My partner of eight years, Lisa, and I decided it was time to have our union legally blessed.  Being that we live in Georgia, our state wasn’t an option, so we began a search for the perfect place to marry.  As with most brides, we wanted a place that was beautiful, yet one that would also serve our practical needs such as being private for the ceremony and comfortable for all involved.

 

In the mean time, we have been long standing customers of The Giving Tree jewelry store via the Internet.  Even when not planning an immediate purchase, I often browse their site to see what’s new.  As luck would have it, I was browsing their site during the time we were beginning the planning stages of our wedding and noticed for the first time that The Giving Tree also had an amazing sculpture garden and a lovely house for vacation rental.  What could be more perfect?!  We contacted Judith and set a date.

 

Upon arrival, we dumped our bags and began exploring!  The photographs on the website didn’t do it justice.  Everything was breathtaking!  The house was incredible!  It was a lovely, magical cottage that was the perfect size for our group.  With the windows open, the breeze lulled us to sleep and the song of birds woke us in the mornings.  The gardens were like something out of a fairy tale!  There were little hidden walkways, and poetic quotes tucked all around in the landscape.  The rope bridge led us to the mystery of the marsh.  All in all, staying at The Giving Tree was like having our own Garden of Eden, only with five star hotel comfort and convenience!

 

And the people were so warm and helpful.  Even before our arrival, Laura helped us arrange for flowers, a wedding cake, a reception dinner, and even an escape night / honeymoon away from the rest of our group.  She also offered practical advice such as where to get groceries to stock the kitchen, a great place to rent kayaks for the day, and the best whale watching cruises.  She was terrific!  

 

In the end, our wedding day was everything we had dreamed of!  We married in the lovely, magical gardens. We had a beautiful celebration after that began in the house and ended at the Belfry Inn and Bistro.  In addition, our weeklong stay was the perfect vacation spot!

 

 We thoroughly enjoyed the location and visited everything from Barnstable just down the road, to NYC a few hours away.  We enjoyed kayaking in the marsh, whale watching in the Atlantic, and site seeing in the city.  Nirvana coffee shop in Barnstable became a morning routine, right after our run along the canal at sunrise.  Everything was simply perfect!!!  And The Giving Tree will forever remain our very, most favorite, simply spectacular vacation spot ever -- with memories of a fairy tale wedding to boot!

 

Thanks to Judith and Laura at The Giving Tree for everything!

All the best,

Tonia and Lisa

(And the rest of The McHughes Clan!!!)

7.30-8.4