Every wedding at Fountainview is a tremendous honor and privilege for the Fountainview team and me.  We take our commitments to our clients very seriously knowing that a bride’s and groom’s wedding day is one of the most important days of their lives.  When you’re selected as the venue by a high profile professional golfer like Jason Dufner and his beautiful bride, Amanda Boyd, that honor and privilege is humbling indeed.  Jason just won the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour in New Orleans just a week ago.  What an amazing and exciting time this couple have had over the past few weeks. 

Jason and Amanda pose with their wedding party.

As you will see from the photos mostly provided by Studio B Photography in Atlanta and a few from with my Nikon 80 camera, this was undoubtedly one of the most elaborate and beautiful weddings ever hosted at Fountainview.  No detail was overlooked and every part of the wedding from the ceremony site, florals, tent set-up, menu, and lighting were par excellence.  Truly, this was a platinum wedding the likes of which is seldom seen.  Guests attending this wedding were truly treated to a once-in-a-lifetime event.

As guests arrived at the mansion, guests were greeted by the first hint of the color palette of the wedding.  All flowers were completely white; peonies, hydrangeas, peonies, hyacinth, and stock were in abundance everywhere the guests could look.  The heavy usage of fragrant flowers like peonies, hyacinth and stock created a feast fragrance everywhere guests would go, indoors and outdoors, literally doubling the effect of the dazzling floral displays.  All the planters on the front and rear terraces were specially replanted with white hydrangea plants and long trailing ivy creating an opulent and elegant look even as the guests first arrived at the mansion while the valets whisked the guest’s cars away.  Once inside the mansion, the guests were massed arrangements gracing the reception foyer of hydrangeas and peonies setting the stage for class and elegance.

The rear Fountainview terrace dressed in all it's finery for the Boyd/Dufner wedding on May 5, 2012.

After arrival, the guests were led to the rear terraces and to the garden where they were escorted to the ceremony site.  During this time the sides of the reception tent were kept closed to ensure no one got a sneak peak.  Yet, they knew it was going to be very special because the entire courtyard had been turned into an elegant entertainment space complete with custom white leather lounge furniture, mirrored end tables graced by fresh flowers, and customer white padded bars and elegant back bars.  In addition, there were special putting greens and even a custom made corn hole game.  All this was just a prelude to what was to come when the reception began.

As the guests were led to their seats in the perfect outdoor sanctuary setting, they knew they were in for something very special indeed.   During the planning meetings, the bride expressed her desire for a totally new site for the ceremony itself and we originally considered selecting a site in the lower meadow and bringing the guests to the site by golf carts.  After all, the golf cart might be a fitting tie-in to Jason’s career.    Logistically, as we through through this, we knew that this could cause a problem due to the quality of the turf, ant hills, etc. as that site was and is basically an open field.  Then my precious wife, Julie,  came up with a brilliant idea to hold the wedding in the lovely glen on the back side of the mansion facing the beautiful woods.  As Amanda, her wedding planning Meghan Cease of M. Elizabeth Events in Birmingham and I walked the property together, we all caught a vision that this was the perfect spot.  We all agreed that this would keep the reception “big reveal” even more exciting for the guests and provide that “wow” moment that guests have when they enter an exceptionally beautiful reception site.  In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, our staff worked tirelessly to clean up the entire woods line creating a park-like setting that will undoubtedly become another beautiful ceremony site in the future.

For the ceremony site, Amanda’s father constructed the beautiful white arbor where the couple married.  It was completely covered in a myriad of white hydrangeas, roses, and peonies.  Truly, it looked like something out of a magazine, but this was real, and it was right in Fountainview’s back yard.  Petals were laid in a unique geometric pattern at the bride’s request.  The overall look was a stunning elegance within the greater setting of God’s creation.  It worked out beautifully.

The spectacular wedding arbor completely covered in white hydrangeas, peonies, and roses. What a stunning ceremony focal point.The Fountainview grounds provided the perfect outdoor sanctuary for the Boyd/Dufner wedding ceremony.

The bridal gown for the ceremony was a masterpiece of ivory silk and tulle.  Amanda looked like something out of a dream as she walked down the long aisle with her father.  Her cathedral length veil was the perfect touch of classic elegance.  At her waist was a smoky amethyst sash bringing in just a dash of the other focal color for the wedding which also appeared in the bride’s gorgeous gowns in a very flowy chiffon fabric. 

Amanda and Jason exchange rings.

Each of the girls looked stunning in the color.  The girls carried exquisite bouqets of peonies and hydrangeas which completed the look of sheer style and elegance.  It’s hard to compete with perfection. 

The radiant bride, Mrs. Jason (Amanda) Dufner

Ceremony music was provided by the Camerata String Quartet from Atlanta and Mark DeGotti playing trumpet.  The music was the perfect complement to the elegance of the ceremony.  Auburn University’s football team chaplain, Chette Williams, officiated at the ceremony.

As the ceremony continued, the Fountainview and catering staff (STK from Atlanta) were busy preparing for the big reveal and the start of the cocktail hour.  during this time, the tent sides were removed allowing all to see for the first time the incredible elegance within.  Following the ceremony, the guests returned to the Fountainview gardens for one of the most beautiful cocktail hours we’ve ever seen here.  Guests were treated to a fabulous assortment of beverages including the following signature drinks selected by the couple; Margaritas, John Dalys, Sea Breezes, and Champagne Cocktails.  The passed hors d’oeuvres by the white-gloved waitstaff attired in their new black Eton jackets were a feast for the eyes and the palette.  

Be our guest. A portion of the extensive wait staff team await the arrival of the guests for the start of cocktail hour.

Passed hors d’oeuvres included miniature lobster tacos (with mini margaritas) in honor of the wedding date which happened to be Cinco de Mayo, miniature crab cakes, oysters on the half shell, beat, goat cheese and walnut endive, and tuna tar tar.  It’s not often you see this type of fare in Auburn, Alabama.  The STK staff from Atlanta was assisted by the expertise of chef Humberto Leon who flew in from New York especially for the event.

The festive and beautiful lobster tacos were a perfect and whimsical tribute to the date of the wedding, May 5th which was also Cinco de Mayo.Another elegant passed hors d'oeuvre, oysters on the half shell.

During the cocktail hour, Jason and Amanda continued with a photo shoot followed by Amanda’s complete transformation into her next designer gown; this one by Heidi Elnora of Birmingham.  It was a stunning gown with a silk fitted bodice, plunging back line, and full skirt.  The tiny waistline was enhanced by a dramatic jeweled sash.  Amanda’s hair was completely restyled by her stylist from an updo to a unique design pulled to the side and flowing gracefully in soft curls.  She looked like a fashion model.   After the couple’s introduction they proceeded to the custom white dance floor to dance their first dance with the A List band providing the music.  They are by far one of the best bands we’ve ever heard out at Fountainview.  They were GREAT! 

Following the special dances, the four course sit-down dinner began with a marvelous crab salad with honey dew, grapefruit, avocado, ginger, and mache, followed by a Kobe beef slider and truffle fries, a third course of roasted chicken breast au jus served on a bed of Yukon gold mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach.  But that still wasn’t all.  Course four featured a marvelous grilled skirt steak with asparagus and some of the best macaroni and cheese you’ve ever tasted just in case guests were still hungry.  What an amazing feast. 

Following the four sumptuous course, guests were escorted to the front terrace for a magnificent fireworks display.  It was outstanding.  (For those of you considering a fireworks display of any kind, please know that this requires special licensing, city and state approvals, and also, a well licensed professional fireworks display company. ) 

Sheer romance. The magic of Fountainview Mansion Estate!

Following the fireworks display, desserts were served including lavender cotton candy and several types of ice creams served in wonderful ceramic individual serving containers.  They worked out perfectly.  Yet there was more to come with the bride and groom’s cakes from Sweet Sensations in Newnan, Georgia.  The brides elegant creation was covered in fondant for a sleek polished look and enhanced with magnificent fondant peonies tying in with the overall floral motif. 

The groom’s cake was much more whimsical including an Auburn golf cart paying tribute to Jason’s Alma Mater.

The party continued to the sounds of the A-list until the couple was whisked into the moonlight in Jason’s magnificent Dodge Charger.  It was a picture perfect ending to a picture perfect day. 

More mention really needs to be made about the decor of the 40′ x 100′ pole tent used for the reception as it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. 

While pole tents are always quite lovely in that no interior framework is visib le in the ceiling, this tent was further enhanced by a custom draping done by of Birmingham creating the look of a custom liner.  Further enhancing the decor was the elegant lighting system designed by Auburn Audio which provided a soft and ethereal lavender glow to the ceiling of the tent and the hundreds of yards of sheer fabric.  As the sun went down, the entire space became a wonderland of beauty.  The dance floor was also custom lit with a major truss work to support all the lighting which changed throughout the evening to coincide with the energy of the music.  The truss work was completely covered by white fabric allowing the lighting to do it’s job without the truss work becoming a visual distraction to the elegant surroundings.

Even the table numbers were custom made for the couple in elegant lucite holder which coordinated with the mirage chairs (ghost chairs) which had been selected for the guests table seating.Another view of the opulent and elegant table scapes for the Dufner/Boyd reception.The magnificent head table treatment featuring front and center the "winner's circle" with a magnum of fine champagne in celebration of Jason's big win and the couple's big day! Cheers! Jason was glowing when he won the tournament in New Orleans last week but nothing could compare with this look of joy as he awaited the arrival of his beautiful bride at the altar. What a great photo!

At the conclusion of the reception, each guest received a box wrapped in amethyst ribbon filled with a very special surprise.  Inside was a dark and white chocolate golf ball, golf teas made of chocolate, and a milk chocolate golf bag.  What a perfect ending to a perfect wedding. 

Jason & Amanda, thanks for the honor of working with you on your special day.  We wish you all the best in your exciting new life together.  We’ll all be cheering you on as you compete on the PGA tour.  Blessings to you both.

Romance yet again. Mr. and Mrs. Jason Dufner at Fountainview Mansion.