One Couple's Romantic Wedding at Dunaway Gardens in Newnan, Georgia

For his wedding to Carmen Bowen (30 and a radiation therapist), Cory Worley (27 and a business owner) and his father cut down a pine tree from their farm, milled the wood and built a ceremony cross. “We hope our children will use it when they get married,” Carmen says. It was the kind of elegant, personal touch that defined their lush garden event. In keeping with the family-centric theme of the day, Carmen kept warm in a mink coat borrowed from Cory’s grandmother. Furthermore, the bride’s aunt made the vanilla cake with buttercream frosting and edible gold leaf.

“Our theme was secret garden,” Carmen says. “We wanted it to be romantic with luxurious accents.” The couple topped farm tables with potted heliotrope and gold votives. After the vows, guests headed to a white-and-gold reception decorated with antique furniture for a dinner of biscuits and fried chicken. They found champagne coupes at a local antique shop to use at the reception and plan on bringing them out again on their anniversary.