Yurts, farm animals and rusty tractors: it may not sound like the perfect background for a wedding, but after a quick look at Steph and Kyle’s wedding photos, just about anyone would be dreaming of a farm wedding.
Steph and Kyle, who met when they were both in the same bridal party years earlier, instantly felt a connection with their venue, Full Belly Farm. “We knew we wanted to get married outdoors among trees,” says Steph. “Full Belly Farm has a beautiful, working walnut orchard that they allow couples to get married in.” The two held their wedding there in September, surrounded by lush greenery and orangey, earthy-colored flower arrangements.
After the ceremony, the couple spent 10 minutes alone together, which was something their officiant insisted they do before the vows, as well. “It was such a centering and grounding thing,” says Steph. “With all of the chaos of the day and stress leading up to it, it was wonderful just to be together and focus on one another.”
After enjoying the moment together, the couple took photos throughout the property’s orchards and natural settings before moving the celebration closer to the farm’s rustic-modern barn. They chose to keep the décor outdoorsy and straightforward, dressing the family-style tables with greenery and fresh fruit. “We wanted to highlight and celebrate everything about the farm,” says Steph. “We didn’t want anything to feel stuffy or formal.”
Both Steph and Kyle value trying to keep it local when it comes to food, so they extended that to their wedding guests on their big day. “The majority of the food was grown at the farm or nearby. Everything was cooked in their kitchen,” says Steph. The venue even made the desserts for the celebration, including pumpkin, peach and apple pies, all of which were made from fruit grown on the farm.
The dance party lasted well past sunset, with a few guests choosing to camp out at the farm. Steph and Kyle stayed in a luxury yurt, though most guests stayed off-property and took the shuttle bus provided by the couple. Steph says that if she had to do it all over again, she’d encourage more guests to pitch a tent for the evening so the after party could go on a bit longer. She says that although she was a bit sad when the celebration ended, the day was just what they wanted. “We reminded ourselves that the wedding was about celebrating our coming together in marriage,” she says. “Not just about throwing a big party!”
—Suzie Dundas
