By Kathleen Swift
The crisp fall air, the turning of the leaves and a picturesque setting made October 5, 2019, the perfect day for Shelby and Brett Lewis’ wedding at Hidden Grace Venue in Neosho, Missouri.
Having known each other since 2011, Shelby and Brett’s love grew. Over the years, they had their daughter, Hadley, and talked about what their life together would be.
When Brett asked Shelby to marry him, they were in Florida at their favorite beach.
“We had been to the same restaurant and pier before,” said Brett. “It’s our special place, so when we were there last year, I got down on one knee, trembling with nerves, and asked Shelby to marry me.”
Before the wedding, the couple wrote promises of love to one another. Shelby said, “I am so blessed to have such a caring, loving, hard-working man like you in my life. I can’t imagine my life without you. I promise that I choose you and keep choosing you every single day. You mean the world to me, and I am so excited to become your wife.”
Brett wrote to Shelby, “Your beauty is like the ocean – pretty enough on the surface, but dive down into your depths, and you’ll find beauty most people never see. Luckily, I do. There’s no one else on earth I’d rather ride this rollercoaster of life with. You are my one and only.”
The couple chose Hidden Grace for their wedding venue because they wanted to get married locally, and they loved the rustic beauty. They held the wedding outside, which was perfect for this nature-loving couple. The rustic elegance of log benches with the large pond in view was a gorgeous backdrop for the ceremony. Mums, ferns and white lanterns lined the aisle as the wedding party made their way to the spacious timber-framed pergola. Hadley, acting as flower girl, dropped red rose petals along the aisle for her mother to walk down.
During the ceremony, the minister spoke of the roots of love and how love must be watered and nourished for love to grow. With those words in mind, Brett, Shelby and Hadley all watered a small shrub they will keep as a reminder of the unity of their love for each other.
Brett wore a special token of family love. He was close to his grandpa, who died in 2010. Embroidered on a heart on the back side of his tie were the words, “Always on my mind, forever in my heart, Papa T.”
Shelby said, “Hadley called it her wedding, her dress and her flowers.” It was an exciting day for the four-year-old.
After the ceremony, the celebration moved inside the barn with high ceilings strung with white lights. Here, Shelby and Brett danced their first dance together as husband and wife, and Brett and Hadley had their daddy-daughter dance.
Each table held a wood slab, mason jars of baby’s breath and an engagement picture of Shelby and Brett. “It was simple and rustic,” said Shelby. It was a perfect wedding.
Now, as Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, they have begun a new chapter, vowing to love and respect one another. Their love continues to grow as they build their life together.
Photos and Video: Honey and Pine Photography, 417.529.3240, Tyffanie Rogers
Additional Photos: Kristen Hermann
Flowers: Enchanted Florist, Seneca, Missouri. 417.776.1210
DJ and Music: Brock Entertainment, 479.553.9535
Catering: DeCarlo’s Italian Café, Neosho, Missouri. 417.355.2544
Cake: MainStreet Sweets
Hair: Dakota Sherman at Wanderlust Hair Art Studio
Makeup: Family friend Paige Bittle
Bride Attire: Norman’s Bridal, Springfield, Missouri. 417.866.9800