Planning a fall wedding? If so, you’re going to want to see Preston and Rachel’s autumn Cedarmont Farm wedding with fall colors! Their celebration is nothing short of romantic with a rustic flair; showcasing beautiful unstructured floral designs by Larson Floral Co. and a palette of burgundy, gold, and greenery to play up the rustic vibes while maintaining elegance. Speaking of elegance, Rachel looked like a dream in her BHLDN gown with hair and makeup by Indigo Beauty Collective adding a a little sparkle and giving Preston the sweetest grin as they shared an adorable first look together. Moments like these all captured by Wind & Gold are really something special. They may just make you crave a festive fall day of your own!
Rachel + Preston
Cedarmont Farm
Guests ~ 100
Budget ~ $20,000-$30,000
How did you guys meet?
Rachel: Like true millennials, we met on Tinder! Preston and I both grew up in Franklin and coincidentally, went to the same high school for one year without knowing it. We had a ton in common and clicked from the start.
Tell us about your engagement!
Rachel: Funny story…Preston actually proposed while he had COVID! While that was not the plan, the supply chain had other ideas for the ring he ordered. What was supposed to be a May proposal quickly got pushed and I was getting a bit impatient. A few days after Christmas, Preston suggested we go for a long walk with our dog Griffey. I was hoping this was the moment (since we really couldn’t go anywhere else) and he got down on one knee at Percy Warner Park. It wasn’t what was initially planned, but was perfect none the less.
What was the vision for your wedding?
Rachel: I wanted our wedding to be fall romance. Fall is my favorite season, so having it in October was a no-brainer. I navigated toward fall colors without going overboard, which is why we went with cranberry tones, accented by gold and greenery. My dress was a more delicate style, and I wanted the overall wedding to have that soft, romantic feel.
What details were used to create your theme (color scheme, decor items, florals etc.)?
Rachel: We used burgundy as the main color, then accented it with gold, greenery, lighter pinks, blushes, and creams. Cedarmont has a gorgeous, modern barn and I loved the look of greenery draped over the rafters. I didn’t want the decor to be too rustic, so adding the gold carafes, bud vases, and cream and burgundy linens to the barns added a little more of a classic romantic feel. Another one of my favorite details was the photo guestbook. We put out a polaroid camera and let guests take a selfie, then stick and sign the guestbook. It’s so fun to have visual memories of all of our guests.
Where did you splurge? Where did you save/DIY?
Rachel: Cedarmont is an all-inclusive venue, and the value is amazing. They helped me stay in budget with things like florals and food., so I don’t feel like I really splurged much on anything! I saved big on my dress, which I bought on a Cyber Monday sale from BHLDN.
What words of advice do you have for couples in the midst of their planning?
Rachel: If it fits into your schedule and timeline, I would suggest an all-inclusive venue. Having a couple of planning meetings and knocking everything out was really helpful for me and less stressful than trying to juggle multiple vendors myself. If you don’t go all-inclusive, definitely use a planner! I also think it’s important to stand your ground on things that are important to you, either sentiment-wise or with your budget. If someone pressures you to get or do something that you just can’t afford, don’t give in! Or if there’s something that you really want to do, and maybe others don’t get it – who cares? Do it! Set boundaries for yourself, especially with family.
Can you share any special moments or highlights from your wedding day?
Rachel: I loved doing a first look. That was really special to me and helped with the nerves. I loved having a moment with Preston before the craziness of the reception, and I don’t feel like it took away from seeing each other at the altar either (he cried both times!). Also I think just having my friends and family around after a tough year of being apart was something I’ll always be especially grateful for.
Looking for more inspiration like Preston and Rachel’s autumn Cedarmont Farm wedding with fall colors? Click here!
