On the very first day of their junior and senior year of high school, respectively, Michael Green and Avery Jeffcoat met and their lives were changed forever. A few years later while in college, Michael remembers his dad asking him why he was waiting to propose to the love of his life. A self-proclaimed planner, Michael said that he wanted to wait until everything fell perfectly in line; however, after this conversation, “I thought, why waste any more time? I knew I wanted to marry Avery and that God would take care of the rest,” he shares. 

The high-school sweethearts knew exactly where they wanted to host their wedding for 340 guests: a famed wilderness resort in the Ozarks that the Jeffcoat family has been visiting every Thanksgiving since Avery was a little girl. “Being able to bring all our family and friends up there for our wedding day is truly something that we are so grateful for,” affirms the bride. Michael adds, “Big Cedar Lodge means so much to us… When we started dating, they took me and my family up there, and we immediately fell in love. It has become a second home to us.” 

Their families were incredibly helpful in planning the nuptials. In fact, the mother of the bride – a wedding planner based in Louisiana – orchestrated the multi-day celebration to perfection. “Since my amazing mom is a wedding planner and I am her assistant, we are in wedding-planning mode all the time for others… Planning your own wedding is another story!” admits Avery, noting that she had to constantly remind herself of the advice she gives other brides: to enjoy the process and not worry. “I am so grateful for friends, family, and vendors who helped us along the way.” 

The bride describes her vision for the day as “Italian lake countryside meets secret garden with a classic spring flair” and wanted to be surrounded by nature as she and Michael said “I do.” Nestled at the top of Table Rock Lake, the resort’s Integrity Hills venue, with its cobblestone chapel and English riding stable-inspired barn, was the perfect fit. Butterfly décor also made a special appearance. “To me, they are a sign of hope, new chapters, and a reminder of the love of those who have gone to Heaven before us,” explains Avery. “They are also a reminder that the challenges we go through in life don’t compare to the beautiful things God has in store for us.” 

Prior to their Christian ceremony, Avery and Michael took part in a memorable first look where they shared handwritten love notes with one another. “As soon as he turned around, we both started crying joyful tears,” the bride reminisces. “It was the ‘we finally made it’ moment. We were so happy to see each other, share our love for each other, and have that moment of joy together.” Before the 5PM ceremony, friends and family walked through the chapel doors to find their seats at pews in front of three large glass windows showcasing a towering cross in the center that was embellished with white florals and greenery, which also lined the stone aisle. 

A quartet performed string renditions of modern songs, and as the music transitioned Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” Avery made her way down the aisle in a sleek gown featuring a pleated strapless bodice and open-front overskirt. “My favorite part of the ceremony was doing a family prayer during the unity time,” she confirms. “Our officiant Corey Smith asked everyone to pray along with us. Having 300+ people praying at the same time for our marriage was so humbling and moving – something we will always treasure.” Once pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds recessed in pure bliss to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).” 

“It was a day that we will never forget, and we are so thankful for every single person that made the day happen so smoothly and perfectly!”

An alfresco cocktail hour introduced a multitude of colors into the design scheme, with classic blue-and-white details accented with bright pinks, yellows, and purples. Loved ones then transitioned to the reception area, which highlighted long floral runners in the same vibrant hues down the lengths of tablescapes beneath bistro lights just outside of the barn. Inside, round tables and large square tables with towering tree-inspired centerpieces were decorated with colorful blossoms, glimmering taper candles, and elegant place settings to complement the garden theme. 

Once the gorgeous 13-tier wedding cake featuring a beautifully painted floral pattern and the pair’s golden monogram was cut, guests made their way to a clear-top tent by the lake for dancing. “The tented dancing area was a stunner!” exclaims the bride of the exquisite arrangements at the lounge areas and the standout floral installation suspended over the dance floor. “I was in complete awe when seeing this space for the first time. It was even better than I had imagined,” she adds. 

The newlyweds shared their first dance to “Lifetime” by Justin Bieber and “You are the Reason” by Callum Scott, and the special dances with their parents continued to wow guests. Michael and his mom danced to the Top Gun theme song, as well as “Great Balls of Fire” and “I Ain’t Worried” by OneRepublic from the films. “The father of the groom is a retired pilot from the Air Force, so Top Gun has always been a favorite in their family!” smiles the bride. She and her dad a choreographed father-daughter dance to “Butterfly Kisses” and “My Girl” before surprising everyone with a hip-hop number that truly started the party. 

Attendees spent the rest of the night celebrating, having live fashion sketches drawn by an artist as a unique favor, and dancing all night to the sounds of a 12-piece band complete with four singers who specialize in different music genres, from oldies and pop to hip-hop and remixes. “Dancing the night away under the stars and twinkling lights was something I really wanted to be incorporated into the big day!” shares the bride, who even crowd-surfed with her new husband. “Never thought that would happen, but it was so fun – I could not stop smiling!” 

At the end of the evening, the bride and groom shared one last private dance as friends and family enjoyed late-night snacks from Chick-fil-A and prepared for the sparkler exit that led the newlyweds to their Ford Bronco Raptor. “It was the best night of our lives,” remembers Michael. “If I could do anything differently, it would be to add an extra hour to our reception because we did not want the night to end!” The bride confirms: “It was a day that we will never forget, and we are so thankful for every single person that made the day happen so smoothly and perfectly!”

This real wedding was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

To order a copy of the Winter 2025 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings magazine back issues available for purchase.

Some of the links included may be affiliate; however, everything we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. When you make a purchase, we may receive revenue. Thank you for your support!