Rendering of a wedding on the Magnolia's curved veranda

Weddings & Events

SINCE FEBRUARY 29, 1876

This House Was Born of a Wedding

In 1874, Captain George G. Latta signed for a house in Hot Springs. In 1876, he married Fannie Brownlow — daughter of Tennessee governor William G. “Parson” Brownlow — before a church filled to its utmost capacity, beneath a marriage bell whose clapper was a single calla lily. The newspapers of two states told the story. Here it is, exactly as they printed it.

March 3, 1876 · Knoxville, Tennessee

HYMENEAL.

The Marriage of Mr. GEORGE G. LATTA to Miss BROWNLOW, of Knoxville.

Capt. George G. Latta, son of Mr. W. S. Latta, of Cartersville, was married in Knoxville, Tenn., to Miss Fannie G. Brownlow of the latter city. The EXPRESS makes its acknowledgements for the usual printers fee and joins many others in wishing them a long and happy life. We append a description of the ceremonies taken from the Knoxville Chronicle of the 1st instant.

St. John’s Church was filled to its utmost capacity last night with the elite of the city to witness the nuptials of Capt. George G. Latta, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Miss Fannie Brownlow of this city. For a week all who were fortunate enough to secure “cards” have been awaiting the evening of the 29th, not a little impatient at the tardy pace of time. The Church presented an attractive appearance, the chancel having been decorated with no small degree of taste and beauty; wreaths were suspended from the pillars in a most artistic manner, and at their intersection was hung a marriage bell, the clapper consisting of a single calla lily. Above the bell, on a rope which it was suspended was the monogram L. B. in white flowers and delicate green leaves. Promptly at 8½ o’clock the bridal party entered the church while the wedding march was performed by Mr. Hodgson in his usual excellent style. All being in readiness the “twain was made one” by the beautiful and impressive ceremony of the Episcopal Church, Rev. Mr. Duncan officiating.

The bride was arrayed in a dress of white brocaded satin, garnished with lace and lily-of-the-valley fringe, a bridal veil caught at the left side of the head with a delicate spray of lilies of the valley, completed a combination well fitted to enhance what nature has unsparingly bestowed. The groom was attired in the conventional suit of black. The attendants were Mr. Sam McKinney and Miss Annie Brownlow, Mr. W. M. Baxter, of Chattanooga, and Miss Latta, sister of the groom. The dresses of the bridesmaids bore no mark of dissimilarity, and were a subtle mixture of white tarletan and satin.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the more intimate and still more fortunate friends repaired to the residence of H. M. Aiken, Esq., brother-in-law of the bride, where the happy couple received many and heartfelt congratulations, and where, too, the inner man was remembered in a manner satisfactory to the most fastidious epicures. Mr. and Mrs. Aiken have the happy faculty of making their guests feel “at home.” We heard but one expression in reference to the entertainment, and that was that it was perfectly pleasant and agreeable to all not a single discord to mar the general harmony.

The presents received were numerous and elegant—loudly bespeaking the high esteem in which the bride is held by her many friends.

As reprinted in the Express from the Knoxville Chronicle. The wedding was also reported by the Nashville Daily American (March 3, 1876) and noted in the New York Times (March 8, 1876).

Rendering of the completed venue

THE VENUE TO COME

The Grand Curved Veranda

The restoration now underway returns the Magnolia to celebration: a wedding and event venue on the grand veranda, gardens under string lights, a stage and Southern kitchen within. The renderings below show the plan. We are already speaking with couples about future dates.

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Front approach rendering Evening celebration rendering Night event rendering

Architectural renderings of the completed wedding and event venue.

TODAY

The Grounds, Meanwhile

The veranda, the gardens, and the hilltop are already here — and already beautiful.

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