Kory & Lauren Farmer: A Wedding with Maritime Charm in Apalachicola

Photos by Anna Kinchen Photography

Lauren Hampton and Kory Farmer first met in April 2013 in America’s oldest and most charming city, St. Augustine, where they both attended graduate school. It was Kory’s birthday and his first week in town. They had mutual friends who had gathered to celebrate his birthday. “There was an immediate connection between us,” the couple remembers.

They met on a few more occasions while spending time with friends before Lauren finally let Kory take her out on a date. Lauren was raised in Panama City and is a graduate of Mosley High School. Kory is from Hixson, Tennessee.

In the months leading up to Kory’s marriage proposal their relationship became long-distance as they finished school in different states. Kory realized that he could not be apart from Lauren any longer so he traveled seven hours to visit Lauren’s father to ask for her hand in marriage. After getting her dad’s approval, Kory waited another month to propose to Lauren.

On a morning walk along the beach in St. Augustine, Kory popped the question. It rendered her speechless and, after what seemed like five full minutes to Kory, she finally said “Yes.”

Lauren found in Kory a partner who she says is strong, handsome, caring, and adventurous. He also loves to crack jokes and make other people smile. She remarks. “His smile is my favorite thing to wake up to in the morning.”

Kory raves about Lauren and admires her work ethic and compassion. “Her love for learning and bettering herself encourages me to be a better husband and leader.”

“The breeze off the water cooled us as we walked around. I could picture my dream wedding come to reality. I immediately knew the park was where I wanted to be married!”

The couple were wed in Apalachicola at Lafayette Park. “We looked at other locations and, while all were beautiful, Apalachicola felt very special,” Lauren says. “The beautiful old houses and serene streets caught my attention, and I immediately perked up. This little town had an old maritime feel that we hadn’t experienced anywhere else. It had charm, character, and the beautiful waterfront to go along with it.” The best part was she had never heard of anyone else getting married in Apalachicola. They opted for an outdoor ceremony and Lauren is still raving. “I had seen pictures of the exquisite Lafayette Park online, but they don’t even begin to do it justice. When we drove up to the waterfront park, I knew immediately that the grandness of the location couldn’t be matched by any other place we had visited! The lovely gazebo preceded a long dock that opened up to expansive views of beautiful bay waters. There were old-fashioned light posts, a cobblestone walkway, and plenty of greenery giving it a fairytale feel. The breeze off the water cooled us as we walked around. I could picture my dream wedding come to reality. I immediately knew the park was where I wanted to be married!”

They wanted an indoor location to hold the reception to escape the Florida heat and found the Robert Lindsley Studio Gallery to be the perfect one-of-a-kind venue for their festivities. “The beautiful bay windows let light in to every corner of the room. The high ceilings and original artwork continued to make my vision come to life. There was a bar, a corner for the DJ, and a set-up area for catering. It was absolutely charming and perfect,” Lauren says.

The couple’s future goals include starting a family rooted in the church. “We haven’t decided where we’ll end up but, wherever it is, it will be in the South, with plenty of football, nature, and sweet tea!” Although both Kory and Lauren want to pursue successful careers, they said they will put God and family first in any major decisions or career moves that come their way. They are currently living in Tennessee where she works as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in a hospital and Kory is working towards his BS in Nursing from Tennessee Tech.

The couple urges future brides and grooms to look beyond the glamour of a beautiful wedding and the sparkly rings. They are very aware that marriage is a lifelong commitment. In preparation for the big day, the couple suggests remembering that the day is all about each other.

“Make sure you marry your best friend, someone who shares the same interests as you, someone with the same life goals as you, and someone you’re willing to wake up to every morning,” they agree.

Lauren would like to give a special thanks to her mother, Michelle Hampton, for being the wedding coordinator. “Without her guidance, I would not have had such a beautiful wedding, or wonderful planning experience,” Lauren says. The couple would also like to thank their parents, as well as all of those who traveled for their nuptials. Lastly, the couple thanks dear friend Pam Delaney who served as the coordinator for the day of the wedding so that the mother of the bride could enjoy the grand day.

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Parents of the Bride

Lt. Col. (Ret) & Mrs. John L. Hampton

Grandparents of the Bride

Col. (Ret.) and Mrs. John F. Hampton

Ms. Marianne Burrows

Mrs. Jackie Burrows

Parents of the Groom

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Farmer

Mr. and Mrs. Kip Young

Grandparents of the Groom

Ms. Margarett Worthington