meghan lee harris

March 27, 2019

Amy + Andrew | Romantic Country Wedding | Lake Orchard Farm Retreat – Sheboygan, WI

WAH! My last wedding of 2018 season is finally on the blog. It’s bittersweet closing the door on this incredible year. It will always go down as the year I left the office world, dove head first into weddings, took risks, created a life of adventure, filled with the sweetest moments along the way. 14 beautiful weddings, 14 of the sweetest couples, the best families and friends, locations and decor that blew me away, I am so lucky I get to call this a career.

Amy and Andrew wrapped up my wedding season in the sweetest of ways. It was a brisk, fall day at Lake Orchard Farm Retreat, and I just remember this day being so calm and romantic. Everything about it exuded romance. Amy’s beautiful blush ball gown and matching blush veil, this rustic barn venue on the lake and the turning trees. The undeniable love and adoration they have for eachother. The sweet way Amy touches his face as they kiss. I loved all the detail and thought they put into making their day 100% theirs, focusing less on latest trends, and more on things that truly represented them. Because looking back at your photos years from now, isn’t that what you’ll want to remember?

Amy is one of the sweetest brides and left some super thoughtful wedding tips for you all! Scroll to the end to read all about it and enjoy some favorite images of their wedding along the way!

.
.
ADVICE FROM BRIDE AMY
.
.
What was your FAVORITE memory of your wedding day?
Andrew and I both agree on one of our favorite moments of our wedding day. Our venue was rented for the weekend so it allowed us to not pack up much at the end of the night aside from excess drinks and food. Our wedding day was so chilly that at the end of the night after every guest left the wedding barn, we sat next to each other wrapped up in blankets in such a great big open space and were able to reflect on the day and be in the moment with each other. It is a moment that I will never forget, and am so grateful that we didn’t rush off right as the festivities ended.
.
.
How far in advance did you book vendors? Which 3 did you book first?
We booked our venue first… before getting engaged. YES ladies, we were that couple. Although… unlike Monica Gellar… Andrew was fully aware of our wedding venue and also on-board. Our family may have raised an eyebrow, but for us it was the perfect date and the perfect venue so we booked it. We were so excited to have a place where we wouldn’t have to drive back and forth between a ceremony space and reception, and our families could stay on site with their little ones within a short walking distance (across the yard) which removed a lot of logistical messes for us. Next, we booked Meghan. She hadn’t shot a wedding yet, but I knew right from the time I saw her first few posts that she was going to be the one. I loved her personal write-up on her website and was yes I’ll admit it… obsessed with her instagram feed. Hands down the best decision we made regarding vendors for our wedding. She was fantastic and was one of our vendors that made us feel extra special from the get-go.
.
.
Any tips on dress shopping / saying yes to THE dress?
First off – I ended up going with the first dress I tried on. It seemed too good to be true and was also a little scary as I went with a non-traditional / non-white dress. But from the second the back was laced up. I was madly in love. I suggest making sure that you are 100% happy with the dress as it fits you when you try it on. If there is a part about the dress that feels uncomfortable or you don’t completely love how it looks on you – make sure you have a plan to alter that part of the dress or find one that is the perfect fit for YOU. Setting goals to completely alter your appearance by the time of the wedding is what every bride does, but make sure that you don’t stress yourself out too much before the big day. Remember: you are beautiful – I guarantee your future husband thinks so! Back to the dress – I went to Bon Bon Belle Bridal and they were SO helpful. I would suggest going to a place that first off respects your budget – if you tell