As I reflect on what a wonderful year 2011 was, I think back to all my fun, eventful and HOT weddings! I can’t think of 2011 without this amazing tent wedding I was able to plan for a very special couple, Maggie and Micah. Planning is never easy, but planning from another state, now that’s a challenge! Not to mention this wasn’t a St. Louis wedding, this was a Richland, Missouri wedding (2 hours west in the middle of the rolling hills of Missouri- this is also where I saw my first ever armadillo!) Here is a “brief” story (I tried but they’re just too many details I couldn’t stop!)
Maggie and Micah chose the Levi Place to be married. The farm was purchased by Maggie’s Great- Great Grandfather in the early 1900′s and became known as the Levi Place. The farm has always stayed in the family and it is where they all gather to celebrate everyone’s company. They now call it the Nickens and Sons Farm and has been the home of holiday parties, engagements and now Maggie and Micah started a new wedding tradition!
Their wedding festivities took place on July 4th weekend. We are talking golfing, brunch, group float trips along the river, swimming, paddle boating, four wheeling, a large welcome party (I should mention hotdogs, s’mores and sparklers by the campfire- perfect touch!) and ended with a massive firework display thanks to Mr. Nickens, which we agreed it was a must have!
They really wanted this party to go for hours so we started off with a pre-ceremony welcome hour (it was 100* so we opt to do this one inside the Big House). Guests were soon asked to take their seat on hay bales (don’t worry we covered them with hankies and pillow cases, as well as fan programs). The very intimate ceremony took place in what they call the Secret Garden, also where they planted a tree just after they declared their promises to each other. (tearing up yet?) Following the ceremony we had cocktails on the main porch which had Spanish influences to it. Maggie and Micah met in Spain while studying abroad, so they really wanted a small part of Spain tied in to their day. After cocktails, guests were able to enjoy a variety of food stations, music by the well-known St. Louis band, Downtime Productions and swoon over this whimsical fairytale outdoor wedding…
The details on this wedding are endless. Maggie wanted her guests to feel like they were coming to just another one of their family get together’s, this one just happen to be extra special. Her colors consisted of plume, fuchsia, lilac, rose, gold, ivory and burlap. We had an amazing tent that was set up by Traube Tent on the parking lot and a beautiful fountain just happen to stand in the middle, which made a peaceful center piece. Maggie loved the idea of hanging mason jars and lanterns to make up for a majority of the lighting, but what really made it dazzle was the extra lighting and draping brought in by St. Louis’s, Exclusive Events. We had a variety of colors, textures and experiences that their friends and family got to adore.
Emily, from Slice of Lime created some of the best paper goods I’ve ever seen. Guests were welcomed with a Welcome Booklets which consisted of a hand drawn map (made by Maggie), History of Land, Things to Do and Weekend Festivities
Can you just take a second to enjoy the view…thanks.
This tree was painted by a dear friend, “Leaf Your Thumbprint and Name”
To make sure the placecards didn’t fly away we painted their numbers on the rocks. Perfect cocktail drink on a hot summer day a Sangria (of course).
Now, normally I would NEVER post a picture of a bathroom. But listen up, if you are having an outdoor wedding, in the middle of July with 100* temperatures, you need a bathroom with AC people! There was simply no argument on this one…treat your guests right and they will forever be thankful for it 
Photos by C. Lynne Photography and Tana Nickens
OH AND PLEASE…let’s not forget about the photo op! We pulled Ol’ Greener from the shed and fancied her up for this great little area guests could come take pictures and take home their own token from the wedding. What’s not to love?!
Maggie and Micah, it was a wedding I will never forget. Thank you for letting me be apart of it… good luck with your next chapter in life!
Team
Full Planning Services- Kristin Ashley Events
Photographer: C. Lynne Photography (services were donated for 2011 Wish Upon A Wedding; c.lynneproductions@gmail.com)
Florist: The Flower Merchant; Springfield, MO
Tent: Traube Tent; St. Louis
Décor: Exclusive Events; St. Louis
Location: Richland, MO
Caterer: ReRicogrill
Desserts: ReRicogrill
Music: Downtown Productions; St. Louis
Paper Goods: Slice of Lime; St. Louis
Linen & Rentals: Connie Duglin & Fabick
Come to find out she was the real deal and not only did he fall in love with her, so did our family. After we met Kristen, we advised Frank the smartest decision he would ever make was keeping her…and that he did. And now I am honored to call her one of my best friends.
