Kelly & Paul: Meadow Barn Wedding
When a couple chooses Friday the 13th for their wedding date, I am already in love!. First, I got married on a Friday the 13th and second, it tells me that the couple is going to be all in for unique and one of a kind ideas.
Kelly & Paul let me know from the very beginning that they wanted their wedding to be uniquely theirs. Traditional elements weren’t high priorities, but they still wanted to embrace the significance and importance of this big step. So, how do you “marry” non-traditional and traditional wedding features? Follow Kelly & Paul’s example!
Our process began with some discussions about the details and elements of the day that they did want to incorporate. All of my work with couples starts with a handful of guideline questions that give me insight into their priorities and wishes for the day. These questions also allow me to make sure that we stay true to those priorities throughout the planning process.
Leaning into the organic details of a fall, Friday the 13th wedding helped guide many of our decisions. Kelly chose to emphasize the fall colors and style of her gorgeous venue, the Meadow Barn at Country Orchards. Décor and floral were not high on Kelly’s list of priorities, so we let the venue’s natural beauty shine, with the small addition of sheer drapes throughout the Barn. This added a visually romantic element and softened the wood interior of the Barn. A ladder display for the cupcakes, some stuffed black kittens and an open umbrella were small touches that subtly played on the Friday the 13th theme. We also played into the theme by using a cracked glass gold vase for centerpieces. All custom touches, but not so “thematic” that the couple will look back with regret in 5 or 10 years.
Focusing on the celebration aspect of the entire wedding weekend was another guiding principle. Kelly and Paul’s guest list came from all over the country to join them in their hometown, Sioux Falls wedding, and we really wanted to showcase the best of Sioux Falls for their guests. Hosting a cocktail party welcome dinner at the Falls Overlook Café was a must for Kelly & Paul. When brainstorming ideas for an ideal location, I tossed this option out and once they took a look, it was a done deal. Keeping the evening casual with heavy appetizers and widening the guest list to include any one who wanted to stop by allowed Kelly & Paul to clock some quality time catching up with friends and family and introducing the two groups to each other. They kept the fun going with an after party at Wiley’s, a nod to where they met.
When the wedding day rolled around, Kelly & Paul showed off their personalities again by mixing hilarious pranks with amazingly sentimental moments. It is that authenticity and focus on what makes your love story one of a kind that sets a wedding apart. The delicious food trucks and a surprise reception dress change ensured that this wedding will be one their guests remember with a smile for years to come.
Vendor Team
Planning & Design: Plan to Party - Venue: Meadow Barn at Country Orchards - Photography: Corey Gross Photography - Videography: AJ Production Company - Catering: Backyard BBQ Food Truck and Kabob King Food Truck - Rentals (ladder): Prairie Lane Vintage Rentals - Dessert: OhMyCupcakes! - DJ: Pinnacle Productions - Hair & Makeup: Platinum Imagination - Rehearsal Venue: Falls Overlook Cafe - Rehearsal Catering: Chef Jeni
