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A Traditional Red-and-White Barn Destination Wedding in Tennessee

A Traditional Red-and-White Barn Destination Wedding in Tennessee

July 27, 2011

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Liesl and Kevin

Working 60 and sometimes 80 hours a week as Martha Stewart's executive assistant, Liesl Menning hardly expected to find love. But on October 31, 2007, love walked through Liesl's office door in the form of musician Kevin Haynie. Kevin was performing on Martha's TV show (Kevin plays guitar and banjo in country singer Josh Turner's band). The two kicked off a whirlwind long-distance romance. Says Liesl, "We joke that we're like the couple in Green Acres -- city girl meets country boy." One thing they do share is a concern for the environment. "We wanted to have a wedding that was elegant and also eco-friendly," Liesl says.

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Invitations

The stationery suite, from Crane and Co., is printed on recyclable paper; calligraphy by Debi Zeinert.

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Bouquet

Martha made Liesl's bouquet, which features amaranth, gladiolas, and Queen Anne's lace and is tied with a vintage ribbon.

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Rings

Liesl's wedding ring (it was her grandmother's), Kevin's ring (from Tiffany and Co.), and a charm necklace (by Dogeared Jewels and Gifts), a present from a colleague) rest in the custom ring bearer's box from D. Sharp.

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Flower Girl Baskets

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The flower girls carried maple veneer baskets with a handle of eco-friendly ribbon, filled with punched flowers made of biodegradable seed paper.

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Trolleys

A trolley transports guests to the ceremony site.

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Bride's Family

The bride's family: The boys wear clothes from Brooks Brothers and ties made by Tiecrafters from vintage linen.

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Groom's Family

The groom's family poses with the couple.

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Maid of Honor

Liesl with niece and maid of honor Hannah Stadler, in a custom muslin dress by Amsale.

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Flower Girls

Liesl poses with nieces and flower girls, Sophie and Ella Hill, and junior bridesmaid, Hallie Haynie, Kevin's daughter; the girls wear dresses from Us Angels.

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Ceremony

The bride and groom exchange vows in an open field, framed by two small maple trees planted especially for the occasion.

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Special Guest

Martha's French bulldog, Sharkey, attended.

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Bride and Groom

The couple wear matching smiles.

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Happy Couple

The couple share an "uplifting" moment.

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Reception Barn

The reception barn is festooned with a garland made from strips of maple veneer as well as biodegradable and vintage ribbons.

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Special Guests

The couple poses with some of Liesl's Martha Stewart "family": Robin Marino, Darcy Miller, Martha, Charles Koppelman, and Kevin Sharkey.

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Guests

Country singer Josh Turner and his wife, Jennifer.

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Seating Cards

Cotton seating cards from The Lettered Olive are printed with vegetable-based ink; each table is named for a tree indigenous to Tennessee.

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Favors

Guests receive tree saplings from the Arbor Day Foundation; tags detail regions in which the trees will thrive.

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Centerpieces

The centerpieces hold flowers from organic grower Madison Creek Farms (the nearby property of Peggy Lynn Marchetti, daughter of country legend Loretta Lynn), including zinnias, Queen Anne's lace, and football mums.

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Place Cards

Recycled CD sleeves, rubber-stamped with soy-based ink, also act as place cards.

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Head Table

The head table is set with monogrammed organic linens from Transylvanian Images that were embroidered by Liesl and a friend. Beeswax pillar candles (from Creative Candles) glow in glass hurricanes, and maple-veneer lamps hang from above.

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Father of the Bride

The bride's father, Fritz Menning, dons a Stetson.

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Guests

Julia Eisemann, Martha's administrative manager, enjoys the festivities.

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Guests

Guests at the head table enjoy both the food and the company.

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Kids Table

The children's table is decorated with glass Ball jars, bushels of apples, and gift boxes filled with eco-friendly toys, such as a windmill generator and cards for coloring; the table is covered with recycled paper, on which the kids can draw with twig pencils.

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Apples

Ella Hill samples a sweet treat.

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Kids Table

The youngest guests, including ring bearer Jackson Hill, have a table all their own.

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Cocktails

Martha created the "Menning Mimosa" cocktail, a mix of orange and lemon juices, prosecco, and Grand Marnier; it was served with For Your Party's debossed napkin (no ink!).

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A Traditional Red-and-White Barn Destination Wedding in Tennessee

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Liesl and Kevin

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Invitations

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Bouquet

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Rings

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Flower Girl Baskets

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Trolleys

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Bride's Family

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Groom's Family

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Maid of Honor

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Flower Girls

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Ceremony

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Special Guest

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Bride and Groom

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Happy Couple

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Reception Barn

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Special Guests

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Guests

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Seating Cards

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Favors

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Centerpieces

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Place Cards

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Head Table

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Father of the Bride

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Guests

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Guests

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Kids Table