Life rarely goes the way we want but for Kendall and Patrick Schnidler, it is truly a fairy tale. Kendall and Patrick both attended the University of Georgia, crossing paths in a geography class and a great friendship was born. After dating 7 years Patrick proposed on a family vacation in Mustique.
Kendall knew precisely what she wanted and the exact feel she wanted for her wedding. As a designer, it was important to her that the wedding reflected her personality. The couple had no doubt about where they wanted to get married. They had made many happy memories at Kendall’s parent’s home in Highlands. The picturesque property was complete with a beautiful mountain vista, rhododendron arbor where cocktails could be served, and the sun would set directly behind them the couple during the ceremony.
Kendall allowed her mother, Dian to handle most of the details’ and they enlisted the help of Elizabeth Fletcher with I Do Events to help plan their beautiful May event. “Nobody knows Highlands and Atlanta better than Elizabeth,” says Kendall, “so she was responsible for coordinating all the details and heading up the entire team. I really feel so lucky to have had her on board.” Kendall was inundated with work demands and relied heavily on her mother to collaborate with Elizabeth. Not one detail was forgotten and the date was set for May 27, 2012, Memorial Day weekend.
The save- the- date announcement set the stage for event. Guests received old-school view finders that displayed 3D pictures of Patrick and Kendall on the rocks where he proposed, along with details for the wedding. The weekend began with a welcome party at Springhouse at Old Edwards Inn. Kendall’s Grandparents had a home in Ireland for 25 years, and they were thrilled to find that Old Edwards Inn had an Irishman who personally made authentic Irish coffee for the guest, while two of Kendall’s nieces performed Irish dances.
The next day kicked off with a picnic on a private property on Lake Glenville. Guests were transported to the lake in buses and upon arriving were greeted with an array of water sports. Boats were available for skiing, tubing and a bluegrass band for entertainment. That evening the rehearsal dinner was held at The Bascom. The Coleman /Winingder family had graciously donated the covered bridge to The Bascom and had strong ties to the venue. Ibiza food truck was brought in for the night and Kendall and Patrick each had their own menu, since Kendall is a vegetarian. After the rehearsal dinner guests attended a Wigged Out Party at Highlands Smokehouse. If you did not bring your wig, no worries there were wigs and mustaches for all.
The next day the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect for an outdoor wedding. The ceremony began with a gospel choir from New Orleans, serenaded the guests while leading the bridal party down the aisle. The bridal party included 10 family bridesmaids, 7 flower girls, all of Kendall’s nieces and nephews as well as two of her rescue dogs. Vows were exchanged with a dramatic sunset setting over the mountains. After the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktails and appetizers in the rhododendron arbor. The arbor was draped with hanging candles and over 10,000 white lights by Urban Earth Design Studios from New Orleans, the floral designer chosen for the wedding.
A candlelit path led to a sparkling clear-topped tent for dinner, with custom wood chandeliers and white fabric draping. The evening’s menu featured tomato soup sips with grilled cheese garnish, fried catfish bites with caperberry remoulade, miniature tacos with crispy tuna and jicama slaw, along with stations of tenderloin of beef, lamb chops, sockeye salmon and of course shrimp and sausage over three cheese grits. The caterer, Sun In My Belly also had a connection to New Orleans and created a menu that reflected New Orleans cuisine, Kendall’s hometown. Guests were surprised with Café Du Monde coffee and miniature beignets in small brown paper bags as late night snacks. Of course the beignets were passed by waiters wearing the Café Du Monde hats.
Kendall and Patrick drove away in an English-made Morgan and guests left on golf carts through the candlelit rhododendron grove. After a honeymoon at the Four Season in Thailand the couple resides in New Orleans where they have been blessed with a beautiful baby boy.