Papel picados, chimichurri and empanadas are three things that are unusual at a Kentucky wedding. But not for this couple, who seamlessly blended the bride’s Kentucky pride with their shared love for all things Latin American, specifically Argentinian. They created an “Argen-tucky” wedding day, which “wove flavors of Latin America with hand-cut Mexican papel picado banners, a quintessentially Argentine menu of empanadas and chimichurri, readings from our favorite author Paolo Coelho, and the reception band, Making Movies, who played a mix of rock and roll with classic salsa and meringue rhythms.” But the setting was decidedly Kentucky, with the event held at the historic Oxmoor Farm, featuring Kentucky bourbon and Appalachian music during the ceremony.
Cassidy Herrington met Chris Foster in college, when she was a freshman and he was a senior. She got his attention because she changed the music at a party, and Chris turned and shouted, “Who did that?!” She accepted responsibility, and that initiated their first conversation. As Cassidy says, “We have not stopped talking since,” and that was eight years ago. Fast forward to Chris’s graduation from medical school in 2015. Cassidy gave a toast at the graduation party, which was actually more of a roast, and Chris countered by dropping to one knee and proposing in front of all their family and friends. They were married a year later.
When planning their wedding, Cassidy knew she wanted the venue to be in her hometown of Louisville. Chris and his family are from Chicago, but it turned out that Louisville was a very central, inexpensive meeting place for all their wedding guests to gather. They wanted to have an outdoor wedding because, they said, that is where they feel most connected. They loved Oxmoor Farm, as it is located right in town, but feels like another world — a historic estate surrounded by trees and gardens.
Both Chris and Cassidy have connections to Argentina. Chris’s best friend from childhood is from Buenos Aires, and that is where Cassidy studied in college. They have a deep love and appreciation for all Latin American culture, so it only seemed natural to include these elements in their wedding. With the help of event planner Hollis Starks, all these dreams became a reality for their big day.
On a hot summer night, 170 guests settled into their seats at the beautiful Oxmoor Farm with their fans in hand to see this loving couple join together. They had an outside ceremony, surrounded by massive papel picado banners and a beautiful landscape, followed by a cocktail hour and a sit-down Argentinian-inspired dinner all catered by Kathy Cary. Guests danced the night away to a favorite band that played all the best of American and Latin American cultures. The couple had a grand send-off with sparklers and love from friends near and far.
Cassidy Herrington and Chris Foster, surrounded by beauty at Oxmoor Farm.
Hair and makeup were all done at an informal bridesmaids’ brunch before the wedding party ventured over to Oxmoor Farm for final preparations and the wedding. Cassidy’s dress was simple and elegant, made of cotton lace. Her top priority, she says, was to “find a dress with a relaxed fit that could hold up after several hours on the dance floor,” and she wanted to be able to eat dinner comfortably. Her favorite detail on the dress was the “dance loop” that was under the hem that let her twirl the skirt like a flamenco dancer. The beautiful scalloped lace on the dress was the inspiration for the papel picado banners, the invitations and the programs. Cassidy said that when she put on this dress for the first time, it elicited a “you’re home” kind of feeling.
This relaxed cotton dress was perfect for Cassidy, who wanted a simple, elegant dress that she could comfortably eat and dance in.
“The lace on the dress was also the inspiration for our invitations and the papel picado banner backdrops for the ceremony and reception,” says Cassidy.
Cassidy wore wedge sandals by Badgley Mischka that featured sparkly crystals across the top.
Her “something new” was a delicate diamond necklace that her mother gave her; she still wears it regularly. Her “something old” was her mother-in-law’s opal ring, which was Chris’s favorite as a child. Her “something borrowed” and “blue” was a silk sachet made from her grandmother’s wedding dress that had Cassidy’s monogram in blue thread, all handmade by her cousin Katie. Inside the sachet was her grandparents’ wedding photo.
One of the most meaningful treasures for Cassidy was her “something blue.” Her cousin Katie stitched her initials in blue thread on a silk sachet, tied to the bouquet. The sachet was made of fabric cut from her grandmother’s wedding dress, and inside, it held her grandparents’ wedding photo. “My grandmother Nanny inspires much of the work I do, so it was very meaningful to carry her with me on my wedding day.”
Look closely at this hanger, for on it is a special brooch that Cassidy’s grandmother wore.
Cassidy sees the brooch on the hanger for the first time.
The bride gets dressed with help from her sister and mother.
The girls share a moment together before heading out to see the wedding party.
The groom is picture-perfect as well.
Chris wore a charcoal gray suit with a simple white rose boutonniere.
The First Looks
All in all, there were three “first looks” in this wedding: one for the bridesmaids, one for the father of the bride and one for the groom. That’s a lot of firsts!
There was a “first look” for the bridesmaids.
Ta-da!
Cassidy twirls around to show off the back of her dress to her bridal party.
This picture perched on top of the library ladder was the wedding planner’s idea. It perfectly showed the dramatic length of her train and veil.
