Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
It's not always a wise move to look for love on the job, but for Kasey and Bryce, the office led to lasting love. On Kasey's first day at her college job at the University of Georgia, all the boys in the office made bets on who would be the first to take her out on a date. No one bet on Bryce, but he's the one who caught Kasey's eye.
When it came time to propose, Bryce wanted to plan a surprise, and Kasey was sure that wouldn't happen. "I can never be surprised—I always find out somehow," she says. So when it came to the engagement ring, Bryce didn't try: He found an amazing antique ring from the 1920s, showed it to Kasey, and even let her wear it to dinner with his family one evening. "He brought it home to see if I liked it," she recalls. Then, he sent it away to be certified in New York.
A few months later, on the couple's fourth anniversary (with Kasey expecting a proposal before the night was over!), Bryce informed her that the ring wasn't what they'd thought, and that they needed to keep searching. He took her to a fancy dinner in downtown Memphis, but Kasey couldn't hide her disappointment. At the end of dinner, Bryce reached into his pocket for a surprise—a key to a room in the Peabody Hotel. Kasey headed upstairs with Bryce, ready to crawl into bed with a movie. But when the door to their room opened, all she could see was roses and candlelight. She turned around to find Bryce on one knee, holding the ring of her dreams. "It was the best surprise I could have ever dreamed of! I still can't believe he was able to pull it off," Kasey says.
The couple had celebrated previous anniversaries at the Old Edwards Inn, and as soon as they were engaged, they knew they wanted to return for their wedding. On October 26th, 2013, the couple brought 215 guests to a place that held an incredibly special place in their heart, and said, "I Do."
Tying in to the day's theme of simple elegance, Kasey donned sleek Jimmy Choo pumps beneath her gown. Bryce's acorn cufflinks were an homage to Old Edward Inn's logo.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
Kasey's bridesmaids wore floor-length green gowns. "Comfort was key," says the bride. All the women wore fur stoles over their dresses to protect them from the late October chill.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
"I wanted the dress to look Oscar-worthy, and not so bridal," Kasey says of her wedding gown. Her ultimate choice, a streamlined Romona Keveza wedding dress, featured a dramatic train on the side and a beaded sash—a bouquet of cascading white orchids completed the look.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
The Highlands United Methodist Church was "small and adorably perfect," says the bride.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
The couple's wedding program featured a wax seal with an acorn stamp.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
The couple's guests filled the church completely. "You could feel the love and community around us," Kasey says. All-white floral arrangements added simple elegance to the pews and altar.
As a nod to Bryce's Scottish heritage, a bagpiper awaited the couple outside the church after the ceremony.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
During cocktail hour, guests could take a trip back in time with the wedding photos of Bryce and Kasey's family members.
Though Old Edwards Inn has a barn-like feel, Kasey kept the décor sleek and elegant for the formal reception. Mossy branches, lots of ivy, and fluffy white flowers gave the room a natural, romantic feel.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
Roses, hydrangeas, scabiosa pods, and lots of greenery overflowed in the centerpieces. Candlelight glowed from every surface.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
Bryce and Kasey shared their first dance to "Georgia On My Mind" by Ray Charles. "We met in Georgia, and if we hadn't both moved there, we never would have known each other," says Kasey.
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
The couple set up lush lounge furniture near the fireplace, encouraging their guests to get comfortable. "My mother had the pillows made to match the wedding," Kasey says. "Now we have them all in our house! It's a great memento from our wedding day."
Photo: Paul Johnson Photography
"The cake was at the bottom of my wedding planning list," says Kasey, who let Bryce handle that detail. "He LOVED cake tasting!" The six-tier cake featured a variety of flavors and was iced with an intricate twig motif. "It was so large and elegant, and it made the big room feel cozy," says Kasey.
The couple exited their venue at the end of the night through a sea of sparklers. Kasey's parents had affixed a sign to their getaway car, reading "signed, sealed, delivered, she's yours!"
Their honeymoon in St. Barths was a gift from a family friend. "It was the most amazing place we've ever been," gushes Kasey. The bride, who had a fabulous planner to handle all the details, urges other brides to keep the stress to a minimum. "It will be the best day of your life, no matter what," she says. "If anything goes wrong, it will make a great story later!"
Ceremony Venue: Highlands United Methodist Church || Reception Venue: The Farm at Old Edwards Inn || Wedding Planner: Lindsay Pitt of Toast Events || Bride's Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza, from Joan Pillow Bridal Salon || Veil: Joan Pillow Bridal Salon || Shoes: Jimmy Choo || Jewelry: The Bride's Mother || Hair & Makeup: Kimberly & Ryan of The Moore Agency || Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bridals By Lori || Groom's Tuxedo: Joseph A. Bank || Wedding Bands: Diamond Brokers of Memphis || Florist: Jackson Durham || Invitations & Paper Goods: Exquisite Stationery || Music: Big Blast and the Party Masters || Catering: The Madison at Old Edwards Inn || Cake: Tiffany's Baking Co. || Rentals: Jackson Durham || Favors: Donation to the Humane Society || Photography: Paul Johnson Photography
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