John and Amy’s Farm Chic Wedding

I love this wedding feature for all the little touches. Amy, John, their families and friends did an amazing job of making their wedding so unique and personal to them. Even if you’re not considering an outdoor wedding in Ireland, you can take inspiration from this Illinois wedding.

How we met

Where and when

John and I grew up in the same town and went to school together since kindergarden. We first became friends in middle school study hall.

Our first date

Our first ‘date’ was actually our junior homecoming. I left for college and we stayed in touch, and continued to stay friends as I moved to Chicago after I graduated. I was home for Christmas in 2008 when we ran into each while I was out with my sister. We once again exchanged telephone numbers and hung out for a couple of days while I was home. After the holiday, I went back to Chicago and knew that this time was different. We spoke every day after I left until he finally convinced me to leave the city and live with him in the country 6 months later!

The Proposal

On March 19th, 2011, we went to go look at rings. When we found the vintage inspired band, I literally wouldn’t take it off my finger. We drove straight to my parent’s home (with the ring still on my finger) where John formally asked my father for his blessing. He still hasn’t ‘officially’ asked me to marry him!

The Big Day

Wedding Theme / Colour Scheme:

Vintage Farmhouse Chic! I wasn’t too particular about one color over another, but my sister (my MOH and only bridesmaid) found a beautiful plum colored assymetrical dress, and along with it we found a plum and dark pink dress for my niece Amelia, our flower girl.

What we were thinking

That this was really happening. I was about to marry my childhood friend!!

Our flower girl Amelia was only 22 months old, so John had to lure her down the aisle with a cookie. As she approached, and spotted the cookie, she ran to John and they shared a very sweet moment together. I think those pictures are definitely the tear jerkers!!

Before I walked down the aisle

I hung out with my family and friends!! I wasn’t nervous at all, just so excited! As my sister and niece left to head to the ceremony, I had a nice moment with my dad!

When we first saw each other

We were just smiling and laughing!! I didn’t notice anyone else at the ceremony besides him!!

Your music, and why you chose it

Our first dance was “You Make It Look So Easy” by Eric Church. If you look up the lyrics to the song, it explains John and I to a ‘T’.

Menu

Our great friend, Mike Lowery, roasted beef and pork roasts for our 400+ guests. I had a local caterer, The Griller and the Gourmet, compliment the beef and pork with other picnic/bbq style sides, including taffy apple salad, fruit salsa with home made cinnamon chips, mostacholi, roasted potatoes with bacon, etc.

Most emotional moment

Every detail of our wedding day is due to the time and effort of our friends and family, especially my aunt Donna Marketti. I would have never been able to pay anyone to put in the love that they did. The entire week was full of a constant flow of people trimming trees, power washing rocks, and hanging all of our frames, scaffle, etc…. It was so much fun, but also exhausting.

The morning of the wedding, I arrived at my grandparent’s home, and again, the driveway was packed with all of my family’s cars making sure every little detail was perfect for us. I just couldn’t believe how it became so much more than a day for John and I, it was truly an event for our entire family. I had never felt that much love and support. The tears of gratitude were definitely flowing heavily!!!

Most surprising moment

John dancing!!!! I’ll get a slow dance from him once in a blue moon, but he had never danced otherwise that I’ve known him!!!

Most magical moment

During one of the songs that John was dancing with me, all of our family and friends were surrounding us and singing. It was so special having all the people we loved in the same place at the same time!!

Funniest moment

We officially arrived to our reception in John’s parents IH 275 tractor!!! It had been hidden from the crowd, so our guests were quite amused as we pulled up!! It was awesome seeing everyone’s faces!! It also gave us a couple minutes to be alone and take everything in as we arrived!!

John and Amy’s Wedding Suppliers

Submitted via Two Bright Lights