California Barn Wedding: Annie + Brian

barn wedding

I love a great barn wedding – and I know you lovelies do also since barn weddings are the most popular type of wedding searched in our real wedding section – so I think you will fall head over heels for this sweet barn wedding. :) Captured by Ken Kienow, the wedding takes place at the Dana Powers Barn along the Central Coast of California. Annie + Brian love the outdoors, so having an outdoor wedding was super important to them and once you see the photos of the venue, it’s easy to see why they selected it. Walking down the aisle in the midst of a blooming citrus orchard flanked by rolling green hills – what could be more perfect!? :)

barn wedding

barn wedding peach bouquet

bridesmaids in peach

barn wedding


Thanks to April Flowers, the floral arrangements contained hints of sweet pinks + corals mixed in with cream, eucalyptus, herbs and tufts of cotton. Annie + her mom also had a fun time collecting old, vintage pins during the months leading up to the wedding. They adorned her bridal bouquet, the sweet flower girls’ dresses + hair pieces, as well as the seating assignment door strung with long strands of soft, thick velvet ribbon.

barn wedding

barn wedding

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Wedding Party Entrance: Viva La Vida by Vitamin String Quartet; Bridal Entrance: Mrs. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack

Recessional: You Always Make Me Smile by Kyle Andrews

First Dance: Come Away with Me by Norah Jones

barn wedding

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

barn wedding

barn wedding

peach bow bridal shoes

barn wedding

barn wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

There were a few moments throughout the day that I will never forget for the rest of my life. The first: watching the "vision" of our day become a reality; the way I always dreamed that it would look. Huge draping eucalyptus swags being hung over giant barn doors, signs that I had designed myself being strategically placed in little corners throughout the venue, smelling the sweet scent of blooming orange blossoms outside and thinking to myself, "this is the day, it is finally here..."

The second is the first moment that Brian and I shared as husband and wife. We looked at each other with a locked stare that no distraction or noise could have ever interrupted. We were finally married and it felt so good! The last moment I vividly remember was as we were leaving the reception: fresh petals were tossed as we ran through a tunnel of our sweet, wonderful family and friends. As we drove away, our amazing, one-of-a-kind DJ chased us down the dirt path as far as his legs could take him with a booming speaker in his hands...we were laughing so hard that our cheeks hurt.

barn wedding

barn wedding

barn wedding


From Annie: My biggest inspiration was an instillation that I had once seen in an Anthropologie window display. Having once been an intern there, I had a few tricks up my sleeve as to how I was going to make my own version of that very display. With the help of sweet family and friends, I made thirty lush, gorgeous fabric hangings as a backdrop for the main visual focal point of the reception. It was the perfect juxtaposition to the roughness and texture of the wood inside the barn and I was so happy with how they turned out. This really set the stage for me as I began to plan the rest of the wedding.

barn wedding ruffle strands

barn wedding

barn wedding

picture frame favor


Another really fun project that served as both a favor and a name card, was little, gold, spray painted frames with each guest’s name printed inside. The ladies’ frames were backed with light pink linen and lace while the gentleman’s frames were backed with an oatmeal colored linen. It was just SO fun to find the frames at the dollar store, spray paint them gold, and then find the fabric backing at thrift stores and still feel like they turned out to be such an accent piece for every table setting as well as real keepsake for our guests.

mason jar chandelier

ribbon strand dessert table


I also enjoyed designing and producing our save-the-dates, invitations, programs and menus. It was so much work, but it was so worth it and I was incredibly happy with how they turned out. Our unconventional guest book was a huge hit too. My mother, who has quite the knack for finding the coolest old things, bought us a giant corrugated metal C that we set out for our guests to sign. Now it hangs in our home and we are able to look at it every day and be reminded of everyone who loves and supports us.

barn wedding wedding rings

barn wedding

barn wedding

barn wedding

barn wedding

barn wedding exit

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Its OK to feel stressed. Sometimes I felt so frustrated when people would say, "this is the happiest time of your life, you should enjoy every minute of it!" Don't be too hard on yourself. Planning a wedding is challenging. You will get frustrated and discouraged at times, but I can't tell you how satisfying it is and how joyful you will feel not only on the day of your wedding, but the weeks leading up. Decide that there will be difficult days, but so many MORE happy and sweet days. Each moment that you only get once, like buying your dress or going cake tasting, stop, breathe, soak it in, and give thanks. Make sure you have 99% of the work done two weeks before the wedding. At two weeks out, put the DIY projects down, relish in the anticipation of your BIG day, thank everyone who has invested in making your vision a reality, and focus on all the things that you love about your soon-to-be husband!

photography: Ken Kienow // venue name: Dana Powers Barn // event design: Bride, Annie Calbeck and handmade decorations by Wedding Lush // wedding dress: Watters // hairpiece: Veil: Kirstie Kelly // bride's shoes: Anthropologie // bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew // groom attire: Tommy Hilfiger Suit and bought at Men's Warehouse // paper goods: Designed by the Bride, Annie Calbeck // catering: Catering Unlimited; Epic Weddings // cake: The Cakery // music: Dana McGregor

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