Winter Wedding in the South

Cold weather didn't stop this sweet couple from achieving the wedding day of their dreams. See how they celebrated the season and created their very own winter wonderland.

By: Keri Sanders

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Photo By: Sumerlin Photography

Kristen + David

Kristen and David Wilson were married on February 9, 2013, on a lovely winter day. Dressed for the season, Kristen paired her gorgeous gown with a bright white sweater and navy scarf.

Winter White

Her "something old" was a fabulous brooch that belonged to David's grandmother. In order to keep the bouquet simple, she chose a stunning combination of white hydrangeas and garden roses.

Unexpected Footwear

While Kristen chose cowgirl boots for the bridesmaids to wear, she opted for an adorable pair of white rain boots, which guaranteed she'd stay warm and dry in the midst of unpredictable winter weather.

Bridal Boots

The boots were a surprise from David's mother and ended up being the perfect accessory for a February wedding.

Welcome, Y'all

A handmade sign greeted guests as they arrived, letting them know they were in for a rustic Southern wedding.

Guest Express

The rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception were held at Black Fox Farms in Cleveland, Tenn. As guests arrived, they were quickly transported to the barn where they could warm up and take in the elegant decor.

Wow Factor

Kristen and David fell in love with the venue as soon as they saw it. Since there was a greenhouse on site, they were free to use any trees and plants they wanted. "David's dad put in a lot of extra lights that ran up the walls and made the space look like a winter wonderland," says Kristen.

Have a Seat

For the rehearsal dinner, the couple completely transformed the barn for a decadent formal evening. Each guest was assigned a seat number, which was pinned to a frame directly outside of the main entrance.

Numbers Game

The table numbers were made of barn wood, house numbers and door knobs. "David and I put them all together with his parents," says Kristen, who attributes much of the decor to the contribution of her talented friends and family.

Making Memories

To tie in family history and honor the people who mean the most to them, David and Kristen displayed wedding pictures of each of their parents and grandparents. "Just getting the pictures from everyone was the hardest part," remembers Kristen. "From there we just glued them to burlap and glued the burlap to the back of the window panes."

Winter Woods

Trees played a very large part in the wintry decor. From gorgeous evergreens throughout the barn to these miniature versions, the entire venue resembled a winter forest.

Classic Silver

"My aunt Lori loves design and created all the centerpieces," says Kristen. "The silver antiques were from family members, and Lori arranged the flowers."

Something for Everyone

To keep the tiniest guests happy, children were offered wedding-themed coloring and activity books — a small gesture that was appreciated by kids and parents alike.

Winter Warm-Up

After the ceremony, guests were free to enjoy dinner, wander the grounds, or keep warm by the blazing fire pit.

Seasonal Sips

Hot apple cider was the perfect seasonal treat to keep guests warm as they offered congratulations to the newlyweds.

The Little Things

For this sweet wedding, small details made all the difference, and nothing was overlooked. David's mom invited friends over to replace water bottle labels with fun personalized alternatives. "We gathered a lot of people, so it didn't take forever," laughs Kristen.

What's Old Is New

The wood risers used for the centerpieces were actually recycled from another wedding. According to Kristen, they had the original couple's initials on them, but they just flipped them over and added lanterns and silver antiques for a brand new look.

Crowd Pleasers

"We chose food that was simple, like chicken fingers, roast beef and macaroni and cheese," explains Kristen. "We wanted food that we knew everyone would eat."

Grab and Go

Aside from the heartier options, delicious appetizers and snacks were placed throughout the venue, giving guests the freedom to mingle and eat at their leisure.

Live and Lively

A live band definitely got guests out on the dance floor and was a fun alternative to a D.J. "David persisted on getting a live band, because he knew it would be more fun and unique," remembers Kristen.

Pinecone Pair

The cake topper was made of a cute pair of pinecones that Kristen found and dressed up with a mini veil and top hat.

Candy Bar

To give guests something sweet to remember them by, the happy couple set out a delightful "Sweets & Treats" station, allowing guests to fill up a bag of candy for the road.

Night Lights

The couple went out with a bang as guests lined a path, holding sparklers high, shouting and waving their goodbyes.

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