A Backyard Bride

FAITH, FAMILY AND A FUTURE TOGETHER

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY | Photographed by LISA MORRIS/LISA-ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Garrison and Brittany Morgan pose in front of a canary-yellow pickup truck that proclaims them “Just Married.”

Brittany Cimini and Garrison Morgan, both born and raised in Newnan, built their wedding venue – from the ground up – in his parents’ backyard.

When Troy and Ericka Morgan offered up the backyard of the family home, their son’s response was immediate. “I was brought home to this house as a baby boy, and I would really love to marry the woman of my dreams here,” he said.

Brittany, the daughter of Mark and Dawn Cimini, was completely onboard. The couple had one year to plan their do-it-yourself venue and wedding.

“We drew up a blueprint of our dream venue and made it happen,” says Brittany.

The couple’s backyard vows were shared on April 30, 2022.

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Garrison and Brittany, both 22, knew each other from the time they attended school together at Arnco Sargent Elementary. Their love story began in their junior year of high school when, as Garrison is prone to say, “the weird girl had a major crush on No. 76 of the Newnan High School football team.”

Garrison was intrigued by that girl with the crush. Knowing deep in his heart he only wanted to marry once, he planned a way to enhance his odds, according to Brittany.

“He introduced me to literally every single person who meant the most to him before he took me on our first date,” she recalls. “And that was to the Coweta Cattlemen’s Rodeo in 2016. Sparks flew from that day forward, and the rest is history.”

The pair graduated from Newnan High in 2018 and attended West Georgia Technical College together, their love story growing as each year unfolded. On May 28, 2021, Garrison proposed on a white sandy beach at St. George Island, a favorite Florida vacation spot for the Morgan family.

“I said yes, of course, and from that day forward, we started to plan our wedding,” says Brittany.

The goal was to make their big day as unique to them and special for their entire family as possible. Their backyard ceremony and reception area was created from relics of an old farmhouse where

512174_CarriageHouse_MBes.indd 1 The couple’s faith was front and center at their wedding, which included prayer as shown here, from left, officiant Brian Morgan, Garrison Morgan, the bride’s father Mark Cimini, and Brittany.

11/29/22 8:43 AM

A foot washing was another way the couple incorporated their strong faith into their wedding ceremony. Here, Garrison washes the feet of his bride-to-be; in turn, she also washed his.

For the ceremony, the couple knew they wanted their faith front and center.

At the reception, the couple requested that guests sign their Bible and highlight their favorite verse.

The Cimini-Morgan wedding party included, from left, Anna Willoughby, Kyanne Scott, Brooke Dunsmore, Gabby Morgan, matron of honor Sarah Sellers, Brittany the bride, Garrison the groom, best man and father of the groom Troy Morgan, Alex Perry, Nick Bowie, Matthew McLellan, Trey Willoughby and Tyler Sellers. Ring bearers are Barrett Scott, left, and Reese Cimini.

The wedding cake was created by Amanda Crook at Kaney Cakes in Franklin. Garrison’s grandparents had lived. With wood hauled from the farmhouse, the backyard venue became the site of a pole barn, handmade tables and benches, and barn doors that led into the ceremony spot. To top it all off, an eight-foot chandelier was also brought over from the farmhouse.

For the ceremony, the couple knew they wanted their faith front and center.

“So we washed each other’s feet as testament to serve each other throughout our marriage,” says Brittany.

At their sign-in table, a Bible was used as the guest register with guests encouraged to highlight their favorite Bible verse and sign next to it. “We plan to use this as a family Bible when we start our family together,” says the bride.

Her wedding band was originally Garrison’s grandmother’s diamond ring, then his mom’s engagement ring, and finally Brittany’s wedding band.

“It’s such a sentimental reminder of what a long-lasting marriage looks like,” says Brittany.

While many of their wedding details were homespun, the couple also relied on local small businesses “to make our special day perfect” she adds. NCM

VendorsLocal

Florist

Felicia Scott at Morgan’s Market, Newnan; morgansmarket.com

Rings

Morgan Jewelers, downtown Newnan; morganjewelersnewnan.com

Dress alterations

Sew Julie, Newnan; facebook.com/ Sewjulieseamstress/

Groom and groomsmen apparel

Celebrate Tuxedo, Newnan; celebrationgeorgia.com

Photography

Lisa Morris, Lisa-Anne Photography, Newnan; facebook.com/ lisaannephotog/

Food

Alley's Barbecue, Newnan; facebook. com/alleysbarbecue/ The reception meal featured chicken quarters, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, baked beans and, for late-night guests, chicken wings.

Outdoor decor/ couch seating area

Blue Fern Merchant, Newnan: bluefernmerchant.com

Hair

Hair and Makeup by Karlee, Newnan; facebook.com/ hairandmakeupbykarlee1/about

Deejay

DJChols, Newnan; djchols.com

Officiant

Brian Morgan, Newnan. “Brian has played a huge role in our relationship from the beginning,” says Brittany. “Garrison asked permission from Brian, a huge role model in his life, to ask Brittany out on their first date. Brian made their special day so sentimental and had the whole crowd in tears. And no, he’s not related to the Morgan family! LOL.”

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Felicia Scott of Morgan’s Market in Newnan designed the bridal bouquet

Lisa Morris of Lisa-Anne Photography in Newnan photographed the Morgan wedding and reception.