1. Real Weddings

A Modern Farmhouse Wedding at a Private Residence in Buchanan, Michigan

While in Chicago for their five-year anniversary, Dave Widmer (50 and a director of e-commerce) proposed to Chad Ross (42 and a visual market manager)

While in Chicago for their five-year anniversary, Dave Widmer (50 and a director of e-commerce) proposed to Chad Ross (42 and a visual market manager) in the most unusual way–by using custom Crate & Barrel boxes! With plans to wed in the fall, the couple stumbled upon their farmhouse venue after learning their close friends had recently purchased a summer home in Buchanan, Michigan. "When they heard the news of our engagement, they generously offered to host our wedding there after their renovation was complete!" Dave says. With their wedding location and date finalized, the to-be-weds began work on their chic outdoor celebration, starting with a whole lot of DIY details. "We wanted to keep things budget-friendly, so we planned most of the event details and decor ourselves," the couple explains. Their favorite project? A 60-foot long farmhouse table equipped with a modern trellis overhead. Clear lucite chairs added a modern touch to the casual, outdoor fete while scattered candles and string lights lent an intimate feel to the space. Industrial details were even incorporated throughout–including metal spring place card holders, stainless steel fire bowls and oil cans. "Part of the fun of our entire wedding experience included driving from Chicago to Michigan with our friends to get the details of the day set," the couple says. However, one of their favorite moments of the day included making their grand entrance through a set of rustic barn doors on the property. "We loved seeing all of our family and friends for the first time during our processional," Dave says. "We made sure our toast recognized all of the people that worked tirelessly so we can live and love freely with dignity and equality." Cheers to that!

A Modern Chalkboard Wedding Sign and Hanging Lanterns at the Buchanan Farmhouse
The Grooms's French Bulldogs Anxiously Await the Farmhouse Ceremony
A Custom Slim-Fit Gray Wedding Suit and Wooden Ring Box
The grooms went through a lot of preparation to get the farmhouse in perfect shape for the wedding, including planting hydrangeas and merchandizing log piles. The farmhouse wedding was well worth the effort, especially because they got to drive back and forth to Michigan with some of their closest friends.
A close friend of the grooms (and one of the owners of the farmhouse) officiated the ceremony, where appeared through the barn doors (instead of walking down the aisle) to Joshua Radin's "Today."
The Grooms's First Kiss at the Buchanan Farmhouse
Red String Bracelet Wedding Favors
The Entire Wedding Party at the Buchanan Farmhouse
The Two Grooms in Buchanan, Michigan
Dave and Chad built their own sixty-foot, wood reception table and it's accompanying trellis from which they draped a series of string lights for their dusk wedding. They pulled the clear ghost chairs from the ceremony to sit at the modern tablescape.
Elegant white candelabras and clear dining chairs were offset by industrial details, like place cards set in metal springs and oil cans. String lights, candle sticks, and hanging lanterns gave the wedding a warm romantic glow as the sun set behind the farmhouse.
Dave and Chad kept flower arrangements to the minimum to let the natural beauty of the farmhouse speak for itself. The centerpieces, however, incorporated square wooden boxes filled with a variety of brunia, anemones, and even artichokes!
The chic place settings incorporated elegant wood plates and a burlap table runner for a modern rustic vibe. For favors, Dave and Chad gave their guests custom leather keychains that read either "Hey Handsome" or "Hello Gorgeous"--and they also doubled as napkin rings!
An intimate party of just fifty wedding guests came to support Dave and Chad's meaningful nuptials. To give thanks, the grooms gave a special toast that "recognized all the people that worked tirelessly so that we can live and love freely with dignity and equality," Dave says.
Rustic florals and a whimsical two-groom cake topper minimally decorated a simple two-tier wedding cake coated in buttercream.
The Grooms Have Their First Dance at the Farmhouse with Glowing Lanterns
A Modern Farmhouse Reception at Night with String Lights
The farmhouse looked stunning at night with soft blue underlighting that helped guests find their way to the dance floor. Several carefully-placed stainless steel firebowls were used for both their ethereal smoke and for keeping mosquitos at bay.
The Grooms's Silhouettes at Night in Buchanan