1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Craft-Beer-Inpsired Wedding at Valenzano Winery in Shamong, New Jersey

Kylene Farnan (27 and a fourth grade teacher) and Jereme Lentz (28 and an office manager) love craft beer—drinking it, making it and visiting brewerie

Kylene Farnan (27 and a fourth grade teacher) and Jereme Lentz (28 and an office manager) love craft beer—drinking it, making it and visiting breweries together. If it involves craft beer, they're into it! "It was an obvious choice that the theme of our wedding should be craft beer," says Kylene. The couple pulled off their boozy, nontraditional theme by incorporating subtle nods to their shared hobby throughout their rustic wedding at Valenzano Winery in Shamong, New Jersey. Drink coaster save-the-dates set the tone early on, followed by a day complete with floral arrangements in assorted beer bottles from their favorite breweries, bottle cap escort cards and home brew on tap. Looking for a summery color palette that wasn't too bright, Kylene and Jereme decided on muted shades of red, white and blue for their quirky, July nuptials. "The colors were off by just enough so they didn't feel too patriotic," says Kylene.  With neutral, organic hues as their canvas, the couple wove in pops of red and blue here and there, like in the flowers and the men's ties. From the bride: "Don’t budge on what you really want! It is your wedding so do what makes you (and your future spouse) happy!"

Custom beer coaster Save The Dates hinted at the craft beer theme of Kylene and Jereme's wedding.
Kylene wore a cameo necklace that has been in her family for generations. "My grandfather gave it to my grandmother on their wedding day and my mother wore it when she married my father," she explains. "I knew I wanted to keep the tradition going by wearing it too!"
Thistle, Red Anemone and Seeded Eucalyptus Bridal Bouquet
Kylene and Jereme First Look
Tan Groom's Suit with Blue Tie
Kylene's six bridesmaids wore the same floor-length champagne dresses by Alfred Angelo with their choice of neckline. "I didn't plan on having them all wear the same dress, but it just so happened that when we went dress shopping they all fell in love with the same one," recalls Kylene.
Baby's Breath Bridesmaid Bouquet
Kylene and her Flower Girl
Casual Groomsmen Look with Suspenders
Kylene and Jereme Bridal Party
In keeping with the craft beer theme, the couple lined the ceremony aisle with growlers filled with tufts of baby's breath hanging from shepherds hooks.
Kylene and Jereme Wedding Ceremony
Kylene and Jereme Wedding Ceremony Vows
Kylene and Jereme First Kiss
"Originally, I didn’t think I wanted a veil, but my mom wanted to see me in one," says Kylene. "As soon as she put it on, I knew it was perfect. I even teared up a bit!"
Kylene and Jereme Couple Photo
Ivory, Lace, Fit and Flare Wedding Dress with Champagne Sash
Beer-Themed Chalkboard Reception Sign
Beer Bottle Cap Escort Card Display
The couple's escort cards featured bottle caps from some of Kylene and Jereme's favorite breweries.
Wildflowers and hops were held in an assortment of vintage glass and beer bottles for an eclectic look.
Kylene and Jereme's first dance was to a cover of "I Love How You Love Me" by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. "We used the version from his 'Live at Jittery Joe’s” album. It was short and sweet and when it pops up on the iPod’s shuffle we get a nice little reminder of our wedding day," says Kylene.
"We wanted the cake to be simple," explains Kylene. Neither of us are flashy people so we opted for a striped buttercream look." The lemon and raspberry flavored wedding cake was finished with fresh white flowers and displayed on a wooden stand for a rustic look.