Brittany & Mitch’s country wedding at The Barn at Woodlake Meadows on May 23rd

Brittany and Mitch had both their ceremony and reception at the picturesque Barn at Woodlake Meadows and it could not have been a more prefect setting for their country themed wedding planned by one of my favorite planners, Katie Dunn from La Fete.  As guests arrived they visited with friends and family in the barn, then made their way down the walkway to the lake for the ceremony. As guests found their seats I had a mix of piano versions of pop songs playing.  The parents & grandparents walked down the aisle to an Irish folk song “Red Is The Rose”, the groomsmen and bridesmaids to “A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys and Brittany and her father entered to “Look At Me” by Carrie Underwood.  After a beautiful ceremony by Reverend Barbara Lodge, the wedding party recessed to “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis and guests made their way back to the barn for the cocktail hour.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards playing and guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails served in mason jars.  They visited on the back porch, in the barn and toured the grounds while photographers Robin Lin and Stacy Borelli took some pics of the wedding party and videographers RDP3 got some shots.  They even had magician Joel Givens making his way around to each group performing for them during cocktails and dinner.  It was time for the wedding party to be announced and the 180 guests made their way into the barn and found their seats.  I introduced the wedding party to “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull and they entered from the top of the balcony.  Brittany and Mitch entered to thunderous applause and came down the stairs to the dance floor for their first dance to “Then” by Brad Paisley.  They took their seats and Brittany’s father Don welcomed everyone and gave a heart felt toast followed by a blessing by Reverend Barbara Lodge.  The food stations opened and I started a dinner mix of country, soft rock and a few classic soul songs.

After dinner we had a toast by Mitch’s father (also his best man!) and a tearful toast by Brittany’s sister Ashley.  The Sugarland Cake cutting followed to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra that they cut with Mitch’s sword since he is a 2^nd Lieutenant in the service.  Brittany joined her father on the floor for their dance to “Butterfly Kisses”, Mitch escorted his mother to the floor to dance to “Find Your Wings” and Brittany’s parents had a special dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran that they had everyone join them on the floor after a minute.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Cupid Shuffle” that instantly filled it including a dancing grandmother!  For the next 2 ½ hours guests danced to disco, top 40, some 80’s and country.  We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Little White Church”, garter removal to “Wild Thing” by The Troggs and garter toss to “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble”.

 

A few moments that stood out for me were Mitch and some bridesmaids doing a sprinkler dance to “Get Low” by Lil Jon, Brittany’s parents showing off their hustle moves to “Stayin’ Alive” and everyone singing along to “Wagon Wheel”.  The night ended with “Closing Time” by Semisonic and a sparkler exit to their classic car getaway.  What a fun night and beautiful venue.  Thank you Brittany, Mitch, Don and Mary!....and Katie Dunn!!