Lest everyone think I’ve become a wedding designer in all of my spare time, I should share that I really don’t “do” weddings. A few months ago, a dear friend of mine called to tell me her daughter (and former youth student in our ministry) was engaged. This led to her asking if I would decorate for the wedding they would be hosting at their farm. There was no way I could say no. Her wedding was scheduled for the weekend right after the Lucketts Antique Market, so I knew May would be insane for me, but it was all worth it.
I have a long history with their property. When they first bought it, my husband was working on his degree, so we were living in his parent’s basement. (It was actually a really nice set-up and not as bad as it sounds!)To prevent cabin fever, I spent most Saturdays at their new farm…cleaning out the junk-filled barns, painting rooms, mudding dry wall, cleaning windows, anything and everything. My husband and I also “farm-sat” for them often and even spent one Christmas there. This place was the ultimate fixer-upper and this was the best family to do it. Engineering-minded guys, creative girls and the entire family of six had a sense of adventure and a work ethic to make it all happen, so their home has been a very literal labor of love. The wedding of their oldest daughter became a good excuse to fully clean out the “long barn”, which was formerly a “grease pit” and remodel the exterior of the 1908 homestead. The tired brick facade added sometime around the 1960’s was replaced with new windows and beautiful stonework. They did all of the work themselves and their children even designed and built the portico over the front door. The front of the house became the perfect backdrop for the ceremony.
In a corner of the driveway, we set up a gift table labeled by one of my hand painted banners strung between two plant hangers. We filled mason jars with wild flowers and lavender and put out a chippy farm table, French caned piano bench and a vintage child’s chair to place gifts on and around. An antique birdcage was later added to hold cards.
Family and friends had been working for months to clean out the long barn and make it usable for the reception. Large-bulbed lights and mismatched chandeliers were hung, Christmas tree lights were bundled in tulle and swagged around the roof line. The rugged concrete floor was power-washed and the sagging ceiling was reinforced. (This barn was filled with junk cars, bug eaten boxes, upholstered furniture ruined by animals and the elements and leftovers from an abandoned mechanic’s garage when they bought the place, so it was pretty amazing to see how pretty it could be.) Here’s what the “head table” area looked like Saturday morning when I arrived…
…and here’s what it looked like just before the wedding.
The entire wall behind the “sweetheart table” was covered in vintage sheet music. Several people took turns stapling it in rows on the wall. This provided a beautiful backdrop for photos and made their space extra special. An antique dresser mirror was hung and draped with German glass glitter letter banners with the couple’s names and wedding date. I also brought in my new dining chairs and a couple of silver chargers to make their table even prettier. I didn’t want to build up a large arrangement in front of the couple, so I stacked antique suitcases on the floor in front of them and created a focal point that way. Her bouquet became the floral arrangement when the ceremony was over.
Here’s the left side of the barn Saturday morning…
…and just before the wedding.
Sheet music and antique book pages were strung on bailing twine and hung from the rafters. There were some doubts on this one, but the crew of volunteers pulled it off and everyone loved it in the end.
And the right side…
…and right before the wedding.
The groom came in the barn when we were hanging all of the sheet music.
One of the volunteers asked him, “Are you worth all of this?”
“Not one bit, but she is.”
Good answer.
The centerpieces were made using ironstone, silver and china from my home and theirs. I mixed and matched it on each table to have one large, one medium and one small piece. For example…I would have a large silver champagne bucket, an ironstone creamer on a stone pedestal and a teacup. The florist arranged flowers in the largest piece on each table and the others were filled with wild flowers and loose blooms at the last minute. The flower arrangements were a mix of “store bought” flowers and hand-picked “weeds.” Small green apples, votive candles and a sheet music “doily” visually filled out each centerpiece. The overall look was pretty, but had the home-spun quality the bride wanted.
We used teapots, teacups, cloches, pitchers, antique scales, cake plates, stone pedestals, creamers, gravy boats, casseroles, bowls…just about anything that would look pretty.
The guests were served dinner on mismatched china gathered over several months and borrowed from friends. A piece of antique sheet music served as a place mat at each seat. I was jokingly going to put a song entitled “I Wish I Was Single Again” under the groom’s plate, but I resisted. Instead, I opted for the sentimental over the humorous and put songs about love at the couple’s table.
My gold leaf chalk board was rested at the entrance of the long barn. (A tutorial on how to make this chalk board will be posted on HGTV.com in the 2011 holiday season.)
I filled a large container with green apples and some artificial berries. A church birdhouse (bird sanctuary…get it?) sits next to it.
In front of the long barn/reception hall was a drink table with self-serve lemonade, tea and water. I printed the banner letters on white card stock, cut out the shape I wanted, backed them with antique sheet music and hung them on twine.
Drink tags were made for each guest and hung with clothes pins on twine. A rubber band would hold the name tag on a mason jar, which was to be used the entire night, and also assigned table numbers for the dinner.
The couple loves children, so it was important to them to make their wedding a place where little ones were welcome to play and have fun. A “play place” was set up with a “corn box” (a sand box filled with dried corn kernels instead of sand…it’s cleaner), some yard games, checkers, toys, bubbles, coloring books and wipes/hand sanitizer. As a mom of preschoolers, I really appreciated this space!
The rest of the farm yard was filled with seating areas and vignettes. Farm tables, chippy wood chairs, hay bales and benches were used to create those areas. Neutral gazebo tents were added for shade. A little tulle around the supports made them pretty.
I finished all of the decorating just in time to rush to the front of the house to see the vows.
The farm dog was unconcerned with all of the hub-bub.
To say this is a happy couple would be a gross understatement.
While the wedding party escaped for pictures, the guests were invited to enjoy refreshments and an evening on the farm.
The guests were soon called into the reception hall to welcome the wedding party and newlyweds and enjoy dinner that included fresh beef from their farm.
The cake was cut and the guests mingled in the yard as the sun was setting. Apparently there was dancing, the couple exited through a lane of sparklers and hand-made goat milk soap was offered as a favor for guests…
…but I missed all of that. My kids, who had been at the farm since that morning, had finally been pushed to the limit and were in melt-down-mode.
On the walk to our van, I couldn’t help but snap one final picture of the vintage car used to bring the bride to the aisle.
It was a beautiful evening and I was so honored to be a part of it and add the “icing” to an already amazing setting. So many people worked so hard for months to bring it all together and make this wedding one that could rival Will and Kate’s any day of the week.
130 Responses
Just another example of how a classy event doesn't mean oodles of cash. What a beautiful and memorable event–I wish I'd seen something like this when I'd gotten married….but, then, that was 25 years ago. Congratulations!
How perfect, unpretentious and what that special day should be all about. You never cease to amaze me. Bottle up some of that Mustard Seed energy and market it. Really beautiful..love the soap as a favor instead of the typical colored almonds that find their way to the trash in a couple of days. Simply perfect!
I DIE! That is just ridiculous perfect. I spy a little birdcage! Oh how different my wedding would be if it were today instead of 4 years ago…
I would want this. Just. Perfect! Best wishes to the Bride and Congratulations to the Groom!
Beautiful work, Marian! I absolutely love it all! 🙂
I've been looking forward to this blog. Thank you so much. To see your own collectibles in a new way, and to get a peek at a wonderful wedding, very special.
– Joy
As grandmother to 3 little boys, that was pretty much the sweetest comment I can imagine from the groom. "Not one bit, but she is."
I can go a long way just thinking about that.
Everything was beautiful! Thank you for the pictures.
Dreamy. It makes me want to have a wedding all over again. I so adore them outside!
What a wonderful wedding! Very creative things and they didn't cost a million dollars, but they looked like a million dollars!
Absolutely, one of THE most beautiful weddings I've ever seen!
Amazing Job!!!
Angie/Knick of Time on Etsy
i have no idea how you could have ever doubted that you were stuck when you were a new mom. you touch anything and it goes to simple perfection. this is without a doubt, one of the most stunningly beautiful wedding set-ups i have ever seen. congratulations to the lucky couple (and yourself for pulling off a mustard seed extravaganza).
thank you for sharing it all too.
wendy
I'm in tears.
It was just fabulous, and really needs to be in a magazine. Love the ironstone, and silver, with the mismatched tableware! Great job, but we didn't see you in your dress! Rest up, Marian! xoxo Debra
Wow …fantastic work! Oh how I wish you were around when I was married nearly 10 years ago!
Stacey of Embracing Change
What a beautiful job you did! I love everything from the barn to the sheet music. Pamela
perfect wedding and reception venue…..nothing better than a farm setting. it looks beautiful!!!
All your special touches made it so lovely! I'm sure this day will have many cherished memories.
Marian,
Thank you for sharing such a sweet fairy tale wedding. Such an intimate setting that is now part of the houses history.
Thank you for sharing.
Deborah
Beautiful!
How beautiful! You did an excelent job, all the details were perfect.
You are a very gifted woman!
Theresa
Beautiful job! What a blessing to the family!
Beautiful. You did an amazing job! I love the way you incorporated the sheet music into several decorative elements. God has really gifted you!
It looks like it was the perfect day. So romantic and everything so heartfelt. Thanks for sharing- your hard work made this a day they will never forget. It's incredible. Great job. : )
oh Marian! You OUT DID YOURSELF! I can only imagine how the family- and most importantly- the BRIDE, felt about this space you created. amazing. simply amazing.
wow! that is so beautiful. you did an amazing job. I wish that wouldve been my wedding!!
First of all this is GORGEOUS! But most importantly: "Not one bit—but she is" THAT's a true man & she got a GREAT one! Thanks for sharing & again-wonderful job!
-Kristi
@ Creative Kristi
StuNnInG….. sums it up!
Your pictures are beautiful, and capture the lovely occasion perfectly. Thanks for sharing them with us…well done!
Ahhhh. My son's wedding was much like this one. The funny thing is that our family had also had a wedding last year that spent HUGE amounts of $$$$. Guess which one the guests still talk about? That's right. Our simple simple wedding. It was truly perfect. Hats off to you, for creating one for your friend as well. Lori L. (abigstory.blogspot.com) (I have no idea why Blogger is calling me anonymous! ha!
I love every little bit of that wedding. I love weddings and in fact get to help out with a neighbors this weekend. It always amazes me how it all comes together in a matter of hours and the end result is divine. So, I think I will continue to collect ironstone and silverplate… you never know when it will come in handy.
Hi Marian,
What a perfect setting for the couples
big day. Everything looked just lovely, flowers, tables, sunshine and happiness. You are a natural story teller with all of your vinettes. Their stone house home, stunning…!
All the best,
Christine
What an incredibly gorgeous memory these two will have forever. I love all of the special touches you put on this occasion!
Wow, Marian! What an absolutely perfect wedding! All of your ideas were just amazing! Loved them all!! I'm hiring you for my next big shindig, girl! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Marian you are amazing! Love the transformation of the barn and grounds. And to have your children there as well to take care of at the same time~not easy. Very well done!!!
I'm speachless! This is such a beautiful wedding… so many wonderful ideas that I could borrow if one of my children decides to get married at our home. Thanks for sharing the bride and grooms wonderful day and your wonderful decorating!
~Chris
Absolutely beautiful! Makes me want to have a do over on my wedding and do it vintage style! You are so super talented..hope you are catching your breath for a few days! Many blessings to you!
I just want to say how beautiful everything looked. The groom's response was so touching and reflective of how a couple should feel about each other. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures and for everything you share and give to us. You are certainly an inspiration.
you're awesome, marian. way to save the world once again and help make incredible memories for this special couple.
soooooo romantic.
michele
I'm definitely sending this link off to my daughter! She will love the setting of this wedding day reception!
So nicely done!
*Maria
How gorgeous! You never fail to amaze (and inspire!) me!!! I love the simple elegance and unpretentiousness of it all – awesome! You did a fantastic job of creating a beautiful day for the couple. I'm sure they feel very blessed to have had you as a part of their special day. 🙂
Tonya
Wow!! This is was absolutely beautiful!! You really out did yourself!! I love every single last detail!! Gorgeous!! What a lucky couple to have such a talented lady as a close friend of the family!
Wow, what a beautiful wedding… It makes me want to get married agan. Do you think it would be weird to renew my vows after only 7 yars? lol
Une fête extraordinaire pour une occasion exceptionnelle… Tous mes voeux à ce jeune couple.
bisous
Absolutely beautiful! No need to say more! Love the drink name tags idea! The farm could be a great venue for other weddings!!
