Bride in Orange Bolero walks to a red barn with Groom

Handmade Destination Wedding in the Berkshire Hills

Real Hindsight Advice

I’m so pleased to have Hindsight Bride Erinne here to talk about her beautiful Fall wedding, photographed by Ashley O’Dell at Gedney Farm in the Berkshires. Erinne and Jeremy chose The Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts for a destination wedding that was both beautiful and conveniently located for their guests.

Bride in Orange Bolero walks to a red barn with Groom

 Erinne and Jeremy’s wedding September 18, 2010 was full of bold fall colors and handmaid details. Erinne combed through Etsy to find one-of-a-kind elements such as her cake topper and gorgeous orange bolero. Friends and family also pitched in. Erinne’s sister made playful DIY pinwheel escort cards, which were placed their pinwheel in the vintage Ball jars at the table, creating a bouquet of colored pinwheels instead of flowers. She also made the couple’s beautiful wedding cake and an amazing banjo-shaped groom’s cake! Jeremy’s musician friends chipped in providing ceremony and reception music.

Bridal Pearls orange calla lily boutonniere and vintage wine box with flowers

What are three (or four!) things you’re glad you did?

  • Had a destination wedding that was drive-able for most guests. So many of our guests enjoyed the weekend away and those with kids got babysitters at home! We received several emails and notes from friends and family after the wedding saying they loved the experience of traveling to a beautiful, rural place for the weekend that had very little cell phone reception!
  • Involved our friends and family in the planning, making of things, ceremony, and music. My sister, Moira, was my maid of honor and DIY CEO – she made our save the date cards, barn letters, pinwheel place cards, cakes (yes, plural! – she made our wedding cake and a special banjo cake for the groom!). Having friends and family involved every step of the way made each element that much more meaningful. Jeremy is an Irish musician so all of his musician friends were involved in playing at the ceremony and reception. Two of our good friends sang our wedding song.
  • Had about 20 minutes alone in between the photo session and the reception. John Powers, our Gedney Farm wedding planner, brought us each a glass of wine and some appetizers, and let us wander around the grounds alone. We were able to just look at one another and enjoy the moment.
  • We couldn’t leave this one out – Had a Fall wedding! The weather was 75 degrees,  sunny and blue sky with a crisp evening. The colors were just starting to pop on the trees – gorgeous!

bridal bouquet violin and wedding ceremony

Three things you wish you had done?

  • Not waited until the last minute to organize and print ceremony programs! This created unnecessary stress and chaos the last few days leading up to the wedding.
  • Prepared a few words as a couple to thank everyone at the reception. We planned to do this but never got around to it because of the darn programs!
  • Delegated small tasks earlier on to those who offered to help. We had a very strong vision for the wedding and a hard time letting go and passing on some of the details.

wedding cake, handmade topper and banjo grooms cake

What is your very best hindsight advice?

  • Take the time to write your own vows if it is appropriate within your tradition. So many guests commented on how moving our ceremony was because of our personal vows.
  • Involve as many friends and family as possible. It just made the whole day a blast.
  • As soon as the day starts do not worry about anything and just enjoy!
  • Make sure both of you are involved in the planning and decision making – the best wedding is one that represents you together.
  • Hire a great photographer (i.e.; hire Ashley O’Dell)! You need someone who puts as much care and imagination into documenting your wedding as you did into creating it. It also really helps to like (or love as we did) your photographer and have a shared ‘style’.

Orange bouquet and royal blue bridesmaid dress

Wedding Professionals

Photography: Ashley O’Dell | Rehearsal dinner/party: Mepal Manor at Gedney Farm | Ceremony and Reception: Gedney Farm, New Marlborough, MA | Wedding Planner: John Powers of Gedney Farm (Working with John was one of the best parts of planning the wedding. He was organized, flexible, made great recommendations and had us laughing the entire time!) |Flowers: Crocus Hale | Invitations: handmade by Rob Charlton of Goosefish Press | Bridesmaid dresses handmade by Lucinda Robinson of Eden Boheme Charleston, SC (She just won Best New Designer in Southern Living!)

Handmade from Etsy

Flower girl tutus handmade by Tiarastutus on Etsy | Ring bearer tree ring holder handmade by LittleWeeShop on Etsy | Cake topper handmade by Sarah Neuberger of The Small Object and Etsy | Bride’s orange bolero handmade by maryandangelika on Etsy

 

DIY Wedding Friends

  • Save the dates with barn drawing done by sister of the bride/maid of honor Moira Rader
  • Place card pinwheels made by sister of the bride/maid of honor Moira Rader
  • Barn letters made by sister of the bride/maid of honor Moira Rader
  • Leaf cake and Banjo cake (groom’s cake!) designed and made from scratch by sister of the bride/maid of honor Moira Rader

Children in tutus and pinwheels

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