We love sharing the weddings of our Dixie brides and today’s wedding feature is no exception! Meredith and Keaton Deal exchanged vows in the romantic backyard garden of the bride’s brother, James Farmer, who is a renowned interior designer, author and speaker as well as one of our Holiday Tastemakers. We’ve had the pleasure of working with James over the years and witness his creativity first-hand, so we knew this magical garden wedding would enchant us!
We were thrilled when Meredith wanted to work with Dixie artist, Holly Hollon, to develop her wedding paper, knowing it would certainly be a suite everyone would adore. We are so happy to now offer the Georgia Collection, which includes all of Meredith’s stunning wedding paper!
Meredith was gracious to share some of her wedding photos with us as well as the thoughtful details from her gorgeous October wedding day. Be sure not to miss the stunning seated dinner arrangement that included blue gingham table linens (which coordinated perfectly with her wedding paper) and twinkle lights strung from the wooden ceiling beams. We couldn’t help smiling at the adorable pups that were included in the occasion!
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Keaton and I have known each other since we were 19 years old. We met on my best friend’s farm in Cochran, GA. Keaton was there with his best friend, the guy she was currently dating. We knew of each other, but I always thought he was way cooler than me! Ha! We ended up sitting on the tailgate of his truck talking for hours. A few months later he became my boyfriend. During college we dated off and on but always remained great friends, he was always my best friend. After college he moved home for his current job and I was home living with my family recovering from a kidney transplant (thank you Lord and my hero brother)! One day he reached out, asking if I wanted to go out to the river on his new boat and the rest is history!
How did he propose?
It was Keaton’s birthday weekend and we were heading to his family home on Tybee Island, like we always do! He invited his friends and mine too to celebrate. I thought nothing of this since it’s a tradition we go to Tybee for Saint Patricks weekend and his birthday! I had just started my photography business and planned to take pictures of a best couple friend of ours on the beach. At the end of the session Charity asked if she could get a picture of us since we were dressed for dinner and the lighting was so beautiful. When she turned the camera on us, Keaton got down on one knee and pulled the ring box out of his boot. This is still one the most magical moments! The rest of our friends cheered from the balcony while blaring “Celebrate Good Times” and toasting! My family and more friends were waiting for us at dinner. He thought of everything.
What was the feel that you wanted to accomplish for your wedding and how did your Dixie paper coordinate with that?
We wanted our wedding to reflect us, our roots and our home. We were married in my brother’s garden that is placed behind his home in the middle of the woods. I wanted everything to be intimate and special. When Holly asked me the look I envisioned for our suite, I told her flowers and fruit that reflect us – peaches for where we were raised and his great-grandfather’s farm, pomegranates for my maternal family crest, pines which cover our land, palms to represent our love for the low country (and Tybee Island), and my favorite color blue bow to tie it all together. Holly brought all of these ideas together to make the perfect suite for a garden wedding!
Did you and your husband do a “first look” or did you wait for the first look to take place during your ceremony?
Keaton and I decided to go the traditional route when it came to the first look. I wanted to share the sweetest moment of my life with my dearest loved ones. Keaton’s face when he first saw me is still one of the things people talk about most when it comes to our day! It was so special to finally see him for the first time that day and walk towards him knowing he was about to become my husband. I loved my family and friends being witnesses to this moment. It was emotional and endearing. I would do it the same way all over again.
What was the best advice you received as a bride?
I was told over and over to stop and take it all in! I am so glad this was drilled into my mind. I took multiple moments to look at everyone around me and soak it in. The day still flew by in a flash, but I remember the moments I stopped and really took things in. There’s only so many times in your life where all the most important people of your life are all in the same place. Take it in! We both were missing people whom we loved so dear, but we made a point to remember and reflect on them as well. I think that is so important to do on the most important day of your life.
