Thank God I’m a Country Boy

By Lisa: It was picture perfect country day for third generation farmer Jake Tynon and new bride Ashley Vogel to start their new life together.  With over 200 friends and family gathered at Rosie’s Cabin outside of Fort Scott, Kansas, Jake and Ashley pledged their vows of love. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Ryan Kaplin and Millie's Event Designs; www.millieseventdesigns.com was there to coordinate all the festivities.

Ceremony at Rosie's Cabin

The ceremonial pergola beside the pond was decorated with white hydrangeas and nosegay white roses accented with baby’s breath and surrounded with dark green foliage.  These were designed by local florist; Savannah Flory; www.tlcgc.com. On this beautiful afternoon in October, Ashley and Jake shared their vows as guests gathered around on hay bales or on the wide porch of Rosie’s cabin to watch.  The guests stood and applauded as Pastor Kaplin announced the couple for the first time as “Mr. and Mrs. Jake Tynon”

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Tynon

As the new couple and bridal party retreated to the pastures for pictures, the guests were treated to a country style cocktail hour with beer, wine and all kinds of homemade cookies.  At exactly 5:20pm, after a blessing by Pastor Kaplin, the guests made their way into the reception hall for the buffet style dinner.  The menu consisted of tender smoked BBQ brisket, al dente green beans and lots of home grown “sweet” corn with rolls and butter.  Constantly updated pictures of the wedding streamed across a big screen in the corner to make sure no one missed a moment of the event.

After the guests had been served, it was time to introduce the couple and their wedding party to the reception hall.  As the guests watched, the new couple cut their four-tiered wedding cake and made an intimate toast to one another.  They then shared their first dance together as husband and wife. 

After the couple and the wedding party had eaten, it was time to kick the festivities into high gear.  Father of the bride, Edgar Vogel gave a sentimental speech and toasted the new couple with chilled champagne that had been served to all guest tables.  This was followed by a dance with his daughter to “I Loved her First” by Heartland.  Next, Jake took the floor with his mom to the song “A Mother’s Song” by T. Carter music.

Cake and Champagne Toast

Next, the guests were invited to the dance floor and to indulge themselves on wedding cake or a chocolate groom’s cake.   The dancing was broken up only to allow for the single ladies in attendance to vie for the traditional bridal bouquet toss.  The single gentlemen all vied for the bride’s garter tossed by the groom.  All then danced into the starry country night in celebration of Jake and Ashley.

When you’ve found your sweetheart of a lifetime, be sure to contact Millie’s Event Designs; www.millieseventdesigns.com to coordinate all of Your wedding and reception related festivities.  We strive to make your day picture perfect in every way!

Old Fashion Vows in Old Town Shawnee

By Lisa; Friday night, October 2, 2015, the turn-of-the century atmosphere of Old Town Shawnee provided a picturesque setting for the exchange of wedding vows between Jennifer Short and Jake DeBrabander.  With clear skies, no wind and sixty-five degrees, it was a picture perfect evening as family and friends gathered around the Old Town Shawnee gazebo to celebrate Jennifer and Jake’s special moment.  With bride’s maids dressed in gorgeous navy dresses, Jennifer made her way down the aisle to be presented for marriage by her father and mother, Bo and Caroline Short.  As Jake’s parents Mike and Mary DeBrabander watched from the front row, even Jake’s one-week old nephew joined the ceremony as the ring-bearer as he was gently carried forward by his father, one of Jake’s groomsmen.

Following a traditional exchange of vows and prayers, Jake and Jennifer shared the first kiss as man and wife and were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. DeBrabander.  From the Old Town Shawnee gazebo, family and friends strolled south through Old Town Shawnee to the town hall for the reception.  Once there, guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres and other treats until the bridal couple was ready to begin the festivities.  After cutting their beautiful three-tiered cake and exchanging toasts, the bride and groom along with the bridal party made their way to the scrumptious buffet prepared by caterer Pam Smith (Catering by Pam).The menu consisted of mouthwatering chicken marsala, succulent smoked brisket, cheesy au gratin potatoes, tender green beans and the always popular cheesy corn.

As the guests were finishing their dinner, it was time to begin the traditional dances.  With Connor from DJ Connections; www.djconnections.com orchestrating the dance floor, the bride and groom shared their first dance as husband and wife to the tune of Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley.  Afterwards, Jennifer and her father Bo took to the dance floor for the father-daughter dance.  Then it was Jake and Mary’s turn for the mother-son dance.  Then DJ Connor opened the dance floor to all.  The dancing was highlighted by the Anniversary Dance, which finishes with the longest married couple on the dance floor alone.  There was also the fun filled “money” dance where guests pay for the opportunity to share the dance floor with the bride or groom.

As the dancing continued, guests were served wedding cake with their choice of traditional white cake from the wedding cake’s first tier or delicious strawberry cake from the wedding cake’s second tier by Barbara Baird; www.classiccakesandmore.com The evening finished with the traditional tossing of the bridal bouquet by Jennifer and the bridal garter by Jake.  From there, the newly married Jennifer and Jake DeBrabander made their way into the starry Old Town Shawnee night to begin their “happily ever after”!

Millie’s Event Designs; www.millieseventdesigns.com was honored to serve as Jennifer and Jake’s wedding day coordinator in picturesque Old Town Shawnee on this picture perfect night for a traditional wedding ceremony.  When you have found your special someone and are ready to start planning for YOUR “happily ever after”, contact us to ensure that your special moment is picture perfect in every detail!