1. Real Weddings

A Natural, Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in Trenton, Georgia

After first meeting at a friend's Christmas party, Rachel Dyer (27 and a paralegal) and Brent Allred (26 and an insurance broker) married at the bride

After first meeting at a friend's Christmas party, Rachel Dyer (27 and a paralegal) and Brent Allred (26 and an insurance broker) married at the bride's family farm with Lookout Mountain as their backdrop. The rustic yet elegant approach to their wedding day led Rachel to dub their style "into the woods." "The farm is my happy place, since it's where I feel most at home," Rachel says of the sentimental setting where Brent proposed. An aerial shot of the farm accompanied the calligraphed invitations, and Brent donned a guinea feather boutonniere and feather bow tie for a rustic twist on his accoutrement. The newlyweds cut into a six-tier, amaretto-flavored, buttercream cake topped with their family crest and handmade sugar leaves. As a nod to Brent's alma mater, his custom groom's cake replicated in miniature and edible form, The Grove, the tailgating mecca at the University of Mississippi.—Caroline Eubanks

Cream and gray invitations set the tone for the wedding's natural palette. They were designed and created by one of Rachel's bridesmaids and included an aerial photo of the farm in Trenton, Georgia.
"Brent proposed to me with his grandmother’s engagement ring," Rachel says. "I’ve always loved vintage engagement rings. Brent added filigree to the platinum band to give it a vintage look and embedded diamonds and sapphires in the inside to represent my “something blue.” I also wore his grandmother’s band, which is set with beautiful diamonds. Brent chose a simple, yellow gold comfort fit band and I had our wedding date engraved inside Brent’s ring."
Rachel added her mother's cathedral-length veil and diamond earrings to honor her grandmothers. Makeup and hair were kept simple, and the bride carried a bouquet of rosemary, hanging amaranthus, antique hydrangeas, and blush and cream roses.
Rachel and her closest friends wore matching plaid tops as they got their hair and makeup done for her special day.
"I chose the Jenny Yoo Annabelle dress for my bridesmaids after trying it on at Bella Bridesmaids. The Annabelle has a tulle shirred strapless bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a floor-length A-line skirt with convertible straps that can be used to create different style necklines and straps," Rachel says. "I chose a smoky, charcoal gray color that aligned with the dark-neutral fall palette we chose for our wedding."
Brent wore a classic Vera Wang tuxedo with a traditional cummerbund from Jos. A. Bank. He wore a guinea-feather-inspired Brackish bow tie that coordinated with his boutonniere, which was a guinea feather with rosemary and seeded eucalyptus berries.
Rachel knew it was a setup, so she dressed to impress. The two quickly connected and started dating. He proposed at the same family farm, in Trenton, Georgia, where they were married at a year and a half later.
Brent's nephew John Michael wore simple suspenders with his shirt and bow tie, while Allie, a family friend, wore a floor-length lace dress with cowboy boots and a flower crown.
Rachel and Brent said “I do” in the lower fields under an 18-foot cross made from hewed logs, supplied by a family friend. Their faith was an important part of their ceremony.
Birch trees in large boxed planters lined the long tables at the reception, where bistro lighting was strung from the rafters. Cream, gold and gray linens covered the tables.
The entrance table featured a guest book with moss, candles and family photos. Additional touches were the goat-feeding station at the farm and welcome gifts that included treats from northwest Georgia.
Among the arrangements were deep colors of flowers along with pheasant feathers. They coordinated with the flowers used in the bouquets and boutonnieres.
"Our first dance was to 'Can’t You See' by Marshall Tucker Band," Rachel says. "Brent and I went back and forth about our first dance, slow or fast-paced. Brent loves music, but his personal favorites aren’t necessarily classic wedding first-dance-worthy songs. We stumbled upon this song, and it fit us. Southern rock is a genre of music we both enjoy listening to together."
The bride's cake was a multitier amaretto-raspberry cake. The lace-like buttercream icing replicated Rachel's gown. The groom's cake was inspired by Brent's alma mater, the University of Mississippi, with the “Walk of Champions” and the Grove.
"Brent and I had a surprise grand exit by helicopter at the end of the night," Rachel says. "All the guests lined up for our sparker exit, and were then told to move to the porches on the hillside overlooking the fields for a surprise. Then a helicopter swooped overhead and landed beside the sunflower fields. Brent and I climbed in and off we went!"