Maggie & Zach's Christmas Wedding at Pecan Ridge | Clover Wedding Photographer

A brand-new venue. Christmas trees and poinsettias. A surprise visit from the Grinch, and a sentimental gift that beats all gifts. Maggie and Zach’s wedding was one of the most memorable weddings I have ever photographed, for so many reasons!

Maggie and Zach met in 7th grade at Oakridge Middle School (the school where Maggie’s mom and I teach!) and dated through middle and high school. They are the most quintessential of high school sweethearts….I remember taking their senior portraits together and how in love they were then, and that love has only grown through the years! They got engaged in July of 2019 at the beach and planned for a Christmas wedding at Pecan Ridge.

Pecan Ridge is a white barn venue that was especially built by Maggie’s parents, and believe it or not, they had only broken ground a month before the wedding! There were still a lot of details that still needed to be finished on their big day, by wow, oh wow, is this place a perfectly designed wedding venue! From the bridal suite with a beautiful chandelier and walls covered with beautiful reclaimed wood from Maggie and Zach’s home, to the sliding barn doors and gorgeous brick fireplace, this location has all the charm and elegance that a Southern wedding needs.

The day started with Maggie and her girls bundled up in flannel pjs and cozy slippers, sipping on Frappucinos in their bridal suite. Zach and his guys hung out in the groom’s building behind the barn. He had a special gift delivered to Maggie, a beautiful diamond pendant he had made from his grandmother’s wedding diamond. (Zach also designed Maggie’s wedding band, which contained diamonds from Maggie’s promise ring and his grandfather’s wedding band.) Maggie put on her dress with the gorgeous sleeves (that she got from Amazon!), she and her dad shared an emotional first look, and she and Zach had their “first touch.” Zach’s dog performed perfectly in his role as groomsdog through their ceremony, which was sweet and simple, full of laughter and love.

Their brunch reception had all Maggie and Zach’s favorite breakfast foods, from Yoohoo and OJ to cereal, a variety of donuts displayed on a “Holy Matrimony” board, and hashbrown casserole from The Clover Station. The Grinch even made a surprise appearance! But the biggest surprise came when a video started and Zach saw for the first time what Maggie had been working on for over a year. Zach’s first pickup truck, which had originally belonged to his grandfather, had been totaled in August, 2018. Maggie rescued the special truck from the junkyard in October 2018, bought it back, and had spent over a year having it rebuilt and restored. As Zach watched the video and saw what his bride had done for him, he was overcome with emotion. There was not a dry eye in the barn as we all watched Zach’s reaction. At the end of the video, the barn doors were opened and Zach watched his grandfather drive up in his truck!

It was such an honor to be able to photograph this sweet couple’s wedding, the first wedding in their family-owned venue, and I can’t wait for many more special events in their lives and at Pecan Ridge! Congratulations, Maggie and Zach!

Venue: Pecan Ridge

Welcome to Pecan Ridge, a charming, country style event venue located on 21 acres of farmland with rolling hills and beautiful pecan trees. The stunning white metal pole barn with cedar accents features tall ceilings with elegant chandeliers, pine board walls, a breathtaking 20-foot wood burning fireplace and a cozy porch with swing and rockers for relaxing. Pecan Ridge is the ideal setting to host your special event. The venue blends the best of classic country charm with modern elegance to create an intimate atmosphere for up to 150 guests, where family and friends can celebrate those most memorable moments.

Coordinator: Amber Ballard of Pecan Ridge

Lead Photographer: Kimberly Cauble Photography

Assistant Photographer: Savannah Shelton

Ceremony Officiant: Shannon Franklin

Florist: Amber Ballard of Pecan Ridge

Catering: Clover Station

Cake: Amy Pounders

DJ: Phillip Pounders

Wedding Dress: Amazon

Rings: Skatell’s Jewelers

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amazon

Hair: Jordan Conrad