They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, and today’s couple must be extremely lucky! With simple and chic details, it is easy to love this backyard barn wedding captured by Michelle Lea Photographie. With the rush of a sudden storm, the outdoor ceremony was quickly moved inside with help of friends and family and this couple took it in stride as they said their vows over the roar of the storm. They included meaningful details and really put the focus on their commitments to each other, resulting in a wedding day filled with charm, joy, and love.
We did everything on our own, and researched a lot of venues, but most were too expensive. Looking for a more rustic and indoor/outdoor feel, we ended up deciding on a barn in a friend’s front yard for the ceremony and reception. The plan was to have the ceremony outside with a backdrop of a quaint pond and magnolias, then the reception would be inside the barn.
My necklace was given to my grandmother by on grandfather on their wedding day. My grandfather passed away about a year ago, and in a strange, roundabout way, his death is the reason Caleb and I met. The bracelets were heirlooms from my mother-in-law and a bridesmaid’s and her mother’s.
Jokingly, I always said that my style for the wedding was rustic sassy. Colors I chose for decorations and flowers were gold, glitter, cream, blush, and other neutrals and pastels. The bridesmaids were to choose any blush or champagne dress they wanted. Groomsmen were to wear light gray pants, and we purchased navy ties as part of their gifts.
Looking back on our wedding, our first look was one of the sweetest moments of the day. The rain hadn’t yet begun and seeing each other alone (besides photographers, of course) was so calming.
So, I’ve lived in Knoxville my whole life and don’t believe I’ve ever seen the amount rain that began to (and continued) fall about two hours before the ceremony. Our friends and family moved everything inside, and we perfectly said “I do” inside the intimate barn while thunder and white sheets of rain came down outside.
We both agree another favorite moment was when we were saying our vows and the minister had to yell over the rain and thunder. The thought of what we committing, being surrounded by people who love us, and the intimacy of the rainy barn was overwhelming.
The centerpieces were made by mother and aunt, with wood cut my dad. My mother also arranged the flowers on the tables. The bread for communion was baked by Caleb’s childhood Sunday School teacher.
All of the cake stands and knives were heirlooms of my mother, grandmother, and other important women in our lives. The cross used as a focus for the ceremony was from Caleb’s family church. And, the communion set we used was Caleb’s grandfather’s who is a retired minister.
The most important things to us while we were planning were definitely sticking to the budget and not losing focus. All options we chose felt like they were the most affordable. However, it was difficult. Convenience definitely costs more money. Also, we kept our focus by reminding ourselves we were just planning a worship service and a party to celebrate with our friends and family.
Photography | Michelle Lea Photographie | Florals | Sevier Blumen | Catering | The Brown Bag Catering | Cakes | Mountain View Bulk Foods | Rentals | All Occasions Party Rentals | Invitations | JWalker Boyd | Dress | David’s Bridal | Shoes | Anthropologie | Hair & Makeup | Kellie Taylor | Ceremony Musician | Kyle Tallman | Reception Music | Kent Oglesby
