August Outdoor Wedding in Minnesota | Kate + Caleb
As wedding coordinators in MN who specialize in barn weddings, we have a lot of experience at our local venues. One of our favorites is Hidden Meadow and Barn, where Kate and Caleb celebrated their August outdoor wedding!
Rustic Elegance Owner and Lead Planner Kellie handled the planning alongside the bride, her mother, and the groom's mother. They were all super detailed, which made our job easy and so fun! We couldn’t wait to pull off this Sunday wedding for their crew.
THE MORNING
As Kellie and Natalie from our team arrived on-site, they began going through the labeled decor bins that the family had set out. We got right to work setting up all of the couple’s decor, along with the table numbers and s’more sign they rented from our inventory.
Around the same time, Studio B Floral arrived to set up all the colorful flowers for the day. We loved the variety of colors in the bouquets which also tied into the mismatched bridesmaid dress colors!
Meanwhile, the wedding party was busy getting ready in their respective cottages. The ladies were joined by their amazing glam team, which consisted of Hair by Autumn Taylor and Makeup by Purtle.
Once the guys were dressed, we popped into their cottage to pin on their boutonnieres. Studio B Floral’s boutonnieres are always the easiest to pin on (and they’re so pretty)!
Kate then completed her stunning look by slipping into her bridal gown from Our Shop Bridal before heading off for her first looks. She started with her bridesmaids, then her dad, and finally, her groom!
After the wedding party made their way around the property for a few photos, we pulled everyone aside for a quick day-of rehearsal to ensure everyone was ready for the ceremony. We love doing rehearsals the day of the wedding so that everyone gets to practice at the actual ceremony location while keeping everything fresh in their minds before the big moment!
Our team was also keeping a close eye on the time so that we could take the couple’s special ceremony surprise out of the cooler at the exact right moment. ;)
THE CEREMONY
As guests arrived, they gathered at the meadow ceremony site. The easel and welcome sign that the couple rented from our inventory greeted them, along with the usher, Jake, who handed out programs. A friend of the couple played live music, creating the perfect ambiance for the lead-up to the ceremony.
Once everyone was seated, our team queued the processional. This consisted of Caleb and his parents, the grandparents, and 5 bridesmaids and groomsmen. Once they all entered, usher Jake and Natalie from our team closed the ceremony doors. Kellie took this moment to fluff Kate’s dress before the doors were re-opened for the bride’s grand entrance. We always love a dramatic door-opening reveal!
The couple then shared a beautiful ceremony with so many special details. One of our favorites was having the moms walk down the aisle together to light the unity candles before taking their seats.
Once the couple shared a long-awaited kiss, they surprised their guests with a butterfly release! Butterflies are special to Kate because she used to work for the company that operates the butterfly farm these beauties came from. Such a unique and memorable experience! We were so glad the couple had Beyerlefilms on site to capture the moment on video.
THE RECEPTION
As guests exited the ceremony site, they said a quick hello in the receiving line before making their way to cocktail hour. Everyone enjoyed passed appetizers, drinks, and yard games provided by the venue.
Once the couple had greeted each guest, they made their way to the bridal suite to sign their marriage license. Our team had a plate of appetizers and water waiting in there for them so that they could take a moment to themselves to soak in that just-married feeling!
Meanwhile, our team worked on cleaning up the ceremony decor, including moving the arch pieces to the head table. We love helping couples repurpose their floral decor throughout the day!
It wasn’t long before we asked guests to be seated for dinner. The wedding party made a fun entrance, followed by the couple, who kicked things off with a lightsaber duel!
Once everyone was seated, the father of the bride said a quick welcome and Caleb said a prayer before inviting guests to enjoy the delicious buffet from River Valley Catering.
Our team then set out the cakes from Cream of the Cakes and a few of the couple’s friends helped cut and serve the dessert. They all looked so yummy!
After the cake cutting, the couple went outside with Emma Rose Photo for a few sunset portraits. It was beginning to get a bit overcast, but the photos still turned out so fun!
When the couple returned, we kicked off the first dances. Kate and Caleb shared a choreographed dance to Mia & Sebastian's Theme Song, followed by the traditional parent dances.
Soon after the couple finished playing the shoe game and the venue started a bonfire, it began to rain. So many of the guests embraced it and ran out to dance in the rain together while Black Iron Entertainment played the tunes. It was such a sweet moment to witness!
Our team spent the remainder of the evening cleaning up the decor as part of the Clean Up Package the couple added to their services with us. The fun wrapped up by 9:30, just as it started to really storm. It was the perfect, cozy way to wrap up a wonderful day of celebration!
Kate + Caleb, you two and your families were a pleasure to work with. Thank you so much for the appreciation you all showed our team. It makes us love what we do even more!
Shoutout to Emma Rose Photo for sharing these amazing photos with us!
Vendors for this August outdoor wedding in MN
Wedding Coordinator: Rustic Elegance - Kellie + Natalie
Venue: Hidden Meadow and Barn
Caterer: River Valley Catering
Ceremony Music: Friend of the couple - Tobias
DJ: Black Iron Entertainment
Florist: Studio B Floral
Photographer: Emma Rose Photo
Videographer: Beyerlefilms
Dessert: Cream of the Cakes
Hair: Hair by Autumn Taylor
Makeup: Makeup by Purtle
Bridal Gown: Our Shop Bridal
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol