We have been photographing weddings in this area for over a decade, and I have had the pleasure to meet so many great people who work alongside of us in the industry. Sometimes, it might just be a “hello” in passing on a wedding day, or seeing someone briefly at a bridal show, etc. I realized that I might know the work of a florist, or the distinctive flavor of a caterer, but I didn’t really know the people behind the scenes. So, I’ve started reaching out to some of my favorite vendors in the area, and have begun photographing and interviewing them. I’d like to give potential brides a great behind-the-scenes look at the wedding professionals in the area, and the amazing work that they do. So here’s another installment of a large series of spotlights!
We first met Dixie and Lee Bagley of The Farm a few years ago at Lee’s brother Ben’s wedding in Rome, GA, and have enjoyed getting to know them while working alongside them at many weddings. They are both amazing people with great hearts, and run a beautiful venue that has character in spades. I feel like it could easily be the set for a movie.
How would you describe yourself?
Could you characterize your style in three words?
Classic, laid-back, fun
What do you love the most about Chattanooga?
I love everything about Chattanooga! Chattanooga has a been has been a part of my life since I was a child. I would go up there every year to the Choo-Choo, and Rock City and later, to the Aquarium. Chattanooga is an hour north of me, and I go there to do all of my shopping and hanging out, as opposed to going to Atlanta. It feels so small and intimate, even though its not small at all! Chattanooga has so much character, we often say that we could move up there, we’d do it in a heartbeat! If I could figure out how to move The Farm up there that would be even better! Not to mention…some of my favorite vendors are there!! Chattanooga definitely has my heart.
What inspires you?
What sets you apart from your competition?
Wow! There are a lot of barn/ Farm venues out there, and they are all unique. We are different, because we operate as a destination venue. We only do 1 event per week, so you have the venue for the weekend, we also have 7 guest cottages on site, and sleep a total of 40, so we typically have the wedding party and immediate family staying on site Thursday – Sunday, which is really nice for our families. They get to have a family reunion, vacation, and wedding all together. It makes for a great experience, with lots of love , fun and a lot of good bye tears on Sunday. It just makes our couples wedding day even more memorable because they get to spend quality time with their loved ones.
What is your favorite aspect of or your job?
Do you have any advice you’d like to give engaged couples?
Take care of each other, listen to each other, be best friends and be mindful of each other’s feelings always. Don’t forget why you got engaged that it is about the love between the two of them and not the hoopla of having a big wedding and what everyone else thinks you should do or shouldn’t do or what colors you should pick it’s about the love between you two and the experience of taking those vows to promise to be husband-and-wife to one another. Do not let everyone else and their opinions get in the way of your love for one another.
