Big Love with Big Country and Kristen at Eden Gardens State Park

Kristen Baggett and Brian “Big Country” Peterson are two fun-loving SoWal locals who met three years ago at La Botana in Seagrove while out with friends. The introduction and conversation which followed was a “love at first meet” scenario - they each met their match. The three and a half years that followed brought these two lovebirds together in a way that is unheard of in this day and age.

Kristen works at the Watercolor Spa as an aesthetician and Big Country owns Gulf Coast Beach Service, delivering chairs and umbrellas to beach lovers. As their courtship developed they fell deeper and deeper in love and on September 22, 2011, on Blue Mountain Beach at sunset, Big Country got on one knee and asked the most important question of his life. Of course Kristen said ”yes!” and it was time to set a date for the wedding bells. November 3rd, 2012 was chosen for the “I do’s” and the beginning of their life together as a married couple.
 

Eden Gardens State Park was their venue of choice. A perfect setting with moss-draped lives oaks, beautiful gardens, and the renovated Wesley house, Eden is a picturesque wedding site with several great spots to get hitched. Underneath the “wedding tree” - a six hundred year old oak - is the most popular spot.
 

The ceremony was beautiful with Kristen in her lace ball gown with capped sleeves and Big Country in his grey linen suit looking perfect together as they said their nuptials. To complete Kristen’s look, Courtney Cockrell made Kristen’s hair and makeup flawless.

Melanie Jordan, owner of Bella Flora and a friend of the couple, coordinated the event. She brought together jewel-toned plum and purple flowers to create a rich, fall look. Big Country brewed a special beer just for the occasion called the “I Do Brew,” which was bottled and iced down in a canoe for easy guest access. Kristen and Brian made homemade Lynchburg Lemonade, which was served in mason jars.

This was a family affair with special touches from the bride and groom adding sentimental value. The cake topper, which was thirty-five years old, was from Kristen’s parents’ wedding. Contributing to the topper’s history, they placed a picture of her parents cutting their cake on the table. Instead of a cake they had cupcakes from Karaboo Bakery. Big Country’s sister, Laura, served as Maid of Honor on his side and she also designed the wedding invitations. Kristen’s brother Brian was her "Best Man". It was a nice touch having their family so involved.

Forest Williams, Bryan Kennedy, and Kyle Ogle joined Eric Lindell in an extraordinary jam session that made everyone boogie. Guests were having such a big time, no one wanted the celebration to end. After the reception, the celebrants went to the Red Bar to wrap the night up in style. All in all, it was a superb night. Love was truly in the air as these two shared the most important night of their life with all of their family and friends. 

Photos courtesy Jacqueline Ward Images.
More info about South Walton Weddings.