WeddingMagazine

Valerie and Kyle

It was like any other snowy, December Saturday morning, until I found a note from Kyle telling me of a surprise Christmas date. After lunch, hot cocoa, and a couple’s massage in St. Paul, we watched the Christmas tree light up in Rice Park. While sitting on a bench, Kyle got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! He then whisked me off, in the middle of a snowstorm, to a surprise engagement party with our family and friends.

The wedding ceremony and reception were at Mayowood Stone Barn. The setting had the unique, rustic feel we wanted. The ceremony took place beneath a beautiful, old oak tree. Blue mason jars filled with hydrangeas hung from the branches, and the ring bearer walked down the aisle holding a sign that said, “Here comes the bride.” Hand-painted, wooden signs directed guests from the ceremony to the social hour in the courtyard, where they enjoyed refreshments and games of bocce ball and croquet.

The barn was decorated with tall centerpieces for the reception. The stone archways and cobblestone flooring were accents. As guests entered, they approached the heritage table that held wedding photos of our parents and grandparents, which showed the great examples of loving marriages we’ve witnessed. On the table sat our “wish trees.” Instead of a traditional guest book, family and friends wrote wishes to us to hang on the branches. The tree is now displayed in our home.

The head table was an oval “King’s table” design, accented by mason jars that held the bridesmaids’ bouquets.  After the wedding party entered the barn, dancing to “Bust-a-Move,” the toasts began. For kiss requests, guests headed to the dance floor to hula-hoop, which determined how long Kyle and I would kiss. Everyone had fun, and it set the tone for the rest of the reception! At evening’s end, we lit the night sky with sparkler favors, paired with “perfect match” matchboxes. The personal touches we incorporated made our wedding day as unique as our venue. We truly got our dream wedding! 

BUSINESSES: The Creative Side (Wedding Planner, Décor & Floral), Mayowood Stone Barn (Reception),  Daniel’s Restaurant (Catering), Daube’s Cakes & Bakery, Gingerbread House (Desserts), Digital Sounds (DJ), and Unique Touch Photography