Blessings!
Flippin adorable! I will definitely use some of those ideas for my own wedding someday!
Lauralee
Spectacular! You did an amazing job! This is a dream wedding for many people, and I would love to get married (one day) in a similar setting. It has such a warm and cozy feel about it, and the whole setting fits with so many "styles" … rustic, country, cottage, and shabby chic. In fact, I think you out-shabby-chic'ed Miss Ashwell herself with this one!
You never cease to amaze! You could do extremely well if you ever decided to "do" weddings (with all your spare time, you know! LOL!). Everyone, especially the bride and groom, must have been over the moon with the wonderful job you did.
Best,
Kimberly
Wow Marian that is truly amazing…you'd better be careful, I think you might find yourself in hot demand as a wedding stylist now!
Now – a question – is tea, water and lemonade often the choice of drinks at weddings in your part of the world? I don't even see any bubbles for toasts in the happy couple's bubbly glasses, and to be honest was a little surprised. Maybe NZ'ers are just soaks, lol!
xx Karen
The decor is gorgeous! You did a fantastic job! Please come and take care of decorating for my daughters wedding, when the time comes!!! 🙂
Simply amazing! It looked absolutely perfect. (And your photos were magazine worthy.)
Wow! So lovely to look at and to read, beautiful wedding on a farm! Also love the nametags, thanks so much for sharing this, Maureen x
Marian, it is just exactly what I would love to have at my daughter's wedding… when that day comes. I tried the chalk paint and loved it. I mentioned your blog in my post about the paint. Blessings!!
http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/2011/05/annie-sloan-chalk-paint-french-bistro.html
What a precious wedding. Love it.
The setting and decor were beautiful but what I think is more beautiful than that is the admiration that you clearly have for this family. It was a very sweet thing that you did: by helping out and I am sure you will be rewarded 10 fold for this good deed. I had a small wedding and did everything myself from set-up, making decorations and invites to clean-up. It would have been a treasure to have had a friend like you to help me on this very specail day. God Bless…….. Kandy, kandybrookern@yahoo.com
Incredible! Absolutely gorgeous, i'm drooling and this means that you can do just about anything marian!!!! i'm so jealous!
Dream wedding! Seriously beautiful and all very meaningful- you did an awesome job.
What a beautiful wedding–love everything…great work!
You did an amazing job! I would have loved to be at that wedding….of course if I was I would have totally spent too much time looking at all the eye candy.
a dream!
A beautiful wedding! Loved the colors, the "theme", the whole feel of the wedding. You guys did a great job!
What a gorgeous wedding! What an amazing idea for farmers to rent out their spaces for weddings.
What an incredible wedding! And your attention to detail…I am blown away! My husband and I didn't have a wedding when we were married, but I would have LOVED this…simply beautiful! OK, maybe it wasn't so simple for you, but it LOOKS fantastically simple!
Are you sure you are not a wedding planner?! This was a royal wedding to me!!!! (Will & Kate)
What a great gift you have given this couple…
Good job!
Enjoy your week~Sue
oh my goodness…..gorgeous! i hope this ends up in a magazine somewhere!! congrats to the bride & groom!
Oh my gosh, how over-the-top gorgeous! Perfection in every way. This was such an enjoyable read, a feast for the eyes. Much happiness to the new couple!
what a stunning country wedding! wow. you turned an ordinary setting into pure MAGIC. I think you 'should' do weddings! This needed to be in Country Living magazine. Lucky couple! ahhhh young love! old love aint so bad either;), but young love is so new and sweet! lovely photos.
happy week!
joan
Amazing…. Love the inspiring ideas !!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love every little detail. And I love that weddings today are so personal and customized to match the personality of the bride and groom. So much more meaningful and memorable! Well done Marian. And warmest wishes to the bride and groom!
Looks so romantically perfect, what a gorgeous day and perfect scenery!!! May love endure all, for the new bride and groom!!!
You have been given such a beautiful gift from God. I am so glad you share it with the world. This sweet young couple are so blessed you shared it with them to give them a unique, memorable wedding. I would get married all over again (to my sweet husband, of course:) if you came and "Miss Mustard Seeded" my wedding! I think you found a backup if this furniture/blog empire doesn't work out.
