Family wedding traditions, like a veil or dress, are often passed from generation to generation. Cynthia Trout Hume and her daughter, Katie Hume Brown, are part of a special legacy at the Marietta Educational Garden Center. Brown chose to have her reception at MEGC because her parents had their reception there.

“I thought it was very sentimental. I had grown up seeing their wedding pictures and seeing the garden center,” she said. She married Reece Brown of Tyrone at the First United Methodist Church of Marietta on April 21.

“(MEGC) just felt special. I felt a special connection to the garden center because my parents had the connection 34 years ago. It just felt right,” she said.

Both mother and daughter chose MEGC because of its unique setting. Hume was married July 29, 1977, to David Hume.

I chose the Marietta Garden Center as the site for our reception 34 years ago because of its simple elegance,” she said. “My husband and I love the architecture of old homes. The Garden Center was, and still is, a fantastic example of true Southern charm. At the time of our wedding it was not a typical venue for weddings, but it was perfect for us.”

The Humes passed their love for old homes down to their children. They had three children who all graduated from Auburn University. Two have degrees in building science.

“I was flattered that Katie wanted to have her reception at the Garden Center. One of her favorite photos is of her dad and me posing on the spiral staircase. The place just has a timeless beauty,” Hume said.

Her daughter said, “(MEGC) is such a beautiful setting. It’s elegant. It’s timeless. I couldn’t imaging having my reception anywhere else.”

Brown chose a “Simply Southern” wedding theme. She said, “It was so fitting with the house. The house just exudes Southern elegance. It was really special.”

Hume said, “The house has a casual and hospitable feel to it. There was room for a large tent on the lawn, and we opened all the doors to the house so that people flowed in and out freely, visiting on the porch, in the house and on the lawn. Our family and friends told us it was one of the most comfortable receptions they had ever attended. It reminded them of a combination Southern Living/Garden & Gun event — incredible gourmet barbecue, biscuits and the trimmings, and live music in a truly storybook setting.”

To learn more about MEGC at 505 Kennesaw Ave., visit www.mariettagardencenter.com or call (770) 427-3494.