15 Ideas for the Most Magical Christmas Wedding

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Grab a warm cup of cocoa, cuddle up with your favorite blanket and enjoy our collection of Christmas wedding ideas!  Christmas-themed weddings can take on several different looks.  Just like we decorate our houses for the holidays - some of us have pops of red and green all over, and some stay more neutral with gold, silver and greenery. Some of us decorate more traditionally and festive and some of us more elegantly and classy. The point is, there is some flexibility and you get to choose the vision that best fits the mood you’re aiming for.   If you keep the focus on making the event feel cozy and intimate, you can’t go wrong.

1. Colors - A classic Christmas-themed wedding color scheme could be a combination of deep reds and emerald green, but doesn’t have to be. For accent colors, consider neutrals like black, white, or even a soft gray or nude beige. Obviously red and green are the go-to holiday colors, but selecting deeper hues ups the elegance factor. Imagine emerald green table coverings with black dinner napkins and gold napkin rings.  And you can always go away from the red and green, and choose a dusty blue hue accented with blush, white, and sparkly silver - simply enchanting. 

2. Festive Stationery - Nothing sets the tone better than when your invited guests open up the invitation to your big day. Whether your invitation is full of winter greenery, twinkle lights, holly berries, or sparkles, it will give your guests a taste of all that’s to come.  And a little side note, getting married in December means your guests will have less weddings to have to pick and choose from, so you won’t be competing for their RSVP like you might other times of the year.

3. Pops of Buffalo Check and Plaid - The pattern that screams Christmas!!  Gift each of your bridesmaids with plaid pajamas to wear all together in the bridal suite.  Use a buffalo check blanket to wrap up together as an accessory for your outdoor photos. 

4. Stockings - Not every venue has a staircase, but we do!   You could line the entire staircase with stockings, which is a great way to bring in fabric or colors to pull your vision together. Put names on your stockings to honor family members or important people in your lives that are no longer here - a meaningful alternative for a memory table.  Or have the names of all the family members being joined together from both sides of your new families - parents, grandparents, siblings.   Or simply just put 2 stockings at the top center of the staircase with the new Mr. and Mrs’ names.   

5. Candlelight Ceremony - The intimate ambiance of candles adds a touch of magic, creating an atmosphere that feels sacred and enchanting. What a way to ensure that your wedding is not just witnessed, but felt by all in attendance.  Just make sure to talk through your ceremony start time with your photographer and coordinator to make sure all other logistics will work out.  A first look, with most photos all taken in the daylight is probably a must.

6. Christmas Canon in D by Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Is there anything else that needs to be said?  Just decide how and where can you use this song.

7. Christmas Tree Altar - The focal point of the entire day. Olivia and Grant’s flocked Christmas trees in these photos created the most stunning backdrop for both their photos, their ceremony and their head table.  Here at The Barn at Grace Hill we love how the same effort and expense can benefit both your ceremony and reception. 

8. Christmas Scents - So many of our Christmas memories are connected to scents.  So bring in the nostalgia and Christmas feelings by burning  frasier fir and cinnamon candles.  As the scents fill your reception space, guests may forever add your wedding day to their repertoire of Christmas memories.

9. Ornaments - We loved how Olivia and Grant asked their guests to sign an ornament and place it on their Christmas tree instead of signing a guest book.  Every year, when they decorate their tree, they’ll be able to pull out ornaments that remind them of all the people who surrounded them on their wedding day.  

You could also create an ornament with your names and wedding date and send every guest home with it as a favor.  You know, just like how people do coozies. Each ornament becomes a tangible symbol of the joyous occasion and it’s remembered annually when it comes from storage to be put on the tree. Your guests will forever create a connection between your love story and the magic of the holidays.

10. Holiday Drinks - Infusing your food and drink with Christmassy flavors like eggnog, cranberry, and peppermint can be a pleasant (but subtle!) way to bring a touch of the holiday spirit to what you’re serving.  And if you’re using someone like Emilime Designs to create drink menus that are aesthically pleasing, drinks like a candy cane martini or a white Christmas margarita are the most lovely drinks to sketch.

11. Pine Trees, Garlands and Stems - This decor is so easy to find during the holiday time and sets the tone like nothing else.  Let’s be real, as a venue, we watch a LOT of floral and greenery go in the trash at the end of the day.  But every time we see Christmas weddings that use long evergreen garlands, they are the most coveted item at the end of the night.  Who doesn’t want to go straight home and use some leftover greenery in their own homes?!?  You will find homes for all of it, and guests or family members will continue to enjoy a piece of your wedding day. 

