Bethany + Matt | Catalyst
THE PLANNING
Bethany and Matt were so fun to work with throughout their entire wedding planning process! Rustic Elegance’s owner, Kellie, had the pleasure of meeting with the bride and her mom for various in person meetings. As the wedding day approached, the couple’s lead planner Cassi helped wrap up all the final details. We were excited to help coordinate a wedding at the new venue Catalyst by Nature Link! Spoiler alert: we loved it!!
THE MORNING
On the beautiful October morning of Bethany and Matt’s wedding day, the bride arrived bright and early to start getting ready. She had her cousin there to do her hair and one of her friends to do her makeup. They did amazing and she looked absolutely stunning in her glam and dress from The White Room!
Once all the ladies were ready, Bethany did a first look with her bridesmaids. We love the pure joy in their reactions! Their photographer, Sincerely the Kitchens, then took the gals outside for a few group portraits. Then the groomsmen joined Matt for a few pictures… as you can see, they all had a lot of fun getting photographed! The bride and groom opted not to do a first look before the ceremony, so Sincerely the Kitchens tried to get as many photos as they could beforehand without them seeing each other.
In place of a first look, the couple did a first touch and took a private moment with each other to say a prayer. We love helping couples incorporate things that are important to them in the timeline!
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony site at Catalyst is so beautiful! The towering trees and rustic benches feel secluded, yet elegant. The RE sister duo of Cassi and Cari helped set out decor and ensured that everything was in place. The arch was provided by the family and Lily Grass Studios decorated it with gorgeous florals!
For Bethany and Matt, the ceremony had many special components that were important to them. One of those being that they got to see each other for the first time in their wedding attire as Bethany walked down the aisle! We loved this special moment that the couple shared with their friends and family!
The ceremony had many more elements to it that were special to the couple. They had 4 friends/family members play and sing live music, included 2 readings and a few worship songs, and had their family do a special prayer over them. The couple also partook in communion which consisted of a bread loaf and grape juice. The sweet ceremony concluded as the couple shared a kiss and were announced husband and wife! Bethany and Matt then dismissed each row of guests as a way of ensuring they would be able to say hello to everyone.
THE RECEPTION
The couple opted to have no alcohol served at the wedding, so guests enjoyed a beverage station and appetizers during social hour! There were many activities to keep everyone busy including yard games, a polaroid guest book, and a cute lounge area provided by Style Society! Guests were also encouraged to grab their favors which were tapered beeswax candles.
Sincerely the Kitchens took this opportunity to pull the couple aside for a few portraits with each other and their wedding party. The RE team was busy repurposing the ceremony decor in the reception space. The family provided and pre-tied the napkins so that our team could place them. There were also various colored goblets on the tables that were rented from Rudy’s. The linens from Party Time brought the space together with the perfect amount of elegance!
As social hour wrapped up, we began to guide guests into the reception space to take their seats. Once everyone was seated, the couple and the wedding party did their grand entrance! The father of the bride then said a prayer before we began dismissing tables to the delicious buffet provided by The Woods. When guests were finished with their meal, they made their way to the dessert table which was on our wood table that the couple had rented. There were a variety of pies and cheesecakes to choose from, which was a unique offering that guests loved! The couple's “cake cutting” was a blueberry pie from The Knotty Pine! Guests thoroughly enjoyed the pies, along with the cheesecakes from The Ugly Cheesecake Factory.
After dinner, the couple did their sweet first dance. This was followed by the parent dances that were just as special! You could just feel the love radiating from these happy families!
After the first dances the RE team departed as the couple opted to not book our clean up package. Music On Demand kept the party going all night and made sure that the couple got their last dance as guests lined up for a send off at 9:30pm. As the newlyweds exited the venue, guests threw dried calendula leaves. It was the end of a wonderful wedding day!
Bethany + Matt, you were a joy to work with and we hope married life has been just as special as this day!
Big thank you to Sincerely the Kitchens for sharing these photos with us!
VENDORS
Venue: The Catalyst by Nature Link
Caterer: The Woods
Rentals: Style Society / Rudy’s / Rustic Elegance
Linens: Party Time
Ceremony Music: Friends of the couple
DJ: Music On Demand
Florist: Lily Grass Studios
Photographer / Videographer: Sincerely the Kitchens
Dessert: The Knotty Pine / The Ugly Cheesecake Factory
Hair / Makeup: Cousin / Friend
Wedding Gown: The White Room
Coordinator: Rustic Elegance
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol