Ella + Nic | The Gardens of Castle Rock
THE PLANNING
Planning with Ella and Nic was so fun for the RE team! Every Rustic Elegance couple gets to plan their wedding with our lead planner and owner, Kellie. Ella and Nic’s meetings mostly took place over Zoom because it was convenient for the couple, but we are always happy to meet in person too. Whatever works best for each of our couples! As the wedding neared, Ella and Nic’s day-of coordinator, Cassi, joined the meetings and took over the last minute details.
The couple decided to have their wedding at The Gardens of Castle Rock with their 250 guests. We have been to the stunning gardens many times before, so we were able to give accurate advice regarding the flow and make suggestions based on past weddings there. After months of planning, we couldn’t wait to see their day come to life!
THE MORNING
When the wedding day arrived, everyone was on site bright and early! The ladies were full of excitement as they got their hair and makeup done by Warpaint. While the wedding party was enjoying their morning, their vendors were all on site preparing for the big event! The potential rain storms that were on the way left everyone anxiously checking the radar all morning. The weather caused some shifts in the layout, including moving the bar, appetizer station, and guest book to the tent. We also had to reassign the table arrangement to ensure that everything would fit.
After getting the layout situated, we started on decor. The RE team set up lots of candles, stemware, and flowers (including a 30 foot long centerpiece for the head table)! Michelle from Stargazer Designs was also busy setting up the elegant draping throughout the tent.
Once the bride was finished with glam and slipped into her gown from Wedding Shoppe, she was ready to do the first look with her bridesmaids and her groom. AJF Photography then whisked the couple away to capture a few portraits before having the wedding party join them. We love the way that the florals from Bachman’s and the bridesmaids pink dresses popped with color on the overcast day!
THE CEREMONY
Throughout our time with Ella, she stressed that the most important thing was to get married outside in The Lath House. Seeing the weather for the day, we were getting worried that it wouldn’t be able to happen! We made a backup plan to move the ceremony into the tent if it rained, or start cocktail hour early and have the ceremony afterwards. Thankfully, the rain cleared just as guests began arriving via Lorenz Bus Service and we were able to continue as scheduled!
Once guests were seated, we began directing the wedding party down the aisle. The groom was escorted by his parents, followed by the large wedding party (8 on each side)! Ella made her grand entrance escorted by both of her parents. The ceremony was so sweet and ended in an even sweeter kiss to make it official! Ella and Nic were officially married!
THE RECEPTION
After so much worrying about the weather for the ceremony, everyone was more than ready to celebrate! Guests enjoyed socializing during cocktail hour while Wrecktangle Pizza provided delicious appetizers and beverages. The couple’s friend made their card box and they had a fun polaroid guest book that we placed on the welcome table. And we can’t forget the couple’s unique touch of adding a cigar bar for guests to use throughout the evening!
Once it was time for dinner, the RE team of Cassi and Danielle began to filter everyone into the reception space to take their seats. The DJ from Midwest Sound was super involved and made sure to get guests up and cheering as the bridal party made their grand entrance. He encouraged everyone to wave their pink cloth napkins, everyone had so much fun! After the excitement calmed down, the mother of the groom said a welcome and dinner from Wrecktangle Pizza was served!
We made sure to direct the timing of various speeches given and the thank you said by the couple. While everyone was busy eating, the RE team placed the cupcakes from Lunds & Byerlys. After dinner, we brought the cake to the head table so that the couple could do their cake cutting and enjoy the sweet treat! As you can tell by the cake, the couple had fun with this part!
The couple did their first dance to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, followed by their parent dances. Midwest Sound then invited everyone onto the dance floor and it stayed packed most of the night! After all of that dancing, guests were very excited to hear that the couple was providing a late night snack! Carbones (take and bake) and Wrecktangle Pizza provided various pizzas which were fired by the Glen at Castle Rock in their wood fire pizza oven! Fun fact: the groom works at Wrecktangle Pizza, so it was fun that they were able to cater his wedding!
As the night came to an end, the RE team made sure to pack up all the couple’s decor and put it on the shuttle bus at the end of the night. We then organized the sparkler exit that Ella and Nic walked through into their happily ever after!
Ella + Nic, we had so much fun bringing your day to life! Thank you for having Rustic Elegance on your team!
Special thank you to AJF Photography for capturing the day and sharing the photos with us!
VENDORS
Venue: The Gardens of Castle Rock
Catering / Bar: Wrecktangle Pizza / Carbones
Decor: Stargazer Designs
DJ: Midwest Sound
Florist: Bachman’s
Photographer: AJF Photography
Videographer: Bellagala
Dessert: Lunds & Byerlys
Transportation: Lorenz Bus Service
Hair / Makeup: Warpaint
Bridal Gown: Wedding Shoppe
Coordinator: Rustic Elegance
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol