How Their Paths Crossed
Caleb and Katie’s love story began with a local ball—and a little help from mutual friends. Caleb needed a date for the event and through some shared connections, met Katie. They attended the ball together, and what started as a casual evening quickly blossomed into something meaningful.
To their surprise, they discovered they had lived near each other their entire lives but had never crossed paths. Their families shared mutual friends, and their circles were more intertwined than they realized. By the end of the night, it was clear they had hit it off—fate had finally brought them together.
A Proposal Beneath a Special Tree
The moment Caleb knew he wanted to propose, he had one place in mind: the beloved tree on his family’s multigenerational property. This tree wasn’t just a scenic spot—it held deep meaning for the family. It had long served as the heart of countless family events, from weddings to funerals and lively celebrations. Caleb’s grandfather had a special fondness for this tree, making it the perfect place for such a meaningful moment.
On March 27, 2022, Caleb set his plan into motion. Telling Katie they were having dinner with family, he casually asked her to wear something nice. However, the dinner was just a cover. Caleb had coordinated a surprise engagement party at his cousin’s house nearby, gathering family and friends to celebrate.
To set up the proposal, Caleb used a clever excuse—he told Katie he had to help a friend corral a cow that had escaped. Despite being dressed for dinner, Katie agreed to come along. On the way, Caleb added another layer to his ruse, suggesting they roost a turkey for the next day, and Katie agreed and came along, despite them wearing bright clothing which is not ideal for hunting.
At the tree, a hidden photographer waited to capture the moment. While Katie was distracted, Caleb dropped to one knee and proposed. Nervous but excited, Caleb executed the moment perfectly. Just as she said yes, their parents arrived and took a moment to congratulate and toast the couple before heading to the surprise engagement party.
Wedding Planning: Building a Dream from Scratch
Katie originally dreamed of a traditional church wedding, but the local church they considered was too small for the large gathering they had in mind. That’s when Caleb suggested hosting the ceremony in the same pasture where he had proposed, with the special tree serving as the backdrop. Katie was nervous at first—it would be outdoors, with no shelter or amenities, and unpredictable weather could cause chaos.
With faith and determination, they moved forward, praying for good weather. They decided to hold the ceremony under the tree and the reception further down the hill beneath a large tent. Pulling off a wedding in the middle of a pasture would be no small feat, and it became a collaborative effort involving family, friends, and members of the community.
A family friend with wedding planning experience stepped in to organize the details, but the entire event was a team effort. Caleb’s family, known for helping with weddings in the past, lent their expertise. From food preparation to logistics, everyone pitched in. A friend provided BLT bites, six caterers contributed dishes, and Caleb’s aunt baked 400 biscuits on-site. They even brought in a bathroom trailer and coordinated coolers filled with ice from a friend’s industrial ice maker.
Transforming the pasture into a wedding venue meant starting from scratch. There was no running water, electricity, or pre-existing infrastructure, so every detail had to be carefully planned. Guests were given detailed directions to the remote location, and friends helped usher attendees back and forth from the road to the site. They rented a tent, tables, chairs, and a dance floor to create the perfect reception space.
One of the most unique features of the wedding was the series of four bars encircling the tree. Custom shelving was built to display champagne and cocktails, adding a personal touch to the celebration. Caleb’s family, along with several others, took care of all the floral arrangements, while a family friend provided the benches for the ceremony. Every detail reflected the collective effort and creativity of their loved ones.
A Wedding Day to Remember
On the big day, 550 guests gathered in the pasture, far more than the average wedding. Against all odds, the weather held out beautifully, making the outdoor celebration even more magical. What began as a daunting idea had blossomed into a stunning, handcrafted event, created from the ground up with the help of countless hands.
The experience of planning their wedding left a lasting impact on Caleb and Katie. They discovered a passion for event planning and floral design, and now, the couple channels that passion into helping others create their dream weddings. Inspired by the collaboration and joy of their own celebration, they now offer their floral services to couples in their community.
Caleb and Katie’s wedding was far more than a celebration of their love—it was a testament to the power of family, friendship, and community. With no venue or traditional infrastructure, they turned a simple pasture into a beautiful, unforgettable space that reflected their personalities and values.
Image Credits: Wes Roberts Photography