While up on the ladder, her mother surprised her father with his “first look” at his daughter. Cassidy said it is the first time she ever saw him cry.
A daddy and his daughter hug on this special day.
Cassidy said she was “shaking with fear” before the first look with Chris.
And, then it was all fine.
First look is over, time for the ceremony!
Green was the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses, and they could choose any dress they wanted in that color scheme.
Flowers were simple with lots of varieties of greenery and white flowers.
The flower girls wore eucalyptus and olive branches in their hair.
Groomsmen wore charcoal gray suits with black ties and white rose boutonnieres.
The wedding at picturesque Oxmoor Farm showcased the beautiful landscape, greenery, manicured gardens and historic estate — an oasis in the middle of the busy city. There were Latin American accents throughout the space, from the Argentina flag, to textiles from their travels and the 20-foot handmade papel picado banners hanging throughout the space.
Cassidy wanted the floral design to mirror their surroundings. As she says, she chose “lots of greenery and pops of white to mimic lush Kentucky horse farmland, punctuated with white fences.” Country Squire florists came through with the perfect flowers for the day.
The front entrance of Oxmoor Farm proudly displays the flags of the United States and Argentina.
Simple greenery was placed over the chairs.
Textiles from the couple’s Latin American travels were placed throughout the venue.
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These papel picado banners were 15 to 20 feet in length and handmade by an artist in Philadelphia.
Invitations were laser cut paper meant to mimic the papel picados.
The ring bearer casually drapes his arm around the flower girl for their walk down the aisle.
A beautiful entrance through the gardens
Father and daughter look ahead to the groom and the entire wedding party.
Cassidy and Chris wrote vows to recite to each other during the ceremony. But, in a minor snafu, the vows were not in the “minister’s hands when it was time to recite them. Luckily, the reverend was quick on his feet and quickly flipped the pages to the standard vows in his book.” Cassidy and Chris did recover the original vows they wrote for each other and recited them on their first anniversary.
Reciting of another version of marital vows …
You may kiss the bride!
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Mr. and Mrs. Foster
The bride and groom steal a private moment in the library before the reception begins.
After an outdoor cocktail hour, where palomas and mint juleps (a great “Argentucky” combination) were served, guests gathered in the luxurious outdoor wedding tent for the seated dinner and reception. Papel picado banners were strung on the ceiling along with a bevy of outdoor string lights. The seating was a mix of long and shorter family-style tables, all with the signature greenery and simple elegance of the wedding aesthetic.
The wedding tent
Guide signs in Spanish for the guests to find their way
Family-style tables provided an elegant, communal-style dining experience for the wedding guests.
Kathy Cary of Lilly’s catered the wedding, which combined elements from Kentucky and Argentina. The food was a huge hit, with empanadas, steak with chimichurri and roasted eggplant as just a few headliners of the menu. The cake was dulce de leche, done locally by The Sugar Woods.
Steak with chimichurri, roasted eggplant and green beans were a few of the delectable menu items.
The cake was dulce de leche, the bride and groom’s favorite flavor. Hollis Starks, the wedding planner, lent her personal silver cake stand for the night.
Chris and Cassidy cut the cake.
Dancing was a big part of the evening. Cassidy and Chris love to dance; so much so that Cassidy based her wedding-dress decision on being able to comfortably dance all night. Cassidy said she got very emotional dancing with Chris for their first dance and “seeing the faces of friends and family — many who traveled thousands of miles to celebrate with us. That was a beautiful sensation I’ll never forget.”
Chris and Cassidy love to dance. Their first dance was to “Misty” by Marty Robbins.
The bride and her father danced to “Surfer Girl” by The Beach Boys.
A beautiful summer night captured by the light of the tent
It was a lively crew waiting for the bouquet!
A sparkling ending to a magical day!
Chris and Cassidy delayed their honeymoon to spend time with all of their out-of-town guests, especially the ones from Argentina who traveled such a long distance for the wedding. They went to bourbon distilleries in Kentucky and then ended the week in Chicago, Chris’s hometown. For their real honeymoon, or “latermoon,” as they called it, they went to Puerto Rico — just the two of them!
We wish you every happiness, Chris and Cassidy! Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us!
RESOURCES
- Venue: Oxmoor Farm
- Photography: Lang Thomas Photography
- Event planner: Hollis Starks
- Bride’s gown: Rue de Seine from Alice In Ivory, Chicago
- Bride’s earrings: Summer Eliason Jewelry
- Clutch & reception shoes: Nisolo
- Hair & makeup: Ana Crane Studio
- Groom’s & groomsmen’s formalwear: The Black Tux
- Papel picado banners: Karina Puente
- Invitations, programs & menu cards: Etcetera
- Flowers: Country Squire
- Catering: Kathy Cary
- Piper: Christopher Layer
- Reception band: Making Movies
- Cake: The Sugar Woods, by Mary Carmel Wetherby
- Guest accommodations: The Seelbach Hilton
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