WeddingMagazine

Sabrea and Jason

Jason and I had been traveling around the country together for years with our jobs when he decided to propose. It was a warm September day in St. Louis, and we had just gone to the top of the Arch. As we came down and were making our way back through the park, he suddenly stopped me and got down on one knee. It was the most amazing feeling to know that someday we would be starting a new life together.

We had a long engagement, and with all the travel, planning the wedding seemed to get put on the back burner. We never really gave it much thought; I just knew that I wanted it to be outdoors. As long as our friends and family were there, that was all that mattered, so that is where we started.

Since travel is such a huge part of who we are, I decided to include details that would reflect that. We used pictures we had taken over the years as part of the centerpieces on the tables and for our guests to take as favors. We marked a huge mounted map with pushpins to designate all of our stops along the way and placed it above the gift table so everyone got to “see” the life we had created over the years.  It was wonderful to see our guests enjoy those visuals.

Justin Trails Bed and Breakfast Resort in Sparta was the perfect setting for our day. It has a casual atmosphere that allowed us to take advantage of the beautiful trees and gardens as well as the old barn and cabins. Maranda Schreier, our photographer, was able to show all of the beauty that the day had to offer in her photos. I had asked her to incorporate the surroundings, and she did an amazing job capturing all the moments that mattered most, even in the unrelenting heat of that July day!

In the end, we decided to keep everything simple and focus on the commitment being made and the friends and family that came to share it with us. The outdoor setting, decorating the tent, the food from Rooster Andy’s, and the cupcake wedding cake from Linda’s Bakery all helped create the atmosphere we wanted. We loved that our whole day was personal. It felt like we were having a big party in our own backyard.

BUSINESSES: Linda’s Bakery (Cake), Rooster Andy’s (Catering), Justin Bed & Breakfast (Reception and Ceremony), Nelson Agri-Center (Tent/Rentals), and Maranda Schreier Photography