1. Real Weddings

A Rustic Farm Wedding at Barnes' Place in Adel, Iowa

A few years after Stephanie Stone (27 and a physical therapist) and Mitch McColloch (28 and a mechanical engineer) first met as undergraduates at Iowa

A few years after Stephanie Stone (27 and a physical therapist) and Mitch McColloch (28 and a mechanical engineer) first met as undergraduates at Iowa State University, Mitch popped the question in the north woods of Minnesota during a hike over Snowbank Lake. "I was shocked," Stephanie admits of the surprise proposal. For their August wedding in Adel, Iowa, the pair searched for a country-inspired venue that felt like home. "Once we saw Barnes' Place, we knew it was the perfect location," Stephanie says. Since they didn't have the option to light a candle during the ceremony, Stephanie and Mitch exchanged vows overlooking the lake in a unity ceremony that incorporated antique locks. "My favorite part of the day was walking our keys down to the pond and tossing them in the water," Stephanie says. As a nod to Mitch's love of hunting, pheasant feathers were incorporated throughout the rustic boutonnieres and anemone-filled bouquets, while other rustic details included a wood ladder wedding arch and homemade jam favors. "My mother-in-law and I made them together along with program fans," Stephanie says. "It was a ton of work, but we had a lot of fun together and everyone loved the finished product!"—Allie Volpe

Stephanie would accompany Mitch during early-morning hunting trips to collect pheasant feathers for flower arrangements, which florist Shelly Sarver Designs incorporated, along with rose and white florals.
Mitch and his groomsmen donned blush rose boutonniere for an added pop of color to their lapels.
Blush roses and white anemones made up each bridesmaid bouquet, along with pheasant feathers for added texture.
Stephanie's A-line gown featured a sweetheart neckline and lace embroidering on the bodice and on the skirt. Its rose color was an unusual touch. "I don't usually wear a lot of jewelry and wanted the dress to be a combination of classy and country," she says.
When Stephanie's bridesmaid dresses hadn't arrived the week before the wedding, Mitch took matters into his own hands. Online, he selected and ordered the lavender knee-length dresses the women wore on the wedding day.
Stephanie and Mitch exchanged vows overlooking the grounds' pond under string lights. The wooden altar matched the wooden benches for guests.
Using a template, Stephanie was able to re-create and reformat her own fan programs. With the help of her future mother-in-law, Stephanie glued the programs to the fan sticks.
Lush greenery and white fabric were draped from a wood ladder wedding arch, giving the rustic decor a romantic edge.
Because of natural constraints, Stephanie and Mitch were unable to perform the ceremonial candlelighting during the wedding. But they put their own spin on the tradition by locking antique locks and tossing them into the pond during the ceremony.
Romantic tree trunks lined the aisle. Lanterns and small arrangements of white florals and greenery topped each.
High on Stephanie and Mitch's wish list was an outdoor venue. "We wanted to find a location that brought the country and outdoor experience to the Des Moines area, where I am from," Stephanie says. "When we saw Barnes' Place we felt like it was the perfect location for our upbringings and lifestyles."
Three small vases filled with blush blooms—and pheasant feathers—sat atop a small wooden box and adorned with candles served as each barnyard table's centerpiece.
The reception venue, Barnes' Place in Adel, Iowa, had a storage room full of decorations that Stephanie and Mitch chose from to outfit the space.
Stephanie and Mitch's cake featured three tiers, white icing and lavender flavor. "I had seen a lavender cake somewhere in all my research and absolutely loved the way it looked and thought it would go well with all the other aspects of our day," Stephanie says.
At the end of the evening, guests took home sweet favors in the form of jarred pear rhubarb grape jam.
Stephanie's A-line gown featured a sweetheart neckline and lace embroidering on the bodice and on the skirt. Its rose color was an unusual touch. "I don't usually wear a lot of jewelry and wanted the dress to be a combination of classy and country," she says.