A Fun and Romantic Backyard Wedding at Homeplace Pastures in Como, MS | Katie and Marshall
“My bouquet was tied with a handkerchief that my great aunt Gene had given my mother years ago. I didn’t realize until I showed it to her on the day of but it had actually belonged to my aunt Gene’s mother, which was really sweet to learn.”
-Katie
“My sister gave me a really sweet gift while we were getting ready, she got each of us a tiny ring with one another’s birthstone. That was an unexpected and tender moment of the day.”
-Katie
There are a million and one things to fall in love with at Home Place, Marshall’s family farm, where him and Katie decided to get married. The rolling hills, the pigs in the pasture, the overall peaceful feeling you get as soon as you turn into the farm…
But my absolute favorite part of visiting Home Place is staring at the wall of photographs they have hung in their home by the staircase. Every time I come face to face with it, I stand there in awe looking at the generations of loved ones gathered together in these frames.
As I stood there memorizing each one, I realized it was very likely that a photo or two that I’d be taking could end up on this wall, a part of their family history hanging for others to admire for years to come.
-The Warmth Around You
“We were both just excited to see each other! Marshall had woken up a bit hungover from our party the night before and was feeling some general anxiety brought on by that. I was also starting to feel a little nervous leading up to the ceremony - just about having all eyes on me and the performative nature of the event. Seeing each other just felt like a relief and some welcomed normalcy on such a busy day. We were ready to get the party started!”
-Katie
“The necklace I wore had belonged to Marshall’s grandmother, Maybelle. Marshall’s sister May (Maybelle’s namesake) kindly offered for me to borrow it. The Home Place belonged to Maybelle’s family line so it felt really special to wear something of hers on the day of the wedding there on the Home Place.”
-Katie
“Having both of my parents walk me down the aisle meant so much to me- we are a true team and having them both up there was really special. Reverend Tondala Hayward officiated our ceremony. She is a pastor at the Collierville United Methodist Church, where I grew up as a member. I loved that she incorporated some of the Methodist tradition into our somewhat non-traditional ceremony. Marshall’s father Mike Bartlett gave a meaning tribute during our ceremony. His words were wise and comical words and had all of our guests laughing and crying. Two geese started squawking during the ceremony which I actually loved because they are such a staple of the ponds at Home Place and it was a sweet reminder of our sentimental surroundings in that moment.”
-Katie
“We were married in a wooded area behind Marshall’s childhood home. Marshall and countless other folks spent a tremendous amount of time and energy clearing the space to make it suitable for our ceremony. We picked the spot because we like that it seemed to form a natural sanctuary of beautiful oaks and their branches. The sun glinted through the spring foliage but the site was shady and comfortable, with the sun setting over the lake surrounding the woods. We just cleaned up and showcased what was already there- it’s a beautiful site. Our families working hard to bring the site together and complete our vision also made it feel so special for us.”
-Katie
“Our cake was layered orange and almond and was a traditional sugary Southern buttercream dream. And White Pillars made a tart strawberry sorbet that paired perfectly with it. The cake topper was a ceramic pig that my dad gave me for Christmas the first year Marshall and I started dating (it’s obviously significant because Marshall is a hog farmer).”
-Katie
“Marshall and I danced to Willie Nelson’s version of A Song For You. It was significant because I was listening to a Willie Nelson album in my car the night of our first date.”
-Katie
“My dad and I danced to Paul Simon’s Father and Daughter which is a song I’ve loved since childhood and has always reminded me of my dad. Marshall and his mom danced to Van Morrison’s Days Like This, a song they both love.”
-Katie
“Dinner made by White Pillars (of Biloxi, MS) was absolutely delicious! It was so special to eat Home Place pork on the farm where it was raised, and we still cannot stop raving about the first two courses- the tomato and melon salad and crab cake were both divine!”
-Katie
“I loved the toasts during dinner. They were all so sweet and special and they really allowed us to slow down and take it all in.”
-Katie
“Our band the Lost Bayou Ramblers could not have been more talented or fun! They played for an additional hour which was a welcomed surprise and allowed everyone to keep dancing later into the night.”
-Katie
“Our day was just magical- there was something transcendent in the air- just a lot of joy and love. The setting, music, weather, food, drinks, toasts- it all layered to make the evening feel so genuine and full of revelry. We were floating all night. It was kind of a fairy tale honestly- even down to the send off in the canoe under the light of our friends’ sparklers. I caught Marshall, who is a bit of a cynic, shedding tears of joy on different occasions throughout the night, arms around our dear friends and family, dancing and laughing the night away.”
-Katie
Wedding Vendors
Venue: Home Place Pastures
Coordinator: Kelsey Connors of Connor & Co.
Photographers: The Warmth Around You
Wedding Live-Stream Video: Pixel Love
Rentals: Magnolia Rentals
Wedding Dress: Maggie Louise Bridal
Mens Attire: Oak Hall
Bridesmaids Dresses: Reformation and BHLDN
Florist: Everbloom Design
Reverend: Tondala Hayward, Collierville United Methodist Church
Cake: Shirley Maples
Band: Lost Bayou Ramblers
Special Musical Appearance: Sharde Thomas and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band
Hair: Annie Shackleford
Catering: White Pillars
Invitations: Minted
Beef Tallow Candles: Home Place Pastures
