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Artist Laura Deems’s Refined Old-School Backyard Wedding at the Groom’s 200-Year-Old Family Farm in Georgia

By Cathleen Freedman | Photography by 

Mel Toms

|Planning by 

P. Hasting Design

Right before her college graduation, abstract artist Laura Deems had a show in Birmingham, Alabama—but nowhere to stay. Through mutual friends, though, she was able to find accommodations with Cannon Jarrell’s aunt and uncle. They repeatedly mentioned their nephew to Laura, but she did not think too much of it. That time the following year, Laura attended her best friend’s wedding in Cannon’s hometown. Once he heard she was visiting, he took his father’s invitation and crashed the event to meet Laura in person at the Big Eddy Club.

After three years of dating, Cannon was about to move to Birmingham, Alabama, from Georgia for a new job. He and Laura spent his final weekend at Lake Seed with family. He suggested that they visit the boathouse and swing in the hammock. As soon as he began speaking, Laura noticed there was something different about how he was looking at her. Sure enough, he slid off the hammock—Crocs and all—and asked her to marry him. When they returned to the house, all of their closest friends and family were waiting for them.

Home was a central idea for the wedding planning process. Cannon’s family’s 200-year-old farm in Butler, Georgia, possesses that sophisticated yet laidback old-school backyard spirit they wanted for their ideal venue. Planner Patti Hasting organized the weekend’s events, and Mel Toms photographed all of the special moments. They turned to Leon Holloway from Gatewood’s Flower Shop for the casually refined floral arrangements.

Laura’s beauty look was effortless—almost as if she tousled her own hair, slid on her wedding gown, and walked straight out of the door. In reality, Elena Luca of Make Me Up GA achieved this easy yet distinguished makeup vision. While Laura is known for her sleek and vogue style, she wanted her gown to be timeless. She opted for a dress with a simple empire waist crafted from heavyweight fabric. Her bridesmaids all donned matching dresses in a light Champagne color. If Laura’s being honest, she has to confide that she was “a total wreck” the whole morning. Looking back, she wishes she could have done a first look with her betrothed because it would have settled her nervous butterflies before stepping in front of a crowd of people with all of their attention poised on her.

On March 26, 2022, guests found their chairs in stadium-style seating outside. “This made the ceremony feel intimate and surrounded by love,” Laura notes. When it was time to begin, cousins ran to a bell and rang it. This was the cue for the bride and her father to begin their walk down the aisle. Once Laura laid eyes on her groom-to-be, all of her nerves flitted away. Laura’s sister dutifully held and lifted the Jarrell family veil on the way to the altar. “Total Pippa [Middleton] vibes,” Laura wittily adds. Everyone who was involved in the ceremony that day had played a key part in Cannon and Laura’s ongoing love story.

The reception felt like—and was—a ginormous celebration. Cocktail hour in the side garden launched the festivities before everyone moved out to the pasture. In the vast expanse of green, there lay a sailcloth tent. “Talk about juxtaposition,” Laura remarks. The talented bride designed the tablecloths with her friend, Olivia Massie, specifically for the wedding, and the wine stains only bring her joy now.

Guests sat for a taste of the South-inspired fare of shrimp and grits, quail, cucumber sandwiches, and more. By the time plates were cleared, the dance floor was full thanks to the musical stylings of the 1 More Song Band.

The newlyweds left in the farm Jeep. At first, the couple thought the getaway car might be too rugged for their elegant nuptials, but they eventually realized, “Who cares?” All that matters is that they loved it! With Cousin Jack as their chauffeur, they drove off before embarking on their Italian honeymoon, planned by Laura’s friend, Emma Schroeder of Major Traveler.