We were married at Castleton Farms on a beautiful June day. It was definitely hot, but not a cloud in the sky or a drop of rain! Castleton made for a beautiful venue and backdrop in our pictures. Everyone raved about the location, food ,flowers, and our amazing pictures! One of our favorite moments was our “first glance.” We debated seeing each other prior to the ceremony, but we were glad we did. Just getting ready and all the anticipation made for a nervous morning, but once we saw each other the day was much more peaceful and calm! 

Choosing a photography was a huge deal for us. Darcie and her husband, Tommy, were fantastic to work with. They made us feel totally at ease and made the process fun! Our engagement pictures were breathtaking and I thought they couldn’t be topped, but then came the wedding photos! We could not have been happier with Darcie. We’ve had so many compliments on our pictures! 

We wanted an outdoor wedding with beautiful flowers, gardens, and green fields. Elegant yet simple was the vision! Castleton’s vineyard was the perfect place for our ceremony. The vineyard was beautiful and required little to no decor! I really wanted to keep everything shades of purple and was able to accomplish this with beautiful flowers and small details. I carried my great grandmother’s broach on my bouquet which was very special to my mother and me. 

Our only regret is not having a videographer! I don’t know what we were thinking? I would definitely recommend it. A family member recorded the wedding and I absolutely love watching it. I wish we had the entire day captured on video accompannied with music. 

–Lynzie

Venue : Castleton Farms!

Photography : Darcie Bruce Photography

Catering : All Occasion Catering, The Perfect Ending Cakes

Rentals and Decor: All Occasions Party Rentals

Thanks for sharing your beautiful day with us, Lynzie and Chris. We hope your marriage will be as beautiful as your wedding day!

Our wedding was a perfect representation of both of our personalities. I knew from one day that I wanted a rustic but classy barn wedding. I imagined shades of brown with burlap and lots of greenery with ivory flowers. I wanted the whole barn to have a very homey but fancy look to it. My favorite detail of the wedding was the music. I wanted all the music played to be songs that Stu and I love, and I think that a lot of the guests loved it as well. The whole ceremony was songs by Led Zeppelin and the reception was a mix of all of our favorite classic rock songs. 

Our wedding was amazing. The things that I remember most about our wedding were walking down the aisle and seeing Stu’s face and getting to have all of our friends and family together in one place. Overall my experience at Castleton Farms was great. I cold not have asked for a more beautiful place to get married or for our wedding day to have gone any smoother. I cannot tell you how many people have commented on how amazing Castleton Farms was, especially the carriage house where our ceremony and reception took place. 

My biggest tip on working with a photographer on the wedding day is to listen to their ideas and suggestions. Some of the poses and ideas that Terri had were things I would have never thought of, and seeing them in print was just incredible. They are the photographer for a reason and they know what translates well into pictures. My number one advice for future brides is to keep true to your personal style while planning your wedding and to choose vendors who want to help you represent your style!

-Erin Keene

Venue: Our very own Castleton Farms

Photography: Terri Swaggerty Portraiture

Flowers: Lisa Foster Floral Design

DJ: Ogle Entertainment

Paper & Decor: Designs in Paper

Decor and Rentals: All Occasions Party Rentals 

In 1996, Carolyn and her husband, Buddy, were looking for a builder for their house. The person most recommended was Craig Peak, Jane’s husband and my father. Carolyn and Buddy knew that it wasn’t just irony that led them to choose my dad as the builder. Ten years after my dad built Carolyn and Buddy’s house, and when I was 17, my mother, Jane, lost her battle with cancer. Carolyn met me for the first time at my mom’s funeral and was astonished by the strong resemblance I had to my mother.

At that point Carolyn felt a strong urge to take care of her childhood best friend’s daughter. However, it wasn’t until four years later that dream would come true. I was now 21, and my boss, Regina, secretly approached Carolyn at church and asked if Grayson was dating anyone. Regina proceeded to tell Carolyn that she had an employee at Rowena’s that she wanted to set up with a good guy. She continued to describe me to Carolyn. When Carolyn asked what my name was, much to her surprise, Regina responded, “Sarah Peak”. Carolyn was ecstatic and thus began her mutual scheming with Regina to introduce Grayson to me. Carolyn started coming in a lot to Rowena’s. Little did I know that it was all part of the plot to get us together.

One Friday, Carolyn brought newspaper clippings in to me that explained that the store I now work in used to be the store where my and Grayson’s grandfathers once worked. She proceeded to tell me that she wanted me to meet Grayson, but because he lives and works in Georgia it could take a while to do so. I worked the next day and while my back was turned from the front of the store, much to my surprise my friend’s eyes widened and said “Grayson’s here!” I quickly turned to see if it was the same Grayson that Regina and Carolyn wanted me to meet. Then I saw Carolyn walk in before him. It was at that moment that I asked my friend if she could see my heart beating through my shirt! Carolyn had convinced Grayson that the birthday gift she wanted from him could only be found at Rowena’s. He had been told very little of me, but enough to be very curious. I could be cliché and tell you that we both saw fireworks and knew from the moment we first met that we were meant to be. However, our relationship goes deeper. It was founded on a half century of close relationships of our families and a destiny that was started by our mothers’ friendship.

When Grayson proposed to me in the same spot that our late grandfathers once shared stories about us, and the place where we first met, he told me that there were a thousand reasons to propose other places that would be just as memorable. However, he only needed one. The spirits of our lost loved ones filled that room as he dropped to one knee. Without a doubt, we knew the rest of our lives should start at that store… at that moment…in that spot.

Here is a look at their wedding day:

Brides Name: Julia Price

Grooms Name: Zach Ellis

Wedding Date: 06/11/11

How did you meet?

