Beautiful Outdoor Wedding | Emma + Carson
As Minnesota Wedding Coordinators that specialize in backyard and barn weddings, we love when couples decide to have a beautiful outdoor wedding! It always makes for a wedding day that just feels like home to our team.
All of our couples get the honor of working with Rustic Elegance Owner, Kellie, during the planning process. As the wedding day approaches, each couple will be assigned to a highly trained Lead Planner on our team who will take care of them the day of the wedding. For Emma and Carson, this was team member Danielle!
Kellie and Danielle hopped onto a Zoom call with the couple and both of their mothers to go over all the details for the day. This is how we ensure a smooth transition to your Day of Coordinator!
As the call wrapped up, we were all feeling pumped for the couple’s quickly approaching wedding at Almquist Farm with their 130 guests!
THE MORNING
When the big day arrived, our team was excited to take on another Almquist wedding! The ladies gathered upstairs in The Grainery, which is where the bridal suite is located at Almquist. E&E Hair and Glam with Anna were the beauty squad for the day, leaving the ladies looking like the most stunning version of themselves!
As the RE team arrived on site, we ensured everything was on track. Blessings & Blossoms had already set up all the beautiful florals, and Encore Events really elevated the space with the draping hung from the pillars. It was coming together beautifully, just as planned!
While the wedding party finished getting ready, our team of coordinators finished setting up and greeting vendors. Aunt Tammy and cousin Kristin even popped in to help us set up the table decor, which consisted of lit tree branches and florals!
When Emma finished with hair and makeup she slipped into her stunning gown from The Wedding Shoppe that fit her like a glove thanks to Reyna’s Alterations. It suited her so well!
Laci Jane Photography set the couple up on the path for their first look, which gave us all the enchanted fairytale vibes! The bride and groom shared a sweet moment with lots of happy tears!
Emma and Carson made their way around the venue for couple portraits, followed by fun photos with their wedding party. This was such a lovely group!
We then pulled the group aside for a quick day-of rehearsal. We love doing rehearsals day-of for so many reasons, but it always leaves the wedding party feeling much more confident!
Then it was time for the wedding party to hide away as guests arrived. Emma and Carson took this opportunity to sign their marriage license in the bridal suite!
THE CEREMONY
When guests arrived, the ushers were ready to greet them with programs and invited them to grab a bottle of water as it was a hot MN summer day! As they made their way to the ceremony site, the couple had a fun mirror that guests could take selfies in. Such a fun way to capture the memories of the day (and the fun outfits)!
At 3:30pm, everyone was seated and it was time for the ceremony to begin! The RE team cued the processional, which consisted of 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen, 2 flower girls, and 2 ushers. Carson was escorted in by his parents, then came back to walk Emma’s mom in.
Emma then made her grand entrance escorted by her father. The moment brought big smiles to everyone’s faces!
The bride and groom shared the sweetest vows during the ceremony (if you caught us tearing up… don’t tell anyone). To make it even more special, one of the bride’s family members was the officiant. It was his first time officiating a wedding and we have to say, he nailed it! There was also a reading by the groom’s aunt and a prayer by the bride’s aunt. So many intentional moments!
They sealed all of this love with a long awaited kiss before recessing down the aisle as Mr and Mrs!
It was important to the couple that they say hello to each guest, so they returned to start their receiving line and dismiss each row. After the receiving line, the bride and groom went back to the bridal suite for a moment alone. We always encourage our couples to take this time together and soak up that just married feeling!
Meanwhile, The RE team was busy cleaning up the ceremony site and repurposing the arch flowers on the head table.
THE RECEPTION
As guests made their way out of the receiving line, they headed to the bar for cocktail hour. There were two specialty cocktails to enjoy, the Bo-Diggity and the Hound Dog, named after the couple’s pup! They also came with the cutest drink stir sticks. We were obsessed! A grazing table was also available with an array of pre-packages snacks that the couple provided for guests to enjoy.
If anyone couldn’t find their child (or significant other!), we can almost guarantee that you would find them feeding veggie straws to the goats.
Not long after, we began inviting guests to take their seats for dinner. Once everyone was in the barn, we cued the wedding party’s grand entrance. As you can see, they all had lots of fun with this!
As everyone settled from the excitement, the couple said a quick welcome speech and invited everyone to enjoy the delicious buffet dinner provided by Tinucci’s.
While everyone was enjoying the meal, the RE team began setting out the Crumbl Cookies for dessert. The couple chose cookies as their dessert for a very specific reason! The sign at the dessert table explained this fun story:
“Why cookies? They symbolize our connection as a couple. Carson’s childhood memories of enjoying cookies and milk have evolved into our signature travel treat, and even today, they remain a nightly ritual for Carson.”
As everyone finished eating, the couple took to the center of the floor for their first dance. It was so elegant! Emma and Carson were then joined by their father and mother respectively for a joint parent dance. This was so meaningful!
The Dj then invited everyone onto the dance floor. All ages rushed out and started busting their best moves. It was a party!
While their guests were dancing away, Emma and Carson snuck outside for a few sunset photos with Laci Jane Photography. Something about a beautiful outdoor wedding makes for the perfect golden hour photos!
As the evening progressed, the weather cooled off slightly and everyone was outside enjoying themselves by playing bags, feeding the goats, enjoying the fire, and socializing.
In the background, the RE team was busy cleaning up and packing everything away into the designated locations. Adding on our Clean Up Package ensures you and your loved ones can enjoy the day to the absolute fullest!
The night wrapped up with plenty of dancing, late night pizza, and doggy-themed cocktails! First Student Transportation arrived on-site to give guests a safe ride back to the hotel.
Emma + Carson, our team absolutely loved working with you to bring your Almquist wedding to life! We hope marriage has been filled with as much love and laughter as this day was.
Are you having an outdoor wedding? That’s our specialty! Check out our coordination packages and see if we’re a good fit or check out more of our weddings at Almquist Farm.
VENDORS
Minnesota Wedding Coordinator: Rustic Elegance - Kellie, Danielle, and Kayla
Venue: Almquist Farm
Caterer: Tinucci’s
Draping: Encore Events
Florist: Blessings & Blossoms
Photographer: Laci Jane Photography
Dessert: Crumbl Cookies
Transportation: First Student
Hair: E&E Hair
Makeup: Glam with Anna
Bridal Gown: The Wedding Shoppe
Alterations: Reyna’s Alterations
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol