Barbara + David | Backyard Groom's Dinner

Barbara and David planned one of the most beautiful groom’s dinners we have ever been a part of, and their wedding the next day took everything to the next level. Lead planner Kellie loved working with them on their Elegance Package vision and with the help of assistant My, made it happen! Due to how beautiful their weekend was, we will be breaking their blog into a two part series to share all our F A V details of this love story!

A little background on the couple - they met in 1983 [yes, you heard us right] at Fair Hills Resort near Detroit Lakes, MN. He was a lawn boy and she was working the front desk. At the time, Barbara worked and lived at the resort, where David went home to his family's house nearby after his shifts at the resort. Barbara told us that she was quiet, but David knew all the people at the resort and was more of a social butterfly. He eventually asked her out on a date - going fishing. She said she had no desire to fish initially, but David made it easy & fun. From then through the rest of the summer, the two continued to date and fell in love. They were in between their college years, so they had a quick summer romance - short & sweet but so real & true. They had one more sweet summer at the resort in 1984 before Barbara called it off as she was about to head into her senior year at college. They then parted ways for Y E A R S and went through life on different paths, only to rekindle the flame again in 2013. From the point they rekindled, Barbara told us that she really, truly knew that they were soulmates and meant to spend the rest of their lives together.

Their groom’s dinner took place at their cabin in River Falls, WI outdoors underneath a gorgeous clear top tent from Apres. We L O V E the clear top tent look - very romantic. They also rented vinyl, hardwood floor from Apres to give that added rustic touch to the tent. The tent set up took multiple days. The first day, the clear top tent was installed, and then the flooring was added the following day. The day after the flooring was installed, We’ve Got It Covered came to drape and add lighting, and then on the day of the groom’s dinner, floral touches were added - W O A H.

Barbara + David opted for our Elegance Package, granting them access to A L L Rustic Elegance rentals to use throughout their space. We used our bar, farm tables & chairs, as well as lounge furniture for a few different spaces in the tent that guests would later enjoy all night long. We’ve Got It Covered draped some G O R G E O U S champagne drapery in the tent, paired with our wine barrels for a grand entrance. In the tent, they added tent leg draping, twinkle lights, chandeliers, chair sashes and cocktail linens + ties for a fabulously elegant look. Ashley Fox Designs then came in and decorated the tent with hanging greens, and the table with light and airy floral arrangements + decor, and some real candles for added ambience at the table setting.

Guests started arriving from near and far as the bride and groom welcomed them into the tent for appetizers, dinner & dessert. We must say, the charcuterie spread provided by Apples to Apples tasted A M A Z I N G and looked A M A Z I N G - we loved the presentation and the taste! Guests were in A W E as it started to get dark and the twinkle lights and chandeliers lit up the entire tent. For an added surprise, the couple included a fireworks display that took place at the end of the night [which was a surprise to the guests] and could be seen through the clear top of the tent - so C O O L!

We can’t wait to share more about this couple and their wedding day in part two of this blog series! Stay tuned - you won’t want to miss this! Thank you to KT Sura for all the S T U N N I N G photos above

VENDORS

Venue: Private Cabin
Catering/Desserts: Apples to Apples
Tent Rental: Apres
Draping + Lighting: We’ve Got It Covered
Furniture Rentals: Rustic Elegance
Coordination and Decor: Rustic Elegance
Florist: Ashley Fox Designs
Photographer: KT Sura
Bathrooms: Onsite

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Rustic Elegance owner Kellie doing what she does best! Photo by: KT Sura

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Wide angle photo of the tent setup - so G O R G E O U S! Photo taken by Kellie

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A lounge area full of Rustic Elegance rentals for guests to enjoy - photo taken by Kellie 

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Cute little drink station - photo taken by Kellie 

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Beautiful evening in the clear top tent; the ambiance here is K E Y! - photo taken by Kellie