someone a budget when you get there – don’t even try something outside of that budget on. You are going to fall in love and then be devastated when no other dress lives up to the feeling of slipping something $1,000 over your price-rage on. I went to one bridal store and they automatically brought over some VERY fancy dresses even though I had been clear about how much I was planning on spending. Bon Bon Belle was absolutely great! They made me feel special and the whole experience was amazing. Also, this is a special time where YOU are the center of attention – if you aren’t comfortable with a whole possy along when you try on dresses, its okay to have a small group go or even go by yourself. Long story short – stay comfortable, enjoy the process, and fall madly in love with the dress you ultimately go with.
.
.
What was the hardest part to plan?
The timeline was the hardest part to plan and took the most thought. There is a lot going on and SO many logistics to plan out. Having a solid timeline helps make sure that there are no holes or things that you are overlooking. The most important part of having a crazy detailed timeline is making sure that you are okay with things not always going to plan. Although a detailed list of who should be where at all times is great – I can guarantee you that at multiple points throughout the day there will be a wild-card wedding party member or a missing aunt or uncle. Just roll with it. 🙂 Also, if anyone is ever interested in having help starting a timeline I am happy to share a great tool that a bride before me shared. It was a game-changer. **brides – email me if you’d like Amy’s timeline template!
.
.
What did you NOT include but wish you had?
We are very satisfied with the categories of vendors that we included – there were a few things and/or specific vendors that we wish we could have changed – but overall we were happy with the mix we chose!
.
.
What detail/expense could you have done without?
There were some items that we purchased and then never put out or used during the wedding – simplicity is key when planning a wedding – but its easy to get swept up into ornate decorations or little added details that create a certain vibe you are going for. Ultimately I wouldn’t change a thing – from the last minute purchase of pashminas, cozy blankets for guests, cups of coffee, to rafia string used to tie name tags to the mason jars… each little detail added to the over-all vision we had and hope for happy & comfortable wedding party/guests.
.
.
Overall, what is the best advice you can give to planning brides?
I am a 100% believer that you should focus on what makes YOU happy. This is one day… hopefully one of many… but a time in your life where all the people you love will be in the same room together. Don’t be afraid to take two things that maybe wouldn’t go together in a wedding magazine but make you smile and add them into your wedding somehow. Is your fiancé obsessed with Star Wars? Maybe incorporate it with adding a little Darth Vader Lego Figure as a place-card/favor at each seat. Do you have a crazy song that you both love? Don’t walk down the aisle to the traditional wedding tunes. Do you love your Grandma and want her to have an extra special role? Let your grandma be the flower girl! Don’t be afraid to take risks especially if they are meaningful or are add a little extra joy to an already special day. Take the classic mental pictures and try to be as present as possible. As someone who is often nervous in front of a big group… its easy to get wrapped up with nervous feels. Focus on the hand squeeze your dad gives you right before you walk down the aisle together or the way your fiancé looks when they first see you, or the taste of your wedding cake. These simple beautiful moments are so special. Give them the attention they deserve. Also – plan for at least 5 things to go wrong. That way it won’t rock your world when the bartender forgets to bring cranberry juice for one of your signature mixed drinks. Or the DJ plays the wrong exit song. It happens. Take a deep breath. Focus on all the love and beauty around you on this fantastic day you get to spend with the man or woman of your dreams.

