Jessica and Brenden decided to hold their acreage summer wedding on their newly purchased land. For them, the land wasn’t just a picturesque backdrop; it symbolized the beginning of their life together. They had recently bought the property with the intention of building their future there, making it a meaningful location for such an important milestone.
Why have an acreage summer wedding?
Hosting a wedding on their acreage gave them the freedom to personalize every aspect of the day. Unlike traditional venues, the property allowed them to create a space that truly reflected who they are as a couple. From setting up the ceremony in a sunny clearing to transforming their barn into a reception space, every detail carried personal significance.
Using the acreage also had practical advantages. They didn’t have to worry about adhering to strict venue rules or time limits, so it gave them more control over their timeline and setup. This flexibility made it easier for them to incorporate unique elements that might not have been possible elsewhere.
Their decision to celebrate their wedding on their land wasn’t about grandeur-it was about grounding their new life in a place that felt right for them.
Rain in August? No trouble!
The night before the wedding, a huge storm rolled through the area. Heavy rain continued into the morning, leading to unexpected challenges for everyone. The biggest issue was the reception space which had flooded overnight. While some couples might have been overwhelmed, Jessica and Brenden’s amazing community came together to ensure the day could still move forward as planned.
Family, friends, and locals from the community jumped into action. Armed with a hydro-vac and fresh gravel, they worked quickly to clean up the reception area. Tables and decorations had to be moved and reset, and some adjustments were made to account for the damp conditions. Despite the setbacks, the space was ready in time for the afternoon events.
The unpredictable weather highlighted the challenges of planning an outdoor summer wedding, even in August. Alberta summers are known for their warm days, but sudden storms aren’t uncommon. Jessica and Brenden’s experience was a reminder that flexibility and support are key to overcoming unexpected hurdles.
By the time guests arrived, the storm had passed, and the sun was shining again. Thanks to the teamwork of everyone involved, the wedding day proceeded smoothly, proving that even a last-minute crisis can’t dampen a strong sense of community!
Making it personal
Jessica and Brenden wanted to incorporate elements of their rural lifestyle into their wedding, and their choice of transportation for the wedding party was no exception. Instead of opting for traditional vehicles, they went with something much more unique and fitting for their acreage setting.
Fancy Transport!
The groomsmen arrived at the ceremony in the back of a dump truck, making a bold and memorable entrance. It was a practical and unexpected touch that highlighted the couple’s connection to their land and added a bit of fun to the day. Meanwhile, Jessica and her bridesmaids arrived in a horse-drawn wagon. The wagon, with its rustic charm, tied perfectly into the outdoor, countryside atmosphere of the wedding.
These transportation choices not only made for a fun and personal twist but also created great photo opportunities. The truck and horse-drawn wagon were unconventional yet completely in line with the couple’s vision of keeping the wedding authentic and tied to their lifestyle. It’s a good example of how couples can think outside the box to make their wedding unique without overcomplicating things. Simple, meaningful choices often have the most impact, and these two pulled it off effortlessly.
To make it extra special, Jessica's mom officiated the marriage! It made it extra special and meaningful.
Cocktail Hour Fun
After the ceremony, Jessica and Brenden wanted to make the most of their acreage and keep the day relaxed and enjoyable for their guests. Following their vows, the wedding party hopped onto the same horse-drawn wagon that had brought Jessica to the ceremony. It was a simple but fun way to kick off the celebration and fit perfectly with the casual, countryside atmosphere.
During the cocktail hour, it also became a highlight for the guests as well. The wagon offered rides around the property, giving everyone a chance to explore the land and enjoy the views. For those who preferred to stay put, there were plenty of other activities to enjoy. Yard games like cornhole and giant Jenga were set up, providing entertainment for guests of all ages.
This combination of activities created a laid-back and interactive environment. Their guests could choose to relax, play games, or take in the scenery from the wagon ride. It was an effective way to make the most of an acreage wedding, using the space creatively to keep everyone engaged and entertained throughout the afternoon.
Dinner is Served
For dinner, Jessica and Brenden chose a plated meal catered by Biggar Bites. A plated dinner added a sense of structure to the reception, ensuring everyone could enjoy their meal at the same time. The menu featured fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which aligned with the couple’s preference to keep things simple and tied to their community.
