landlocked bride® | midwest + mountain west wedding inspiration

One of my fondest childhood memories was spending hot, humid summer days and cool(ish) summer nights on my grandparents farm in rural Alabama. Everytime I pass a cornfield or see raw cotton or eat corn on the cob, my heart aches a little for that time of my life and the people I held so close to my hear for so long. I’ve always dreamed of getting married on their farm or having a farm/barn inspired wedding. These brides have taken their similar roots form the Midwest and brought them into their big days in a chic and vintage-inspired way. I love it! We’ve collected a few of our favorites below:

George Street Photo & Video via Rustic Wedding Chic

Melanie Reyes Photography via Rustic Wedding Chic

Angie Wilson Photography via Style Me Pretty

Just Love Me {PHOTO + DESIGN} via I Love Farm Weddings

Erin Johnson Photography via I Love Farm Weddings

Jackie Cooper Photo via I Love Farm Weddings

Jagger Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

Do you have any special memories around a farm or barnyard? Do you just like the look and feel? Would you have your wedding or reception at a farm?

This wedding is truly one of a kind, and the photography is just as amazing as the day that was captured. The way that the pre-ceremony details are captured are truly amazing – these are the details I would encourage every bride to have their photographer document. The details that happen behind the scenes can be just as beautiful as the moments that happen before your eyes. This is a stunning couple, who had a lovely, emotional, gorgeous outdoor and barn wedding. 

From the Photographer:

The best thing about Greg and Gretchen’s wedding is something you can’t necessarily capture in pictures. The entire day was filled with a sense of the community coming together to celebrate these two people joining their lives together. It’s there in the scenes of Greg and a family friend working to set up the ceremony site. It’s there in the crowded bathroom, packed with close friends, where Gretchen got ready. It’s there in the quiet moments we stole with the couple. It’s clearly there at the ceremony in the round, in which multiple family members and friends took their turn on the small stage, singing songs and speaking words about love. It’s there in the handmade details, like the corn filled box holding the escort cards. And, it’s most definitely there, in the turkey barn: in the basement where succulent roasted pig and tender farro were served family style to guests and upstairs, where white lights strung on the rafters provided the perfect ambiance for indulging in pie and dancing. The pictures get close, but if I could bottle up that feeling and send it to you, I absolutely would.

This wedding is full of so much joy! You see pure joy and anticipation when the brides are getting ready for their first look. The overwhelming joy and excitement when they turn around to first see each other. The emotional joy and pride you feel while they are walking towards each other down the asile. The joy and happiness they share with their bridal party. The deep joy and love they share during their first dance, and stunning, intimate pre-wedding photos together. This wedding just wants me to scream Oh Happy Day – cause that’s exactly what it was.

From the Bride – Monique

How we met: Amber and I went to the same high school for a couple of months, when Amber was a junior and I was a sophomore. We only had a few friends in common, and knew of each other, but we weren’t friends at that time. A couple of years after graduation, I hosted a birthday party for a friend of ours and a mutual friend of ours asked if she could bring Amber as a guest. Having remembered her from high school, I said yes and she came out to celebrate with us. We hit it off immediately and we have been inseparable since that day, May 29, 2005.

Our Engagement: A few months after we celebrated our 3rd anniversary together, Amber told me that she wanted to spend a special weekend in Salt Lake City together. I was excited because this is something that we enjoy doing, but never seem to get enough of. When we got to Salt Lake City, Amber handed me an envelope with a clue directing me to the Farmer’s Market, which is one of our favorite places to go in SLC. After we spent some time there, she gave me several more clues directing me to different dog parks around town. I also got clues to my favorite store, our favorite restaurant, and this funky dog-friendly hotel downtown. We spent the entire day in this clue scavenger hunt, visiting our favorite places and spending time with our dogs. When we got to the Hotel Monaco there was a giant sign welcoming our 2 dogs, Joey and Bella.  It was pretty special. After dessert and an in-room massage, Amber surprised me with the sweetest moment of my life when she asked me to marry her. A couple of weeks later, I chose a ring for her and started planning a proposal on a trip we were planning later in the month to the Mexican Riviera. A few days before we left for our cruise, I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep. I absolutely couldn’t stand it anymore so I woke her up really early in the morning and asked her to marry me too.