12. Family Treat Table - One of the best ideas we’ve ever seen was a holiday treat table that was created for take-home treats. The couple asked many of their family members to make several dozen of their most loved Christmas treat.  From trays full of peanut butter and fudge, to decorated sugar cookies and gingersnaps, to toffee and peppermint bark, the treat table was pure Christmas magic.  Guests were provided with take-home treat boxes and could fill their box to their heart’s content.  Like a candy-bar, but Christmas goodies!  Or like a cookie exchange, but your guests didn’t have to bring anything!  It’s your thank you gift.  What a unique and special way of including family recipes and all your favorite seasonal treats, and sharing them with your guests as a party favor. 

13. Gingerbread House - Instead of a traditional cake - think gingerbread house.  Not necessarily a colorful, candy-filled gingerbread house, but more of a classic look, white icing and intricate white details.  Take it to the next level and display a multi tiered gingerbread castle for that festive feel. 

14. Candlelight Exit - There can never be enough candles at Christmas.  Exit your ceremony or reception lined with your guests holding candles, just like the ones given out at Christmas Eve services.   The warm glow, the smiling faces and the joy filling every heart will be what sends you off as husband and wife. Not to mention the candlelight will give you the most beautiful photos. 

15. Sleigh Ride Departure -  End your celebration with a touch of holiday romance by opting for a grand exit that screams the season.  The joy on your guests’ faces as they witness you departing in a beautifully adorned sleigh or a charming horse-drawn carriage (because snow for a sleigh can’t be guaranteed in every location!) will be the culmination to the entire day that will never leave your heart. 

As you plan your Christmas wedding, don’t lose sight of all that makes this season so special and use that to drive all of your details.  Remember that the true magic lies in the personal touches, the shared moments, and the warmth exchanged. May your Christmas wedding be a beautiful mix of joy, love, and a celebration that sparkles with the spirit and true meaning of the season. 

All photos by Alex Bo Photo

Justin + Erin

Kansas in the summertime is something special. And that’s especially seen and felt when you drive out to the country and get married at a big white barn, surrounded by golden fields. And then it belongs in a Kansas magazine. Or at least in a blog post.

Erin and Justin’s August wedding day was Kansas at it’s finest. Modern, organic, colorful and fresh.

With sentimental and thoughtful details, and images by Katy Elaine Photography that must be shared.

What were your favorite parts of the day?

“I have a few favorite parts of the day. Our first look was one of them, Erin decided to Ice me during the first look. I turned around expecting her and saw a Smirnoff Ice waiting for me instead. It actually settled my nerves and is a funny memory to look back on. One of my other favorite parts was the reception. My brother gave an epic best man speech and Javen had a fun maid of honor speech as well. Definitely something we will never forget. I also enjoyed all the dancing towards the end of the night. The energy on the dance floor never stopped and it looked like everyone was enjoying themselves (probably for the first time in months). “ - Justin

Oh how we love to hear that. The joy surrounding a wedding day, despite all that’s going on in the world around us.

“My favorite part of the day has to be all the little surprises I planned for Justin and getting to see his reaction with them all. I Iced him for the first look, got the string quartet to play his favorite Kenny Chesney song for our postlude, and had a grooms cake in his favorite flavor and the shape of a golf ball. All fun memories we get to look back on now and appreciate. “ - Erin

“The last dance was something we both loved. While everyone was getting the grand exit together, our DJ started a song and left the room so we could have one last dance together to soak up the evening. It is a moment we will cherish forever.” - Justin & Erin

Every chance we get, we suggest a private last dance! If you’re planning a wedding - do it!

Erin is an artist and we love how her personal creativity and eye for design came out in all the best ways on her wedding day.

“The Barn itself was a great start for our inspiration, it has such a modern look you can make anything work in the space. With a clean background from the barn, I knew right away that I wanted to do a ton of colors for our flowers and keep everything else pretty neutral. With that in mind, it was a lot easier to decide on some of the other details like dress colors and table clothes.”

We loved that she described her floral vision as “anything goes!”

