How to have a Rustic, Elegant Jewish Farm Wedding

It was a balmy summer night two years ago when I sat outside with Stef and Ian at a picnic bench at Spritzenhaus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We chatted over wheat beers about their connections to Maryland, and the fun and creative wedding they were planning. I lived in Baltimore at the time, but traveled to NYC a bunch for weddings (still do!), and Stefanie grew up just outside Baltimore, so we had a lot in common with the dual-city lifestyle. Many Amtrak rides to see family and friends, and a love of the beautiful rustic countryside outside Baltimore. We had their engagement session in the fall the year prior to their wedding, and they were up for anything. We romped through the woods, they cuddled by the lake, and we photographed until the sun went down. For the next twelve months I really enjoyed having the chance to get to know Ian and Stefanie, talking about their lives, and wedding plans. I loved the care, and detail they put into planning, but also the amazing positive energy they both exuded even over email. At the end of the wedding day, I got a bit sentimental and sad realizing that the wedding day was actually over and after all that time planning I was going to miss them! Thankfully, we’re still in touch and Style Me Pretty and BRIDES both chose to feature their wedding, so it’s been really fun to relive the day through photos and words. Finally, I decided it was time I blog about it as well.

Stefanie remembers, “Before getting engaged, I never imagined what my dream wedding would be like. All Ian and I knew was that we wanted a fall wedding in a special venue where the autumnal beauty would be a backdrop for our big day. Once we chose our venue, a beautiful 3-level barn on exquisite grounds, all of the fine details started coming together.” The couple made sure to leave plenty of time in their schedule to use the beautiful grounds for Stefanie to do a first look with her Dad, Stef and Ian to have their first look, and portraits with their friends and family before guests arrived. They had a fairly traditional Jewish ceremony, so they waited until sundown for the processional to begin. This meant we had the best light of the day (just before sundown) to make relaxed and creative portraits with them.

Jaimie Schoen for BRIDES described the wedding party fashion perfectly, “With 25(!) people in their wedding party, Stefanie and Ian knocked it out of the park fashion-wise. The groomsmen wore classic tuxedos, while the bridesmaids donned chiffon dresses in navy, eggplant, light blue, and blush. “I had them pick their own silhouettes, and every one of their 12 dresses is different!” says the bride. “”I loved having my best friends from all eras of my life gathered together in one place,” says Stefanie.

© Lindsay Hite / www.lindsayhitephotography.com

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Stefanie

August 19, 2016

LOVE LOVE LOVE the post! We were so happy and honored to have you share every special moment with us! Thank you a million times over (again) for capturing our engagement and wedding so perfectly! xox Stef and Ian

Lindsay Hite

Thank you so much, Stef + Ian! It truly was an honor! So much love xx

Weddings

Stefanie & Ian

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