1. Real Weddings

A Rustic Summer Barn Wedding at Monclova Community Center in Monclova, Ohio

Jessica (27 and a stay-at-home mom) and Darren (32 and a refinery operator) met at a sports bar, where Jessica was cheering on her favorite team, the

Jessica (27 and a stay-at-home mom) and Darren (32 and a refinery operator) met at a sports bar, where Jessica was cheering on her favorite team, the Detroit Tigers. When the team started losing, Jessica stepped out for some fresh air and bumped into Darren (instantly smitten because she thought he resembled the Tigers's pitcher). They got along right away and started dating regularly, and Darren even built a strong relationship with Jessica's daughter. "I knew right there that he was the one," Jessica recounts. A year later, the family-oriented couple welcomed a son together and cemented their family. Darren proposed a year after the birth of their son in front of the stadium at a Tigers playoff game. When it came to their wedding, Darren and Jessica wanted a simple rustic theme and found the perfect barn at the Monclova Community Center in Monclova, Ohio. With a color scheme of blush (to match the wedding dress), mint green, and pops of coral, Darren and Jessica kept their decor modest with accents of twine, lace, burlap, and rustic wood. Most importantly, they found ways to include their two kids in the celebration to serve as flower girl and ring bearer, and Darren even took the time to give Jessica's daughter a father-daughter dance of her very own.

Jessica went to four different dress stores before she found her dream dress and picked it off the mannequin. She especially loved the subtle blush color of her strapless mermaid-fit dress with silk buttons all the way down the back.
Although Jessica originally wanted her bridesmaids to wear coral dresses, she ended up picking a blush wedding dress and thought the long, strapless, mint green gowns would better complement the color scheme.
Bride in Strapless Mermaid Dress with Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
Jessica doesn't usually wear a lot of jewelry, so she opted to forgo the necklace, leaving her neckline bear and accessorizing instead with a delicate bracelet and pair of earrings.
The Ceremony at Monclova Community Center
Groom and Bride in Mermaid Wedding Dress at Barn Wedding Under Branch Arch
Mint Green Converse Wedding Sneakers
Mint Wedding Party Toasts with Shots in Monclova, Ohio
For their summery rustic theme, Jessica and Darren used tree stumps as bases for their centerpieces with twine-wrapped beer and wine bottles used as vases for stems of baby's breath and daisies (Jessica's favorite).
The four-tier lemon and buttercream wedding cake was wrapped in a ribbon of burlap with a straw bow decorated with small burlap and lace flowers. An elegant monogram cake topper was painted to resemble wood to fit in with the rustic theme.
Groom and Pink Flower Girl Father-Daughter Dance at Monclova Reception
The First Dance at the Monclova Community Center