Caitlin & Jeff

September 8

Ontario, Canada

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From the Photographer:

“I was very excited to shoot Caitlin and Jeff’s wedding knowing that it was going to be just a little different than the traditional. We eagerly arrived early afternoon at the family farm, and we knew immediately we were in for a treat from how calm everyone was, even the dogs, who greeted us. The ceremony was held on the front lawn – the location held a special place in the couple’s hearts. Caitlin and Jeff arrived at the outdoor reception in a candy red vintage ford. By then, the clouds had lifted, guests mingled amongst the hand-picked and crafted vintage decor and the tent was glowing with garden lights, colorful bunting,  hay bails, and eclectic seating at each table.

There was a certain magic in the air that evening that I can’t really describe, you could feel the love. It was  like we were attending a long overdue family reunion more than a wedding and thats the way Caitlin and Jeff wanted it. Guests were treated to a superb meal from a local catering company buffet with an build your own appetizer burrito station, to endless gourmet salads and corn on the cob to top it off. It seemed like the buffets went on forever.  A homemade pie station ended the perfect meal.

After dinner, everyone’s hearts filled up with touching speeches (I think the photographers even cried!), we saw people hugging, smiling, and lots of watery eyes.  A little fire pit outside kept people cozy while everyone danced without any hesitation. You could hear the laughter and guests singing out loud until it was time for us to wrap up and head home. We ended the night with one last shot – the bride and groom in a bohemian tent under the stars. Everything was perfect.” – Clint Russell of Renaissance Studios Photography

Searching for a wedding venue is all about finding a spot that matches your personality and style. We’ve interviewed hundreds of brides over the years about how they found their wedding sites, and wanted to share a few of them with you to provide some inspiration as you begin your venue hunt.

Photo by Evin Photography

“We chose to have our wedding and reception at my parents’ home because of the beautiful backdrop and landscape that was already present. We wanted an intimate setting with all our close family and friends , so it was absolutely perfect,” -Ashlie, married May 19 in her parents’ backyard in Tennessee. View more photos from this wedding

Looking for a wedding venue that fits your needs can be one of the trickiest (and unfortunately, stressful) parts of wedding planning. Happily, once you’ve booked your venue, the rest of the planning process will fall into place easily (we promise!). But how do you even start searching for a wedding site? First, you’ll need to pick what venue “style” most suits your personality. Here’s a mini-glossary of wedding venue types to help you get started. And don’t forget to check out our Vendor Reviews to find the perfect wedding locale near you.

Photo by Anna and Spencer Photography

Ballroom: Want a wedding that’s grand, elegant, and formal? There’s nothing like a richly appointed ballroom. Ideal for black-tie weddings with a big guest list, ballrooms (either in hotels or other historic sites), often have in-house catering and rentals to make the planning process a snap. But it’s important to note: When choosing a color scheme for a ballroom wedding, you’ll have to take the room’s permanent fixtures into account – from the carpeting to the chandeliers to the wall color. You wouldn’t want your flowers and other decor to clash with what’s already there.

Liz & Ryan

October 20

Cleveland, Georgia

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

The scenery/setting itself is breathtaking. It’s the most magical place. We fell in love from the second we drove through the gates and saw the pasture.

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. The personal touches Ryan and I put into it. We were inspired by Pinterest to make several things that really made our wedding special. (favors, signs, pictures, etc.)
2. Our cake topper! It was my gift to Ryan and featured our two dogs. He was shocked, and it was perfect.
3. The band we hired, The Geeks! They were amazing, and thanks to them, everyone had the best time.

3. If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

Plan your wedding together and really enjoy it. Remember it is your day, not anyone else’s. We paid for our whole wedding (hence, the long engagement), so we didn’t include anyone else in the planning or ask for any opinions along the way, and it really helped make the process less stressful and fun. The day was really about us and was exactly what we wanted.

4. Give us the one moment from your wedding that you cannot stop thinking about.

For me, it was riding up in the carriage while the bell was ringing, everyone turning and looking at me. I was already holding back tears when I looked to the end of the aisle and saw Ryan, who was also choked up. It was an incredible moment. Just as special to Ryan and I both was the father/daughter dance I shared with my dad, who is paralyzed. He was paralyzed four and a half years ago, so that moment really meant a lot to us. There wasn’t a dry eye during that dance, and I will forever cherish it.

Jeramy & Josh 

September 22

Paola, Kansas 

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

There’s really not one thing. The farm belongs to a member of my extended family. We knew that it was a beautiful, unique setting, and that we would be able to make the day exactly what we wanted it to be.

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. My brother is a judge and performed the wedding.

2. The great food and cocktails: bbq smoked on-site, handmade juices, macarons and bitters

3. The farm atmosphere: cows and horses roaming in the pasture, cowboy boots, a bonfire to end the evening and the band!

3. If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

It sounds cliché, but do it for you and not for them. You can’t please everyone, so figure out what will please you and get as close to that as you can. If you create a wedding that reflects who you are as a couple, everyone will have a great time and great memories.

4. Give us the one moment from your wedding day that you cannot stop thinking about.

We took some time toward the end of the day, as the sun was setting, to walk out into the pasture and take some pictures. It was the first time we had to ourselves all day, and we had freedom to be a bit silly.