Backyard Barn Wedding | Savonarei + Matt
Here at Rustic Elegance, we specialize in backyard and barn weddings, so as you can imagine, we get pretty excited when a couple tells us they are planning a backyard barn wedding at their own home.
Our Backyard Package includes multiple site visits in addition to our usual planning meetings, which means we get to build a really strong connection with our backyard couples throughout the process. Savonarei and Matt were no exception. They were incredibly sweet, appreciative, and an absolute joy to work with. Their wedding truly felt like a dream to plan!
Lead Planner and Rustic Elegance owner, Kellie, worked with the couple primarily via Zoom, while also making a couple of trips out to their property in Baldwin, WI as part of our Backyard Package.
During the first site visit, we helped the couple map out the full layout of their day. We created a detailed plan that included the barn setup, tables, bar, catering area, ceremony seating, and more, along with a list of rental items needed to bring everything to life.
This package also includes Kellie being on-site the day before the wedding to prep as much as possible and help coordinate the setup of tables and chairs. Woodbury Event Rentals delivered everything, and the wedding party jumped in to help set everything up.
There is something so special about building a wedding from the ground up. We love transforming a blank canvas into a custom venue that reflects each couple’s personality, style, and love story!
Since the entire wedding party was already on-site, we also took the opportunity to run through a quick ceremony rehearsal so everyone could feel relaxed, confident, and ready for the big day.
THE MORNING
When the wedding day arrived, it was absolutely gorgeous! The days leading up to it had been cold and rainy, so a sunny 60-degree day felt like the biggest breath of fresh air. The couple had buried a bottle of whiskey upside down, which is a wives tale for good weather. It worked!
As our team worked on setting up the decor, we could hear chickens clucking and roosters crowing as they roamed the property. It created such a calm and peaceful atmosphere!
Inside the barn, we set up black tablecloths, floral arrangements, candles, wood slices, and childhood photos of the bride and groom. Outside, we arranged cocktail tables, made sure the lights were plugged in, and checked in with vendors as they arrived.
The groom’s sister’s family came in from Texas and jumped in to help, which meant so much. They were incredibly kind, and their two kids, Tressa and Jeffery, were especially helpful. Truly the sweetest example of southern charm and hospitality.
One thing we loved about Savonarei and Matt was how much they embraced their hobbies and the natural vibe of the property. The men’s attire reflected this perfectly. Their boutonnieres were made with bullet casings, and they wore big belt buckles, cowboy hats, and jeans.
Once Savonarei finished getting ready and slipped into her stunning gown from The Wedding Shoppe, perfectly tailored by Serenity Tailoring, it was time for the couple’s first look.
During their first look, they exchanged gifts and realized they had bought each other the exact same shotgun, just in different colors. The guns were later displayed behind the head table, which made for such a fun and meaningful detail!
Complete Weddings + Events captured a variety of photos throughout the morning, including couple’s portraits, group shots, and family photos. Their dog, Tibbers, even made an appearance in a few photos!
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony took place in the cutest little spot just to the side of the house. Kellie suggested the location, and it could not have worked out more beautifully!
We made sure guests were greeted as they walked in from the parking area, and the neighbors did an amazing job helping with parking. We love how the couple’s circle came together to celebrate their love!
Once everyone was seated, we lined up the wedding party and the ceremony began. Matt first walked in with the bride’s grandparents, then circled back to walk in with his own parents. One of the most fun moments was the beer boy, who made his way down the aisle to “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” while handing out beers to guests. It was such a hit!
Tibbers, their dog, also made an appearance walking down the aisle with a tie on. It was so cute!
Savonarei then made her entrance, escorted by her father, and she looked absolutely stunning!
The couple shared a beautiful ceremony filled with heartfelt words and meaningful traditions. One especially significant moment was when they stepped over a broom, a South African tradition. Historically, because enslaved people were not allowed to legally marry, jumping the broom became a way to symbolize their union. We love helping our couples incorporate traditions like this that hold such deep personal meaning.
Savonarei and Matt made their exit as husband and wife with an epic dip kiss at the end of the aisle. Pro tip, make sure to practice this before the wedding day!
As the wedding party recessed, our team quickly collected the bridesmaids’ bouquets to repurpose at the head table. The couple used our wood tables for the head table, which added the perfect touch of elegance while matching the rustic space.
While we transitioned ceremony decor to the barn entrance, guests pitched in by carrying their chairs inside. This was a huge help and assisted in guiding guests to the next location.
THE RECEPTION
While the couple took a few quiet moments to soak in those just-married feelings, our team delivered their drinks of choice along with some delicious appetizers, including hot link bites, pickles, and BBQ-dusted cheese.
Not long after, we invited guests to find their seats for dinner. Once everyone was settled, the wedding party made their grand entrance, followed by a heartfelt prayer from the father of the bride.
The DJ from Complete Weddings + Events kept the energy going with a fun, interactive dollar bill game, which was such a great way to kick off the evening’s festivities!
Old Southern BBQ’s incredible team then served a delicious buffet dinner. As guests enjoyed their meal, they listened to touching speeches from the father of the bride, father of the groom, mother of the bride, maid of honor, and best man. Each one was so meaningful!
Meanwhile, we set out the couple’s cutting cake from Cafe Latte, along with cupcakes and cookies from Hy-Vee. Once everything was in place, we invited the couple to cut their cake before guests made their way to the dessert table.
The couple then played the shoe game, which is always a guest favorite, before sharing their first dance. During the dance, Matt started singing into Savonarei’s ear and she began to tear up. Watching our couple’s love for each other never gets old!
This was followed by the traditional parent dances, then Complete Weddings + Events opened up the dance floor to get the party started!
After some time dancing, we gathered everyone outside for the couple’s sparkler photos. The images captured by Complete Weddings + Events turned out so fun!
From there, the celebration continued with fireworks lighting up the night sky, followed by more dancing and late-night pizza from Domino’s. The groomsmen then started a bonfire, and we set out s’mores supplies for guests to enjoy.
While the celebration continued, our team began packing up gifts and cards safely inside the house and consolidating decor onto tables for easy cleanup. Couples never regret adding our Clean-Up Package!
At the end of the night, we airdropped all of the behind-the-scenes photos and videos we captured throughout the day. As the couple looked through everything around 1am, they came across a video we took of their chickens with a few tiny chicks. They had no idea any chicks were due, so they ran outside to see for themselves and ended up building a coop the next day for them. We loved being able to capture such an unexpected and special moment for them!
And with that, it was a beautiful day out on the farm celebrating this sweet couple.
Savonarei + Matt, thank you for including us on your special day! It was an honor to work with you and your families. We hope married life has been nothing short of amazing!
Thank you to Complete Weddings + Events for sharing these great photos with us!
Backyard Barn Wedding Vendors
Wedding Coordinator: Rustic Elegance - Kellie and Danielle
Venue: Couple’s Backyard
Caterer: Old Southern BBQ
Late Night Snack: Domino’s
Dessert: Cafe Latte / Hy-Vee
Rentals: Woodbury Events Rental
DJ: Complete Weddings + Events
Photographer: Complete Weddings + Events
Dress Alterations: Serenity Tailoring
Bridal Gown: The Wedding Shoppe
Bathrooms: 5 Star Restroom Rentals
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol