Real Weddings – Susannah & Seth Shaver

On June 9, 2018, almost two and a half years after their first date, Susannah and Seth were joined by 260 guests as they tied the knot at the historic Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Georgia. The Southern estate holds many special memories for Susannah’s family, who frequent the resort for birthday getaways and other occasions. “We just feel at home at Barnsley,” Susannah shares. “It was an obvious choice as our venue. We wanted our wedding guests to feel like they had escaped into another whimsical world for the weekend to celebrate our love.” 

If there were a singular theme for the Shavers’ wedding day, it would be color. Lemon yellow, magenta pink, and bright orange hues were incorporated into the lavish floral arrangements and five bridesmaids’ dresses. Susannah describes, “We also mixed deep blues and greens with our base colors to create an extravagant, over-the-top effect. Our goal was to show our love and personalities through these vibrant shades.”

how he proposed

“It was Mother’s Day. We had gone to church and brunch with my family, and afterward Seth wanted to take a walk downtown. We passed TVA, the library, and made our way to Neural Alley (the passageway with the colorful blocks you can move and interact with). When we turned the corner, I saw that the blocks spelled out, ‘MARRY ME?’ Then Seth was down on one knee, and I started crying the happiest tears of my life and said ‘yes!’”

After a relaxing morning at the resort (with the bride’s party getting ready, and the groomsmen playing a round of golf), it was finally time for the first look – a much anticipated moment between Susannah and Seth. Susannah looked timeless in a white sequined gown with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. A striking headpiece, featuring delicate teardrop stones, was the finishing touch to her bridal look. According to Seth, “Her dress was the only thing I had no idea about or expectations for, and when I finally saw her, I was stunned. She was beautiful.”

The 5 p.m. ceremony took place under a towering tree on the property, the trunk decorated with a crystal chandelier and a cascading floral design. A string quartet strummed in the background as Susannah made her way down the aisle, accompanied by her father. The service, officiated by the couple’s preacher, incorporated traditional vows along with a more unique component: a tree-planting. “We had soil from Seth’s parents’ house, my parents’ house, and our new home to pot the tree,” Susannah recalls. “It represented the roots that made us who we are, as well as our future growth as husband and wife.”

A cocktail hour in the Manor House Ruins, a favorite spot of Susannah’s, began the transition to the tented reception. Here, long tables richly ornamented with floral centerpieces and gold mercury glass candleholders anchored the space. From above, the tent was draped in orange fabric; chandeliers adorned with colorful blooms and greenery floated over the solid white dance floor.

The couple teamed up with Barnsley Resort to create a seasonal dinner menu for their guests to enjoy. Salad was served before the main course, which included flat iron steak with demi bordelaise, fried chicken with Barnsley honey, and grilled chicken penne pasta in a tomato cream sauce. A local bakery crafted the Shavers’ four-tier wedding cake containing four distinct flavors, from chocolate and raspberry to classic vanilla with an almond icing. In lieu of the traditional groom’s cake, Seth opted for his favorite dessert: cheesecake with a strawberry topping.

The dancing was a highlight of the evening, as Susannah and Seth requested meaningful song selections from their DJ. “Our families and friends love to dance, so the entire dance floor was full!” Susannah remembers. “At one point, Seth and I were hoisted up in the air on our guests’ shoulders, and I just felt such overwhelming joy during that moment.” Then the celebration ended with a bang – literally.

“Fireworks are one of my favorite things, and I always pictured them at my wedding,” Susannah says. “It was the best ending to the most magical day.” CS