I’m super excited about today’s contributor. She’s long been a fan of Landlocked Bride and was jumping at the bit to share her ideas and inspiration with our readers. I’m thrilled to have her on board and hope you love her weekly posts as much as I love reading them. Please give Ashley a heartfelt welcome to the Landlocked Bride family.

One trend that we can really get on board with in the Midwest is camping. It showcases the natural beauty of majestic forests, soaring peaks and pristine lakes that people flock to the region for. This trend is especially on point for the couple that has enjoyed the beauty and adventure together through dating and courtship, giving your celebration a personal touch that leaves a lasting impression on your guests and a sentimental touch for the couple.

If you’re a down-to-earth gal (or guy) looking to incorporate a bit of elegance and less rustic to your camping theme, try “glamping.” Popularized by stars such as Matthew McConaughey and NCIS Los Angeles star Eric Christian, couples can mix camping touches with the glamour that comes with weddings. We’ve collected a few items that can be used to incorporate a bit of nature and the rustic yet elegant camping feel into your big day. .

Rusticcreek | Custom Love Gifts

Lime and Ruby Design | Mannia&Titta 

The Rasers Photography | Rusticblend

The Rasers Photography

What are some things you’ve seen or would like to incorporate into your wedding celebration that involve a love of nature and/or camping? Feel free to share your stories about how camping/nature brought you and your sweetheart together as well! We’re a sucker for a good love story and maybe it’ll get your brain waves flowing for inspiration on how to incorporate this trend into your celebration

There is just something charming about a backyard wedding. Maybe it’s the intimacy of the affair, the closeness to home and family (literally) or the simplicity. Sarah and John’s wedding details were the perfect balance of sweet and uncomplicated.

Lindsay Carole Photography

About the Couple:
John and Sarah met sometime in 2001 or 2002. Neither of them is sure which year it was, but for the sake of continuity, let’s go with the Fall of 2001. They became close friends in the Summer of 2003. They fell in love in the Spring of 2005. But they broke up in the Winter of 2010. Luckily, they worked through many issues and became engaged in the Fall of 2010!!

John remembers first meeting Sarah at her friend Wendy’s house. Wendy was hosting a small impromptu gathering, where someone was trying to teach about half a dozen people to play poker. Wendy and Sarah sat next to each other and kept laughing and not paying attention. Sarah still does not know how to play poker. John sat next to Scott (Sarah’s and John’s mutual friend) at the opposite end of the table. John wasn’t paying attention to the poker lessons either…he was paying attention to Sarah. But Sarah had a boyfriend at the time.

Sarah remembers first meeting John at a different (earlier) social gathering (also organized by our dear friend, Wendy!) at a Westminster billiards bar, called Pink-E’s. Scott had been saying recently that she just HAD to meet his new friend, John, because his sense of humor reminded Scott of hers, and he thought these humors united could result in heights of hilarity for all! Extending Wendy’s invitation to Scott, Sarah was delighted when he said he’d be bringing John. Finally, she’d get to meet this John fellow. Amidst a sea of hot pink felted pool tables, Sarah was soon charmed by John, who was handsome, tall, fun, and had the charisma, maturity and galantry that she wished her current boyfriend would have honed by then. Now, Sarah knows that this was their first meeting, because she remembers the party at Wendy’s house very well, having again extended Wendy’s invitation to Scott, and to John, whom she’d already met… and already adored.

Things were pretty crazy for many months prior to the wedding. John and Sarah were at the tail end of rehabbing their house, and were at the point where they needed to decide which things could wait until after the wedding (which was being held in their backyard). As an example, a mere week before the wedding, there was a toilet and a bathtub sitting in our backyard!!

