As backyard wedding coordinators in MN, we love everything about turning a meaningful, everyday space into a beautiful venue. Weddings like these also require our Backyard Package, which involves extra meetings and trips to the wedding site. It was so fun getting to know Nicole, Justin, and their families during this process!

Lead Planner and RE Owner Kellie did most of the planning with Nicole via Zoom. She was so organized, which makes planning and working through details even more fun! Since the couple booked our Backyard Package, Kellie also did a site visit to chat with the family about the layout, caterer’s workspace, bathroom placement, bar location, etc.

One of the most fun parts of planning Nicole and Justin’s family farm wedding was that they built a brand-new barn for the wedding (which would be used to store tractors after the big day). Details like this make backyard weddings so unique and fun for our team!

With this coordination package, Kellie is also on site the week of the wedding when rentals are delivered to help prep as much as possible before the big day. The tent was set up by Ripley's Rental, prior to us arriving, which was great so we could get everything placed and concentrate on the set up. We covered everything from parking details and the location of outlets and light switches to other nitty-gritty logistics. We worked closely with the bride’s dad, Steve, who was a huge help!

We always love a farm wedding, but for Nicole and Justin, it just felt so them. They met while showing pigs and are both fully involved in that farming lifestyle, so it was so fun to see them in their element.

As everything geared up, we couldn’t wait to pull off the big celebration for this sweet couple. It’s obvious how loved they are, as they had 300 guests for the ceremony, 400 for dinner, and another 150 invited to the dance. Talk about a party!

THE MORNING

Kellie and Kristin from the RE crew arrived on site bright and early. It was ramping up to be another toasty MN summer day, so we were thankful the new barn had AC. The windy conditions helped keep things cool, but also posed some difficulties with the outdoor decor. Luckily, we were able to staple the fake greenery to the spool tables and ensure all of the outdoor signage was secured.

The space came together so wonderfully. It truly took a village! There were a variety of tables and chairs from MN Ag Group, Flower Cottage and Tux Shop, and Diamond Tents & Tables. Goodhue Jaycees provided the bars, while PUBs provided the portable bar. Then, everything was beautifully decorated with florals from Blooms on Broadway.

After our team finished touching up the decor details and plugging in the lights, we popped in to check on the wedding party. The guys were looking dapper in their tuxes from Flower Cottage and Tux Shop, and we helped pin on their boutonnieres from Blooms on Broadway. The ladies were also looking stunning! They had their hair done by Rural Roots Salon and makeup done by the bride's friend, Courtney. Nicole’s final look in her Annika Bridal Boutique gown was perfect. We couldn’t wait for Justin to see her during their first look!

It wasn’t long before Karissa Lenore Photography took the couple out for their first look amongst the pine trees. We loved this sweet moment of seeing each other for the first time and sharing their private vows!

After getting a few couple’s portraits, the wedding party joined them for group photos before hopping onto the Northfield Lines shuttle to head to the St. Columbkill Catholic Church for the ceremony.

Kellie from our team joined the crew at the church, while Kristin stayed behind to greet vendors and hold down the fort at the farm.

THE CEREMONY

Guests began to arrive and fill the church with chatter and laughter as they took their seats. Meanwhile, Kellie was busy checking in with the musicians and priests. One of the priests, Louie, was from Nicole’s church, and he did the ceremony as a visiting priest. So special!

Kellie also made sure to bring the personal flowers for the grandparents, readers, signer, and host parents, as well as the marriage license.

After a quick scan to make sure all guests made their way inside from the parking lot, we cued the wedding party for the processional. The couple shared a beautiful ceremony with a unity candle and sweet words before making their way down the aisle as husband and wife.

The wedding party then did a fun tunnel exit out of the church for the couple and hopped onto a hay wagon to tour the surrounding gravel roads before heading back to the barn for the reception.

THE RECEPTION

During the ceremony, Kristin from our team had set out pre-packaged snacks that the couple provided and Cannon River Catering was busy prepping. Nick Productions was also fully set up and playing music as guests arrived at the farm. The couple had such a great vendor team for their day!

Upon arriving at the farm, Kellie brought the bridesmaid bouquets back and repurposed them on the head table. We love helping couples repurpose their floral and decor elements throughout the day!

The parking attendants from Northfield FFA helped direct traffic as guests trickled in. Everyone enjoyed drinks served up by Liquid Motion from the main bar in the barn, along with the “pub bar,” which was a transformed shipping container. It was super cool!

When the couple arrived at the farm on the hay wagon, our team had their preferred drinks ready to hand over. We always make sure to find out the couple’s favorite drink prior to the wedding day for this reason!

Once the catering team was ready, we asked guests to be seated. The wedding party did a fun entrance led by the cute ring bearers downing a juice box, followed by the full wedding crew. Our favorite entrance was a couple that taped beer cans together to use as a pig training stick. The groomsman was crawling around while the bridesmaid used the “training stick” on him. Such a fun nod to the couple’s meeting!

Family farm wedding reception in Goodhue, MN

Once everyone was seated and the excitement calmed down, a prayer was said. Guests then dove into the family-style salad and bread on all of the tables. There were a whopping 54 tables and 428 guests seated for dinner!

The head table and immediate family tables were served by the awesome team at Cannon River Catering, while everyone else was able to hit up the buffet. The host couples were a huge help throughout the day and assisted in dismissing tables to head to the buffet. The food was delicious!

Cannon River Catering then set out desserts, which consisted of mini shooters. There were both chocolate and fruit varieties to choose from. It made such a cute display (not to mention they were so yummy)!

Soon after, we rounded up people for the first dances. Our team opened up the big garage door since the wind had finally died down, and we turned off the overhead lights. It turned out to be the perfect evening!

The bride and groom then shared their first dance under the tent to “I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood, followed by the traditional parent dances. It’s moments like these that we’re always so happy to have a videographer like Heartland Media Co present to capture!

As we mentioned previously, 150 more guests were invited for the dance, so that crew began arriving shortly after the first dances. It was a packed house and created such an energetic, fun environment!

Our team refilled the snacks, checked in with the couple and vendors, and turned on the parking lights as we called it a night. It’s always so hard to say goodbye to the couple and their families after growing such meaningful relationships!

Nicole + Justin, we had so much fun planning with you and your families. Your big celebration was one we will never forget!