Get some rest!
Brandy
Marian, what a BEAUTIFUL job you did. You are a true talent, my friend.
🙂
shaunna
love the sheet music everywhere…it gives everything such a romantic feel.
Makes me want to renew my vows!!! It is truly beautiful. Great job!!!!
I did both my daughter's weddings and both were amazing and exactly what they wanted. However, for me, should I ever have another wedding, this would be the absolute perfect venue. What a great job! I love everything you did simple and elegant what more could you ask for?
Ruby
Wow, it looks fabulous! You all did such a beautiful job! Looks like a wonderful day for everyone!
So beautiful. Very romantic and personal. Great job!
I am thoroughly convinced that you do not sleep! At least you didn't during the month of May. LOL
This is something that needs to be in Country Living; you are amazing. What a beautiful and lucky couple!
Congrats.
This wedding was so lovely and vintage. My daughter is getting married in a year, but she is going for classic and elegant. Thank you for your hard work and for sharing all the lovely before and afters.
Oh my goodness! It must have been the perfect day for that happy couple. You say you don't "do" weddings – methinks you should!!
Monica
How perfectly, perfect! What a beautiful country wedding. You should be so proud of yourself for a job well done… ~Laurie
This was absolutely beautiful! It almost (and I stress ALMOST) made me want to go through planning my daughter's wedding again. She got married last October, and we did a really fun "Fall in Love" theme with pumpkins, burlap, leaves, etc. for the reception.
Your ideas were creative, beautiful and practical and everything looks so homey and fun. The way you put this blog post together made me feel like a guest. Thank you so much for sharing!
Val
Beautiful and simple, who could ask for more? I'm bookmarking this one, maybe in 20 years my daughter will want something like this!
This is absolutely gorgeous! Sounds silly as I don't even know these people, but this brought tears to my eyes – what a sweet wedding! Love this farmhouse – would love to find something like this for my family, but it would have to be done because my family is definitely not the perfect family for a DIY project. it would have stayed the same as when we bought it 🙁 Thanks for sharing this sweet event!
I'm in love! It's my dream to have a wedding like this to photograph someday. Fancy hotels are nice but this wedding is all about heart. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a beautiful day!
FABULOUS!!! You did an awesome job!
Beautifully set! And I loved the answer the groom gave about was all the work setting up the wedding worth it. Priceless! What a guy. They both look so happy. I hope they are blessed with a long and happy life together.
~Monique
Are you sure weddings aren't part of your calling? Absolutely wonderful! 😉
Love the farmhouse chic! I wish I would have had that as an option when I got married 20 years ago. We just didn't think so out of the box in those days. 🙂 Love everything but especially how you used the sheet music throughout. Just gorgeous!
Absolutely beautiful! Goose bumpy! You are very talented, it came together perfectly. Hope you're squeezing in a little rest between kid's meltdowns! 🙂
Sheila
So incredibly beautiful! You did an amazing job girl!
Marian!
Thanks so much for sharing! It was beautiful…and wasn't it just one week after the Luckett's show? I hope you can take some time to breath…put your feet up…take a calgon moment or two! Blessings!
Martha
That was so fun! What a great, talented friend you are.
You are so incredibly creative, everything you touch becomes beautiful! What a wonderfully styled wedding! Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
I looked at it all and gave out a big sigh of AAAAAH! Creativity and imagination wins every time and you are something!!
Beautiful! It looks like it came straight out of a magazine. You did an AMAZING job. Love it all!
This is simple, elegant and stunning! You can style anything for me any day! Bravo!
Marion, hands down that was a beautifl wedding. You attention to detail and all the homespun touches the bride so loved show wonderfully. Loved the little background story too. Thanks for sharing with us.
This is just a unique and personal wedding! I'll bet that the bride and groom will cherish the memories of their fairytale wedding forever! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the stone facade on the house!
What beautiful pictures! They were blessed with beautiful weather and a friend like you!
