The Porters: Gilliland-Porter Wedding

High School Sweethearts Brittany Gilliland and Baker Porter united their hearts and their families on August 24, 2019. Their wedding party, family, and friends gathered at the Green Frog Farm in Bells, Tennessee under a slightly cloudy sky, but the temperature was perfect.

Baker is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne (Wanda) Porter of Alamo, TN. His best man was his father, Dwayne Porter and groomsmen were Douglas Cooke and Colton Crutchfield. All the men wore white button-downs with jeans from Rustic Soul, including the groom who also sported a handsome Champagne blazer. The ushers for the ceremony were Jay and Josh Forsythe. 

Brittany is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott (Kathy) Gilliland of Alamo, Tennessee. Her maid of honor was Brooke Anderson. Emily Cobb and JoBeth Porter were her bridesmaids and Emma Stallings was a junior bridesmaid. Preceding the older girls down the aisle, the flower girls were Ivy Jane Johnson and the bride’s infant niece Percie Anderson. The bridesmaids wore lovely floor-length Wisteria gowns from My Best Friend Jenna in Jackson, while the junior bridesmaid wore a Champagne Dress. The bride’s stunning dress came from Rina’s Bridal in Jackson. A sleeveless creation with exquisite lace detail, a deep V neckline, and a keyhole cut back made Brittany look even more radiant coming down the aisle. Brittany wore brown heels complementing the rustic elegance theme of her wedding perfectly. Hair and makeup completed the look thanks to the work of BlackBarry Salon and Kristy Beaird.

To honor her grandad, Brittany used something very special of his as part of her wedding traditions. Serving as her something old and something blue was her late Grandad’s shirt cuff. Wrapped around her bouquet, she had something of his to hold going down the aisle. Brittany’s something new was Memory Charms, also on the bouquet, and her something borrowed was a pair of earrings. In remembrance of those who passed, Brittany and Baker also had a memory table with pictures of family members they had lost but were there in everyone’s heart and memories. The feature of the table was Brittany’s granddad’s shirt. She and her grandmother took photos near the table to bring their memories even closer. 

The theme of the wedding was rustic elegance and the venue could not have been a more perfect spot. The venue at Green Frog Farm has beautiful, dark, hardwood floors, pews for the guests, and gorgeous beams accenting the ceiling. Warm, earthy tones were prevalent in the flowers lovingly arranged by Haley Jones. Blush roses, berries, and eucalyptus created the perfect foil for a beautiful bride. Samantha Harrell Photography captured the event.

Presided over by Stephen Sutton, the couple were married in a beautiful place filled with family and friends.

The reception was absolutely gorgeous and continued in the same rustic theme. Cotton bolls and eucalyptus highlighted the venue along with rustic colors magnifying the elegance of the venue and the obvious happiness of the couple. Instead of a traditional guest book, Brittany and Baker had guests sign a cornhole board, something they plan to see quite often! Guests received coozies commemorating the bride and groom’s special day as well as glow sticks to wave at the newlyweds as they wished them well at the end of the night. Children in attendance received a coloring sheet and crayons to help them create special memories of the evening.

Darron and Iris Byrd with Tammy Legions catered the Gilliland—Porter wedding. Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, Cowboy Caviar, and BLT Bites were served alongside a Fruit and Cheese Bar. Small salads were served in cups providing the perfect serving to go along with the delicious meal provided. 

The Wedding Cake was a three-tier, rustic, naked cake baked by Dana Sanders; eucalyptus leaves accented the cake tying it into the rest of the flower arrangements perfectly. The 

Groom’s Cake was a round, one-tier cake decorated to be a Cotton boll representing his favorite farm crop; baked by Sherry Gaters.

Music during the reception was provided by Headliner DJ Services. They serenaded the couple with “Millionaire” by Chris Stapleton for Brittany and Baker’s first dance. The father-daughter dance was to “Little Miss Magic” by Jimmy Buffett and the mother-son Dance was to “Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church.

Before their magic happened on August 24, 2019, Brittany and Baker celebrated their soon-to-be-union with hosts of parties given by their friends and families. Church families at Pond Creek Methodist Church hosted a Bridal Tea for Brittany, as well as the Church family at Alamo Church of Christ. The couple’s friends, Lisa and Danny Marbury, held a BBQ honoring Brittany and Baker at their home and a lively Fiesta party was hosted by their friends at the Crockett Golf & Country Club. A Bridal Brunch was hosted by their family at the home of Carol Henderson. A BBQ was hosted by their family at the home of Carolyn and Gerald Cole and a Bridal Tea was hosted by their family at the Fruitvale Store. The Rehearsal Dinner was held at Green Frog Farm the day before the magical event.

Brittany and Baker will be honeymooning in January 2020, after harvest season. Brittany is an Insurance Agent with Young-Hughes Insurance and Baker and his dad own their own farming operation.