“[Our flowers] had a lot of meaning behind them that most our guests didn't understand or know, but were extremely important to me and my husband. My bouquet had wheat from my families farm (only a few miles away from the Barn!) along with sunflowers, mums and cornflowers, each representing one of my grandparents. Justin's boutonniere had a white poppy to represent his grandpa that had passed, they called him Poppy, so I thought it was fitting. We also brought those flowers and wheat into our memory table with a lantern display that my dad made. Our families loved the extra touch and appreciated the thought that went into that decision. “ - Erin

Lavendar Lane Floral out of Hesston, KS brought Erin’s vision to life in the most phenomenal way.

When I say phenomenal, that word may not even do this floral justice.

And if Erin’s creativity wasn’t already on display, she and Justin chose one of the most unique unity ceremonies that was completely true to who they are.

“Our unity ceremony was also one of my favorite details. I wanted to do something unique to us and not your usual candle ceremony. I know there are some fun ones out there like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, planting trees, and so on. But none of them felt like “us”. I saw an older version of a paint pour unity ceremony and I knew that was what we were going to do, even though there was some reservation from Justin about it getting on our clothes. I even did the paint pour for our guest books, so now they can all be hung together on the wall.

Justin and I had practiced how we were going to do the paint pour a few weeks in advance to see if we really wanted to do it for the wedding. When we were all waiting upstairs as guests arrived I remembered I forgot gloves and ran to find help to locate some and thankfully it all worked out. Once we got to that point in the ceremony I realized I forgot cups to pour the paint in too, so I just whispered to Justin to pour the paint all over instead. It ended up working out fine, but definitely items I should have remembered to bring. “ - Erin

Our couples always give the best advice:

“One thing I wish we did was order two boutonnieres for me. If you’re taking pictures before the ceremony it would be nice to have an extra just in case it gets messed up or if it’s really hot outside. That also goes with the groomsmen as well, maybe get one or two extra (if they’re different than the grooms). And when you don’t need them, take them off and put them in a fridge to keep them nice between photos and the ceremony! You also want to slow down, enjoy the day because it goes fast. I know people say that a lot, but they aren’t wrong. Soak up as much as you can before it’s all over. “ - Justin

“Do things locally! I was currently living in Newton while wedding planning and it wasn’t that difficult to find local vendors (with help from the Barn). I understand it can be more of an issue if you have a destination wedding but it’s so worth it to find local vendors. You meet the nicest people. Along with that, TRUST your vendors! Events are their jobs, literally. If you do a good job picking your people and relaying how you want your day to be, they will make it happen. Lastly, get a day of coordinator. DO IT. I’m someone that loves having everything in order and I thought I might not need a day-of person. But I was wrong, it makes the day even easier and they think of things you won’t (no matter how many wedding articles you read). And if anything happens, you aren’t whisked away to fix it and ruin some of your pampering time! It really is a lifesaver, even if your day goes smoothly. Don’t lose who you are in planning the wedding. There are so many ideas and trends out there, but take time to think about what you want. Even if it’s not something you see on Pinterest or “trendy” in the moment. You can use those tools to help show your ideas to vendors, but don’t be afraid to make it uniquely yours as well.” - Erin

If you take one thing from that…get a day-of coordinator. You’ll thank us, I promise.

What was the one memory of your day that you want to freeze in time and never forget?

“Erin’s ceremony entrance is a memory I’d like to never forget. Even though we did a first look, when the doors opened and I saw her it was such a special moment.” - Justin

“Our last dance is the moment I’d like to freeze in time. I felt like we were the only people in the world for a minute and it was the best way to end the evening.” - Erin

What did you like most about your day at The Barn at Grace Hill?

“Being able to get married, even though there was so much happening in the world!”

We love this answer. 2020 has been a horrid year to navigate, for couples who are planning weddings. And Erin and Justin did it with such grace and confidence.

And when you see these images, it’s a reminder of the joys that DID come out of 2020. I know you can see that true joy on their faces. And that’s what we will choose to remember 2020 by. These two faces. And the faces of all of our other 2020 couples. Because true joy can’t be stolen. And you can always find light in the darkness if you choose to look for it.

The Vendor Team:

Ceremony + Reception: The Barn at Grace Hill @thebarnatgracehill

Photography: Katy Elaine Photography @katyelainephotography

Videographer: Wild Oak Films @wildoakfilms

DJ: Absolute Sound DJ Entertainment @absolutesounddj

Florals: Lavender Lane Wedding Florals @lavenderlaneweddingfloral

Catering: Wichita Brewing Company

Bar: Blue Moon Caterers @bluemoon.caterers

Cupcakes: Cake Affairs @cakeaffairs

Makeup: Katlyn Manos @katlynmanos // Beauty Call Makeup @beautycallmakeup

Hair: Alisha Beilin @beautybylishhh // Curls Gone Wild Salon @curlsgonewildsalonict

Dress: Brooklyn & Co Bridal @brooklyncobridal

Alterations: Lori’s Sewing Cottage (Lori Havens)

Suit: Bonobos @bonobos

Calligraphy: Emilime Designs @emilimedesigns

Rentals + Coordinator: Something Borrowed Events & Rental @somethingborrowedks

Ben & Allison’s Vintage Picnic Wedding

We are dying to share with you the cutest, “vintage picnic” themed wedding there ever was! As I write this, it’s gray and gloomy outside, and this wedding day is the best remedy. The details are incredible and yet the simplicity is at it’s finest. From farm-to-table boxed dinners, to local homemade pies, floral ties, gingham bridesmaid dresses, pinwheels and Coca Cola bottles…Ben and Allison’s “vintage picnic” wedding day will, no doubt, brighten even the grayest of days.

This vintage chalkboard sets the tone right at entry and was designed by our favorite Emilime Designs. And just wait till you see what she did for this day!!!

I love how Allison stuck with her heart. She didn’t care if bright colors and a tea length dress aren’t typical for an early October wedding. She knew what felt right to their day. And that’s exactly what your wedding day should be…details that reflect you as a couple and your heart’s desire.

Allison: “Pinterest got overwhelming very quickly with all the different styles and options. I decided to stop looking there for inspiration and just go with what felt true to Ben and I. Originally, I wanted neutral decorations and lots of greenery but something about that just didn't feel quite right. Once I found my dress though, I knew the wedding needed to be cheerful and colorful!”

So many times it’s the dress that can set the feel of the wedding. And this dress is a prime example.

Have you ever seen a more cheerful palette of colors? Blush, marigold, teal, bright coral, jade green. If I had to pick a word that describes this combo, I think it has to be joy. I dare you to try to scroll through this post and not feel it.

Tell us about some of your favorite wedding details and how you came up with them:

“My absolute favorite wedding detail was the bridesmaid dresses! I knew that I didn't want a regular bridesmaid dress so I searched on Anthropologie and found the mid-length gingham one! Perfect for our picnic theme!”

Allison: “The only unexpected thing that happened was that I didn't cry! There were multiple times that I just about burst into tears of joy, but I somehow kept it together!”

One of our all-time favorite pictures of one of our sweet brides…

What’s your advice for couples who are planning their wedding right now:

“Both of us would remind other couples to keep their mind and heart in the right place during the planning process. It is easy to get caught up in the details and stress, but in the end there is only one thing that matters - and that is the marriage!”

What was the one memory of your day that you want to freeze in time and never forget?

“The memory we'd like to freeze in time forever was when we said our vows to each other. We didn't write anything ourselves, but went with traditional vows because that held so much meaning to us. We need to be prompted daily to honor and love one another above ourselves for that is Christ's desire for us!

Our wedding day turned out more dreamy than I had ever imagined. The Barn at Grace Hill guaranteed that our wedding would be beautiful no matter what! I didn't have a single care or worry that day because the barn was perfect in every way!”

And then there was this…

Emilee with Emilime Designs was on site to do a live painting of Ben and Allison’s ceremony. Her talents are endless and we are so lucky to partner with her for so many of our weddings. We asked Emilee to share her heart as a Live Wedding Painter with us…

“Yes, it’s just as romantic as it sounds…imagine having an heirloom piece of art that was not only created just for you, but was also created in the very moment it captures! A Live Wedding Painter does just that! I love to create stationery and artwork that not only captures the couple’s unique personalities and style, but becomes pieces that their friends, family and maybe even future grandchildren will cherish for years to come.”

We can’t say enough good things about Emilee. From her beautiful calligraphy to her chalk art, she has filled our barn countless times with her gifts. She’s even created a semi-custom invitation suite just for our couples!! Find it here!

The local flavor was on point.

These adorable boxed dinners were done by Elderslie Farm, a local farm-to-table experience. And the pies came from Flint Hills Market & Bakery. Such a perfect touch to this day and an awesome way to support small local businesses.

Ben and Allison, Thank you for choosing to celebrate the beginning of your life together here at the barn. We were honored to serve you! We commend you for keeping the focus where it should be and putting together a celebration that reflected your hearts so well.

