I know that some of you have been wondering when I would write about Cody and Layton’s wedding.  Well, I didn’t have to.  Someone else did it for me.  

The Voice-Tribune from Louisville, Kentucky had a wonderful write up about everything;  from Cody and Layton’s courtship (a bit old-fashioned, sweet and very romantic) to their fairy-tale wedding.  I couldn’t have written it better myself!  

http://www.voice-tribune.com/life-style-2/vows/layton-virginia-maxwell-and-william-cody-byrd/

Layton Virginia Maxwell and William Cody Byrd

Since Layton Maxwell was a young girl she dreamed of her fairy tale wedding at Tuckaway Farm in Prospect, Kentucky, owned by family friends Bob and Judi Quaife. Her dream came true when she met her prince charming, William Cody Byrd of Oxford, Alabama. “Cody,” as he is affectionately called by all, proposed to Layton at a park on a Blue Moon evening late last August in Nashville, Tennessee. This set the tone and motion, and Tuckaway Farm proved to be the perfect venue for an etherial, woodsy, rustic-yet-elegant wedding. On Saturday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m., these “love-Byrds”, a clever pun on their new last name, created a midsummer night’s dream.

The weather was agreeable for the evening ceremony under the grove of trees, with the looming forecast for rain providing nothing but a cooling breeze during the ceremony. Huge antique bronze urns filled with light green and white hydrangeas flanked the pastoral altar, and an oriental rug on the moss-covered ground marked the place for the bride and groom. Bridesmaids wore varying shades of flowing ecru and groomsmen were dapper in mint seersucker bow ties, white shirts and khakis.

It also takes a village to create a wedding, as this one was marked by an exceptional sense of community. Family and friends were involved at every turn, all with gracious helping hands and eager expectancy.  The groom’s sister and brother-in-law, Isaaca and Peter Groenwald, professional musicians from Nashville, performed a moving rendition of “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” as the bride descended from the white country home, escorted through the trees and down the aisle by her brother, Douglas Maxwell IV.  The groom’s father, the Rev. William Byrd, officiated, and after the final presentation, the couple skipped out happily to a “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” serenade by the Beach Boys.

Later, after a delicious barbecue dinner under the large white tent, guests shared toasts and poetry readings. Suddenly, with a few loud claps of thunder the skies opened up and heralded the rain, creating some excitement, which knit the party even more intimately together. The deejay was in tune and cranked up the party music as guests gathered closer. The dance floor was filled with happy revelers with soggy hemlines who didn’t mind the torrential downpour-after all, it is a sign of blessings on a wedding!

A chic Cuban-and beach-themed alfresco lantern-lit rehearsal dinner was hosted by Lucy and John Shaver (aunt and uncle of the bride) at their home on Eastover Court the night before. The menu included everything from Sangria and Ropa Vieja (a classic Cuban shredded beef dish) to the ever-popular favorite, sweet plantains and Flan. Guests lingered, celebrating with anticipation of what the next day would hold.

Style File

Bride’s dress: Ivory silk chiffon by J. Crew
Hair Designers: Anna Greer and Sarah Boylan of Blade’s Salon
Photographers: Thad Greer and Bob Quaife
Florist: Amy Streeter of Susan’s Florist
Cake: Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Melanie Gunn
DJ: James Hedges of Sovereign City DJs

Photos By THAD GREER PHOTOGRAPHY

Category: Vows

I hope you enjoy the song!  Although this is Elvis’ version,  Peter and Isaaca’s cover of “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”  set the sweet, romantic tone of the ceremony and there wasn’t a dry eye among us.