Lush Nature-Inspired Wedding in Elkhorn

Kelly Davis and Matt Kathol’s summer wedding was swoon-worthy, from the idyllic farm setting to the carefully curated playlist in the dance tent. The couple’s love of nature was on display at their reception at Serenity Ridge, with their dogs participating in the nuptials — one was the “flower dog,” another accompanied the ring bearer. In lieu of a traditional unity candle ceremony, Kelly and Matt planted a tree to honor their grandfathers. “Both of our grandfathers had a love for nature and a love for trees,” Kelly says. “It was only fitting that we planted a tree to start our life.” To save the first look for Kelly’s walk down the aisle, the two met pre-ceremony outside the church to say a prayer together. “My beautiful bride did make me cry seeing her come down the aisle,” Matt admits. As a nod to Matt’s work in the cattle industry, a friend made leather ear tags for each guest, and an artist friend even made a buffalo skull sculpture. Because Kelly and Matt are both avid equestrians, English and Western tack was incorporated into the décor in the dance tent. The bride and groom hand-cut and tied the napkins, and Matt built the bar. To honor the newlyweds’ passion for all things arboreal, guests left with seedlings as favors.