(Did anyone else notice the shoe change?)

---

The Vendor Team:

Hair: Tousled @thetousled

Flowers: Flower Factory Flowers @flowerfactoryflowerswichita

Photography: Brittany McCloskey Photography @bmccloskeyphoto

Bunting Decor: @renatagoossen

Food & Cake: Elderslie Farm @eldersliefarm

Pies: Flint Hills Market & Bakery @flinthillsmarketandbakery

Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie @anthropologie

Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal @davidsbridal

Ties: The Belle and the Beau on Etsy @thebelleandthebeau

Calligraphy & Chalkboards: Emilime Designs @emilimedesigns

Coordinator: @carroll224

Jonathan + Paige

What do you get when you mix a ridiculously adorable couple with the most beautiful, boho details, a winter blizzard and the stomach flu?

One of the most beautiful days we have ever witnessed.

How can a blizzard and the stomach flu be beautiful, you ask? They weren’t. There were tears and heartbreak. But the immense joy and love for each other, and for God, that was displayed on this day, outshines all the other details.

Paige and Jon will celebrate one year together this month, the perfect time to revisit their winter wedding day.

The day before was 70 degrees. The morning of the wedding we all woke up to a blizzard with wind gusts that were ripping our goose-neck lights off the front of the barn. But the lights laying in the yard were the least of our concerns. Our poor bride arrived in tears after barely being able to walk up to the building in the white-out conditions, and hearing her groom had gotten the stomach flu in the night. There was a heaviness to the start of the day that made me realize one of the only things we could do to help was to pray. We don’t take the privilege or opportunity lightly. I don’t think I ever told Paige and Jon this, but we called on several of our key prayer warriors who prayed us through the entire construction project, and asked them to pray over Paige and Jon’s day. Strangers who will never get to meet them prayed specifically for our sweet bride and groom.

I’m reminded of the song lyrics…”Holy Spirit, you are welcome here, come flood this space…”

There are no other words for what happened this day than those. The Holy Spirit made himself at home in the barn.

Tears turned to small smiles and it wasn’t long into the morning that a joy rose up in this place that was indescribable. Even these pictures will reveal it.

If these dresses don’t make all your boho wedding dreams come true, I don’t know what does.

Forest green, burgundy, plum, dark brown, cream, mustard. Paige, you killed the color palette.

And then there was her Hayley Paige dress.

Tell us about some of your favorite wedding details and how you came up with them.

“I LOVED the boho peacock chairs we rented for our head table! I also loved the amber glasses our head table used. My mom and grandma spend weeks thrifting to find enough glasses. Our alter is also one of my favorite details. Our florist used the barn's circle alter and covered it in fresh greenery, specifically eucalyptus. We honored my husband's best friend who passed away by reserving a chair for him in the front row and that was also really special.”

What was your wedding inspiration?

“When we were engaged, I loved searching on Junebug Weddings. I actually found a lot of inspiration by looking at my favorite interior designers and photographers on Instagram.”

Did anything unexpected happen? What was the outcome?

“Oh, YES. First of all, it was a blizzard, which I suppose we were kind of expecting. Thankfully, most people were able to make it, but it did stop some from driving. My husband also got the stomach flu the morning of the wedding which was really tough. We had planned to host a breakfast with prayer and worship before even going to the barn and had some friends we really wanted to share the Gospel with, and we didn't get to have that. Jon was running on very little sleep and was throwing up throughout most of the morning up until the ceremony. I think God used the weather and sickness to teach me a really valuable lesson about control. At the time it was soul-crushing but it was still the best day ever and I think it reminded us what was most important - we were getting married!”

The white-out conditions stopped just in time for the ceremony, for guests to safely arrive and for them to capture some outdoor shots.

What ended up being your favorite part of the day?

Jon: My favorite part of the day was the ceremony itself, which I didn't expect. It was so amazing and surreal to finally be there in the moment where all the plans culminated.

Paige: The ceremony was also really special for me! I loved looking around and seeing all of the people that we loved. We got to serve communion to our guests which was so meaningful. Of course we loved our dance party, too!

Any advice for those couples planning their wedding now?

Jon: My advice would definitely be to keep your attention where it belongs in the planning process. It's easy to get swept away by ideas, expectations, and plans, but the most important thing is the love you bring to each other! Keep the plans simple, you're celebrating a relationship.

