McKenna + Tyler | Howling Moon
THE PLANNING
Picture this… you’re enjoying the perfect MN fall weather on the beautiful property of a rustic barn. It would be the perfect scene for a wedding, right? We think so too! Lucky for us, we were the coordinators for McKenna and Tyler’s wedding at Howling Moon on a day just like that.
First, let’s backtrack a bit. Prior to the wedding, we spent time planning with the bride and her mother. They were both so sweet and so much fun to work through the details with! At Rustic Elegance, we love when couples book all of our services so we can act as a one stop shop for a variety of items on their wedding checklist. McKenna and Tyler took advantage of this and booked us for coordination, picked out tons of our decor, and rented our photo booth! The couple picked up our rental decor the week of the wedding and used the items for their rehearsal dinner before bringing them to the venue to be used there as well.
THE MORNING
The morning of the wedding, the wedding party gathered with their groups in their respective suites. The ladies got their hair and makeup done with Pure Beauty before heading outside to pop mini custom bottles of champagne. These photos turned out so fun!
McKenna then made her way back inside to slip into her gown from Raffine Bridal. She looked absolutely stunning! Before her bridesmaids got dressed, they lined up in their matching red robes for a first look with the bride. As soon as they turned around they began hyping McKenna up. The vibes were high and they were ready to get their girl married!
It was then time for McKenna’s first look with her father. She made her way outside and gave her dad’s shoulder a gentle tap. As he turned around, his face said it all! They shared an emotional moment before McKenna’s father sent her off to do her first look with her groom.
Lulle Photo and Film set the couple up for the perfect outdoor first look. The couple shared a much needed hug as soon as they saw one another, and all of that wedding day stress melted away! After admiring one another’s attire, from McKenna’s hair to Tyler’s jacket, they shared their private vows.
When McKenna and Tyler’s intimate first look wrapped up, Lulle Photo and Film took them around the venue for couple and wedding party portraits. The husband and wife photo and video team captured all the right angles, including Halle getting on Luke’s shoulders!
While all of this was happening, the RE team worked on setting up decor and greeting vendors. Studio B Floral’s crew was also on site and busy decorating every location with pops of floral details. It was all coming together perfectly!
As photos wrapped up, the RE team pulled the wedding party aside for a quick day-of rehearsal. DJ Berndt from Adagio ran through the songs and microphone details with our team. He is always so great to work with!
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony site looked absolutely stunning! The wooded location is perfectly tucked right off the entrance path. This makes it easily accessible while also being separated from the barn. The arch was provided by the venue and beautifully decorated by Studio B Floral.
McKenna and Tyler had a large processional, which is why our day-of rehearsal was so important. With our help, their crew made it swiftly down the aisle with ease! This included 8 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen, 2 ushers, a ring bearer, a flower girl, the grandmas, and of course the couple with their parents! McKenna made her grand entrance with her father to “River Flows in You” by Yiruma.
The couple had many special elements to their ceremony including a reading by Grandma Steph and a water pouring unity symbol. The entire thing was officiated by the bride’s Aunt Tara. It was her first time officiating a wedding, so we made sure to walk through all the details with her beforehand so that she felt confident. She did amazing!
As the ceremony came to an end, DJ Berndt from Adagio began playing “Cover Me Up” by Morgan Wallen. The couple recessed down the aisle while guests tossed dried flower petals. McKenna and Tyler then did a receiving line to greet each of their guests. The RE team also made sure to pop in with two glasses of champagne for the couple to enjoy as husband and wife!
While the couple was busy with their guests, the RE team repurposed the aisle decor to the dinner tables. The groomsmen also helped out by moving the ceremony arch to the barn so we could use it as a backdrop for our photo booth!
