Local wedding, long-lasting love

John and Lauren Christ Miller at their wedding reception.

John and Lauren Christ Miller at their wedding reception.

Everyone’s heard of “farm to table.” But how many have experienced “farm to altar?” All of us who went to the sweet, touching wedding of Lauren Christ and John Miller earlier this year can say we have. Well, sort of.

“John and I both are from East Tennessee and we love the area,” Lauren, Moxley Carmichael’s director of client services, said recently. “We wanted to celebrate how we live our lives.”

To that end, they selected the oldest Catholic church in Knoxville, the breathtaking Immaculate Conception downtown, as the site of the nuptials. For the reception? The Southern Depot. “We loved the feel of the old railroad station in the heart of downtown Knoxville,” she said. Rehearsal dinner was at Remedy Coffee in the Old City with catering by Chandler’s Deli — chicken, barbecue, fried okra and John’s mother’s pimento cheese, for which she is renowned.

To me, the thing that stands out most about the wedding was the hundreds of beautiful peonies used in the decor and in the bouquets. “I went to the Market Square Farmers’ Market and that’s where I first saw them,” Lauren said. They were from Napping Cat Flower Farm in Maryville. “I loved that they would be grown in an East Tennessee garden and not be shipped in from somewhere else.”

Another local touch was in the favors that each guest got to take home — little jars of preserves made by Lauren’s mother, Lynn Christ, and sister, Cheri Hall, who went to a University of Tennessee non-credit course to learn how to make them. Lauren’s nephews, Josiah and Ezra Hall, picked much of the fruit that was used in the preserves. Even the fruit that was purchased was sourced locally.

“The more things we selected that were local, the stronger the feeling was that this was truly a celebration of us,” Lauren said. Her garter was handmade by John’s mother, Joan Miller, who sewed some beads from her own wedding dress into it. Her sister, Cheri, did all the calligraphy and even made ring bearer bowls that were pressed with antique lace doilies belonging to Lauren’s great-grandmother.

The altar at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Knoxville.

The stunning altar at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Knoxville.

The groom waiting patiently.

The groom waiting patiently.

Here she comes on the arm of her father, John Christ.

Here she comes on the arm of her father, John Christ. (Photo by Dani Rose Thibus)

It's done!

It’s done! (Photo by Dani Rose Thibus)

Time to party! Lauren and John enter the reception at Southern Depot.

Time to party! Lauren and John enter the reception at Southern Depot.

Maid of honor Ryann Christ, Lauren's sister, and best man Mike Miller, John's brother.

Maid of honor Ryann Christ, Lauren’s sister, and best man Mike Miller, John’s brother.

The tables were all marked with framed photographs of some place important to the couple. This chart held the table assignments.

The tables were all marked with framed photographs of some place important to the couple. This chart held the table assignments — and an explanation.

Our table. Look at those fabulous peonies.

Our table featured a map with Knoxville marked on it. Look at those fabulous peonies. One table had a map of the old La Costa restaurant where Lauren and John had their first date. One marked the location of Patrick Sullivan’s where they first kissed. Cute idea.

Moxley Carmichael's Scott Bird and our friend and former colleague Ellen Robinson. They match!

Moxley Carmichael’s Scott Bird and our friend and former colleague Ellen Robinson. They match!

Roger and Shaun Fulco Hyver. Shaun, the CFO of Moxley Carmichael, sang "On Eagles' Wings" at the wedding.

Roger and Shaun Fulco Hyver. Shaun, the CFO of Moxley Carmichael, sang “On Eagles’ Wings” at the wedding.

Tami Hartmann, left, and Sharon Irwin.

Tami Hartmann, left, and Sharon Irwin.

Linnie and Charley Sexton. Charley is creative director at Moxley Carmichael.

Linnie and Charley Sexton. Charley is creative director at Moxley Carmichael.

Bruce Hartmann, left, and Peter Acly.

