A Backyard Barn Wedding: Emily + Brandon

I just love this beautiful backyard wedding – and a backyard with a gorgeous barn? Just perfect – and how lucky are they!? :) Emily + Brandon were married at Emily’s family home in central California. They are both laid back people and just wanted a simple, no fuss, country wedding. With lots of help from family + friends, they were able to pull of their dream wedding. Big congrats to Emily + Brandon! Thanks also to Ken Kienow for the lovely photos and be sure to check out their super sweet video by Cana Video Production.

teal strap bridal shoes

pastel yellow bouquet

navy bridemaids dresses

button fabric boutenierre

groomsmen in plaid

Love the groomsmen in their plaid shirts!

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Walking down the aisle and seeing each other, communion and our first dance. All of those moments, it felt completely like it was just the two of us.

backyard wedding

Our Musical Choices

Processional: “Penelope’s Theme” by Nathan Johnson from the soundtrack to The Brothers Bloom

Recessional: “Pearls on a String” by Ryan Adams

First Dance: “Lavender Morning" written by Zebedee Zaitz and played by our friends Ryan Delmore and Zebedee

wedding ceremony

bride and groom after ceremony

bridal party

bride and groom portraits

bride and groom in woods

bride and groom in field

bride and groom in field

lemonade stand at wedding

potted plants wedding

stripes tablescape

pink and lavender centerpieces

barn wedding

barn wedding

hanging hankies

bride and groom first dance

barn wedding

bride and groom exit

All of the credit for how the day looked has to go to our vendors and our families. I showed Laurel, from Adornments, a few pictures I had torn out of magazines that showed the color schemes I was interested in and the flowers I liked. Laurel and Eileen from Adornments took care of everything from there. They knew the things that we liked and the no fuss, rustic theme we wanted and they made it look so incredibly beautiful. So much credit also has to go to my parents who slaved away for 11 months, planting and watering and weed whacking and all sorts of things to make the backyard and barn look the way they did. They are amazing. We had tons of help that day from friends and family, from the coffee to the cake to the food, and we are so grateful. What really made the day was being surrounded by the love and support of our family and friends who had worked so hard with us to get us to that moment.

And I just love their wedding film by Cana Video Production!

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Remember what the end goal is. It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and all the fine details, but the day is really about marrying the person that you love with all your heart. Everything else is secondary. So, amidst all the planning, make time for each other, go on dates, and enjoy being engaged. Also, quite a few former brides told me to really soak everything in the day of the wedding, and I’m so glad I took their advice. Really be present at your wedding. Listen to the words you are saying to each other in your vows, take in all the little details, and enjoy your family and friends (there is rarely a time you will ever have them all in one place again). Even if something goes wrong the day of your wedding, life is too short (and the day is too short) to worry about that. Your wedding is one of the sweetest moments in your life, so enjoy it to the fullest.

vendors:

photography: Ken Kienow // venue name: Bride's parents house and family barn // event design: Adornments Flowers // wedding dress: Watters (alterations by The Fitting Image // bride's shoes: bride: Bandolino and groom: Cole Haan // bridesmaid dresses: J Crew // hair stylist: Kim and Co // makeup artist: Kim and Co // groom attire: J Crew // catering: Upper Crust SLO // cake: Staci Lanier, family and friends // music: AMS and friends Ryan Delmore and Zebedee Zaitz // officiant: Tim Chaddick // day of coordinator: Brittany Pasion (ceremony) and Bryanna Baker (reception) // floral design: Adornments Flowers // veil: The Fitting Image // cinematography: Cana Video Production // invitations: Typologie and Co.

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