Interview with a Real Bride!

Katherine (Bride) & Cameron (Groom) – A Charlottesville Farm Wedding

Q: When was your wedding?

A: July 19, 2014

Q: Where did your wedding & ceremony take place?

A: Pa’s Hill Farm, Crozet Va

Q: How many people attended your wedding?

A: Close to 200!

Q: How much time did you have to plan your wedding?

A: We were engaged March 8^th, so had about 4 months!

Q: Did you have help with planning the wedding?

A: My fiancé (now husband) was a huge help with the planning—he maintained our budget and helped call different vendors to compare prices. When he’d sense panic rising in me from an ever-growing, and never-ending to-do list, he’d insist on knowing what the major things on my mind were, and make me figure out how I could delegate them to him! My mom was also incredibly helpful! Together, with one of her closest friends (and woman who’s like a second mother to me), they captured and pulled together all of the things I love, in the style I love it (eclectic and whimsical were our guidelines!) and labored endlessly (especially the week of!) to find the best, most cost-efficient and lovely way to pull it all off. Having a nearly entirely DIY wedding required a LOT of time and personal ownership, and wouldn’t have been possible without an on-board fiancé and army of family/friends!

Q: How did you find your photographer?

A: I knew Kristen through my sister and brother-in-law, who are good friends with her husband! She’d photographed some special events for them in the past, and I’d been blown away by her work. Being her Facebook friend, I was able to see her photography work and journals, and thinking her work to be some of the most natural and beautiful, had hoped (for a while!) that if there was an occasion that would merit it, to have her capture it!

Q: Did you meet with Kristen before hiring her? Do you think this helped in the decision making process?

A: I didn’t meet with her in person, but we corresponded through email. Her thoroughness and prompt replies were a huge encouragement and reinforced what already appeared to be true about her professionalism and the seriousness of her attitude toward her job—and also confirmed that she LOVED what she did! And I loved that about her.

Q: What was one of the most memorable moments from your wedding?

A: Coming through the barn doors, walking down the aisle and seeing the look on my husband’s face.

Q: What is your favorite picture from your day?

A: Hard to say!!! So far, I love the picture of him and I coming back up the aisle after we’d just been married!

Q: What was the biggest challenge on that day?

A: The wait!!! Our ceremony wasn’t until 6, and it felt like an eternity. Other than that, on the drive to the farm from the hotel (about 10 minutes) for the ceremony, I was bombarded with texts and phone-calls from panicked attendees (who had loved ones in the party, so were there early) saying it was raining at the farm, and wanted to know if we should move the outdoor ceremony inside the barn, where the reception was. I couldn’t stand the thought of that, so had to make an executive decision to keep the ceremony out in the mist and drizzle! But with a totally “in” bridal party, and flexible Dad (and farm owner!) the decision was cheerfully received, and the ceremony couldn’t have been more magical!

Q: If there was one thing that you could have done differently, what would it be?

A: I honestly don’t know if there’s anything I’d want to do differently! Other than know just how fast the reception would go. It felt like we were there for 5 minutes. And even though everyone tells/warns you it’s gonna fly, there was no way to know JUST how fast it would go! I also might make sure to eat more. All I had was a role, which was super disappointing because our BBQ vendor was amazing, and people raved about the food! 

Q: Tell me more about your DIY details! Where did you get your inspiration?

A: We knew that the wedding was going to be on the farm, and honestly, we just wanted to use as much stuff and as many decoration pieces that already belonged to us as possible. So we looked through our homes, and our friends did the same. We found used old oil lamps my Grandma had, church pews that we owned, quilts that belonged to my late Grandma Clayton, and an old wooden ladder that my Great Uncle built. Anything that could remotely fit the bill and that was special to family or friends, made the cut!

So the inspiration was from a desire to incorporate things belonging to family and friends, and anything that remotely fit our rustic, whimsical feel and that would  bring honor to the Lord. And believe it or not, with those as our guidelines, we had a lot to choose from, and many loving hands to offer their most prized and cherished things!

Q: What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other brides that are planning their wedding?

A: You’re gonna make it! I heard from too many brides that by the time the wedding day came, all they wanted was for it to be the “next” day after all the craziness. And that always made me sad! It’s easy to get to that point though… so try and pace yourself, LET others help you, and remember that in a blink of an eye it really will all be over (believe it or not). And hang in there. You really can do it ;)

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with other brides?

A: I know it’s easy to, but don’t freak if something seems to go terribly wrong (like rain on your outdoor ceremony!) It somehow makes it even more special. There are sly smiles, giggling, and non-verbals shared between you and your man and party, and any “mess-up” or weather catastrophe makes for fun pictures and memories you wouldn’t have had otherwise. (Few things are cuter than seeing your guests huddled, smiling under umbrellas!) And regardless, you’re gonna be married to that stud of a man beside you, so chin up. (That thought got me through every time!)

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You can see the full feature blog post of Katherine & Cameron’s Wedding by clicking here!

Looking for a wedding photographer? Fill out a contact form here, or send Kristen a note at kristen@kristenlynne.com

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