Everything about this wedding is amazing. The location, the couple, the feel of the whole day. The couple put a lot of time into planning their day really be about the two of them. There are old sewing spindles, vintage books, flowers – everything was handmade by Annie or friends + family. She even made her own dress from 3 vintage dresses!! Annie is a writer and Jared is a musician – he even wrote a song for Annie that friends sang in the ceremony. So sweet! Now onto the photos + more details from Annie:
When we moved to Iowa from the coast we fell in love with the countryside, especially all the gorgeous old barns everywhere. We found ours by chance, and it set everything in motion. The theme emerged organically from there. We just tried to find or make things that would be at home in an old barn, but wouldn’t feel hokey. We didn’t bother with color schemes or making sure things matched, so it was easy to gather enough supplies, plus I have a thing for awesome vintage fabric and old books, so having an excuse to scour the thrift stores for these every few weeks was awesome.
They wanted their first look to be in this beautiful field with their dog :)
Most memorable moment of your wedding day? My father was a singer/songwriter. So although he passed away when I was twelve, I was able to walk down the aisle with my mother to one of his most beautiful recordings. The moment the first notes began to play is something I will never forget.
Coming back down the aisle was pretty unforgettable too. I was so wrapped up in the beauty of the ceremony that I completely forgot about the sugar rice and lavender we had handed out to our guests. So when all of a sudden we started getting pelted from all directions it was such a thrill I screamed!
I couldn’t bring myself to spend more than a hundred dollars on a wedding dress, and most of the ones I saw (in any price range) were just not my style, so I ended up I buying an ill-fitting vintage Gunne Sax dress, some lace trim from the thrift store, and two antique petticoats, and then spending a few weeks tearing everything apart and sewing it back together again. It was scary at times, but somehow it all came together the morning before the wedding. Which was a pretty lucky thing seeing as I how didn’t have a backup plan!
They hired a square dancing band to teach everyone some moves! Fun!!
Any advice for those planning now?
I’ve been sewing and making things since I was a little, so for me, getting the chance to create so much crafty stuff was a dream come true. That said, if that’s not your idea of a good time, don’t feel pressure to make everything yourself. If anything starts to feel like drudgery, just forget it! Wedding planning can be all-consuming enough without having to learn an entirely new skill set. (However, if you do go the home-sewn route, I’ve got two words for you: pinking shears. Because hemming 100 napkins is not for the faint of heart.)
Also, trust in your friends and family. We were absolutely blown away by how generous and helpful everyone was when it came time to put everything together. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Congrats to Annie + Jared!!
Vendors:
Venue: Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn
Wedding Dress: Vintage Gunne Sax, redesigned by the bride
Hairpiece: The Honeycomb
Groom Suit: J Crew
Day Of Coordination: Anticipation Events
Floral Design: St. Bridget’s Flower Farm
Invitations/Paper Goods: Bride
Cake: Friend of the couple
Music: Goosetown Stringband
Catering: The Motley Cow
Photography: Jagger Photography Check out lots more from the wedding here on their blog! Jagger Photography are located in Washington and available for travel worldwide. Thanks you guys for sharing your work with us again!!
so sweet!
Btw. Their initials (JA) means yes in norwegian <3
This wedding is really sweet. I love the photos and the menu is adorable!
very special indeed!
what an amazing wedding! has to be one of the sweetest weddings ive seen
xoxo
-bree
This wedding is one of the most ‘honest’ I’ve seen online. It is earthy, relaxed and so full of natural charm. It’s truly beautiful.
Amazing pics, smashing wedding! I wish I was there…
what a beautiful wedding… so tranquil and sweet. Garden weddings are the greatest, the beauty of the surroundings speaks for itself. I also love the bride’s dress, and the fact that she made it herself
I could never not love a barn wedding! Plus this one is so sweet, and the bride seems so nice and crafty!
I absolutely adore everything about this wedding–I love that it’s not matchy-matchy, that everything just comes together in a beautiful way. It’s so ‘honest’ and authentic. So much love.
This is beautiful! I can’t believe she had the courage to make her dress. That takes guts. The whole wedding looks very sweet and charming. Food sounds good, too. :)
wow they are adorable!
This is the kind of wedding that you see and you think to yourself…I wish I had been invited.
Beautiful pictures! I looked up to the venue when I saw it was in Iowa and it is actually very close to where I live. Love the fact that Iowa sweet corn is on the menu :)
I am so inspired this wedding! I love this couples low key but beautiful wedding. I also love how much it reflects their personalities…. I’m stealing so many crafty ideas for my own wedding! Thank you for posting. I found your website through The Groom Says Blog. http://thegroomsays.blogspot.com/
hi, i have been sneaking peeks at annie’s wedding for over a year now – i am getting married at the same barn this April. Annie, I came across your blog when I was googling the barn – that was before your wedding, though, and then your blog went private, frustrating my wed-stalking. I was dying to know how it worked out for you, and now I can see that it was a GORGEOUS wedding! Thank you for sharing.
I would love to ask you some questions about the venue. I am living overseas (my parents are in Iowa City) so it makes it that much harder to plan. Could I pick your brain? Thanks.
Oh man. I just love this wedding. The couple is so, so adorable. Sigh.
Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your lives.
I would also like to pick your brain, particularly about bridesmaid dresses. Did you hand-pick each dress or did you have each lady choose her own? If you let them choose, what kind of guidance did you give them? I’d love your advice.
(and I love the button boutonniere!)
I, too, am from Iowa and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I had no idea that barn existed but the setting is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for the inspiration.
Where is this barn located? I have been looking for a realistic barn to start planning for wedding, but I am having a hard time finding the right one here in Iowa.
I am having my wedding here too! I am so excited, I hope it ends up being half as awesome as this wedding!