Want to switch things up? Piece of cake!

This is a guest blog post by Kristen Ley of Something New for I Do. For the original posting, please visit www.somethingnewforido.com.
We love tradition with a twist! A fun and easy way to incorporate something new into your big day is by changing up your dessert options. Ask yourself – how important is it that I have an extravagant tired cake on my wedding day? If this tradition is one that you absolutely can’t part with, opt for an equally beautiful mini version so you can have your cake and eat it too (had to)!

Dessert Bar by Green Gables Events | Photography by Happy Everything Co. 

The next most popular dessert options, leaning slightly more toward the traditional side, are cupcakes and cake pops. Brides save money with this option – sometimes a forth of the price – by nixing the elaborate cake.

Cake pops and other bite size treats, such as cupcakes, can be just as beautiful, displayed on a beautiful tiered cake stand with stunning decorations and colors. The best part – these options are super easy, as there is no messy cake cutting and virtually no clean up. And if there are left overs (which we highly doubt there would be with these delicious balls of heaven), you can simply bring them home as is and save them for later! Cupcakes too, are just as fun and innovative. Spice things up by serving your guests a combination of flavors, frosting and decorations.

Deliciousness by Cakes by Carissa

A pie table, enough said. Other than the rare occasion, many wedding cakes often go uneaten. Whether it’s the not so tasty fondant or the dry cake layers, spending so much money on something that isn’t truly enjoyed by your guests might not be worth it to some brides. With a pie table, multiple options can be offered to satisfy each guest’s sweet tooth. Still beautiful and elegant, you can dress up your pie table with top-notch linens, antique pie cake stands, candles, flower arrangements and more. I’d even argue that pie tables can be even more stunning than cake tables.

Can't get enough of Buttermilk Pie Company

Dessert bars and candy bars are also trendy and if done correctly can add quite a bit to the design element of your reception. Candy and sweet nibbles served in different dishes and jars in colors that match your theme are very eye catching and fun. For inspiration and ideas, search Pinterest. Inspiration tip: A Viennese table featuring an array of desserts, miniature cheesecakes, brownies, pies, cookies, individual trifle, mousse and other small plated desserts are displayed for your guests to choose from. This alternative is much more reasonable than other options and a lot more fun.

Our hope is that every bride finds a way to make their wedding their own. If you don’t want a cake, choose a pie display or a table of beautifully decorated cheesecakes. Have fun, be creative and don’t settle for traditional if that’s not your style!

My Lynn Haven, Florida Goose Hunt

This is a blog post written by Lee Lusk, Owner of The Wheeler House. 

When we started making plans to build our barn, the first step was figuring out what type of wood and lumber to use. I thought, as memories at The Wheeler House would last forever, so too should our barn.

I wanted our barn to be different and set us apart from our competitors, but most importantly, I wanted to create a space that encompassed character. Anyone can build a ballroom or a barn without character or history, but that’s just a building. I knew I wanted to do something more, something special.

I also knew the bones of the structure and siding needed to be durable enough to last lifetimes to come, and it had to be pressure treated. So, I researched the most effective pressure treated wood. What I found – it was pilings in the ocean that hold up structures like piers, bridges and airports!

I used to work in real estate investing/developing/building in Sea Side, Florida before the market crashed. It was there that I first discovered a company in piling that pulled used poles out of the ocean. While doing my research, I instantly thought – with the new "reclaimed wood trend," these poles would be perfect for my barn.

After getting in touch with my contact in Panama City Beach, I found out that he had just pulled poles from where the new Pier Park is! Before, the pier’s pillars were wood (what I bought), but they were eventually replaced with concrete pillers. Luckily for me, they built a new international airport inland and tore down the old one in Lynn Haven. This last batch of poles sat in the Saint Andrews Bay holding up the end of the runway.

My team and a large tractor-trailer headed to pick up this last load, which cost us a pretty penny along with some blood, sweat and tears. But, it was worth it because the hot and humid Georgia weather cannot destroy the barn with these special treated pilings. Our arbor was also built from these poles – if you look closely, you can still see some of the barnacles, boat anchors, tie downs and oceanic salt stains. But, that’s character.

Every single beam and piece of barn siding was cut right here in downtown Ball Ground from a mill that is decades old – from a time when people used the timber from their land to saw and build their own barns and houses. If you look closely at our mantle and exterior siding, you can see the circular marks from the round saw. And with the interior siding, you can see the vertical marks from the band saw used at Harris Lumber in Ball Ground.

Anyone can build a barn with Home Depot lumber, but I choose the hassle (100 percent worth it), brain storming and research it took to create a truly one of a kind barn – that Lord willing will last hundreds of years… Especially with that industrial grade, high-strength concrete foundation that my over achieving dad insisted I build! Haha.   

Wedding Wednesday: Ashley and Joseph Spenard

Ashley and Joseph said "I Do" Saturday, July 6th

Photo credit: Face:This:World Photography

When it came time for Joseph to propose to his bride-to-be, Ashely knew it was coming. "We had been discussing it for a while. One night after dinner, while I was doing the dishes, he got down on one knee and gave me a cute little speech and asked me to marry him. It was very cute, although I wished he would’ve waited till I was done with the dishes!"

Years ago, Ashely would drive by The Wheeler House saying to herself, "If someone would fix up that house, it would be stunning." Sure enough, when owner Lee Lusk bought the house and renovated it with a very specific goal in mind, it turned out to be more beautiful than Ashley thought it would. "We found out that people had their weddings there and my mom always said it would be nice for me to get married there (this was a few years before I actually got married). Sure enough, when I got engaged we went and checked it out!"

When the couple thought of their dream wedding, they knew they wanted something intimate. "We wanted our closest friends and family there. We knew we wanted to keep it simple and have a rustic feel."

 Ashley chose her favorite color, a clover green, for their main color, with pops of lavender and a bright blue to accent. In fact, Ashely got to choose many aspects of their wedding day, BUT Joseph was front and center to help pick out the food and cake! 

"My husband and I are pretty opposite. He's reserved, quiet and likes to keep to himself. I'm more social and outgoing. We balance each other out perfectly, and I think that's why we work so well together." All differences aside, the newlyweds both decided upon the first look, as it was one of the more important aspects of their wedding. "When I saw him for the first time it brought tears to my eyes. He looked so handsome and it was a very special moment between him and I."

And a beautiful moment it was. Ashley and Joseph's wedding was lovely, as captivated by their photographer, Face:This:Moment Photography. We wish the happy couple all the best, and are thankful to have been a part of their special day! 

Wedding Wednesday: Maggie and Trip

Maggie and Trip said "I Do" in the Fall of 2012 

Photo credit: Heather of Heather Photographers 

Although this wedding was pre-barn, we adore this lovely couple so much that we just had to feature them in our Wedding Wednesday blog!

They say a photograph speaks a thousand words. Not only was this couple extremely photogenic, so was their love - easily captivated in these photos. Trip and Maggie opted for the "first look," rather than the traditional moment where the groom first lays eyes on his bride as she's walking down the isle. Either way, the moment is romantic. But, the first look allows the bride and groom to take in the moment together, hug and kiss, and express their excitement and passion for one another.

What a beautiful, memorable moment that will last a lifetime. Their photographer, Heather, did a fantastic job capturing this moment, as well as all the details of Maggie and Trip's wedding.

As we've mentioned before, while we love traditional weddings, there is something special about coming up with new ideas together, or starting a tradition of your own!

And don't rule out your four-legged best friend when making your guest list. The Wheeler House wants all of your loved ones to be in attendance for your special day - canines and humans alike!

On behalf of The Wheeler House, we would like to thank Maggie and Trip for allowing us to host their big day. We continue to use these photos over and over, as their love for one another shines through and reflects the essence of defining your own "I Do."

Wedding Wednesday: Rachel and Travis

As much as we love wedding traditions, what good are they if they don't reflect who you are as a couple? Sometimes, the best weddings are the ones that throw tradition out the window! Why have your girls buy a bridesmaids dress they'll most likely never wear again? Why decide on the gown that's hard to breath, dance and stuff yourself with cake in? Be you and create the wedding of YOUR dreams, rather than recreate the same old-same old.

Rachel and Travis said "I do" on June 1st, 2013 

Rachel and Travis were truly an inspiration and a delight to work with! Their wedding was a direct reflection of who they were as a couple and their love for each other (oh yeah, and animals)!

One of our favorite things about this wedding was that it encompassed a look unlike any other. The bridesmaids and groomsmen sported their own style, with elements to cohesively tie everything together - for the guys their jeans and vests, and for the girls their cowboy boots, bouquets... and mustaches! 

What a great idea! As we all know what looks best on us, why not give your bridal party a say? Rachel and Travis did just this and the outcome was a fun, stylish and memorable look. 

Thank you to this lovely couple who allowed us to host an event dreamt up by thinking outside of the box. This event was as unique as you are, and The Wheeler House is honored to be a part of your big day! Best of luck and blessings to Rachel and Travis. 

A Word from our Owner: Lee Lusk

Wedding season is in full swing, but it doesn't stop us from continuing to make improvements on the venue. Painting, staining, hanging gutters and installing Pail Rain Chains. For those of you not familiar with these, they are metal rain chains that are a lot more fun and attractive (just for you, ladies) than gutter downspouts. You can watch the rainwater travel down the links in the chain into the copper buckets. It's all about the details and I love the details! 

Little touches like this make all the difference. When a couple looks back at their wedding pictures or when guests are swinging on our backyard swing or rocking on the porch, I want them to see the pride and love that has gone into restoring this property - it's all in the details.

I have had the rare opportunity to oversee and plan every step of the construction of the venue from the early restoration efforts of the house to building the arbor, wiring all the trees for the chandeliers and planning every square inch of the new barn.

Maybe it's my inability to sit still, maybe it's my love for improvements. Either way, take a look at some of The Wheeler House's recent updates.

The sliding barn doors have been installed and stained, and the windows are in!

The arbor got a make over for our last wedding. Jesse, my right hand man, thought it would be neat to try something new for our floating window arrangement in the arbor. Turns out, we like this whimsical look! Of course, our brides can choose the traditional window look, but what a fun new option. 

Keep an eye on The Wheeler House. It's a work in progress, getting better with age. I can't wait to show you what we have planned for you!

Wedding Wednesday: Hope and Allen

Hope and Allen Wong said "I Do" on Saturday, May 18th, 2013

Photo credit: Nina Parker, Nina Parker Photography

A perfect example of how no two weddings are ever the same at The Wheeler House. Hope and Allen's wedding was so stylish, you would think you were on the set of a photo shoot for Style Me Pretty.

Between the Chevron print, the chunky statement jewelry and the contrast of grey and bright yellow, Hope's bridesmaids we're too cute. And the bride, oh the bride...

Hope looked beautiful in this vintage-inspired gown. From her dress to the classic getaway car and adorable programs (which doubled as hand fans), we loved how they took elements of old and new styles and combined them perfectly, along with the blending of their cultures in the food choices by adding an Asian station.

 This wedding was perfectly theirs, as told by the details. On behalf of The Wheeler House and all the vendors who helped create this wedding, we would like to wish Mr. and Mrs. Wong lifelong happiness. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day!