Ceremony / Reception Venue: Private Residence | Wedding Coordinator: L. Elizabeth Events | Photography: Lindsay Carole Photography | Cake / Desserts: Living the Sweet Life | Ceremony Backdrop: Décor ‘N More, Inc. | DJ: Maestro Mobile Music Productions | Caterer: Serendipity | Hair / Make-up: Ahh Mobile Spa | Florist: Timeless Floral & Events | Event Rentals: Butler Rents | Gown / Bridal Accessories: A Total Images Bridal Wearhouse | Groom’s Tuxedo: Men’s Warehouse | Paper and Sky Lanterns: JustArtifacts.com

Any brides out there having a backyard or outdoor soiree? Well, not that I have your attention, let me tell you something: You need to do this. Right now.  How romantic is the set-up with the tree? Not only will it give off a great radiant and romantic light, but there is something so charming about it.

Image courtesy of i am blessed

Wedding signs are clearly a new trend.  You’ll find them all over Style Me Pretty and other wedding blogs, so it’s no surprise that there are a million different variations on them.  I found this one thanks to Cyd over at The Sweetest Occasion.  Since I work at a design company, I have developed a love for typography.  I already have a sad (or crazy, however you look at it) obsession with fonts, so it should be no surprise that I love this sign.  And, I realize, most of what I feature on this blog I love, but I wouldn’t feature it if I didn’t love it!

The sign was made using nails and string. I really do remember doing something similar to this in elementary school, but we didn’t exactly make letters. I’m pretty sure we made something simile like a circle. We were still figuring out our cursive lettering, so I think sticking to shapes was a safe bet.

The yellow string really pops on this sign, plus, it is definitely something unique and classic enough that could be hung in the home after the wedding. A great way to remind you of your wedding day.

All images courtesy of Kyle Read via The Sweetest Occasion

If you weren’t already aware, I can be somewhat of a huge eco-friendly nerd.  Not sure where it started, but I do know it has rubbed off on my Mom, and am hoping to share a bit of it with the wedding industry.  Incorporating eco-friendly and green concepts into a wedding may seem hard.  And, to some, it may seem like a fad, but I think it’s easy to incorporate just a few small elements.  And, small they may be, but they can make a difference.

And, the first and one of the easiest? Reuse old vases, do not go out and buy new ones.  In fact, may venues actually have a surplus of vases from previous brides (so ask!).  Other ways to find vases? Visit garage sales, eBay and even Craigslist (I’ve mentioned this before).   Chances are you’ll save a few bucks, too!

Images courtesy of Earth Friendly Weddings

By finding vases from all over and collecting them, not only are you doing the Earth a favor, but you’ll give your event some depth and character in your design.

(And, on a completely unrelated note, Happy Birthday to my Mom!)

Twinkle lights can seem so elementary when you’re thinking about design.  But, if you really think about it, they can really transform a space into something magical.

Image courtesy of Hoffer Photography

Now, if you’re going to have a daytime wedding and reception, this obviously wouldn’t work as well. However, twinkle lights can really provide ambiance at night, and when in a darker reception space. Plus, they usually are not very expensive. So, don’t rule them out!

Let’s face it. Not everyone is having a religious ceremony with readings and songs.  So, that begs the question, why have a program?  You see, the Pilot and I go back and forth on this one every day.  My Aunt is performing our ceremony, but we are not having any readings or songs, no unity candle and nothing involving other people in a family/circle of friends.  The only purpose our program would serve would be to let our guests know who our attendants are.

Part of the eco-friendly in me doesn’t want to have programs printed just so all of our guests know who my Maid of Honor is and so on.  But the other half of me is worried about the guests who may not know our friends well enough to know who they are.

So, while the Pilot and I continue to go back and forth, I’m sharing this.  A fun little idea, if you’d rather not have programs printed, but are looking for a way to share the information with your guests.

Image courtesy of StudioThisIs via With This Ring Blog

Obviously, the chalkboard would need to fit in with the look and feel of your wedding.  But opt to do something different by having a sign created with your program information, or you can draw up a chalkboard like this one.

If you are still hooked on the idea of having programs printed, but do not want to print one for every guests, here are a few tips:

1.  Only print half as many as the number of guests you are expecting.  More often than not, guests do not all take one.

2. Only print one for each female guests.  Honestly, the guys usually do not care all that much about the details of the ceremony, but you know us ladies do!

3.  Have them printed front and back to save on paper costs.

4.  Have them double up as something else, like hand-held fans, if your ceremony is outdoors.

What sort of program idea did you come up with?