Bruce Hartmann, left, and Peter Acly.

From left, Brandon Barger, Amy Foster, Ellen Robinson and Alan Carmichael.

From left, Brandon Barger, Amy Foster, Ellen Robinson and Alan Carmichael. Amy and Alan are with Moxley Carmichael.

Natalie Lester of Moxley Carmichael and her fiance, Chase Bailey.

Natalie Lester of Moxley Carmichael and her fiance, Chase Bailey.

From left, Amanda and Mark Jennings with Tami Hartmann. Amanda is with Moxley Carmichael.

From left, Amanda and Mark Jennings with Tami Hartmann. Amanda is with Moxley Carmichael.

From left, Erica and Karl Beck with David and Michelle Henry. Erica and Michelle are with Moxley Carmichael.

From left, Erica and Karl Beck with David and Michelle Henry. Erica and Michelle are with Moxley Carmichael.

Props for use in photo booth photos.

Props for use in photo booth photos.

Haha. Natalie Lester, left, with Maria Cornelius, also of Moxley Carmichael.

Haha. Natalie Lester, left, with Maria Cornelius, also of Moxley Carmichael.

The swashbuckling Chase Bailey.

The swashbuckling Chase Bailey.

Linnie and Charley Sexton.

Linnie and Charley Sexton.

A drawing of the couple and their two dogs, Pez, left, and Chloe.

A drawing of the couple and their two dogs, Pez, left, and Chloe.

This cake features bride and groom Pez dispensers! John collects them.

This cake features bride and groom Pez dispensers! John collects them, thus his dog’s name.

Here's the main cake. Gorgeous.

Here’s the main cake. Gorgeous.

The groom's cake was adorned with an elephant and an alligator. John is an Alabama graduate and Lauren went to the University of Florida.

The groom’s cake was adorned with an elephant and an alligator. John is an Alabama fan and Lauren went to the University of Florida.

John and Lynn Christ, the parents of the bride.

John and Lynn Christ, the parents of the bride.

Amanda Shell Jennings

Amanda Shell Jennings

Judge Tim Irwin was front man for one of everyone's favorite groups, The Chillbillies.

Judge Tim Irwin was frontman for one of everyone’s favorite groups, The Chillbillies.

Scott Bird, left, and Michael Higdon

Scott Bird, left, and Michael Higdon

More beautiful peonies.

More beautiful peonies.

Some of those little jars of preserves. What a wonderful idea this was.

Some of those little jars of preserves. What a wonderful idea this was.

Every wedding these days has a hashtag!

Every wedding these days has a hashtag!

John and Lauren punched out thousands of these circles to make table runners. Wow.

John and Lauren punched out thousands of these circles to make table runners. Wow.

Bridesmaid  Mallory Irwin and her mom, Sharon.

Bridesmaid Mallory Irwin and her mom, Sharon.

Lauren mingling with the guests. It was a great time.

Lauren mingling with the guests. It was a great time.

John and his mother, Joan Miller.

John and his mother, Joan Miller.

Soon it was time for the first dance. The song? Led Zeplin's "Thank You."

Soon it was time for the first dance. The song? Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You.”

Awww!

Awww!

Father-daughter dance.

Father-daughter dance.

Mother and son take a turn.

Mother and son take a turn.

Then everyone hits the dance floor. Here are Linnie and Charley again.

Then everyone hits the dance floor. Here are Linnie and Charley again.

The best dancer there? Father Michael Woods!

The best dancer there? Father Michael Woods!

Here his is dancing with the mother of the bride.

Here he is dancing with the mother of the bride.

Here's the real photographer, Dani Rose Thibus.

Here’s the real photographer, Dani Rose Thibus.

Maria, one of our most prolific social media posters, was documenting the evening.

Maria, one of our most prolific social media posters, was documenting the evening.

Chip and Cheri Hall, Lauren's sister who was the matron of honor. Chip performed a song during the lighting of the Unity Candle that he composed for the occasion. It was called, "Sacred Vow."

Chip and Cheri Hall, Lauren’s sister who was the matron of honor. Chip performed a song during the lighting of the Unity Candle that he composed for the occasion. It was called, “Sacred Vow.”

Brady Miller, the groom's nephew, was the "heralder." He walked down the aisle in front of the bride holding a sign that read, "Uncle John, here comes your bride!"

Brady Miller, the groom’s nephew, was the “heralder.” He walked down the aisle in front of the bride holding a sign that read, “Uncle John, here comes your bride!” In this picture, he was waiting for the cake to be cut.

And, here we go!

And, here we go!

This really attracted the attention of the kids in attendance.

This really attracted the attention of the kids in attendance.

And one other person! (The tall one is my hubby, Alan Carmichael, who has a huge sweet tooth!)

And one other person! (The tall one is my hubby, Alan Carmichael, who has a huge sweet tooth!)

Something for every taste!

Something for every taste!

Ken Miller with his daughters, Catherine Miller, left, and Karmen Miller. Catherine was the flower girl; Karmen read the Prayer of the Faithful; and Ken, John's brother, was a groomsman.

Ken Miller with his daughters, Catherine Miller, left, and Karmen Miller. Catherine was the flower girl; Karmen read the Prayers of the Faithful; and Ken, John’s brother, was a groomsman.

It was a wonderful party.

It was a wonderful party.

Soon, it was time to toss the bouquet.

Soon, it was time to toss the bouquet.

Natalie and Shaun got ready to send off the newlyweds.

Natalie and Shaun got ready to send off the newlyweds.

Glow in the dark headbands were part of the plan.

Glow in the dark headbands were part of the plan.

I loved Lauren's going away outfit. I was with her when she bought that hat at the Knoxville Botanical Garden's "Hats in Bloom" event.

I loved Lauren’s going away outfit. I was with her when she bought that hat at the Knoxville Botanical Garden’s “Hats in Bloom” event.

Bye!

Bye!

 

The priest is the best dancer here! #cheerstothemillers

A video posted by @cmmoxley on

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11 Responses to Local wedding, long-lasting love

  1. Maria Cornelius, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:24 pm said:

    I can’t stop smiling at the photo of Alan in line with the children for cake.

  2. Shaun Fulco Hyver, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:38 pm said:

    What a fun night! Lauren and John are perfect together. So refreshing! Beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple. Judging by the picture of me and Natalie at the end, we had a blast! Ha!

  3. AlanCarmichael, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:39 pm said:

    It would have been impolite to step in front of them.

  4. Scott Bird, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:43 pm said:

    When scrolling through the post, I wondered why Alan wasn’t with the kids anxiously awaiting cake. And the next pic confirmed what I suspected. What a beautiful wedding.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:45 pm said:

    Scott: You and Ellen need to dress alike all the time!

  6. Rachel Ford, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:47 pm said:

    Love seeing Father Michael out there on the dance floor! What a hoot!

  7. Cynthia Moxley, on October 30th, 2014 at 3:48 pm said:

    Rachel: He was awesome!

  8. Lauren Miller, on October 30th, 2014 at 5:21 pm said:

    Cynthia: You captured our wedding day beautifully. Thank you so much. We loved having our MoxCar family there with us to celebrate. And celebrating is something our team knows how to do quite well – I’d say almost as well as Fr. Michael dances!

  9. Cynthia Moxley, on October 31st, 2014 at 12:05 am said:

    Lauren: Awesome time! Thanks for including all of us!

  10. Gay Lyons, on October 31st, 2014 at 10:51 am said:

    This looks like such a sweet, fun wedding. And I agree: the peonies are breathtaking!

  11. Peter Acly, on November 4th, 2014 at 2:26 pm said:

    Great job covering a great event! It was a lot of fun.

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