I don’t think there’s a single detail about this wedding that doesn’t make me weak in the knees. The Bride’s lace-tipped veil? Vows in the light-filled barn ceremony? Golden hour portraits at the end of the day? And that puppy?! Don’t even get me started. Captured by Rachel Pearlman Photography you won’t be able to get enough in the gallery here!
From Rachel Pearlman Photography…When Sara and Jason began plans for their Summer wedding, they knew that a few details were an absolute must: Including Sara’s beloved show horse, Larry; creating an ‘at home’ feeling for guests, and giving up design and styling control to bridesmaid and best friend, Mary Coombs of A Garden Party, who was sure to work floral magic. Adding to the down home feeling of the day was the venue itself: The groom, Jason, spent months clearing out his family dairy farm from the 1800s for his bride. A Garden Party took this blank slate and created an elegant ceremony and reception space that wowed guests and provided a memorable and stunning space for Sara and Jason’s celebration. Sara chose a classic Paloma Blanca gown with pockets, for a touch of fun, and walked down the aisle to a live fiddle playing. An adorable first look was done at the groom’s grandmother’s home (another historic property), and Sara and Jason made sure to take plenty of photos with their new puppy, who was a honorary member of the bridal party. Sunset portraits were taken at the dairy farm, in and around the land that Jason farmed himself.
From Mary at A Garden Party…Sara and Jason wanted a wedding day that felt “at home” and they knew the best way to do that would be to host their friends and family at Jason’s historic barn. Their laid back affair was labeled a success as guests claimed “the wedding just felt good – full of love and laughter”. The down to earth couple and their families helped to clean out the historic dairy barn built in the 1800’s, dusting off the weathered wood beams and original windows and then adding a touch of elegance with lights and white fabric draping. Fearful of intense July heat, the couple decided to wed inside the barn where guests sat on covered straw bales sourced from the nearby field and admired Sara and her bridal party walking down the lush green sod aisle to live fiddle music. The alter was marked with a custom painting done by A Garden Party’s in house artist, Cristina Kramer, and the couple chose inspirational words from Galatians 5:22, Fruit of the Spirit; they plan to hang this in their home as a reminder of their promise to each other. Led by her childhood pastor, Sara and Jason exchanged vows and as a symbol of their unity planted an oak tree with soil from her childhood home and his farm, signifying the commitment to love and care for each other as they grow together. After some laughs and a few tears, guests entered the main reception space, which was lit with hundred of candles, decorated with soft greenery garlands and lush arrangements of white and cream seasonal florals. The escort cards hung on repurposed screens found in the barn, cow stanchions displayed the history of the family farm and the farm fresh appetizers were displayed on vintage doors. Old ladders hung with lights and florals to bring the eye up to admire the impressive barn beams. Guest tables were various styles, some long with garlands and tall centerpieces and some round with garden fresh floral compotes. Repurposed horse shoes were made into table numbers, nodding to Sara’s horse training career. The newlyweds dined at a vintage pine table from her childhood home and a rustic bench adorned with florals and greenery. With the dance party ending after 1 am, complete with live fiddler (Sara’s cousin, Carter Green) and cold drinks served at the groom’s hand made bar, they guests could relax in the straw bale lounge area. Sure to include their all of their passions, Sara and Jason were photographed by Rachel Pearlman with Sara’s horse and Jason’s old Chevy truck. The bride and groom, who I am blessed to call my dear friends, sure do know how to throw a great barn party!
Photography: Rachel Pearlman Photography | Floral & Event Design: A Garden Party | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Sung | Catering: Lapp's Dutch Market | Hair And Makeup: Your Day Your Way | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Private Family Barn | Ice Cream: Thomas Sweet | Sod: Coomb's Sod Farm