Paige: I definitely agree with Jon. I wouldn't call myself a "bridezilla," but I definitely stressed more than I needed to about some of the wedding details and it stole my joy. I think creating boundaries is important. Set aside a few days a week to wedding plan, and then ignore the emails the rest of the time. It will lower your stress and make your spouse feel valued!

What was the one memory of your day that you want to freeze in time and never forget?

Jon: I have so much of that day frozen in my memory, but one of my favorite moments was sitting with my new wife in front of a room full of people who love us while they chatted and ate. The atmosphere was so warm and beautiful.

Paige: Right after the ceremony! It was something that wasn't planned and I hadn't thought about. We ran out and up to the bridal suite with our bridal party. Everyone was cheering and relieved and just hanging out. It was so surreal.

The stomach flu didn’t stop this guy from dancing his heart out with his bride. Best dance party ever. And such an answer to prayer after the way this day started.

God is good. And that’s completely evident as you look at these two celebrating their beautiful day together.

Jon & Paige, thank you for giving us the privilege of being a small part of your wedding day. A few circumstances of your day could have led you to discouragement and defeat, but instead, the love and joy that exuded from you both was evidence of something greater in you. Your wedding day is such an example to the world that when the blizzard and stomach flu hits, and life’s plans and expectations aren’t what you thought, hope and joy can still be found. God is writing a beautiful story with your marriage.

Happy 1st Anniversary this month! We hope you are still dancing your hearts out with each other.

The Vendor Team

Ceremony + Reception: The Barn at Grace Hill @thebarnatgracehill

Photo: Liz Rudman Photography @lizrudman

Video: John Stambaugh @johnstambaugh

Florals: @becca.eliz

Event Planning: Couture Ever After @coutureeverafter

Rentals: Something Borrowed Event Planning and Rentals @somethingborrowedks

Cake: Nice Bites Bakery @nicebitesbakery

Dress: Hayley Paige @misshayleypaige from Rhylan Lang Bridal @rhylanlangbridal

Hair: @conlee.arpin

Makeup: @beautycallmakeup

Chandler + Katelyn

We still have a hard time believing that our first 30 weddings on the calendar were before we opened our doors. And most of those were tours given among boards and nails. We are humbled that complete strangers trusted us as they did.

Katelyn and Chandler booked their December 2018 wedding with us in April and this is what the barn looked like the week they toured…

Obviously a venue under construction didn’t scare them away. And their December wedding came faster than anyone could have imagined.

Their day was simple yet elegant, and a little bit rustic.

Where did you get your inspiration?

“Honestly, we just kinda went for it! We both wanted our day to really be all about who we are as individuals and as a couple. It was very Christ-centered, organized, beautiful, and simple. We're not Pinterest people; we like to do our own thing. We had a bunch of ideas in our heads. and when we locked in one vendor we really wanted/liked, we said, "Okay, let's just keep going and see what happens next." The Barn is so beautiful in itself, that it didn't need a bunch of decorations to make it look complete, so that made everything just that much easier. SO much of our wedding inspiration/process was a Godsend and we couldn't be happier with how everything came together.”

We absolutely love that this first look involved Katelyn’s entire family of 4. The emotion and love displayed in these pictures is beyond words. All I can come up with “beautiful”, but yet that doesn’t seem to do it justice.

Katelyn: My brother was my Man of Honor, so just having him get to hangout with me during the day was something I will always treasure. He obviously saw me while we were getting ready, but he didn't see my final look until my dad saw it as well. I always thought I wanted to do one look with my brother and one look with just my dad, but I'm so glad we did them at the same time. Besides Chandler of course, those are the two most important men in my life. Seeing their reaction to something they couldn't know anything about for the past several months was just pure joy and love. My mom got to be there to share that moment with us, and we were able to have one beautiful moment together as a family.

Their wedding colors were grey and champagne with little pops of red and green. Because a December wedding with pops of red and green is just classic and timeless. The guys’ red suspenders were the perfect touch.

What did you like most about your day at The Barn at Grace Hill?

Katelyn: Does the whole day count?!…Our officiant (who is also a dear friend to Chandler and I) led my family in a prayer before everyone got lined up for the ceremony, and that moment of intimacy and love was something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Chandler: I very much enjoyed being able to have a suite for the groomsmen to hang out in. Another very enjoyable and happy moment for me was to be able to be with my groomsmen and my dad in that suite and get to have fun and laugh and enjoy the greatness of the day- the ultimate culmination of the past few months. Being in that suite with those men and the time we had there together was another part of the day that I truly liked and enjoyed.

