There’s something magical about celebrating love in a place you call home. Thanksgiving 2023 weekend, we chose to write our next chapter right here on our own land, surrounded only by those who matter most– our family.

The decision to host our wedding on our property wasn’t just about the venue; it was about creating an experience that truly reflected us. Every detail was thoughtfully curated to tell our story, from the meal I planned and baked the day before to the tablescape that brought in elements we both loved.

Lindsey Roman, a photography that I have a special personal connection to, was there to document our day.

The menu was a labor of love, quite literally, as I took on the role of both bride and chef. Each dish was carefully selected and prepared with the same care that we’ve built our relationship on. And no celebration of ours would be complete without our favorite touch– Cheerwine– which found its perfect place among the table settings, adding that personal spark that made the day uniquely ours.

To mark this new beginning, we planted a magnolia tree in our front yard together with our children – a living symbol of our growing family and the roots we’re putting down together. In the years to come, we’ll watch it flourish just as we do, its branches reaching higher as our love grows deeper.

There’s something incredibly special about exchanging vows during Thanksgiving weekend, a time already dedicated to gratitude and family. In this season of giving thanks, we found ourselves most grateful for each other, for our new family, and for the simple beauty of beginning our marriage in such an authentic way.

This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a homecoming in every sense of the word. Here, on our own land, we didn’t just start our marriage – we celebrated the life we’ve already built together and the future we’re excited to create, marked by the magnolia tree that will grow alongside us.

Photography: Lindsey Roman Photography

Bouquet: Golden Hawk Protea

Magnolia tree and swags on tablescape: The Magnolia Company

Cake: Community Loaves

Drink: Cheerwine