Christine and Jarrod’s Rustic Barn Wedding in Illinois By Cling and Peck Photography

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you all had a good and restful weekend? Are you ready for the week ahead? We have some cracking weddings and features for you this week, kicking off with this gorgeous rustic barn wedding from Illinois. I love barn weddings, especially when there is so much character in the barns themselves. This ceremony set up has been given the rustic touch by adding in hay bales, blankets and festoon lighting. While the reception is full of light, bright rustic touches, garden games and a whole lot of dancing, not forgetting the fabulous sparkler send off. Topped off with the most gorgeous first look, this wedding is a joy and the perfect way to start the working week. Big thanks to Daniel and Erin from Cling & Peck Photography for the lovely images.

‘It was the perfect day. Intimate and rustic, couldn’t have been better’

Christine and Jarrod were married on 7th April 2015 at The Barn at Allen Acres in Illinois, for both the ceremony and reception. ‘My dream had always been to get married in a barn. I researched and found this place and it was exactly what I had pictured! We had 100 guests and it took about 6 months to plan’

How they met
We met online, through a dating website. We started talking and went on our first date and the rest is history. We have known each other total of 2 years now and have been married for 8 months. Have been together a total of 2 years.

The Proposal
We were at a festival in my hometown called “The Christmas Walk.” It is my favorite event to go to in December, very pretty in the snow! We were walking around and were on a date. He stopped in front of my favourite coffee shop where we had our first date. He dropped down on one knee and proposed!

How did you allocate your budget
We had a set number. We just spent as we went, and prioritized things we were willing to spend more money on and things we needed to do “cheaper.”

Where did you splurge and where did you save
We definitely splurged on the photographer and the food. Two which were very important to us! We saved by finding a venue that was relatively inexpensive and included a lot of décor. We made our own bouquets from flowers we ordered from Costco- got them delivered the day before. Much cheaper than using a florist! We also saved with the venue because when we booked it, we got the venue for the whole weekend, and it came with the use of the house for the whole weekend. The bridal party was able to stay there with me the night before.

How did you choose your photographer
They photographed my sisters wedding and many weddings of friends and people I know. They do a wonderful job, and I feel that they make every wedding look unique and different instead of using cheesy poses and cheap looking pictures. So lucky we got them!

The Dress
Oleg Cassini- David’s Bridal. Accessories were from Marshall’s, shoes were Badgely Mischka.

The Suit and Bridesmaids
Jarrod’s pants were from Banana Republic, Shirt from H&M, jacket from JC penny. Shoes were from DSW. Bridesmaids each chose their own dress.

Theme or Colour Scheme
Theme was rustic. Colours were Navy blue, grey, and lavender.

Flowers
Bride’s flowers were baby’s breath, décor was baby’s breath and lavender aster. Bridesmaids were lavender aster.

Decoration
Decoration was definitely a rustic feel.

Food
We ate a delicous BBQ

Wedding Cake
We had various pies instead of cake.

Entertainment
A DJ.

The Stationery
Wedding paper divas

Personal or Handmade Touches
We bought different coffee mugs from goodwill and filled them with chocolate covered espresso beans as take-home gifts. We made our bouquets.

Special Moments
Dancing was super fun, and just having everyone we love all in the same place!

Advice to other couples
Take it one day at a time. Get all the “Big stuff” done first, such as the venue, photographer, food, and dress done and then work your way through the smaller details. It all gets done eventually, just make a list and work through it! Also assign someone to help that day. My aunt “coordinated” the whole day, and I couldn’t have done it without her.

Biggest surprise
When a firework went off in the middle of the ceremony! LOL!

Supplier Shout Outs

• Venue – www.thebarnatallenacres.com
• Wedding Dress – Davids Bridal
• Caterer – www.dssmokinbbq.com
• DJ – Jordan Chapman
• Cake Artist – www.facebook.com/cake71/info/?tab=overview 815-626-CAKE

For more information on Cling and Peck’s work please go to:

www.clingpeck.com / www.clingpeck.com/blog / [email protected] / 1.630.913.1341 / FACEBOOK / @clingpeck / I:clingpeck

We’re husband and wife team Cling & Peck. We’re high school sweethearts, and we shoot weddings together. New friendships, big laughs, awesome light, and exploring God’s creation are what we’re all about. We’re based in Chicago, IL however we mostly shoot destinations. Our style is somewhere in the natural fine art category.