Barbara
Transitions Home Design
Wow, that was like reading a beautiful photo spread out of "Country Living Magazine"! How fun to be a part and quite an instrumental hand in putting that all together. I bet that felt just amazing to see everyone enjoying themselves after all that love went into all those gorgeous details. Great work, and great memories for your family. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful, thanks for sharing all the details!
Oh, my goodness! My mouth is hanging open from the sheer beauty of the day! You did (as always) a brilliant job!
Simply spectacular!! Bravo, Miss.
Wow Wee, you must have been running on adrenaline! Everything is so lovely-what's killin' me are the eaten away boards at the floor line. I love all of the vignettes and I'm glad you showed us a couple and explained your method. Hugs, yet another MMS homerun!
I have to say, you transformed that barn! I note that you live in Virginia. I have lived there as well and know Lucketts is a treasure. I hope the wedding day wasn't hot and humid, but pleasant! After living in VA for 14 years I know what the weather can be like. Anyway, you did a stunning job! Thanks so much for sharing!
You are amazingly talented. I just love the mix of rustic and fancy! Everything looked liked it belonged and was so interesting to the eyes. What a feat!
Um……you have amazed me yet again! I think it's time for you to have your own show – or at least a book – I would buy one!! What a beautiful wedding it turned out to be, you are one busy lady! And, I can definitely appreciate the "melt down mode" haha!
Take care!
Rachael 🙂
Just wanted to know if you purchased the cream and white bird sanctuary (charch) from Chartreuse??? If so, you purchased it from me. I've never seen it look more beautiful! If it is from me, The Robin's Nest is proud and honored to play a bit part in such an amazing and truly magical event. Well Done!!
What a lovely wedding! I love every single thing about their reception area–makes me want to get married all over again. Almost…
I love your blog and I LOVE this wedding! I would like to know the font that you use for your banners in the wedding pics. Thanks!
childers.rhonda@yahoo.com
Incredible job!
GORGEOUS!! I'm adding this post to my "inspiring weddings file." Love it all!! 🙂
absolutely gorgeous! so many pretty things and a great lot of ideas.
Beautiful!!! It was a joy working with you!!!!
Holy gorgeous, Marian! I just love the barn boards behind the wedding table that have been weathered & worn away over time. What a beautiful backdrop and such rustic charm! Everything is so simple and elegant. Beautiful bride too. Thrilled to see my little je t'aime tag on that cloche. Aw. Thanks, girl! Get some rest!
Just Beautiful !! Looks like everything was done with lots of love .
Stella
Serene. Gorgeous. You should post even more photo's – the details are fantastic! I dream of owning a home someday with a space like this for entertaining and holding fabulous sales. You are such a blessing to those newlyweds.
The wedding was gorgeous and amazing, but my favorite part was the groom's quote about his bride. So romantic!
I love this! What a wonderful wedding!
What an exciting wedding! I like to try that goat soap too. The decorations are fantastic!
Marian, the farm family told me about your blog, so here I am. The details and before/after pictures that you have here are fascinating. When you show up at a wedding, one rarely knows all the work that goes into it. I had visited the week before to see the long barn empty and power washed. I was blown away! It took years to clean out just part of that barn to have room for the hay they stored in there. Now it was as spotless as a barn could possibly be. Not even a cobweb! Your touches turned it into a wonderland. Amazing transformation. You truly have a gift for decorating. I would have loved sitting at every table just to study each centerpiece.
First the wedding was beautiful!!!! Second, i was wondering if the bride and groom have been in ohio lately? Did they maybe attend Cedarville University? You see, I attend a church in Lebanon, ohio and I swear I have seen them there often…maybe I'm just crazy.
i love this and would love to do a similar idea with your drink table except we are going to use an old wooden wagon. how did you attach the rubberbands to the paper for the drink tags?? Everything about this is so pretty!
Almost makes me want to get married all over again 😉 What a peaceful and comfortable reception! You did such a beautiful job, I love it all!
Lovely wedding! I was wondering about the floor cloth covered with letters. I can’t tell much about it from the photo, but is that something you made? It looks like it might be rattan or bamboo, can’t tell. It is gorgeous, so if you could disclose either where you bought it, or how to make it, I would be delighted. Thanks for a glimpse into this wonderful wedding. Judy @ Distressed, But Not Forsaken on FACEBOOK