If you want a rustic wedding, chances are you are looking at a barn venue for your reception, and there’s no other season like fall to have a wedding with a rustic feel! Carissa and Gary incorporated all of the most beautiful aspects of fall, rustic barns, antiques, and country life into their October wedding at the Barn at Rayne Run in Marion Center. This venue is always great this time of year - especially because of the vibrant trees that run along the creek in the back of the property - and with the addition of the antique teal blue truck this year that was stuffed with mums and pumpkins for fall, it truly can’t get anymore beautiful.
It sounds strange to say this, but not all couples are as outwardly happy and excited as Carissa and Gary on their wedding day. Right before the first look, Carissa was literally bouncing up and down with excitement and she had a HUGE smile on the entire day - even during the “getting ready” phase which can be stressful for a lot of brides. I met these friends two years ago (she’s on the ball, seriously) and couldn’t wait for this day to come almost as much as them! I learned that they have been together for 6 years, and the proposal story was incredibly sweet with a very “Carissa” response! She tells it like this:
“Gary's proposal was the most perfect idea and complete surprise at the Fireworks on July 1, 2017. I really thought he wanted to get a "new profile picture for his Facebook page" when actually he had it set up so that my sister was getting pictures of the whole thing!! Considering I truly thought he was trying to have my sister take a profile picture, I told him to "shhhheeeeh! Kee is trying to get a picture!" when he started talking to me and telling me his proposal speech. He kept talking all while thinking "Is she serious?" and eventually just got down on his knee so I would realize what was going on... then I squealed, jumped, ran away (only about 3ft away), came back, and fell to my knees in front of him with complete and utter shock and excitement! Needless to say, a solid success!!”
All of that happiness, excitement, and kindness just radiates from them, and I especially love how family is so important to them. Carissa shared her “old, new, borrowed and blue” with her family members in a way to honor them and make them a special part of her day. She planned that “Something Blue is a sweet little hanky with adorable poem from my Mom that has a tiny blue bow and blue printed poem. Something Borrowed is my Granny Smith's pearl necklace. Something Old will be lent to me by my Gram Conrad but she tells me it is from my Pap Conrad who will be watching from Heaven. Something New is my veil which Gary's mother and my Mother - In - Law To Be, Theresa, bought for me.” Not only did she plan these sentimental details, but we captured photos of each family member sharing the item and a sweet moment with Carissa.
Admittedly, I anticipated the day to be a lot more hectic than it was, but with such sweet family and bridal party members, the convenience of everything being at the same location, a fantastic second shooter, and a couple willing to do a first look, the day went flaw.less.ly. Since we had a limited amount of time between the ceremony and the reception, and because we had a big family to honor with photo combinations, Carissa and Gary opted for a first look 2 hours before the ceremony start time. We were able to knock out the first look, nearly 50 family photos, bridal party photos, and couple portraits in an hour and a half! Once the ceremony ended and the receiving line was done, we grabbed a few more portraits with plenty of time to spare for bustling the dress, restroom breaks, and getting everyone placed for the DJ to announce them in!
We danced the night away in the elegant barn with its twinkle lights and chandeliers, and even snuck outside to a neighboring hillside for some sunset portraits. Needless to say, it was pretty much a perfect, stress free wedding day for all parties involved! This wedding’s sneak peeks are breaking the internet over on facebook, so you definitely want to scroll down to see a HUGE preview of their day below!
Vendor Team:
Photographer: Jill Stiffler | Jill Gearhart Photography
Second Photographer: Karen Plate | Karen Plate Photography
Venue: The Barn at Rayne Run, Marion Center, Pa
Gown: Stella York bought from White Lace Bridal, Indiana, Pa
Hair: Shear Stylin', Elderton, Pa
Bridesmaids Dresses: Morilee by Madeline Gardner bought from Rusted Rose Bridal, Kittanning, Pa
Florals: Flower Gallery, Indiana, Pa
Cake: Cheri's Cakes & Cruffles by Cheri from Brush Valley, Pa
Caterer: Flair of Country Catering and Event Planning, Corey and Mindi Crocco from Johnsontown, Pa
Favors: Homemade Apple Butter made and donated by Carissa's Grandmothers
DJ: Royal Heir DJ Services