After dinner, the speeches brought some personal touches to the evening. Family members, friends, and the wedding party shared stories and well-wishes, creating a meaningful atmosphere. Brenden's mom even brought out his old teddy bear from when he was a baby! The speeches were followed by live music from Calgary based band - Earl Morgan, a standout feature of the reception. It added so much energy and personality to the evening!
I think that live music brings a different dynamic to a wedding reception. A band can adjust the vibe in real-time, responding to the crowd’s energy and keeping guests engaged. It also provides a unique experience that stands out from typical wedding receptions. For Jessica and Brenden, the band helped create a lively, memorable celebration that fit perfectly with their vision for the day.
Making your wedding day unique
I think one of the most memorable parts of this wedding day was the live painter they hired for the reception. After the ceremony, I provided Jennie, the artist with a photo of the couple taken moments after they said their vows. Jennie spent the evening working on a replica of that photo, capturing the couple in that moment with their beautiful backdrop.
The live painting became a central feature of the reception. So many guests enjoyed watching Jennie at work throughout the night, watching how the piece came together layer by layer. It added a sense of creativity and intrigue to the event, giving people something unique to talk about and engage with during the reception.
By the end of the night, the painting was completed and presented to Jessica and Brenden as a gift. It wasn’t just a beautiful piece of art; it was a tangible reminder of their wedding day that they could hang in their home. I absolutely love things like this!
Unlike photos or videos, the painting offered a different perspective, combining the artist’s interpretation with the couple’s memories. Including a live painter is an example of how adding personal and creative elements can make a wedding stand out in a meaningful way.
After the wedding, I asked the couple on their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say:
What was your most anticipated part of the day?
We would honestly both say the ceremony, to us that was the most important part.
Did anything unexpected happen? What was the outcome?
The morning of the wedding, the reception area flooded from the rain. We were very fortunate to have such amazing friends, family and community spring to action. Local hydrovac came and sucked out the pooling water, and a local gravel truck came and dumped some fresh crush free of charge! With our construction background we had a lot of past colleagues there who were able to run our equipment to sort it all out.
What ended up being your favorite part of the day?
No specific part, we talk about this all the time. But we both had a few moments where we just stopped and looked around and saw everyone laughing, dancing, and having a great time...we thought 'wow, we actually did this'!
What advice would you give to future couples for their wedding
The easy answer is stress less....but the best way to achieve that is figure out what are the most important things in your life and how to showcase that. Our two loves in life are our friends/family and food, so being able to throw a party and feed our guests the best meal was what we really wanted. Sure it is 'a day about you' but it means nothing if those who are closest to you aren't there. Also kid friendly weddings are the best, bar none.
Were you nervous? How did you squash the nerves?
Chill. As. A. Cucumber. x2
What was the biggest surprise on your wedding day?
How many people would come to thank us for allowing children or how many people said it was their favorite wedding. Didn't see that coming but loved it all the more!
What was your wedding inspiration?
Neither of us have designing bone in our body but we did our best. I used to think our wedding was like 'small town' combined with an English garden theme, but honestly I would just call it Prairie themed haha. The bouquets were supposed to look like wildflowers, the arch and greenery around the reception were all sourced from the land (willows, dogwood, babies breath, etc), and the band backdrop was old second cut barn wood given to us by a friend, so it was kind of laid back but still visually appealing (i think!).
What song did you walk down the aisle to?
First Date (Blink 182 acoustic cover) - Taylor Acorn
What song played for your first dance?
Can't Take my Eyes off You - Morten Harket
How did you feel at the end of the day?
Exhausted. We went from engaged to married in 3 months and had to build the venue in that time. We were hair straight back all summer.
What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?
1. Not being asked when we are getting married anymore
2. Babies!!!
What did you like most about working with Sam Wild? Is there anything you would have changed about the work/technique/etc?
Was super relaxed and that matched our energy just fine and dandy. I wish we could have kept you longer!
List of vendors who helped make your day happen:
Catering - Biggar Bites
Bouquets - Blair Claassens
Bartenders - TipsyTays
Live Painter - Jennie Vegt
Band - Earl Morgan Band
If you are considering a laid back wedding, and want your photos and videos to reflect that sentiment, then get in touch with me. I specialize in documentary, candid photos and videos. Let’s make it happen!
