There’s so much to love about the idea of a rustically romantic barn wedding. A beautiful, bucolic ceremony out somewhere in the countryside. A reception under the wood beams and string lights. But if you’re a color-loving maximalist, there’s a chance that the muted, understated, earthy color world that classically comes with a barn wedding might really not be your taste.
That was the case for Julia + Nicolas, who wanted all the pastoral dreaminess of a celebration “nestled among the rolling farmland of southern Pennsylvania” but who dreamed of a color palette more bold, bright and contemporary than your typical barn wedding.
“We chose Well Wishes Farm, a charming barn venue surrounded by open fields and countryside views,” Julia + Nicolas remember, “but from the beginning, we envisioned a design that felt vibrant, elevated, and full of life rather than traditionally rustic.” So they decided to go all in on the barn but be bold with it!
“Color became the heartbeat of the day and served as the foundation for the overall design,” says the couple of how they approached their wedding’s vivd hued aesthetic with Brittany K Planning. Abundant bloom-packed floral arrangements, stripey signage, color-blocked linens, and even a flower-filled lantern installation in the barn outfitted the springtime ceremony + reception spaces with signature shades of purple, orange, pink, and yellow.
What Tiffany Lantz captures in her pictures of the celebration is a couple so bursting with love for each other and their community that understated minimalism simply would not do.
“Our inspiration came from our shared love of color, flowers, and creating memorable experiences for our guests,” Julia + Nicolas say, “and we wanted every detail to feel intentional, welcoming, and uniquely us.”
When the bride herself is a super talented wedding invitation designer — Julia Kay Design — that’s how you end up with a suite of sunny, color rich paper goods so perfectly tailored to the palette + aesthetic of the day!
The Ceremony
“We incorporated several DIY projects throughout the day, which made the celebration feel even more personal,” Julia + Nicolas say. “From custom signage and carefully assembled welcome details to hand-selected décor elements that tied into our color story, these projects allowed us to add meaningful touches while bringing our creative vision to life.”
We love the way that Woodland Floral Design made sure every fresh-cut bloom was another pop of color.
Our Musical Choices
ProcessionalWe didn't have a bridal party so it was just Nick and his mom, the 2 flower girls, and then me and my dad that walked down. We all walked to "Birds of a Feather" by the Mayries.Recessional"Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie GouldingFirst DanceWe opted to not have a first dance but our introduction song was "Axel F" by Crazy Frog and then our slow dance of the night was "Weight of the World" by Chris Stapleton which would've been our first dance if we decided to do it!
Listen, not every bride is dreaming of that “Say Yes To The Dress Moment.” If dress shopping is the least exciting part of the process for you, you’re not alone! “I personally had no interest in going into a shop and trying on a bunch of wedding dresses,” Julia remembers. “The dress really wasn’t a main focal point for me. I decided to try different at-home try-on sites and ended up trying on about 9 dresses from the comfort of my home.”
“I fell in love with the Chelsea dress from Avery Austin and had them remove the train to make it a bit more my style. It was such a seamless and easy process which I really appreciated!”
“As a couple, we have always valued connection and community, so our wedding day was designed around bringing together the people who have supported us throughout our lives,” Julia + Nicolas say. “While we poured a great deal of energy into the visual design, our ultimate goal was to create an atmosphere where guests felt celebrated, comfortable, and fully immersed in the experience alongside us.”
Time To Celebrate
Shop This Flawless Spring Wedding Cocktail Guest Attire Vibe
Fun, floral, and bright!
Creamery Hill Events, who supplied specialty rentals for Julia + Nicolas’s barn wedding day, is featured in our roundup of wedding reception seating chart ideas!
AND! They appeared in one of our other fave colorful PA weddings: This Wedding Planner Planned Her Own Wedding and Brought Her Wildest Dreams to Life in Vibrant Pink + Orange
“The vibrant blooms and lush greenery transformed the barn into a colorful garden-inspired setting that felt both playful and sophisticated,” remember the newlyweds of the space where guests enjoyed a reception feast by Milk + Honey Catering.
“One of my biggest dreams throughout the planning process was creating a color-blocked reception,” Julia says, “which ultimately became one of the most memorable elements of the celebration.”
“Guests were seated among tables dressed in shades of pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, each thoughtfully styled with coordinating place cards, table numbers, candles, water goblets, and florals as well as napkins, table cloths, and runners from Tablecloths Factory.”
Our Favorite Memory
One of our favorite memories from the day was spending cocktail hour with our guests rather than disappearing for an extended period of photos. Being able to hug friends and family, share conversations, and soak in the excitement of the day helped us feel present and connected. By the time the reception began, we felt like we had already shared meaningful moments with everyone there, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy the evening.
Another unforgettable moment was walking into the reception space for the first time and seeing the colorful tablescape and floral installations come together exactly as we had envisioned.
“During planning, it was intimidating to commit to such a bold palette without seeing it all together,” say Julia + Nicolas, “but watching the vision come to life exceeded anything we could have imagined.”
Our Advice
For couples planning their weddings now, our biggest piece of advice is to focus on what matters most to you and not be afraid to embrace the details that make your celebration unique. Trends will come and go, but the elements that genuinely reflect your relationship will always feel meaningful. Prioritize time with your guests, trust the professionals you've hired, and remember to pause throughout the day to take it all in. The moments you spend fully present with one another and the people you love are the memories you'll cherish long after the wedding is over.
Congrats on your bold + colorful barn wedding, Julia + Nicolas! GWS wishes you a life together just as vibrant as your day’s design. All the best!
Featured in This Wedding
Creamery Hill
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Other Vendors in This Wedding
Photography: Tiffany Lantz Photography // Venue: Well Wishes Farm // Event Design: Julia Kay Design // Wedding Planner: Brittany K Planning // Florals: Woodland Floral Design Co // Wedding Dress: Avery Austin // Hair Stylist: The Beehive Hair Studio // Makeup Artist: Courtney Dixon // Paper Goods: Julia Kay Design // Catering: Milk & Honey Catering // Cake: Erica Hykes // Linen Rentals: Tablecloths Factory // Cocktails: Hausbar // content creator: Ever After Reels
