A Rustic-Meets-Modern Wedding at The Stables in Whitehouse, Ohio

Carissa (24 and a cosmetologist) and Christian Simpson’s (26 and a construction estimator) wedding was an elegant country affair with notes of modern flair. The Stables at Wheeler Farm in Whitehouse, Ohio offered an ideal backdrop for the couple’s rustic-meets-cosmopolitan theme, with its high ceilings, wood paneled walls and an open-air patio overlooking Swan Creek.

“When it came to deciding on a venue, it was quite difficult as we had a very strict budget,” says Carissa. “We had already visited three different locations before we finally settled on The Stables. And the timing could not have been more perfect. At the time, The Stables was a new events venue and they were looking to get a ‘trial wedding’ in ASAP to get the word out about the location. It was love at first sight.”

The day started with an outdoor ceremony, where Carissa and Christian exchanged vows surrounded by acres of perfectly manicured meadows and a quaint white picket fence, beyond which grazed sweet chestnut and dappled ponies. The pair decided to keep the ceremony as intimate as possible, gathering together only their closest family members and friends.

The rest of their guests joined them for a fun-filled reception in The Stables, where Carissa had worked her magic, transforming the organic space with crisp white linens, floating candles in sleek hurricane vases and arrangements of chic white blooms included lilacs, tulips, roses and baby’s breath. “I wanted fairly modern decor with small organic touches, so having the wedding in the barn was the perfect fit,” says Carissa. “I also added a touch of my Asian culture by making a few hundred origami cranes, which we hung from the ceiling, placed on our wedding cake and incorporated throughout the decor.” An all-white color scheme kept the aesthetic feeling fresh, modern and incredibly sophisticated.

Carissa and Christian kept the atmosphere fun and relaxed, encouraging guests to mix, mingle and show of their moves out on the dance floor. A photo slideshow played in the background, sharing moments from the ceremony with guests who had not be present and towards the end of the evening Carissa surprised Christian with a special compilation video she and his cousin Taylor had made in the months leading up to the wedding. “We taped of all his close friends and family members expressing what they love about him most. It was so fun to show because he had no idea!” says Carissa.