help me see a living Triceratops some day.

We recessed to “You are the One” by Shiny Toy Guns.

Tell us about your reception:

Buffalo Trace is an amazing venue that gives your guests a free distillery tour in lieu of a cocktail hour. So that is where our guests went first, while we sneaked off to take more pictures. Since all of our guests were coming back around the same time, we took the opportunity to greet everyone out on the porch at the reception building entrance. We really wanted to be able to say thank you and give a hug to every single guest and we did! It was one of my absolute favorite parts of the whole day.

I made all the centerpieces, including the felt flowers, for the reception. I also made a painting with a line from Zelda and Matthew and I made a “pixel” heart from wood blocks that went with it. We had a Lupin and Tonks sign on our sweetheart table, used my bouquet as a centerpiece, and had a ceramic camel figurine, since got engaged on camel back!

The food was Southern cooking! We were in Kentucky and nothing says warm and inviting like country cooking. We had an “omnivore” and a “herbivore” buffet. After Matthew and I ate, we ran off again for a couple of minutes to take some sunset photos on a rooftop and it was a beautiful moment to share together.

The rest of the night was just a full on dance party. Matthew's friends have a tradition of lifting up the bride and groom during “Don't stop Believing” by Journey which continued at our wedding. They enlisted my brother to help lift me up and I found out later than night that he split his pants doing it!

What was your most important lesson learned?

My biggest challenge is that, because of where I live, I really had no one here to help me. Most of the planning I did completely on my own as I want Matthew to be focusing on his schooling. It made me sad sometimes, but I overcame it by making lots and lots of phone calls. My mom and I spent a ton of time sitting on the phone emailing links back and forth to look at pictures of dresses and decor together. It was different, but it was our way and we got it done.

My best advice would be: if you can afford a day-of coordinator, get one! I am a high anxiety person and I did not worry at all that day. They helped so much just keeping things running smoothly. Most importantly, find time to be alone with your partner that day. I think the best part of walking down the aisle with Matthew was the 15 minutes before the ceremony where we were alone together in another room watching our guests arrive and sharing all the excitement and anticipation. It was one of the best parts of the day.

Vendors

• Photographer: Daring Tales of Darling Bones
• Videographer: Antonio Pantoja
• Venue: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Catering and Day of Coordination: Type A Catering
• Dress: Lulu's
• Headpiece: Kirahley Kreations
• DJ: Beth Mitchell
• Photobooth: Bluegrass Photobooth

Gallery

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