There is a rare kind of wedding that feels both effortless and deeply intentional—rooted in simplicity yet elevated in emotion and meaning. Brenda and Hangi’s celebration at Barnsley Resort was exactly that. Set among the breathtaking historical ruins and serene gardens of this beloved Georgia property, their day unfolded with quiet elegance, modern refinement, and heartfelt connection at its core.
With a vision centered around understated beauty, the couple chose a palette of blush, green, and white to complement the natural charm of Barnsley’s architecture. Soft draping, touches of greenery, and inviting lounge seating created a warm and welcoming environment that allowed guests to experience the magic of the venue. Their ceremony—set against the backdrop of ancient stone—felt timeless and intimate, a perfect reflection of their long, steady, and deeply rooted love story.
From a proposal in the Scottish Highlands to handwritten vows shared privately before their ceremony, every chapter of their journey is marked by sincerity and intention. Their wedding day honored exactly that: a celebration steeped in meaning, surrounded by the people who shaped their story, with design details that enhanced rather than overshadowed the genuine emotion of the day.
Brenda and Hangi’s Barnsley Resort wedding is a testament to the beauty of choosing what feels true, crafting a celebration that reflects who you are, and embracing a design philosophy rooted in warmth, authenticity, and timeless romance.
“We wanted the day to feel warm and genuine—centered on celebrating with our closest family and friends.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
It was the fall of my junior year in 2013 when we first met—at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend. What started as a typical evening turned out to be the beginning of something truly special.
Tell us about the proposal story.
I had just completed my internal medicine residency and was looking forward to a relaxing post-graduation trip to Scotland. The vacation was off to a wonderful start—we spent our days enjoying delicious food, golfing, and even falconry in the stunning Scottish Highlands. Our hotel, the Gleneagles, hosted afternoon tea daily, though we hadn’t been able to secure a reservation—until one morning, Hangi told me to get dressed because he had made arrangements. He led me to a private breakfast room set with pastries, cheeses, and smoked salmon. I thought we were about to enjoy a special meal, but then he took my hands, got down on one knee, and proposed. A photographer emerged from behind the counter, capturing it all perfectly. Afterward, we continued the celebration with a proposal shoot around the grounds and even a romantic horseback ride. While I was relaxed on the trip, he had spent months coordinating with the Gleneagles team. His original plan was a lakeside picnic proposal, but due to rain, he pivoted to an indoor plan. Only after I said “yes” was he finally able to exhale.
Number of guests?
What was your wedding design vision?
Our vision was elegant and modern, with a focus on understated beauty. We kept the décor minimal, allowing the natural charm of the venue to shine. Barnsley Resort Ruins has an elegant, romantic, rustic charm, which we highlighted through soft draping over the doorways, greenery on the mantles, and lounge seating to provide comfort and sophistication. Inspired by the surrounding landscape, we chose a palette of blush pink, green, and white.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress.
My best friend and I got engaged around the same time, and I joined her for her dress appointments. She quickly found her gown at the first boutique, and since we had other appointments booked, she encouraged me to try on dresses too. I had no idea what style I wanted, so we tried everything—from ball gowns to mermaids. It helped me narrow my preference to an A-line, strapless silhouette. Months later, during a weekend trip to New York, I visited three boutiques and ended up saying yes to the dress.
Bridesmaid dresses?
The bridesmaid dresses are from Azazie. I chose the color palette—blushing pink, rosette, and dusty rose—and let each bridesmaid select the style that suited them best.
Groomsmen attire?
Tuxedos rented from The Black Tux; the groomsmen chose their own styles.
Groom’s attire?
Brioni—timeless, elegant, and meaningful for the occasion.
Music choices?
We created a Spotify playlist for the DJ to understand our taste: oldies, EDM, and pop. A string trio performed for the ceremony—the groom walked down to the Jurassic Park theme song, and the bride walked to “Yellow” by Coldplay.
Food details?
Cocktail hour included peach bruschetta, mushroom arancini, mini lobster rolls, bacon-wrapped scallops, and an oyster display. Dinner began with bread and corn chowder soup. Guests chose between smoked braised short rib or butter-poached lobster with whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus. For dessert: a two-tier strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream and a Southern dessert table featuring bourbon pecan pie, meringue pies, cobblers, and coca-cola cake.
Specialty cocktails?
Mango paloma (bride) and whisky highball (groom). Guests also enjoyed a bourbon tasting experience featuring a curated bourbon trail flight and a smoking cabinet display.
Why did you choose your wedding venue?
Having lived in several states, we weren’t limited by geography. Shortly after getting engaged, we relocated to Florida and explored venues in several states. We stumbled upon Barnsley Resort and immediately felt it matched our wedding vision. As a bonus, it was close to Atlanta, where Hangi’s parents live.
What does it mean to you to get married?
We’ve long known we were meant to spend our lives together. Marriage reaffirms that feeling and gives us the opportunity to celebrate our love with the people who matter most.
Traditional vows or handwritten?
Both. During the first look, we’ll exchange handwritten vows privately, keeping the moment intimate. For the ceremony, we’ll recite traditional vows to honor tradition. Combining both felt meaningful and true to us.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Brenda’s family lives in Taiwan, and we are very thankful they could fly over to celebrate with us.
Wedding Planner: Fete and Figs / @feteandfigs
Photography: Hunter Hennes Photography / @hunter.hennes
Venue: Barnsley Resort / @barnsleyresort
Florist: Luxe and Bloom / @luxeandbloomfloraldesign
Videography: Paros Films / @parosfilms
Hair & Makeup: Bonjour Bridal / @bonjourbridal_mua
Cake: Dawn McKee Cakes / @dawnmckeecakes
Ceremony Musicians: Piedmont Strings / @piedmontstrings
DJ: One Night Entertainment / @onenightatl
Rentals: Eventworks Rentals / @eventworksrentals
Rentals: Table Made / @tablemadeco
Linens: BBJ La Tavola / @bbjlatavola
Photo Booth: Luxe Booth / @luxeboothatlanta
Stationery: Syd Makes / @sydmakes
Wedding PR: Published + Pretty / @publishedandpretty
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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