Although I'm not sure many brides really want to ever take off that beautiful, oft-dreamt of gown, there comes a time to shed the frills and step into something a little more manageable. Some brides leave the reception in their gowns, but other brides have embraced the trend of stepping into a get away dress.
Get away dresses are fun because
1. It's always fun to buy more dresses
2. See above
Who doesn't need an excuse for another wedding day dress?
I've compiled three fun and looks after the jump. The dresses themselves are quite a deal. You can customize the accessories to your heart's content; splurge or save, it's up to you!
All boards created with the super cool (and addicting) Polyvore app.
Soft and Romantic:Get away dresses are fun because
1. It's always fun to buy more dresses
2. See above
Who doesn't need an excuse for another wedding day dress?
I've compiled three fun and looks after the jump. The dresses themselves are quite a deal. You can customize the accessories to your heart's content; splurge or save, it's up to you!
All boards created with the super cool (and addicting) Polyvore app.
Hollywood Glam:
Dress: AX Paris
Heels: Aldo
Hat: Fred Flare
Sunglasses: Warehouse
Necklace: Max & Chloe
Which look do you like the best?
Happy shopping!
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| the Piggery at Anna Dean Farm, photo via Rachel Kunzen Photography |
Barn weddings are very popular in Northeast Ohio, and that is probably because they are so beautiful and offer a high level of customization and flexibility.
Couples can choose to keep the decor simple and neutral, highlighting the rustic charm of the space, or go wild with hanging chandeliers and making the space rustic glam. The possibilities are endless, which is why I love the idea of using these venues.
There are a myriad of barns available for rent for weddings in Northeast Ohio (and central Ohio, and probably all over Ohio), but while I was doing research, I stumbled upon some barns that have recently opened/are under renovations to open soon that are stunning. These barns are all unique and have a really high level of flexibility when it comes to rental terms, all for a reasonable price point!
The Historic O.C. Barber Anna Dean Farm
A historic 102 year old brick and mortar barn located on 6 acres in Barberton. Beautiful and historic, it is definitely a unique, blank canvas space for the DIY bride. Rental fee includes two days and the ability to use your own caterer.
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| Image via Kalyn Mann Photography |
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| Image via J Tate Design |
Barberton, OH
email: annadeanevents@gmail.com
Case-Barlow Farm:
A farmhouse and barn in Hudson Ohio on 4 acres surrounded by a 60 acre park.
Used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad (awesome).
Unfortunately, as of Summer 2014, the barn itself is under renovation and is not available for rental. However, the grounds, wagon shed and farmhouse are available. Contact them for pricing. The farmhouse holds 50 people, but I've been told that with creative planning it could hold more.What a perfect venue for a shower or rehearsal dinner!
1931 Barlow Rd.
Hudson, Ohio
tel:330-650-0591
Casebarlow@aol.com
Heritage Barn
A lodge owned and operated by the Parks and Recreation system in Stow. Has a beautiful, windowed interior and sits on a lake. Holds 200 people, tables and chairs included. $500.00 non-resident rental (!!!!)
Here is a shot from a really cute wedding via Stephanie Brann photography, love the outside dancing concept!!:
.jpg "Heritage Barn Stow wedding") |
| Image via Stephanie Brann Photography |
5238 Young Rd
Stow, OH
Rental Information
The Lodge at Allardale
Guys. This place is RIDICULOUSLY awesome. It's a 4,800 square foot facility designed to look like a farm building, and is located smack dab in the middle of a beautiful park. It is small (only holds about 100), but what a perfect excuse to cut down that guest list, save money on your rental, and really treat your nearest and dearest?? There is also a small room apart from the rental space that could be used for a bridal suite. And a fire ring outside. And a kitchen. Awesome.
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| Image via Allard Ward Architects |
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| Image via Addison Jones Photography |
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| Image via Addison Jones Photography |
Medina, OH
Rental Information
Gish Barn
A beautiful, historic barn (circa 1820s) in Rittman. Surrounded by oak groves and gardens with a beautiful traditionally rustic interior.
This place is so gorgeous that it's hard to pick which images to share, but this ADORABLE wedding shot by Nathan & Amanda Photography is a great place to start. Seriously, look at how beautiful these pictures are:
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| Image via Nathan & Amanda Photography |
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| Image via Nathan & Amanda Photography |
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| Image via Nathan & Amanda Photography |
530 Gish Rd
Rittman, OH 44270
330-927-9559
Contact for rental availability and pricing
Again, this is only a minuscule sampling of the available barn venues in Ohio. However, because of the popularity of other venues, you may have a better chance of securing a date for your event if you use a venue a little less heard of!
Happy Planning!
VENUES: See any mis-information? Want to have your venue featured? E-mail me at lightbulb.planning@gmail.com
Photographers: Have images from events held at one of these venues? Contact us to be featured!
Last night I watched the Boy in the Striped Pajamas for the first time, and was nearly sobbing and heartbroken when it was finished. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it, but make sure you have tissues handy.
After that was over, I needed something cheerful and happy, so I turned to one of my favorite movies of all time: Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma. Image via FanPop.
