When Bess and I first chatted about the barn wedding she and Alex would be having, I was struck by her contagious joy. Aside from being a genuinely happy and excited bride, she was also an incredibly trusting one! She told me that their day would reflect them as a couple. In her words, “a little bit redneck, but still classy and elevated — and of course, full of love.” Thanks to their beautiful photos from Inly, let’s relive their barn wedding day!
Getting ready and details
Bess and her girls popped champagne to start their morning. Her dress and bouquet were gorgeous and the photos of her getting the dress on with her mom are timeless perfection. Alex looked dapper in a three-piece tuxedo and bow tie.
Honestly, I just can’t get over how gorgeous Bess looked. Brides, remember that your happiness and calm demeanor shine through into your photos. If you want to look as radiant as Bess (because, duh!), then remember to not sweat the small stuff on the big day. You’ve hired a rock star team for a reason. Leave the logistics to them and just enjoy the time with your about-to-be-spouse.
Custom Invitations for this Barn Wedding
It was such a pleasure to design these custom invitations for Bess and Alex. She told me that she’s a horse girl (and Alex races cars), but that she didn’t want the whole invitation to feel equestrian. I painted a watercolor floral crest, and at the vey bottom, placed a painted horse shoe in it. The horse shoe was also on their wax seals.
Copper foil stamping created an elegant feel that also bounced light beautifully. This, in a modern calligraphy style, made for the perfect combination for this elevated barn wedding.
Along with the crest, I also painted their barn wedding venue, The Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since they were collecting replies online, this was the only insert card, but it was stacked with the painting face-up, as an added visual detail. Guests who were included for their rehearsal dinner got an additional dusty rose card.
The whole package was bundled together with a burgundy silk ribbon, perfect for fall! Their taupe envelopes were addressed by hand in the same modern calligraphy style from their invitations. This was done in navy ink, to pair with the navy text color from their invitation suite.
Commissioning a custom wedding invitation is easy. You can learn more about the custom process here. The first step is to fill out my custom inquiry form so I can provide you with an individualized quote.
Get my custom quote!Couple’s portraits, first look, private vows
These two lovebirds were simply magic in front of the camera. I’m going to let these images speak for themselves.
Wedding Party Portraits
I love that Bess’s bridesmaids wore a mixed combination of dresses within their blush, mauve, and dusty rose palette. The gentlemen all wore classic black, but it was SUCH a fun touch to add the mixed bow tie colors!
Ceremony
Barn wedding reception
Being announced in for their grand entrance as Mr. and Mrs!
To carry the horse shoe theme through to their big day, Bess set up an escort card wall with horse shoes with each person’s escort card. It was such a fun way to mix the stationery in with her theme. I also did a rustic chalkboard sign for their signature drinks, one named for his car, and the other named for her horse.
The tabletop design was beautiful, with rustic elegance through and through. Each person’s menu was personalized with their name, so it served as a place card as well.
Bess and Alex had me create custom cocktail napkins as well, with fun facts about them as a couple! Such a cute conversation starter for guests. Plus, they were also done with copper foil stamping! Their cake carried the copper accent from the invitation into the big day, too.
And can we talk about these gorgeous florals? I mean… that centerpiece! All the heart eyes.
Event branding is real and makes a difference. All the tie-ins from their invitation into the big day make such a significant impact. It shows your guests that you’ve really thought of everything! Want to have this caliber of thoughtfulness? Let’s chat!
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Bess and Alex, thank you for bringing me into the fold as a vendor for your special day. It was an honor to be a small part of your big life milestone. May you always look at each other with such tremendous, contagious joy. And may you always make out on the dance floor!
Barn Wedding Vendor Credits
Venue: The Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Photography: Inly Co. in Detroit, Michigan
Wedding coordinator: Nikki Johns Events in Orion Township, Michigan
Dress: Maggie Sottero design, purchased from Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor in Northville, Michigan
Florals: Jen House Design in Plymouth, Michigan
Custom invitation and day-of-wedding stationery: Leah E. Moss Designs (that’s me!)
Catering: Cutting Edge Cuisine in Ferndale, Michigan
Cake: Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Hair and makeup: Primp Beauty in Plymouth, Michigan