Zach and I first met during high school through our math and science classes. We did not really become friends until the end of our senior year at Farragut. I actually asked him if he would help me with our AP Calculus class because he seemed nice and smart. Of course he agreed, and we developed a solid friendship. We did not start dating until after high school. Every day we spend together, I get to know  him better and appreciate and love the person he is. Now, we have both graduated college and live in New Mexico for his job with our dog Franklin.

How did the Groom propose? And where were you?

Honestly, I was a little antsy about when Zach was going to propose because we had moved out to a different state together.  I know he wanted to make sure that it was a surprise, so he wanted to wait until the perfect moment.  He asked on December 21, 2011 while we were opening up Christmas presents underneath our tree before we came home for the holidays to spend with family and friends.  He got down on one knee after I opened what I thought was my present, and told me how much I meant to him, how happy I make him, and how lucky he is to have me. He pulled out the ring, slid it on my finger, and of course I said yes!

How many attendants are you having?

We are having 4 bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen

What are your colors?

Turquoise and Chartreuse

Why did you choose Castleton?

Zach and I both fell in love when we came to Castleton. Living in New Mexico makes it difficult to plan a wedding in Tennessee.  We were only home for about a week when we came home for Christmas to find a venue if we actually wanted to see it for ourselves.  Castleton is what I have pictured in my mind for as long as I can remember, and everything about the dates worked out perfectly.  We both knew after seeing Castleton, anything else would be second rate.  I also really appreciated that me and my bridesmaids could spend the evening prior to the wedding at Castleton so we would not have to worry the day of the wedding, and Zach and I could spend the night there before we go off on our honeymoon. We are so lucky to be getting married in such a beautiful venue and cannot wait for June 11^th go get her

Brides Name: Julia Price

Grooms Name: Zach Ellis

Wedding Date: 06/11/11

How did you meet?

Zach and I first met during high school through our math and science classes. We did not really become friends until the end of our senior year at Farragut. I actually asked him if he would help me with our AP Calculus class because he seemed nice and smart. Of course he agreed, and we developed a solid friendship. We did not start dating until after high school. Every day we spend together, I get to know him better and appreciate and love the person he is. Now, we have both graduated college and live in New Mexico for his job with our dog Franklin.

How did the Groom propose? And where were you?

Honestly, I was a little antsy about when Zach was going to propose because we had moved out to a different state together. I know he wanted to make sure that it was a surprise, so he wanted to wait until the perfect moment. He asked on December 21, 2011 while we were opening up Christmas presents underneath our tree before we came home for the holidays to spend with family and friends. He got down on one knee after I opened what I thought was my present, and told me how much I meant to him, how happy I make him, and how lucky he is to have me. He pulled out the ring, slid it on my finger, and of course I said yes!

How many attendants are you having?

We are having 4 bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen

What are your colors?

Turquoise and Chartreuse

Why did you choose Castleton?

Zach and I both fell in love when we came to Castleton. Living in New Mexico makes it difficult to plan a wedding in Tennessee. We were only home for about a week when we came home for Christmas to find a venue if we actually wanted to see it for ourselves. Castleton is what I have pictured in my mind for as long as I can remember, and everything about the dates worked out perfectly. We both knew after seeing Castleton, anything else would be second rate. I also really appreciated that me and my bridesmaids could spend the evening prior to the wedding at Castleton so we would not have to worry the day of the wedding, and Zach and I could spend the night there before we go off on our honeymoon. We are so lucky to be getting married in such a beautiful venue and cannot wait for June 11^th go get here.

Bride’s Name: Kelly Fuller

Groom’s Name: Keith O’Connor

Wedding Date: May 7, 2011

How did you meet? Keith and I first met when I was 17 and he was 19. We both worked at Abercrombie, but at two different stores. I was shopping in the store he worked at and thought he was really cute so I struck up a conversation. I must have made an impression because he called me right when he left work and asked me on a date. Five years later, the rest is history. : )

How did the groom propose and where were you? Keith and I went on a cruise to Bermuda to celebrate my graduation from college (or so I thought). When our cruise ship got to Bermuda, we spent the whole day on the beautiful beaches there. Later that night, Keith had planned for us to take a “Sunset Swizzle Cruise.” We sailed around on a catamaran watching the sunset and drinking rum swizzles. There was even a guy playing guitar on the boat. We were taking pictures when Keith said, “Why don’t you take a picture wearing this.” I looked down to see the most gorgeous ring in his hand. All I could say was, “Oh, my gosh!! Oh, my gosh!! Oh, my gosh!!”  Then he asked me to marry him and of course, I said yes!! When we got off the catamaran we had a delicious seafood dinner on the beach. It was nothing less than a perfect proposal!

How many attendants are you having? 6 bridesmaids & 7 groomsmen

What are your colors? Lavender and silver

Why did you choose Castleton? We chose Castleton for two reasons. The first was because it is different. We don’t know anyone who has gotten married there and to us that is very special. The second is the most obvious – it is absolutely beautiful!  The grounds are gorgeous and we can’t wait to have our wedding there!

A special thank you to Designs in Paper for the all of the beautiful invitations.

BRIDES NAME: Lynzie Robinson
GROOMS NAME: Chris Brittain
WEDDING DATE: June 4, 2011
HOW DID YOU MEET: High School
HOW DID HE PROPOSE AND WHERE: A romantic night at home with a bubble bath, candles, and wine. In the new house he bought for us!
HOW MANY ATTENDANTS ARE YOU HAVING: 5
WHAT ARE YOUR COLORS: Various shades of Purple
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CASTLETON: The grounds are beautiful and have a romantic feel. I love how quiet and secluded the location is. Its a great outside location that still has a very classy and elegant look.