WAH! My last wedding of 2018 season is finally on the blog. It’s bittersweet closing the door on this incredible year. It will always go down as the year I left the office world, dove head first into weddings, took risks, created a life of adventure, filled with the sweetest moments along the way. 14 beautiful weddings, 14 of the sweetest couples, the best families and friends, locations and decor that blew me away, I am so lucky I get to call this a career.

Amy and Andrew wrapped up my wedding season in the sweetest of ways. It was a brisk, fall day at Lake Orchard Farm Retreat, and I just remember this day being so calm and romantic. Everything about it exuded romance. Amy’s beautiful blush ball gown and matching blush veil, this rustic barn venue on the lake and the turning trees. The undeniable love and adoration they have for eachother. The sweet way Amy touches his face as they kiss. I loved all the detail and thought they put into making their day 100% theirs, focusing less on latest trends, and more on things that truly represented them. Because looking back at your photos years from now, isn’t that what you’ll want to remember?

Amy is one of the sweetest brides and left some super thoughtful wedding tips for you all! Scroll to the end to read all about it and enjoy some favorite images of their wedding along the way!

.
.
ADVICE FROM BRIDE AMY
.
.
What was your FAVORITE memory of your wedding day?
Andrew and I both agree on one of our favorite moments of our wedding day. Our venue was rented for the weekend so it allowed us to not pack up much at the end of the night aside from excess drinks and food. Our wedding day was so chilly that at the end of the night after every guest left the wedding barn, we sat next to each other wrapped up in blankets in such a great big open space and were able to reflect on the day and be in the moment with each other. It is a moment that I will never forget, and am so grateful that we didn’t rush off right as the festivities ended.
.
.
How far in advance did you book vendors? Which 3 did you book first?
We booked our venue first… before getting engaged. YES ladies, we were that couple. Although… unlike Monica Gellar… Andrew was fully aware of our wedding venue and also on-board. Our family may have raised an eyebrow, but for us it was the perfect date and the perfect venue so we booked it. We were so excited to have a place where we wouldn’t have to drive back and forth between a ceremony space and reception, and our families could stay on site with their little ones within a short walking distance (across the yard) which removed a lot of logistical messes for us. Next, we booked Meghan. She hadn’t shot a wedding yet, but I knew right from the time I saw her first few posts that she was going to be the one. I loved her personal write-up on her website and was yes I’ll admit it… obsessed with her instagram feed. Hands down the best decision we made regarding vendors for our wedding. She was fantastic and was one of our vendors that made us feel extra special from the get-go.
.
.
Any tips on dress shopping / saying yes to THE dress?
First off – I ended up going with the first dress I tried on. It seemed too good to be true and was also a little scary as I went with a non-traditional / non-white dress. But from the second the back was laced up. I was madly in love. I suggest making sure that you are 100% happy with the dress as it fits you when you try it on. If there is a part about the dress that feels uncomfortable or you don’t completely love how it looks on you – make sure you have a plan to alter that part of the dress or find one that is the perfect fit for YOU. Setting goals to completely alter your appearance by the time of the wedding is what every bride does, but make sure that you don’t stress yourself out too much before the big day. Remember: you are beautiful – I guarantee your future husband thinks so! Back to the dress – I went to Bon Bon Belle Bridal and they were SO helpful. I would suggest going to a place that first off respects your budget – if you tell someone a budget when you get there – don’t even try something outside of that budget on. You are going to fall in love and then be devastated when no other dress lives up to the feeling of slipping something $1,000 over your price-rage on. I went to one bridal store and they automatically brought over some VERY fancy dresses even though I had been clear about how much I was planning on spending. Bon Bon Belle was absolutely great! They made me feel special and the whole experience was amazing. Also, this is a special time where YOU are the center of attention – if you aren’t comfortable with a whole possy along when you try on dresses, its okay to have a small group go or even go by yourself. Long story short – stay comfortable, enjoy the process, and fall madly in love with the dress you ultimately go with.
.
.
What was the hardest part to plan?
The timeline was the hardest part to plan and took the most thought. There is a lot going on and SO many logistics to plan out. Having a solid timeline helps make sure that there are no holes or things that you are overlooking. The most important part of having a crazy detailed timeline is making sure that you are okay with things not always going to plan. Although a detailed list of who should be where at all times is great – I can guarantee you that at multiple points throughout the day there will be a wild-card wedding party member or a missing aunt or uncle. Just roll with it. 🙂 Also, if anyone is ever interested in having help starting a timeline I am happy to share a great tool that a bride before me shared. It was a game-changer. **brides – email me if you’d like Amy’s timeline template!
.
.
What did you NOT include but wish you had?
We are very satisfied with the categories of vendors that we included – there were a few things and/or specific vendors that we wish we could have changed – but overall we were happy with the mix we chose!
.
.
What detail/expense could you have done without?
There were some items that we purchased and then never put out or used during the wedding – simplicity is key when planning a wedding – but its easy to get swept up into ornate decorations or little added details that create a certain vibe you are going for. Ultimately I wouldn’t change a thing – from the last minute purchase of pashminas, cozy blankets for guests, cups of coffee, to rafia string used to tie name tags to the mason jars… each little detail added to the over-all vision we had and hope for happy & comfortable wedding party/guests.
.
.
Overall, what is the best advice you can give to planning brides?
I am a 100% believer that you should focus on what makes YOU happy. This is one day… hopefully one of many… but a time in your life where all the people you love will be in the same room together. Don’t be afraid to take two things that maybe wouldn’t go together in a wedding magazine but make you smile and add them into your wedding somehow. Is your fiancé obsessed with Star Wars? Maybe incorporate it with adding a little Darth Vader Lego Figure as a place-card/favor at each seat. Do you have a crazy song that you both love? Don’t walk down the aisle to the traditional wedding tunes. Do you love your Grandma and want her to have an extra special role? Let your grandma be the flower girl! Don’t be afraid to take risks especially if they are meaningful or are add a little extra joy to an already special day. Take the classic mental pictures and try to be as present as possible. As someone who is often nervous in front of a big group… its easy to get wrapped up with nervous feels. Focus on the hand squeeze your dad gives you right before you walk down the aisle together or the way your fiancé looks when they first see you, or the taste of your wedding cake. These simple beautiful moments are so special. Give them the attention they deserve. Also – plan for at least 5 things to go wrong. That way it won’t rock your world when the bartender forgets to bring cranberry juice for one of your signature mixed drinks. Or the DJ plays the wrong exit song. It happens. Take a deep breath. Focus on all the love and beauty around you on this fantastic day you get to spend with the man or woman of your dreams.

Amy + Andrew | Romantic Country Wedding | Lake Orchard Farm Retreat – Sheboygan, WI

Mar 27, 2019

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