Behind the Scenes: Jessie and Jody’s Ironstone Ranch Wedding
What started as an empty barn…
…slowly became what would be one of my favorite weddings of 2014.
And I am so happy that we captured some behind-the-scenes shots of it all getting set up.
Our day started bright and early with a text from the bride, Jess, about a mix-up with one of the desserts. A quick trip to a local gluten-free bakery, Made with Love Not Gluten, solved that problem and we hit the venue, Ironstone Ranch in Elizabethtown, PA around 8am.
We arrived to a quiet farm with an empty barn.
A little after 8am, Missy and Neil arrived with 16 of their Barnes Handcrafted Farmhouse Tables. We helped them unload and arrange, then we started placing chairs while they took care of leveling out the tables and polishing up any blemishes. (whoa)
After that, the groom and his “troops” arrived with a BOAT LOAD of stuff including three of the most AMAZING farm tables I’ve ever seen. They weigh enough that it took six burly men to move them and were put together using NO hardware. All wood baby!
After that, we started adding details. Burlap runners, flowers, mason jars, oil lamps, food scales, vintage china, mismatched chairs… you name it.
One of the coolest photobooth signs we’ve ever seen… that the groom made (of course). We literally sewed this thing to the banister with fishing line and clear duct tape (two of my favorite things).
So guests knew where to sit, the groom built these HUGE wooden animals on bases that were a major hit. To help with traffic flow, we placed two people at the door to head guests in the right direction of their table (since there weren’t numbers) but everyone LOVED them!
Once 4pm came along… we were ready to rock and roll. The ceremony took place in the Apple Orchard followed by food, drinks and games in the field. For a great recap of the day, check out the trailer from Kevin Fonash Studios:
And of course, the blog post by their photographers of Hoffer Photography.
All in all, Jess and Jody’s Ironstone Ranch Wedding was one for the ages. One of the highlights of my career was when Jess walked into the space for the first time and screamed “THIS IS F%^#ING AWESOME!!” and immediately started crying. I honestly couldn’t think of a more perfect reaction and I love her for giving me that.
Woo!
Kind words from the bride:
“I’m in a unique position to review Danielle because I’m usually the one working WITH her to make your wedding fabulous! I started working for Danielle as one of her assistants last summer and immediately recognized the value in having a coordinator. Hiring her became an essential and it was one of the best decisions I could have made for my wedding. After seeing all of the tiny (and sometimes not so tiny) things that she does without her couples having any clue that they’re happening, I don’t understand how people could possibly NOT have a coordinator. Our wedding was way over the top with the amount of work she and her team had to do. I had no doubt in my mind that she was going to get it done and that it was going to be phenomenal. And I was right. When I first stepped into our venue after it was all completely set up, I had a full range of emotions from shock and awe, to disbelief and sheer joy. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else to have set it up the way that I wanted it. Danielle did an amazing job and exceeded all of my expectations.
Danielle has become a great friend and I’m truly lucky to have found her. She is kind, caring, and always honest, which, when it comes to planning a wedding, you will appreciate having that input. She is always there for YOU, working her little butt off to make sure you will have a phenomenal day. She will most definitely become your friend as well, and you will appreciate that you can have a bridezilla moment breakdown without her judging you like your mother-in-law would. Hire her for your coordinator. Coming from somebody who has now seen both sides of the picture, that is my advice to you. You will not regret it.”
