Tag Archives: barn

mary susan + peter + their southern hospitality

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Mary Susan + Peter got married in rural Arkansas in October.  Their ceremony was held at a private residence overlooking a cotton field in honor of Mary Susan’s father who worked in them his whole life.  Their reception was held at Bartlett Barn and though it rained intermittently all weekend long, you’d never be able to tell from these gorgeous ‘getting ready’ photos.

Lots of hands made this wedding.  Mary Susan’s brother built what can only be described as a ‘set’ for their ceremony including doors for the bridal party to walk through and windows all around the guest seating.  It was my favorite outdoor chapel to date.  Mary Susan’s mom gathered cotton, dishes, grew succulents among many other things, and friends and family brought some of the most delicious desserts you have ever seen.  There is such a thing as southern hospitality.  If I wasn’t sure before being a part of this wedding, I am convinced now.

Back at the barn we had to scrap half of the outdoor seating as the rain picked up, but the family-style seating along with a few last minute tables we were able to bring in and set-up meant that everyone had room to sit and TONS of delicious southern cooking to fill their plates.  I also got to go hog-wild propping and styling every little corner of the barn, which I loved because this northern girl doesn’t ever get beautiful cotton stalks to play with in unlimited quantities.

*all photos courtesy of Angela at Angela J. Martin Photography

Mary Susan + Peter’s Vendors
Ceremony: Private Residence
Reception: Bartlett Barn
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
Catering: Carmen Phelps
Desserts: Family and friends
Photography: Angela J. Martin Photography
Florist: The Blossom Shop
Guest Hotel: Mallard Pointe Duck Club

kevin + ryanne + the little wedding that could.

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So I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of these photos in my inbox.  Ryanne + Kevin were married in May at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois.  It was a party of epic proportions that was preceded by a bit of chaos.  The park was exactly their vision: a totally rustic barn surrounded with wide open space.  Kevin + Ryanne did so much themselves: sweeping out the barn, hanging lights and they really rolled with the punches when it rained all week and we had to move the ceremony inside at the last minute.  Also, they were totally cool when the sheep crashed the party and ordered gin and tonics.  And then there’s this picture with this horse, which I think tends to make up for most of the pre-wedding chaos.  I’m pretty sure the only thing that could have made this photo better is if that horse were a magic wedding unicorn. I almost wouldn’t have been surprised.
 


Tutu = nailed it. 
A vintage car, for the win. 

 Oh headband, I die.  

Not bad for a makeshift ceremony site 30 minutes before the wedding?  Thank God for amazing vendors like Heather at Events By Bloom and the indelible Ronald Roberts for jumping in and putting this together with me so that we could wait until the very last second in hopes that the rain would clear.

All the lovely details.

Truly an unforgettable wedding day and a fabulous story for the Anticipation Events archives.  I could not have more fun with you two and I hope your happily ever after is filled with as many outrageously funny stories and adventures as your wedding day was.   

*all eye-candy courtesy of Deidre Lynn Photography

Ryanne + Kevin’s Vendors
Ceremony + Reception: Three Sisters Park
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
DJ: Ronald Roberts
Catering + Cake: Cracked Pepper
Photography: Deidre Lynn Photography
Videography: ZNeff Weddings
Florist: Events By Bloom
Make-up: B. Loved Stylists
Hair: Melissa Bakel
Photo Booth: PeekABooth
Guest Hotel: Windgate by Wyndham

 

ali + matt’s rustic romp.

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Ali & Matt got married in June at the Byron Colby Barn in Greyslake.  Take a look at them getting all dolled up.




Ali’s dress and hairpiece were amazing.  She was so effortlessly beautiful.
A glowing mom and a dapper dad (love the hat, right?) escort Ali to her waiting groom.
Poor groomsman on crutches in a suit in the June heat.  What a trooper he was and still smiling the entire way down the aisle.
Waiting…
Walking…
Kissing!
This picture is amazing.  So happy to be married were these two that Ali and her friends…

 …did some sprints in the field by the barn.  

 After their jog and happy to be done running for the day, they crew headed into the party.

 Meanwhile, the dudes took some glamour shots of their own.

 Props and all…

 The barn was ready for revelry.

Wine bottle table numbers and mis-matched vessels made for a cozy and eclectic atmosphere.
Then Matt decided it was time for everyone to get down…

 

 

…and then their friends decided it was time to put them up, high up in the air.

 

Matt and Ali were just so lovely to work with and they made my day week when they called me (on their way to Hawaii no less) to tell me what a great day it was and say thanks one more time before they jetted off.  Such class acts and it was my pleasure to be a part of it all.
 
Ali + Matt’s Vendors
 

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Byron Colby Barn
Planning + Styling: Anticipation Events
Photography: Victoria Sprung Photography
Florals: Nancy Rolison
DJ: Toast + Jam

Custom Hairpiece: Love, LuLu Mae
 

stephanie + brian vs. nature.

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Stephanie and Brian were married in August at Byron Colby Barn in Greyslake.  Both Brian and Stephanie are super creative and artistic and put a ton of effort into making their day unique to them. Which is mt MOST FAVORITE thing.  Brian’s hat and bowtie were so dapper and Stephanie rocked an amazing dress and killer shoes:

Stephanie’s dad has passed away but Stephanie kept him close by all day long on her bouquet.

Stephanie and Brian were super troopers trucking through the fields surrounding the barn with Jeremy Lawson to get these shots.  Stephanie even brought some little insect friends back with her trapped in the layers of her wedding dress!  And yes, that was just after they shook hands with Mr. Ed.

Then it was time to get married!  So I rallied the troops: Stephanie’s brother escorted her down the aisle,
they exchanged rings,  shared a smootch
 

and Brian just could not help himself: a fist pump on the way out of the ceremony.

I mean, when you are marrying this girl, who wouldn’t be?

Fabulous details from the party follow.  By now you know this is my absolute favorite part, right? Right.
The backdrop for the ceremony that Brian and Stephanie built. Ah-mazing. I drooled.

A guest book tree stump that Brian drew for all of the guests to sign:

Stephanie collected doilies that we fashioned into table runners and blue mason jars that Nancy filled with gorgeous wildflowers.

Stephanie and her family made these magical magic wands for their guests to shake and wave as Stephanie and Brian walked back down the aisle as a married couple.  Then they shook them when the bridal party was announced, and when they shook their booties on the dance floor and I’m hopeful they shook them back at the hotel and at brunch the next morning as well!

A lot of laughing, singing, drinking and dancing capped off an incredible day celebrating two incredible people.  S & B: It was so much fun to be a part of your day and may you always be able to laugh off the bugs that fly up your dress!

Stephanie & Brian’s Vendors
Venue: Byron Colby Barn

Florals: Nancy Rolison Designs
 

annie + jared’s raucous barn get-down.

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Annie and Jared were married in July at the Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn in West Liberty, Iowa. It was a family and friend-filled affair to prepare for the big day and Annie really to DIY to a whole new level. The photos of this fabulous party certainly speak for themselves.
The ceremony included handmade fans, programs and lavender-sugar toss cones:

  

Ready to go.


Annie and her mom walking down the aisle to a song that Annie’s late father wrote and sung. I can promise you there was not a dry eye in the house.  Certainly Jared’s eyes were not dry.

 


Photo shoot with the couple, obsessed that their puppy dog came out to join them! I love this tongue, priceless!

   


The bridal party looked amazing in their outfit picks.

Yes, she made this too.  I know this makes you want to hate her, but trust me, you can’t.  She’s too rad.

Annie told me that night that the cake topper she made was her favorite thing. She said please PLEASE make sure we get a picture of it. I’d say Jagger Photography did admirable justice to that little cake topper.

 
The decor in the barn was absolutely stunning.
 
 
 
 
 

Annie and Jared moved to Iowa from the coast so many of their guests had never been to Iowa before. To give them a taste of the local flavor Annie and Jared hired a local band and square dancing caller to get the party started. Their guests really got into it.

do-si-do


Annie and Jared’s wedding was amazing and I was so happy to be a part of it. The entire weekend was full of family and friends, amazing food and lots of love…exactly what a wedding should be.

Annie + Jared’s Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception: Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn
Catering: The Motley Cow
Cake: Friend of the couple
Photography: Jagger Photography
Florist: St. Bridget’s Flower Farm
Music: Goosetown Stringband
Day of Coordination: Anticipation Events