1. Real Weddings

A Chic Outdoor Wedding at the Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Georgia

The Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Georgia, is a restaurant nestled in the mountains of northern Georgia with breathtaking views of rolling

The Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Georgia, is a restaurant nestled in the mountains of northern Georgia with breathtaking views of rolling fields, quaint farm buildings and—of course—mouthwateringly scrumptious farm-to-table food. That’s why Bevin Mercer (32 and a business development professional) and Chris Carter (33 and a private equity professional) knew they wanted to get married there from their first visit. With the help of wedding planner Denise Bluster, everything about their intimate, alfresco wedding combined laid-back farm style with chic touches. Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio brought in over-the-top floral arrangements that combined textures and vibrant colors that popped against the natural setting, ranging from a hanging arrangement of branches and greenery in their reception tent to a fruit- and flower-filled leafy garland on the head table—complete with fresh persimmons, of course. The menu and extensive wine selections were definitely memorable (and delicious): think grits bar, farmhouse vegetables and peach-glazed meats, to name a few. Another highlight Bevin and Chris loved? Their band, Back Porch Orchestra, brought the blues and bluegrass and performed everything from country to classic rock throughout the evening. At the end of the night, Bevin and Chris ran through an aisle of sparklers and sped away in a refurbished vintage Porche exit car. Buffy Dekmar Photography was on hand to capture all the pretty details, below.

Bevin always wanted diamonds and sapphires on her engagement ring: With this in mind, Chris designed her eye-catching sapphire and diamond ring himself. To complete the wow-worthy set, her ring is completely surrounded by small emerald-cut diamonds.
Gertie Mae's Floral Studio filled Bevin's wild, undone bouquet with colorful, textured blooms, including peonies, hydrangeas, scabiosa pods, coxcomb, pincushion proteas, astrantia and eucalyptus. The hand-tied bouquet had a loose red and gold ribbon wrap.
Bevin's bridesmaids wore Alfred Sung dresses in the Snow White color. Matching stud earrings and gold shoes completed their neutral styles.
Instead of traditional ceremony chairs, the first few rows consisted of comfortable lounge furniture and armchairs with flower arrangements on mismatched tables.
Needless to say, Gertie Mae's Floral Studio brought the fluffiest peonies around for this natural outdoor wedding. The bridesmaid bouquets were colorful, hand-tied arrangements of red, pink and orange flowers and greenery.
Bevin and Chris's outdoor wedding ceremony took place on the grounds at the Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Georgia. Their guests sat in lounge furniture mixed with gold chiavari chairs lined with colorful floral aisle decorations.
Over-the-top colorful floral arrangements on stone pedestals framed the stone stage where Bevin and Chris said "I do" at their outdoor wedding ceremony.
Bevin wore her hair in a twisted side bun to stay cool in the Georgia summer heat. For her makeup, she went for a fresh, dewy style.
The wedding party dressed in all neutrals, with the bridesmaids in short white dresses and the groomsmen in charcoal gray suits with coral bow ties. The ring bearers matched the groomsmen in charcoal blazers and bow ties, and the flower girls wore champagne-colored dresses with layered tulle skirts.
Bevin and Chris served their signature cocktails in mason jars to continue the farm theme. They named the drinks after their dogs: Hers was the Harper Cucumber Cooler and his was Tucker's Bourbon.
Bevin and Chris's cocktail hour took place outside under a canopy of bistro lights. The tall cocktail tables were covered in white linen with champagne-colored fabric ties. Centerpieces of colorful flowers in mercury glasses popped against the natural, outdoor setting.
Bevin and Chris continued their lounge furniture theme with their own bride and groom ivory and gold armchairs pulled up to the head table where they enjoyed a farm-to-table dinner with their guests.
Gold calligraphy on the dinner menus matched the gold chargers at each place setting. Sprigs of rosemary with gold tags served as escort cards.
Gertie Mae's Floral Studio created a natural chandelier of branches and greenery, which hung over the gold head table at Bevin and Chris's tented reception at the Farmhouse at Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Georgia.
The head table was all gold, from the wooden family-style dining table to the chiavari chairs and chargers. A table runner of leaves, candles fresh flowers and fruits added a pop of color to the table.
Round dining tables surrounded by gold chiavari chairs featured white linens with gold table numbers, chargers and menus, which displayed Bevin and Chris's farm-to-table dinner selections. Vibrant floral arrangements in mercury glass vases added a pop of color to the neutral table.
Bevin and Chris's cake table was draped with a scroll and a personal letter detailing their love story. In addition, they also had pies with floral details.
Bevin and Chris had a three-tier cake with white buttercream scattered with Swiss dots and vibrant pink and red cake flowers, including garden roses, peonies and amaranthus. Also on the table: A gold frame with the words "First comes love, then comes cake."
At the end of the night, Bevin swapped out her wedding dress for a Milly party dress with a glittery bodice and wore a custom costume hair brooch to hold her side bun as she and Chris sped off into the night.