meghan lee harris

March 15, 2019

CHELSIE + TOM // ORGANIC EARTHTONE WEDDING // THE ENCHANTED BARN – HILLSDALE, WISCONSIN

Chelsie & Tom envisioned a barn wedding that steered clear of the common rustic theme, choosing instead to decorate the venue with modern, organic, earthy elements. The Glass Barn was the perfect mix of mod paired with the gray weathered wood. They made the venue feel right at home (literally), setting up rattan chairs and loveseats with cozy up-north-themed pillows and blankets – all from their own home – where guests warmed up around the fire, away from the city and taking in the remote fall view.

Rather than having a formal sit down dinner, it was important for Chelsie & Tom to make their event flow naturally and organically. They let their guests enjoy a never-ending cocktail party filled with delicious candied bacon appetizers and wood fire pizza for dinner. Everything about this day was organic, from the boho textured florals to the bridesmaid’s attire. Each member of the wedding party got to choose their own attire, sticking to an earthtone palette, and Chelsie didn’t see it come together until the wedding day morning (Winging it has never looked better!)

As night hit, everyone entered the hayloft to enjoy the couple’s first dance. Chelsie is a former NBA bucks cheerleader, so you can imagine the dance floor was instantly hopping. I wish I had space to tell their full love story + proposal because it is so cute (Tom surprised her by leading her to the middle of an empty Milwaukee Bucks Arena (just them!), and got down on one-knee where Chelsie holds so many special memories). Also don’t even get me started on Chelsie’s dress…Tom’s face during the first look captured EVERYONE’s reactions in one! So incredibly happy for these two and their beautiful daughter Lila! Make sure to scroll to the end for a lot more goodness! Including their wedding video, the incredible vendor list (and where you can you can buy your own Wisconsin-themed pillows!) and Chelsie’s wedding advice! Enjoy! 🙂

Photographer – Meghan Lee Harris // Videographer – Mollica Films (click HERE for their wedding video) // Venue – The Enchanted Barn // Florals – Jennifer Joyce Design // Dress Store – Bucci’s Bridal // Dress Designer – Emmy Mae // Bridal Accessories – Hello Adorn // Hair/Makeup: Lady Vamp Artistry // Groomsmen Suit – Ted Baker // Rentals / Furniture / Decor – from Bride & Groom’s own home decor // Invitations – Minted // Wedding Party dresses/suits – all chose their own // Cake/Dessert – Norske Nook // Band/DJ – Pulse Entertainment // Caterer – The Enchanted Barn’s Wood-fired Pizza // Jeweler – Kessler’s // Bride’s Shoes – Steve Madden // Guest Book – Dustling and Hart // Wisconsin Themed Pillows – Proud Dweller
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ADVICE FROM BRIDE CHELSIE:
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What was your FAVORITE memory of your wedding day?

Our ceremony. We really wanted to make sure the ceremony was the most special and important part of the day. Our wedding day is something we had been building up to for a long time and we really wanted to take the time to acknowledge that. We decided to write our own vows and didn’t screen each others beforehand. Personalizing our vows and saying our own words from our hearts was the most meaningful and priceless moment of the whole day. We also were lucky enough to have my best friend/Maid of Honor’s mom officiate the ceremony for us. It was really comforting and special to have her as our officiant, as she’s known me for so long.

How far in advance did you book vendors? Which 3 did you book first?

We booked our venue, photographer, then videographer all about a year in advance.

Any tips on dress shopping / saying yes to THE dress?

Have an idea of what styles or brands you’re interested in prior to your appointment. That way if you’re in love with a particular brand, you can make sure you’ve booked at a boutique that carries that brand or style you’re looking for. Some boutiques may even consult with you before your appointment on what you’re looking for. I had the BEST experience at Bucci’s Bridal. Before my appointment one of the Bucci gals texted me to talk about what I was interested in as far as styles and brands. Then when I came in to try on dresses, there was already a collection of dresses curated for me in my dressing room, that were exactly what I had in mind.

What detail (or vendor) did you NOT include but wish you had?

We didn’t hire a wedding planner and it’s something we definitely would change if we could go back. It would have been nice to have someone for on the day of, who knew the details, timeline, basically everything, because we didn’t have time for the little things. It just would have been nice to have someone in charge of that, who wasn’t us so we could focus more on being present in the moment. I wish I could have spent more time relaxing with my maids the morning of rather than delegating little details.

Overall, what is the best advice you can give to planning brides?

Not everything will go exactly according to plan, so be able to be flexible and try not to stress too much over the things out of your control. Also just try to have fun and be as present as possible. From the planning, parties, showers, rehearsals, then finally the big day. Take the time to be truly present at every stage and enjoy! It all goes by so fast and you’ll remember how you felt at those stages way more than the tiny details of the events. So take the time to take it all in!

Chelsie & Tom envisioned a barn wedding that steered clear of the common rustic theme, choosing instead to decorate the venue with modern, organic, earthy elements. The Glass Barn was the perfect mix of mod paired with the gray weathered wood. They made the venue feel right at home (literally), setting up rattan chairs and loveseats with cozy up-north-themed pillows and blankets – all from their own home – where guests warmed up around the fire, away from the city and taking in the remote fall view.

Rather than having a formal sit down dinner, it was important for Chelsie & Tom to make their event flow naturally and organically. They let their guests enjoy a never-ending cocktail party filled with delicious candied bacon appetizers and wood fire pizza for dinner. Everything about this day was organic, from the boho textured florals to the bridesmaid’s attire. Each member of the wedding party got to choose their own attire, sticking to an earthtone palette, and Chelsie didn’t see it come together until the wedding day morning (Winging it has never looked better!)

As night hit, everyone entered the hayloft to enjoy the couple’s first dance. Chelsie is a former NBA bucks cheerleader, so you can imagine the dance floor was instantly hopping. I wish I had space to tell their full love story + proposal because it is so cute (Tom surprised her by leading her to the middle of an empty Milwaukee Bucks Arena (just them!), and got down on one-knee where Chelsie holds so many special memories). Also don’t even get me started on Chelsie’s dress…Tom’s face during the first look captured EVERYONE’s reactions in one! So incredibly happy for these two and their beautiful daughter Lila! Make sure to scroll to the end for a lot more goodness! Including their wedding video, the incredible vendor list (and where you can you can buy your own Wisconsin-themed pillows!) and Chelsie’s wedding advice! Enjoy! 🙂

Photographer – Meghan Lee Harris // Videographer – Mollica Films (click HERE for their wedding video) // Venue – The Enchanted Barn // Florals – Jennifer Joyce Design // Dress Store – Bucci’s Bridal // Dress Designer – Emmy Mae // Bridal Accessories – Hello Adorn // Hair/Makeup: Lady Vamp Artistry // Groomsmen Suit – Ted Baker // Rentals / Furniture / Decor – from Bride & Groom’s own home decor // Invitations – Minted // Wedding Party dresses/suits – all chose their own // Cake/Dessert – Norske Nook // Band/DJ – Pulse Entertainment // Caterer – The Enchanted Barn’s Wood-fired Pizza // Jeweler – Kessler’s // Bride’s Shoes – Steve Madden // Guest Book – Dustling and Hart // Wisconsin Themed Pillows – Proud Dweller
.
.
.
ADVICE FROM BRIDE CHELSIE:
.
.
.
What was your FAVORITE memory of your wedding day?

Our ceremony. We really wanted to make sure the ceremony was the most special and important part of the day. Our wedding day is something we had been building up to for a long time and we really wanted to take the time to acknowledge that. We decided to write our own vows and didn’t screen each others beforehand. Personalizing our vows and saying our own words from our hearts was the most meaningful and priceless moment of the whole day. We also were lucky enough to have my best friend/Maid of Honor’s mom officiate the ceremony for us. It was really comforting and special to have her as our officiant, as she’s known me for so long.

How far in advance did you book vendors? Which 3 did you book first?

We booked our venue, photographer, then videographer all about a year in advance.

Any tips on dress shopping / saying yes to THE dress?

Have an idea of what styles or brands you’re interested in prior to your appointment. That way if you’re in love with a particular brand, you can make sure you’ve booked at a boutique that carries that brand or style you’re looking for. Some boutiques may even consult with you before your appointment on what you’re looking for. I had the BEST experience at Bucci’s Bridal. Before my appointment one of the Bucci gals texted me to talk about what I was interested in as far as styles and brands. Then when I came in to try on dresses, there was already a collection of dresses curated for me in my dressing room, that were exactly what I had in mind.

What detail (or vendor) did you NOT include but wish you had?

We didn’t hire a wedding planner and it’s something we definitely would change if we could go back. It would have been nice to have someone for on the day of, who knew the details, timeline, basically everything, because we didn’t have time for the little things. It just would have been nice to have someone in charge of that, who wasn’t us so we could focus more on being present in the moment. I wish I could have spent more time relaxing with my maids the morning of rather than delegating little details.

Overall, what is the best advice you can give to planning brides?

Not everything will go exactly according to plan, so be able to be flexible and try not to stress too much over the things out of your control. Also just try to have fun and be as present as possible. From the planning, parties, showers, rehearsals, then finally the big day. Take the time to be truly present at every stage and enjoy! It all goes by so fast and you’ll remember how you felt at those stages way more than the tiny details of the events. So take the time to take it all in!

CHELSIE + TOM // ORGANIC EARTHTONE WEDDING // THE ENCHANTED BARN – HILLSDALE, WISCONSIN

Mar 15, 2019

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