REAL WEDDING:: Mary Hannah Farnell + J. Kenny Crow lll {Burning Love}

::AS SEEN IN THE FALL + WINTER 2024 PRINT ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Photography by Rae Leytham Photography

mary hannah + kenny’s story

Mary Hannah and Kenny met online as many couples these days do.  “On our second date we almost burned Kenny’s house down,” says Mary Hannah. Luckily, Kenny was able to put out the fire, but the incident gave them a deeper insight. “Knowing that the house and ourselves could survive such a crazy event on our second date meant we could survive anything,” says Mary Hannah. 

 

Kenny’s mom helped him set up the perfect proposal. She brought Mary Hannah to the end of the pier at their family home to take a picture with Kenny. Once there, she told Mary Hannah to wait so she could go find her phone and Kenny for the photo. As she made her way back down the pier, she passed Kenny and didn’t come back. “I was suspicious but didn’t think too much of it,” says Mary Hannah. 

 

When Kenny reached Mary Hannah, he started a conversation. She couldn’t help but think, “THIS IS IT!!!”

 

“But he gave me a side hug then walked away,” she says. Her disappointment was short lived, however, because moments later he dropped to his knees and proposed.

 

“Of course I said yes with a lot of tears,” she says.

about the wedding

On the day Mary Hannah and Kenny planned to marry, the weather forecast was freezing temperatures and a 75% chance of rain. “Despite all odds, our wedding on December 9th was sunny and 75 degrees,” says Mary Hannah. “It was the most amazing wedding present.”

The couple said ‘I do’ at Sacred Heart Chapel with a reception following at Kenny’s parents’ home, the Crow’s Nest. “It was very special to be able to have our reception somewhere that we visit quite often. I get to relive our wedding day every time we head to the Crow’s Nest,” says Mary Hannah.

“My favorite part was getting to see Kenny for the first time on our wedding day,” says Mary Hannah. “Seeing him made all of my nerves go away.” For Kenny, his first thought when seeing Mary Hannah on the wedding day was, “That is the most beautiful woman I’ve seen.”

 

The couple’s wedding invitations included a special nod to their proposal. “I took a picture of the sunset on the night that we got engaged,” says Mary Hannah. “I knew I wanted to do something with it. My dear friend Kara Brown painted us this gorgeous watercolor and we were able to incorporate it in the most perfect way!” 

 

At the end of the day, Mary Hannah and Kenny departed the wedding at sunset, cruising off on a boat – a moment that Mary Hannah describes as a close second for her favorite part of the day. 

 

 

 

::CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FALL + WINTER 2024 PRINT ISSUE

FEATURING MARY HANNAH + KENNY’S WEDDING::

 

NOW FEATURED VENDOR:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Rae Leytham Photography, raeleytham.com

CATERER: Bay Gourmet, baygourmetcatering.com

 

ADDITIONAL VENDOR CREDITS:

GETTING READY LOCATION: A Perfectly Design Cottage on the Bay | CEREMONY LOCATION: Sacred Heart Chapel | OFFICIANT: Father Neske | RECEPTION LOCATION: The Groom’s Parents House | REHEARSAL DINNER LOCATION: The Grand Hotel, Sky Lounge | FLORIST + CANDLE DECOR/LIGHTING: Citrus and Ro | BAKERY: Sukar Bakes | RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Tim Tyler, The Piano Man | TRANSPORTATION: Gulf Coast Tours | HAIR: Avery Cooper | HONEYMOON (DESTINATION): St. Lucia | TRAVEL AGENT: Mattie Maisel, MDM Escapes | WEDDING PLANNER: Anne Morgan Montgomery, AMA Events | DAY OF COORDINATOR: Abigail Bolton, Cecile Creative | DECOR RENTAL: SOHO Rentals | INVITATIONS: Kara Brown (watercolor painting) Paper Jubilee ( design + printing)

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