A Southern-Inspired Vintage Wedding at The Ruins at Kellum Valley Farms in Cleveland, Georgia

Sarah Beth Sullivan (25 and works in sales) and Cole Todd (25 and works in construction) met during their freshman year of college at their alma mater Georgia Southern University. “We lived across the hall from each other in the dorms and when Cole knocked on my door offering queso and chips, I was immediately won over,” says Sarah Beth. On a trip to Rio de Janiero, Brazil to visit Cole’s brother who is stationed there, Cole popped the question. After hiking up Corcovado Mountain to see Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, Cole took Sarah totally by surprise, getting down on one knee and asking her to marry him. For their wedding, the couple planned a festive outdoor affair at The Ruins at Kellum Valley Farms in Cleveland, GA. The outdoor venue provided a breathtaking, natural setting for the couple to say “I do” and offered several location options for both the ceremony and reception. The surrounding mountains and lush green forests formed the backdrop for the outdoor ceremony, while a clearing in the woods with stone ruins provided a quaint, intimate environment for the reception. “The site suited us perfectly,” says Sarah Beth. “We both enjoy spending time outside, and the ruins on the property gave the space it a romantic, historic feel.” When it came to choosing their décor, Sarah Beth and Cole looked to their alma mater for inspiration. Georgian Southern navy and white were incorporated into everything from the ceremony programs to the table linens, bridesmaid dresses and even the cake. Vintage and rustic touches like an antique bathtub cooler, wooden carts and suit cases added personality to the day’s design, while elements like monograms, lawn games and Arnold Palmer’s introduced a note of Southern flair.