A Romantic Barn Wedding at Cottonwood Barn in Dexter, Michigan

While planning their August wedding, Kaitlin Edmondson (25 and a wedding planner) and Aaron Parisho (27 and a certified public accountant) knew one thing for sure: A barn was an absolute must. "Both of our mothers grew up on their family farms, so the idea of a barn wedding just felt right," Kaitlin says. The only problem? The venue they had their eye on was under heavy construction. "We had to climb a makeshift staircase, and you could see the first floor via holes in the second-story floor," Kaitlin says of their first visit to Cottonwood Barn in Dexter, Michigan. "I may have raised a few eyebrows when I showed people our venue, but the end product was absolutely stunning." Armed with a muted color palette of blush and gold, the couple used gold sequined linens and mismatched vintage china to turn their rustic venue into a romantic reception space. For a luxe contrast to the natural wood detail of the space, gold chiavari chairs and gilded candles were also brought in. One detail we especially loved: the lush arrangements of dahlias, garden roses and astilbes created by Eden Designs of Brighton, Michigan. "I wanted arrangements that looked as if you'd run through a field of wildflowers and picked some up," Kaitlin says. "Our florist absolutely nailed it." After exchanging vows in an outdoor ceremony overlooking a small pond, the newlyweds and 200 guests retreated to the air-conditioned barn for dinner and dancing among high-top tables made from whiskey barrels. As for wedding favors, the couple treated guests to handmade pretzels, a wedding tradition common in Aaron's family. "Every detail represented us perfectly," Kaitlin says of their celebration. "We just wanted to make sure our guests understood how thankful we were to be surrounded by all our family and friends."