Sarah & Hunter Ballew
Grandview
After connecting on Facebook, Sarah was hesitant when Hunter first asked to meet her in person. “Now he laughs and says that I was rude!” Sarah tells. “But he was persistent, so we met at a diner in Dalton. We had a great meal and didn’t want to say goodbye, so then we went to play basketball and talked for hours.” The two have been inseparable ever since.
Sarah had just six months to plan their wedding after a December proposal, and the first order of business was the venue. She says, “We wanted to ‘wow’ our guests, especially the out-of-towners, and Grandview provided that special experience – it was natural and earthy, but also very timeless.” Grandview’s intimate courtyard would serve as the location for the ceremony, with the reception immediately following on the venue’s patio. The couple’s lightly frosted wedding cake, topped with berries and touches of eucalyptus green, would be housed in the English-style Tudor home on the property.
While an intense rain shower hours before the ceremony threatened plans for an outdoor event, the storm broke just in time. The bride’s grand entrance, set to the tune of Etta James’ “At Last,” highlighted the romantic, 12-foot-long cathedral veil that completed her bridal look. Once their traditional service concluded, Sarah and Hunter disappeared to take photos along the scenic cliffs.
Meanwhile, guests gathered at the tented reception and enjoyed sweeping views of the valley below. Allowing the natural beauty to take center stage, Sarah sought minimal décor: strung lights, miniature lanterns, and white hydrangeas. Catering was also a breeze, as Grandview supplied a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres for guests to dine on before the dancing commenced. A sparkler getaway was the breathtaking ending to a whirlwind day. Sarah shares, “My only complaint was that it went by way too fast!”
After connecting on Facebook, Sarah was hesitant when Hunter first asked to meet her in person. “Now he laughs and says that I was rude!” Sarah tells. “But he was persistent, so we met at a diner in Dalton. We had a great meal and didn’t want to say goodbye, so then we went to play basketball and talked for hours.” The two have been inseparable ever since.
Sarah had just six months to plan their wedding after a December proposal, and the first order of business was the venue. She says, “We wanted to ‘wow’ our guests, especially the out-of-towners, and Grandview provided that special experience – it was natural and earthy, but also very timeless.” Grandview’s intimate courtyard would serve as the location for the ceremony, with the reception immediately following on the venue’s patio. The couple’s lightly frosted wedding cake, topped with berries and touches of eucalyptus green, would be housed in the English-style Tudor home on the property.
While an intense rain shower hours before the ceremony threatened plans for an outdoor event, the storm broke just in time. The bride’s grand entrance, set to the tune of Etta James’ “At Last,” highlighted the romantic, 12-foot-long cathedral veil that completed her bridal look. Once their traditional service concluded, Sarah and Hunter disappeared to take photos along the scenic cliffs.
Meanwhile, guests gathered at the tented reception and enjoyed sweeping views of the valley below. Allowing the natural beauty to take center stage, Sarah sought minimal décor: strung lights, miniature lanterns, and white hydrangeas. Catering was also a breeze, as Grandview supplied a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres for guests to dine on before the dancing commenced. A sparkler getaway was the breathtaking ending to a whirlwind day. Sarah shares, “My only complaint was that it went by way too fast!”
How He Proposed
“We decided to run the St. Jude
Half Marathon together (his first time, but not mine). In the last few miles, he pulled ahead of me and was waiting to propose at the finish line. We couldn’t find each other when I reached the finish, so he proposed at the photo op – and the crowd started cheering. It was the best finish to any race!”
Photos by Rich Smith Photography
