A Rustic, Vintage-Inspired Wedding at The Stables in Whitehouse, Ohio
Desirae McDonald (26 and an occupational therapy assistant) and William Eisenman (28 and a registered nurse) planned a rustic affair with a playful feminine twist for their September wedding at The Stables in Whitehouse, Ohio.
The day started with an outdoor ceremony officiated by William’s childhood pastor. Acres of green pastures, lush forest and bright blue skies provided a stunning backdrop for the celebration. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows they’d written themselves under a barn wood arch handcrafted by their fathers, and instead of a traditional unity ceremony, Desirae and William performed a tree planting ceremony. “The ceremony was, by far, our favorite part of the day. I would advise couples to make the ceremony their own,” says Desirae. “We had a poem titled ‘Why Love Is Like Owning a Dog’ read because we have two fur babies, so it really reflected our love and lifestyle!”
After saying “I do,” Desirae and William joined their guests indoors for dinner and dancing. Deep purple linens topped with burlap table runners and DIY elements like tree slab pedestals and gilded mason jars filled with baby’s breath and wildflowers filled the room with just the right balance of quaint rustic vibes and romantic drama. The pair served up a mouth-watering spread of barbecue eats to complement the rustic theme and miniature cheesecakes in flavors like salted caramel and mixed berry. After dinner, the couple invited their guests out onto the dance floor where Decorative Sounds spun late into the night. Desirae and William also provided a vintage-inspired photo booth, jam-packed with antique hats. Fur coats, costume jewelry and more, where their friends and family could have fun striking a pose.
A tip for the taking from Desirae: “No matter what, don’t let wedding planning get in the way of your relationship! Remember why you’re marrying each other, and don’t let the color of your linens stress you out. Numerous times, on the day of our wedding, I just stopped what I was doing and took in all my surroundings so that I would always remember our special day. During the reception, William and I took time to go outside on the patio, put our feet up and just enjoy each other’s company for a few minutes. This was one of my favorite memories from the night!”