There are so many lovely scenes in this movie.
That veil? Perfect. And who doesn't want gorgeous flower laced canopies to walk under? Image via Screen Junkies.
There are several locations in the movie that would make for a beautiful destination wedding spot:
Mapperton Gardens:
Located in the civil parish of Dorset in South West England; Mapperton House was the site of Mrs. Weston's home at Randall's in the movie.
Image via Simpson Photography
Claydon House:
The scene where we begin to see that Mr. Knightley is in love with Emma, and just hope that Emma feels the same way.
Image via Vitrearum on Flickr.
Emma and Mr. Knightley at the ball. Image via Jane Austen Society.
Syon Park:
Image via Syon Park.
Image via Syon Park. I think I would like to go there someday...so beautiful.
What do you think? Anyone want to have an Emma inspired destination wedding? Can I come?
After that was over, I needed something cheerful and happy, so I turned to one of my favorite movies of all time: Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma. Image via FanPop.
There are so many lovely scenes in this movie.
That veil? Perfect. And who doesn't want gorgeous flower laced canopies to walk under? Image via Screen Junkies.
There are several locations in the movie that would make for a beautiful destination wedding spot:
Mapperton Gardens:
Located in the civil parish of Dorset in South West England; Mapperton House was the site of Mrs. Weston's home at Randall's in the movie.
Claydon House:
The scene where we begin to see that Mr. Knightley is in love with Emma, and just hope that Emma feels the same way.
Image via Vitrearum on Flickr.
Emma and Mr. Knightley at the ball. Image via Jane Austen Society.
Syon Park:
Where Mr. Frank Churchill bids adieu and implies that he has been hiding something from Emma...namely that he has been secretly engaged to "that ninny" Jane Fairfax.
The Great Hall and Grand Conservatory of Syon Park can be used for weddings. This place is BEAUTIFUL.
Image via Syon Park.The Great Hall and Grand Conservatory of Syon Park can be used for weddings. This place is BEAUTIFUL.
Image via Syon Park.
Image via Syon Park. I think I would like to go there someday...so beautiful.
What do you think? Anyone want to have an Emma inspired destination wedding? Can I come?
Let's talk about how expensive bridesmaids' dresses are (REALLY expensive!!). I don't know about you, but when I think of deals on clothes, I don't think of spending $100 on one dress, but most bridesmaid dresses advertised as low cost are $100 or more, and that doesn't include accessories.
We all have certain elements to the wedding day that we hold near and dear to our hearts. Some brides focus on reception details, others in making their ceremony breathtaking. But for those of us with a passion for food, we are especially excited about the commissioning of the most important cake ever- the Wedding Cake.
Image via All Occasions Bakery
I have always had a sweet tooth and a special place in my heart for beautiful cakes. This is why I was sad when Michael, at the beginning of our wedding planning process, mentioned to me that he didn't want to have a wedding cake.
NO WEDDING CAKE?!
We chalked it up to the fact that he never liked cake, and preferred to have another desert, and we figured it was a considerable cost that we could cut out (why spend money on cake if you don't want to eat it?).
So, being the self-sacrificing (ha) bride that I was, I began to search for other options. Pie? Cookies? An ice cream bar? But as much as I searched, I just couldn't seem to find anything to replace that special element, and all other options were going to cost us basically the same price.
Fast forward to a trip to the mall one night. There happened to be a bridal show, and we happened to stumble upon an old friend who owned a lovely cake decorating business. Enter Lisa Fink of All Occasions Bakery, owner of a lovely business based in Massillon, Ohio. Lisa has been making cakes since she was 14 years old and has been in the business for over 12 years.
We got to talking and she gave us a price list. My heart did a flutter, because her prices were lower than every other bakery I had checked, and her cakes were just as gorgeous. We set up a consultation and Michael told me not to get my hopes up...
Image via All Occasions Bakery
Now, I'm not joking when I say that Michael does not like cake. He just will not eat it, and it doesn't matter where it is from or what flavor, it just doesn't do it for him. But after our consultation with Lisa, we drove home and gobbled down all of our samples (the ones we were supposed to share with our parents...oops) and ordered our cake. Michael was sold, which says a lot.This is delicious cake.
Even more than that, Lisa's professionalism and sincere interest in making each cake unique and beautiful is what keeps me recommending her services to every bride I know. We were not disappointed with her service, and you won't be either!
Check out her gorgeous work and then call her for a free consultation. And if you're craving something sweet after reading this, head over to the new store and grab a cupcake (get the one covered in Reese's pieces).
Image via All Occasions Bakery
Image via All Occasions Bakery
Image via All Occasions Bakery
Image via All Occasions Bakery
Happy eating!
All Occasions Bakery
7230 Portage Street NW
Massillon, Ohio 44646
330.809.0799
lisa@alloccasionsbakery.com
p.s. Another really awesome thing to keep in mind is that All Occasions Bakery is dedicated to the fight against Breast Cancer. A portion of all of their proceeds are donated to the "Susan G. Komen For the Cure" Foundation.
My favorite cupcakes! Image via All Occasions Bakery
My favorite cupcakes! Image via All Occasions Bakery
