Chai & Alicia's Rustic Fall Wedding- Beech Springs Farm (Part 2)

...Continued from here. 

Menu cards (placed in pocket-folded napkins) and place cards! 

Loved the gold signs on the bride & groom's seats, and the hints of purple and green around the table. 

Also, the mismatched, unique flower arrangements around the barn. 

What Made This Celebration Unique?

I did a lot of DIY projects that contributed toward the overall picture of the day. It was also a unique venue, and I loved our bonfire at the end!!  We heard from a lot of people that they thought it was a fun, relaxing way to end the evening. 

We also thought having a small wedding gave us a lot of time to enjoy the people who were there, and we got more face time with everyone than we would have if we invited 100+ people. It was one of our favorite parts of the day. 

Clockwise from top: The venue had a sleigh for gifts, including a secure bird cage for cards. 

The couple's 'guest book' was a wooden puzzle and guests were asked to sign a piece. 

Family photos of weddings past, and family members who hold a special place in the couple's hearts.

This awesome purple backdrop was made by a friend of the bride, and was so cool! 

The barn had a trough that was turned into a soda cooler. Brilliant!

Not pictured: A sign on the bar saying that the couple made a donation to the Human Rights Campaign, in favor of the right to marry, no matter who you love. 

  

Alicia's dad toasting to the happy couple

What Was Your Favorite Wedding Moment?

For me, it had to be walking down the aisle with my dad.  My dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer before I was 8.  He underwent experimental treatment at NIH, and had an amazing oncologist (who also happens to be the uncle of one of my law school friends!).  He was given a very short time to live, and to have him there was the most amazing thing I could ever wish for. 

...and from the groom? 
I'd have to say seeing Alicia walk down the aisle by a long shot. It was definitely worth the wait. 

The view looking down from the reception

The dessert table was AMAZING, and the quilt in the background was made by Alicia's mom! 

There were so many special touches throughout this couple's big day and weekend. 

Since the dessert station was already set up when we came into the barn, a sign sitting in front said, 'Please do not touch until the wedding cake it cut!'.  The selection of desserts included pies, (a naked!) wedding cake, laddu (an Indian confection with lots of sugar) and coffee. Yum!

Panoramic photo taken and shared by the couple's friend, Rocky. Thanks!

I have the most comfortable, heart-warming recollections of the bonfire at the end of the night. After the reception was over, any remaining guests were invited to join the couple, the parents and the owners of the farm by the fire. A table was set up with water, beer, and s'mores ingredients including (wait for it...) peanut butter cups, cookies and cream chocolate, and the traditional milk chocolate bars. 

It was a delicious and deliriously sweet way to end the day. 

Note: We were thankful that the bride and groom told us about it in advance, so we could bring a warmer change of clothes. 

Vendors- 

We loved our photographer, DJ, florist and venue - especially our photographer(s).  

Melissa, our photographer, was supposed to be out on maternity leave, and so we had a sub shooter, Harmony Boore, who has her own photography business, Philter Photography . 

Melissa ended up being able to come (!) and we got lucky and had 3 photographers at our wedding! We LOVED Melissa and Jason with Melissa McClain Photography.  I really felt like Melissa, Jason and Harmony wanted us to have a great day, great photos, and lots of memories.  I never once felt like they were there because it was a job, or because they just wanted to make money in the wedding "industry." We are SO thrilled we picked them.

We also loved our DJ, G2 DJ Services (Mark and Adam). They definitely kept everyone on the dance floor, and they did a great job at entertaining everyone.  They were tons of fun, laid back, and arrived before our contract time because they "wanted (our) wedding to be perfect"! I thought they were awesome, and I really enjoyed them!!

Our florist was Greystone Flower Farm in New Oxford. Nancy was so sweet, and she did an AWESOME job on our bouquets and bouts.  I loved everything about my flowers, and she was great.  She listened to what I had to say, and created amazing flowers for our day!!

Lastly, our venue.  I cannot say enough amazing things about our venue.  Stephanie (the coordinator who works with BSF) was so sweet, helpful, and amazing!!! She did so much for us before, on our day, and even after.  I could not have been happier with Beech Springs Farm, Jayne Shord (the owner) and Stephanie.  Also, the bonfire after was part of our wedding package, and we had so much fun!  They also made our day very special, and I didn't feel like just another bride and just another paycheck.  They truly cared about us having a good day and having a great time.  We really lucked out with our vendors, and they made the difference between a good day and a great day!!

Photographed by Jason G McClain, Harmony E. Boore, & Melissa McClain

The beautiful antipasto display outside (festively decorated for Fall), the delicious pear gorgonzola salad, and the two entrees, Tuna Steak & shrimp, and the juiciest (beef) steak you can imagine, 

all grilled right outside of the barn. 

Catering: Fabios Events Catering

Dress: Renaissance Bridal 

Suit: Jos. A. Bank

Officiant: Joyce Shutt 

Hair: Serenity Salon & Spa of Gettysburg

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Gettysburg

Rehearsal Dinner: Fidler & Co. Craft Kitchen

Thanks, Chai & Alicia for sharing your big day, in person and on Wediquette! Thanks again, Melissa McClain Photography, and as always, we wish the happy couple the very best in their marriage and lives together!