After a long stretch of no weddings, we are back on the invitation lists again! This summer, I had the pleasure of attending two wonderfully unique receptions.
The first was the daughter of a good friend, who also befriended Middle Child the last few years, which made her an extra special person to me. The wedding took place on a Christmas tree farm. It was a beautiful set up, with rows of evergreens in the background, and a simple wooden cross that served as the altar. The bridesmaids wore cowboy boots with their dresses and the groomsmen wore khakis and shirts/vests that matched the dresses, so it was a bit informal. Afterwards, we headed to the 'barn' behind us. Barn receptions have been the rage for the past few years, so it was fun to finally go to one. This is what the inside looked like:
There were rustic centerpieces and mini mason jars filled with mints. There was an open bar along with appetizers that included deviled eggs and mini chicken and waffles. The dinner was down home delicious: barbeque chicken, pork and beef, potato salad and macaroni and cheese. What REALLY took the cake, was that there was no wedding cake, but this:
When we turned the corner after walking in and saw this, I can't even tell you how flipping excited my family was! We LOVE our donuts!!!! I was a little concerned about the small display, however, as that didn't seem like nearly enough . . . fortunately, the servers kept coming out to restock the table! The donuts were awesome and my friend insisted we take a few home, cuz that's how much she loves me - LOL!
Later in the summer, a friend of mine got remarried. The reception was a dinner cruise on Lake Erie. We set sail westward for an hour and a half and then turned around. After eating, there was dancing on the second floor of the boat, or you could head to the top for an open air view. It was a gorgeous evening on the water. Here are some photos my husband took:
The first was the daughter of a good friend, who also befriended Middle Child the last few years, which made her an extra special person to me. The wedding took place on a Christmas tree farm. It was a beautiful set up, with rows of evergreens in the background, and a simple wooden cross that served as the altar. The bridesmaids wore cowboy boots with their dresses and the groomsmen wore khakis and shirts/vests that matched the dresses, so it was a bit informal. Afterwards, we headed to the 'barn' behind us. Barn receptions have been the rage for the past few years, so it was fun to finally go to one. This is what the inside looked like:
Later in the summer, a friend of mine got remarried. The reception was a dinner cruise on Lake Erie. We set sail westward for an hour and a half and then turned around. After eating, there was dancing on the second floor of the boat, or you could head to the top for an open air view. It was a gorgeous evening on the water. Here are some photos my husband took:
View of Cleveland as we were heading back.
Watching the sun set over Lake Erie on the back of the boat.
An amazing sunset looking out to one of the lighthouses.
Gritty, but still beautiful.
An area known as 'The Flats,' home of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and docking area for the many boaters.
Exiting the boat with Terminal Tower lit up for the fourth of July in the background. Home sweet home!
Both appear to be nice events. Can't beat a boat, but the barn looked nice. My niece wedding a year ago included mason jars as beer pitchers at the reception.
ReplyDeletePeople have really become creative with the mason jars!
DeleteLove those dinner cruise trips.
ReplyDeleteI think it was only my second time eating on a boat. I'm lucky to never feel seasick!
Delete"the wedding took place on a Christmas tree farm. It was a beautiful set up, with rows of evergreens in the background, and a simple wooden cross that served as the altar. "
ReplyDeleteOMG...I absolutely LOVE that idea. And how original!
I also love the idea about having donuts instead of wedding cake! And really like the rustic centerpieces, mini mason jars, and he blue door used as a table - that is SOOOO clever!
And how beautiful are those views from the boat!
"Gritty, but still beautiful."
I agree, there is some so beautiful about gritty!
Thanks for sharing, my friend. And have a super weekend!
X
I love an outdoor ceremony, but I just don't trust the weather enough to have had one myself and my oldest daughter felt the same way. Thank goodness for Pinterest for all those ideas! LOL!
DeleteWe were blown away by the views and the absolutely perfect temperature that evening!
A private boat trip with family and friends is always fun. We arranged one on the Thames for my mother in law's 80th birthday and there was a great atmosphere, everyone just gabbing away and enjoying the scenery.
ReplyDeleteThe donuts look tasty indeed. If you sampled all of them, you must have put on a pound or two!
I bet a cruise on the Thames is unbelievably fantastic! How fun!
DeleteI limited myself to two donuts. It was difficult!
Both look like great times. But wow, that was a lot of donuts if they kept replenishing them. Barn receptions do seem to be the rage. Not sure why, maybe the cows need the money? lol
ReplyDeleteI think people got tired of the formality of restaurant and banquet places. It was nice to have something other than chicken or pasta.
DeleteWe were at a barn reception a few years ago (more like a pole barn, but still had that 'rustic' ambience). Delightfully unique. Ours had a cake. . . ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd beer. Lots of beer. . .
It was hot, so I do believe plenty of beer was had. I stuck with Chardonnay.
DeleteIt looked beautiful and I love the donut display. I love donuts too. Loved the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! Donuts are in my top 10 favorite foods. Close to the top!
DeleteBarn weddings ARE the rage these days! One of my former co-workers went into business for herself as a wedding planner for barn weddings.
ReplyDeleteThe wedding cruise sounds like a fantastic idea, too!
Sounds like a fun job!
DeleteA Christmas tree farm... How about that. The bridesmaids wore cowboy boots... I like the sound of that. Gritty, but still beautiful... That's what my ex used to call me.
ReplyDeleteHi Bijoux.
How are you?
It's not a look I'd care to pull off, but I'm no longer in my 20's.
DeleteNow that was a trip for the ages!
ReplyDeleteA trip down the aisle?
DeleteI'd have especially liked the cruise. That sounds like fun and there's nothing like sunset on the water.
ReplyDeleteWe made triple chocolate cupcakes for our wedding. The cakes you get at bakeries often look gorgeous but taste bland.
It was an especially beautiful evening.
DeleteWow, I like that donut wedding. It's great to take an informal approach to weddings and other such events. And that dinner cruise reception looks great!
ReplyDeleteI thought the donuts were clever.
DeleteHow fun with the weddings! I think people are getting more clever as time goes on with how they plan them. I would definitely like that donut one myself :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Do you prefer raised or cake donuts :)
DeleteWe've somehow hit the wedding lists again as well. very interesting changes to them these days, the ceremonies are getting crazy-short (we attended one that went 15 mins, another that ended after 5!!) but also have noticed the receptions are not the nutty over-the-top expensive messes they had become for a couple decades. These have been less formal, less scripted, and mostly actually worth the time spent.
ReplyDeleteWe feel the same way, though I've always thought ceremony was short, unless Catholic.
DeleteBack when I was solid in doing wedding sound/music at former church there were regularly ceremonies that pushed an hour, a couple even beyond. Kinda made me crazy because the extra longs ones just threw in junk they'd seen somewhere and usually little of it 'fit' together.
DeleteI just LOVE, love, love weddings! And it does seem to go in spurts doesn't it? For a few years there are no weddings and then all of a sudden, BAM! Weddings galore.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love farm weddings. I find them so charming. Love the barn reception. My husband's cousin got married on a farm with a barn reception and it was a huge hit because that side of the family came from a huge farming family. Thirteen kids! Lots of farmers!
Looks like you had fun at two lovely weddings!
It was certainly a lot of fun. They had some neat games set up like a giant Jenga, and cornhole, of course!
DeleteGreat weddings. I've photographed a few, but yours looked REALLY great. I particularly liked the sunset pictures. How cool.
ReplyDeleteThank you and thanks for stopping by!
Delete