Light of My Life: The Laman-Smith Wedding
By Morgan Winter
Photography by Samantha Slayton
The bright, sunny day of July 28th, 2018 witnessed the marriage of Baylee Laman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jon (Desi) Webb of Alamo, Tennessee, and Mr. Matthew Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (Karen) Smith of Friendship, Tennessee. The ceremony was held at the Church of Sugar Creek in Humboldt, Tennessee and Pastor Trevor Sewell, a friend of the groom, presided.
Beside Baylee on her wedding day was Ashlee Walker, her sister, as the matron of honor and so was her best friend, Kadye Love, as her maid of honor. Her bridesmaids were Anna Smith, Bailey Carmack, Catie Ing, Mallory Wray, Mallory Staley, Erin Kelley, and Abby Fincher. Kinlee Walker and Grace Gustafson completed the bridal party as junior bridesmaids. The group wore elegant, floor-length blush dresses with halter necklines.
Thomas Smith, the father of the groom, stood beside Matthew as his best man. Also with the groom was Grant Smith, Daniel Walker, Brandon Walker, Taylor Walker, Eric Walker, John Austin Fincher, Hunter Sherrod, and Collin Avery―all wearing black tuxedos. Blush pink vests peeked out from the jackets and matching bow ties completed the outfits. Matthew also wore a black tuxedo but stood apart with a white vest and bow tie. White rose boutinnéres finished the look. All were rented from My Best Friend Jenna in Jackson, Tennessee.
As guests arrived, Taylor Gustafson, Caroline Cannon, and Lindsey Hutchison greeted them. The guests were ushered to their seats by Hunter Partee, Ben Kendall, Grant Mcewen, and Ross Johnson. Then, the wedding ceremony began. Matthew stood at the end of the aisle, surrounded by friends, waiting patiently for the bride, while flower girls Makenna Walker, Julia, and Jade Smith tossed petals down the aisle followed by the ringbearer, Tanner Walker, bearing the stunning rings.
Then, Baylee emerged, glorious in a new, floor-length mermaid cut dress. Completely lace, a long train followed behind her, balanced out with a shorter veil which was beaded along the edges. The soles of her bedazzled shoes were blue, and she borrowed her pearl bracelet. Her great-grandmother’s brooch completed the tradition. Randilee Fields styled Baylee’s hair into an elegant coiffure and added a touch of soft make-up.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed poppyseed chicken, tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, rolls, and fruit and vegetable towers. Sweet tea and water quenched their thirst. Tammy Legions from Alamo, Tennessee prepared the delicious spread. A chandelier hung over the tables, fairy lights extending from it, creating a festive atmosphere. The guests were also provided glowsticks so they could “light up the dance floor.”
The wedding cake was a towering four tiers with three different flavors: vanilla, cookies and cream, and strawberry covered in white frosting. Pink and white garden roses cascaded down the cake. The groom’s cake was various flavors of cheesecake, from Sookie’s Bake Shop in Covington, Tennessee and the table it sat on was duck themed. Both were baked and decorated by Dinah Fewell from Take the Cake. J. Kent Freeman arranged the flowers and M&M Consignment and Vows provided the rentals.
DJs Terry and David Herron provided the music for guests. Baylee and Matthew shared their first dance to Brad Paisley’s “I Thought I Loved You Then.” The moment and all those before it on that perfect day were captured by photographer Samantha Slayton.
Matthew asked Baylee to marry him in the breezeway of her parents’ home. It was the exact same spot where, 6 years before, he asked her to be his girlfriend.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico. Afterward, Matthew returned to his sales job at AgriGold and Baylee works at Farmer’s Daughter Boutique in Friendship.
We wish them all the very best for this new time in their lives!