A Shabby Chic DIY Wedding at White Mule Winery in Owensville, Missouri

Mandy Newman (24 and a speech-language pathologist) and CJ Irwin (25 and an actor) chose to have their wedding at White Mule Winery for its rustic aura, indoor and outdoor options, use of the onsite bed and breakfast, and the awesome staff. “The owners, and everyone we interacted with during the wedding and planning process, were very accommodating,” Mandy says. “Nothing really seemed to throw them for a loop-even when we asked to have a bonfire and to let our friends camp out after the wedding.” They had their ceremony in the pavilion (since the weather wasn’t the best that day), which they decorated with DIY flags and tins of baby’s breath. Instead of a traditional unity candle, the couple had a unity painting where they poured paint on a canvas together. “Although painting on a windy day in a wedding dress was a bit risky, it was a special moment and provided a wedding day memory that we can hang in our house,” Mandy says. And at the end of the ceremony, the couple took their first steps to the Yub Nub song from Star Wars Episode VI! Mandy and CJ used a coral, gray and navy color palette complete with burlap and wood details for a shabby chic, natural feel. Students at the University of Missouri Tiger Garden Student Run Florist created all the lush ivory and coral floral arrangements and a friend of the couple made the rosette covered funfetti and strawberry wedding cake. At the end of the night, the Spotify playlist turned into karaoke for an ultra-fun celebration.