While Melanie + Brian now live in New Mexico, Melanie grew up on the prairies of Manitoba, and she always knew that this was the very setting where she imagined exchanging her vows. Because so many of their guests were traveling in from out of town, it was important to Melanie + Brian that the celebration lasted for a few days – so they started with a huge rehearsal dinner at Melanie’s family farm + ended with a big brunch the day after the wedding. In between there were laid-back beach days + fun fishing trips – sounds like a pretty epic weekend, right? Their day was chock-full of rustic, vintage-inspired details, like hand-sewn lace bunting and antique postcards repurposed as table numbers. Everything incorporated was handmade by the couple (with the help of friends), or sourced by Melanie. Here’s more from the lovely bride:
The inspiration for our day was based of our lifestyle and we really wanted to evoke a rustic and natural feel. We are big outdoor enthusiasts, and I love everything vintage. We blended that together and I tried not to get too girly for Brian. Although, I had been dreaming out my wedding day since I was little, and Brian’s answer to everything was, “whatever makes you happy, babe.” :)
Thanks so much to Jasmine Nicole for sharing these gorgeous images with us today, and big congrats to Melanie + Brian!
Melanie: I don’t know how to pick just one. The ceremony was so personal and meant so much to me, it was so memorable and meaningful. But there was a special moment during our first look, my mom, Brian’s mom and sister, my bridesmaids and flower girls were all peeking through the windows at my mom’s house watching Brian and I on the front lawn. One of the flower girls said to my mom, “look, she is just loving him.” It was a pretty sweet moment that I held onto all day.
Brian: There were so many things that stand out, but for me the most memorable part of the wedding day was when I got to see my beautiful bride for the first time in her lovely wedding dress. It was almost like I had just met this amazing woman for the first time in my life and we were about to embark on an incredible journey, which of course we were. It was dream-like.
Processional: Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens
Recessional: Music Box Dance – Frank Mills
First Dance: Hey Ho – The Lumineers
The personalized stones at each table setting were wrapped with feathers from the chickens at Brian’s family farm in Michigan! And Melanie + Brian gifted guests with adorable handmade dish cloths, which sweetly stated: “You wash, I’ll dry”.
Every last detail was so important to me and I had this big vision for the day, but in reality, the whole day was just a blur of love and excitement. I don’t think there is anything I can say to prepare you for the feelings of the day. My advice it to just try and relish the beauty throughout the day, and really take some time delight in each other, because the wedding goes by so fast.
venue name: Pineridge Hollow // bridesmaid dresses: Nataya from Ruche // hair stylist: MAC // makeup artist: MAC // catering: Pineridge Hollow // music: Pineridge Hollow // photography: Jasmine Nicole Photography, second photographer Josh Dookhie // floral design & headpieces: Shirley Feenstra (friend of the bride) // wedding dress: Claire Pettibone from Mariee Bridal, Scottsdale, AZ // bride's shoes: BHLDN and TOMS // groom attire: Banana Republic pants, GAP shirt, TOMS shoes, H&M suspenders // paper goods: Bride + Justin Vandenberg (uncle of the bride) of Dynamite Designs, printed at Juke Box Print
Loving the Canadian content! Thanks GWS!
Beautiful wedding!! Love the top picture! So cool!
Lovely reception. That farm has definitely caught my eyes <3
Lovely in every way! Gorgeous photography, amazing details & a beautiful venue! Thanks for the Canadian content GWS! Wahoo!!
What a beautiful farm wedding. I love anything with bales of hay and old lace. Love these photos. Very beautiful.
it is the little details that makes a wedding unique! it just takes some time and patient whipping them up!
Can someone tell me the size of those balloons that were used–are they 18 inches or 36–im trying to find some for my own wedding! thanks for the help!
Hi Carolina,
They were 36″, I purchased them at our local party store.
Melanie
It’s really amazing and beautiful wedding images, all photo’s have an extra ordinary look & feel. Thank you so much for sharing this captivated natural images with us.