What is the one memory of your day that you wish you could freeze in time and never forget?

Katelyn: This may seem dorky, but honestly the moment I would freeze in time is actually a span of about thirty seconds. Once I got to the bottom of the stairs after my grand entrance, I really enjoyed my dad walking me down the aisle to meet the man of my dreams. That time with my dad was so precious to me, and I absolutely adore every picture I have with him from that moment.

Chandler: That is an easy answer- the moment she walked out of those barn doors and I saw her for the first time. That moment was perfection.

What ended up being your favorite part of the day?

Chandler: There were an abundant number of lovely, amazing, and memorable moments, but nothing tops this one moment for me- seeing my bride for the first time. There was an intense and suspenseful build-up to the wedding because I had zero clue as to what she was going to be wearing, what she would look like or anything of the sort. Absolutely no clue. I had been very (im)patiently waiting for that moment for months, and then being within such a close proximity to her on the day without getting to see her sparked a deep yearning and desire to see my bride. The set-up was perfect, the music was queued up, and the moment came in a flash. Those doors opened up and my beautiful bride stepped out, finally revealing herself to me, and I was blown away. Finally seeing her that day after months of anticipation was hands down my favorite part.

Chandler definitely got us all teary with his reaction that was caught so perfectly by Wild Oak Films in their wedding video that we’ve shared at the bottom.

Tell us about some of the special details you incorporated into your day.

“We loved the wooden cross that was the main focal point during our ceremony. For our unity ceremony, we wanted to do something different, but still important to us as a Godly couple. We chose to do the tying of the knot, with three strands representing both of us as husband and wife, and God as our Father...ultimately becoming one in Christ. "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him - a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12. Our threefold strand was wrapped around the cross. We added something very special from Katelyn's family to the top of the cross; a crown of thorns that Katelyn gave to her parents for Christmas several years ago. Right when you enter the Barber house, the crown of thorns is on display to symbolize the most precious gift we as humans could ever receive. It was the perfect touch to the wooden cross during our ceremony.”

“Instead of using a traditional guestbook to remember everyone who celebrated our wedding day with us, we wanted to use something different and something that we could actually look at and be part of our lives. Anchors have always been "our thing" ever since we met, so we chose to have our guests sign little wooden anchors and leave their best wishes for us. We were both definitely teary going through all of those the day after our wedding. Those were very special. “

What advice do you have for couples planning their wedding right now?

Katelyn: My advice to couples that are currently planning a wedding is to just be yourself. Forget about other people's opinions of your choices, what might happen if this doesn't go right, all the Pinterest boards that look like perfection, and just make everything be about you and your new spouse…I would say that your vendor team is hugely important in creating a successful, beautiful day. I may be biased, but we literally had the most amazing team working for us! Something I'm really glad Chandler and I decided on was our catering. We heard over and over again that we probably wouldn't have time to eat on our wedding day because there would be so many people to talk to. I don't know if you like food as much as we do, but we made sure to have our favorite meal because we knew we'd be hungry after a long day. We had Texas Roadhouse and that was by far one of the best decisions we made throughout our planning process.

Chandler: …the message I kept preaching to Kate- stop stressing so much about the planning. Yes, there are things to do and get done, but everything will come together and everything will work out just fine. And it will work out just fine whether you are stressing about it or not…take the time to enjoy your engagement with your fiancé instead of worrying about the planning process. Everyone involved will be much more happy.

Katelyn and Chandler, we adored you. Your day was beautiful but not more beautiful than who you are. You brought us joy so early into our business venture that showed us what we get to be a part of and who we get the privilege to cross paths with.

The Vendor Team

Ceremony + Reception: The Barn at Grace Hill @thebarnatgracehill

Photography: Kay x Bee @kayxbeephoto

Storytelling: Wild Oak Films @wildoakfilms

DJ: Absolute Sound DJ Entertainment @absolutesounddj

Florals: Red Bird Floral Co. @redbirdfloral

Catering: Texas Roadhouse

Cupcakes: Cheri's Bakery @cherisbakerywichita

Makeup: Beauty Call Makeup @beautycallmakeup

Hair: Studio 400 @studio400salon

Katelyn's Dress: Dress Gallery @shopdressgallery

Alterations: Quickstitch Alterations @quickstitchwichita

Calligraphy: Emilime Designs @emilimedesigns