THE RECEPTION
After guests were greeted by the couple, they made their way to the bottom of the barn for cocktail hour. The MN School of Bartending team kept the drinks flowing as everyone snacked on appetizers of bruschetta and a charcuterie board from Chef Craig. Our photo booth was also available during cocktail hour, which guests had so much fun using! They received their images via text, and the bride and groom got the full gallery emailed to them the day after the wedding. Our couples always say how much they love seeing their wedding from this unique perspective and how fun it is to get photos from their wedding back the next day!
In the upper part of the barn, we were ensuring all the finishing touches were completed for the reception. The table decor was a combination of items provided by the couple, Studio B Floral, and Howling Moon Events. The head table was set for 18 people using the venue's wood tables. As dinner time approached, we asked that guests head upstairs to their assigned table.
Once everyone had found their seats in the reception area, the couple and wedding party made their grand entrance! As the couple entered, they went directly into their first dance to “Long Haul” by Ian Munsick. We love when couples do this as it ensures that everyone is present and attentive for the first dance! After the couples first dance, there was a prayer said by Nick and a quick thank you from McKenna and Tyler. It was then time for everyone to dive into the delicious buffet dinner from Chef Craig!
When the couple finished eating, Lulle Photo and Film took them out to the grassy field for sunset photos. They turned out so dreamy with the most perfect golden glow!
Upon returning to the barn, it was time for speeches. The maid of honor, best man, father of the groom, and father of the bride all shared sweet words and fond memories they had with the couple. There was a smile on every face by the end of each speech!
Back in the bottom of the barn, we set out sweet treats from Lunds & Byerlys and Costco. This included a semi-naked cake for the couple’s cake cutting. We love how this style of cake naturally gives off rustic vibes. It was perfect for a Howling Moon wedding!
After dinner, guests gathered back downstairs for the traditional parent dances. The father daughter dance was to “You’ll Always Be My Baby” by Alan Jackson and the mother son dance was to “Humble and Kind” by The Barefoot Movement. The dance floor then flooded with guests as DJ Berndt from Adagio got the party started!
Outside, the excitement continued as the couple had booked a mechanical bull from Fun Jumps for the remainder of the night! This was a first for the RE team, and it was such a fun experience for everyone involved. Plus, check out how awesome these photos turned out!
Prior to the wedding day, McKenna decided that she wanted to preserve her wedding bouquet. We referred her to Everlasting Love of Flowers who had last minute availability on her date! We made sure to coordinate the best time for her bouquet to be picked up, which was during these late night activities when the upper level of the barn was cleared out. The Everlasting Love of Flowers team was able to slip in and grab the necessary flowers to create a beautiful preserved piece from McKenna’s flowers. You can check out a video of the transformation HERE!
The remainder of the night was spent dancing, taking photos in the photo booth, riding the mechanical bull, socializing, and enjoying prepackaged snacks provided by the couple. The RE team ensured that everything was cleaned up and loaded into the couple’s trailer per our Clean Up Package that the couple booked.
We always like to stress how important it is to offer transportation for your guests if you are having a hosted bar. McKenna and Tyler went with Rent My Party Bus who ensured that guests got a safe ride back to the hotel for the night.
McKenna + Tyler, you two were so much fun to work with and gave us a wedding to remember! Cheers to this wild ride of life you are embarking on together, we hope it’s as much fun as the mechanical bull!
Huge thank you to Lulle Photo and Film for sharing these photos with us!
VENDORS
Venue: Howling Moon Events
Caterer: Chef Craig
Dessert: Lunds & Byerlys / Costco
Bar Service: MN School of Bartending
DJ: Adagio
Florist: Studio B Floral
Bouquet Preservation: Everlasting Love of Flowers
Photographer/Videographer: Lulle Photo and Film
Photo Booth: Rustic Elegance
Mechanical Bull: Fun Jumps
Transportation: Rent My Party Bus
Hair/Makeup: Pure Beauty
Bridal Gown: Raffine Bridal
Coordinator: Rustic Elegance - Kellie and Amy
Creatively written by: Hope Konkol