Natural Beauty and Southern Romance on the Family Farm

Surrounded by the peaceful beauty of her family’s Alabama farm, Luci and Matthew celebrated their wedding in the most heartfelt and joyful way imaginable. With lush florals by WILDFLOWERS FAIRHOPE, thoughtful planning by MARIEE AMI, and timeless imagery captured by DAVY WHITENER this wedding was the perfect balance of natural elegance and personal meaning—rooted in family, tradition, and a deep love that began back in high school.

Luci moved to Mountain Brook as a junior in high school, and she and Matthew met soon after. The two quickly became best friends—inseparable from the start. “Everyone always said he had a crush on me,” Luci remembers, “but I just didn’t believe them until he confessed his love at the beginning of senior year.” It took her a little while to come around, but once she did, the rest was history.

Matthew planned the sweetest surprise proposal on his family’s farm in Pike Road, Alabama. The two had woken up early to go hunting, but en route to their spot, he pulled over and got down on one knee. Luci was completely caught off guard. It was a beautiful and personal moment in one of their favorite places.

The paper suite came from ARZBERGER STATIONERS in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Luci’s cousin Caroline Ladd made the entire process feel effortless. With Luci’s mom leading the design direction, the results were stunning—timeless, tasteful, and filled with meaningful details like antler motifs that nodded to the farm. “They are so talented—I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” Luci shared.

Luci found her dream dress at CARRIAGE HOUSE in Birmingham, Alabama, where the stylist helped design a custom look that felt perfectly her. Made by SAREH NOURI the gown featured a flattering belt and delicate cap sleeves. “They made the process so easy,” she said. The result was timeless and refined, yet fresh and romantic.

The florals by WILDFLOWERS FAIRHOPE were one of the bride’s favorite parts of the day. She gave the creative team a color palette and full freedom to run with it—and they delivered beyond expectations. From a spectacular floral arch by the lake to fruit-filled arrangements and moss-covered trees behind the bar, every detail was lush and artful. “They were truly stunning,” Luci said. “I could not have dreamed of more beautiful flowers.”

Luci spent the morning getting ready with her bridesmaids in matching pajamas, gifting each of them a Leontine Linens jewelry case. The mood was relaxed, fun, and full of laughter. CELINE RUSSELL and her team created fresh, radiant beauty looks and added to the joyful, calm energy of the day.

The first look took place on the wedding property and was one of Luci and Matthew’s most treasured moments. “Matthew turned around and both of our jaws just dropped,” Luci remembers. “After nine years of dating and growing up together, we just couldn’t believe it was the day to say ‘I do.’ We both started crying with happiness.”

The ceremony was held beside a lake on the family farm, with floral accents and nature as the most beautiful backdrop. Officiated by a close friend from high school, Patrick Trammell, the ceremony was full of laughter, sentiment, and emotion. All of Luci and Matthew’s siblings stood beside them as they exchanged vows. Guests even spotted bass jumping in the lake and a deer across the water—just one more way the land came alive in celebration.

The couple added a joyful twist to cocktail hour with a second-line-style parade led by the Brewton Choir, singing “Oh Happy Day” as they guided guests through the property. Signature cocktails included a spicy margarita and a blueberry mule—made with blueberries the couple picked and froze from the farm over the summer. It was a beautiful example of how even the smallest details were deeply meaningful.

Held beneath a sailcloth tent on the property, the reception was a true showstopper. The design by MARIEE AMI brought together all of the couple’s dreams—natural elegance, earthy colors, and an atmosphere that felt elevated but still grounded in the surroundings. The tent was filled with trees, candlelight, and abundant florals that flowed seamlessly into the scenery. Longtime family caterer DAVID PENNIMAN created a seated dinner that was heartfelt and delicious—a continuation of the couple’s desire to make everything feel personal.

The party was unforgettable thanks to EVOLUTION PARTY BAND, who kept the energy sky-high from the first dance to the final song. Luci and Matthew wanted all upbeat music—and that’s exactly what they got. “I don’t think one person sat down the whole time,” Luci laughed. “It was so much fun!”

For their honeymoon, the couple jetted off to Nayara Springs in Costa Rica—an oasis in the rainforest complete with hot springs, wildlife, and a private plunge pool right outside their villa. It was the perfect place to relax after the excitement of the wedding and begin their next chapter as husband and wife.

“Luci and Matthew created a dream wedding for their friends and family.  Taking place on their family farm brings a sense of sentimental value, as well as, a beautiful setting that is different than anywhere else.  Their color palette of subtle greens, browns, and yellows was a perfect fit for their upscale, outdoor theme.  The use of antlers, tied in on their paper suite and escort cards, in addition to the beautiful green trees brought in to the tent, were a wonderful balance of nature.  The florals were not disappointing – Boasting floral arches at the tent entrance and home, around the ceremony with her pond backdrop, and filling the tented reception was amazing and beautifully executed.  I could go on and on – with the fine dining, fashion, bridal luncheon, cocktails, flat wear and place settings, linens, cake, tent lighting and more… I’ll end with this, If I could go back and re-do my personal wedding… this is exactly how I would do it!  Congrats to Luci and Matthew.” DAVY WHITENER.