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!
Our Favorite Memory
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.
Our Musical Choices
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”.
Our Advice
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.
Wedding Vendors
Venue: Pineridge Hollow // Bridesmaid Dresses: Nataya from Ruche // Hair Stylist: MAC // Makeup Artist: MAC // Catering: Pineridge Hollow // Music: Pineridge Hollow // floral design & headpieces: Shirley Feenstra (friend of the bride)
