1. Real Weddings

A Rustic Wedding at Perona Farms in Andover, New Jersey

Ashley Pagano (27 and a graphic designer) and Eric Walbrecht (31 and a product manager) love the outdoors and are very laid-back, so they went for the

Ashley Pagano (27 and a graphic designer) and Eric Walbrecht (31 and a product manager) love the outdoors and are very laid-back, so they went for the ultimate rustic wedding. Perona Farms in Andover, New Jersey, and its many natural spaces served as their venue. “It's unique and rustic atmosphere is what most attracted us,” Ashley says. Their decor only enhanced it. A wedding arch covered with these curly willow tips and orange flowers marked the outdoor ceremony. Mason jars filled with roses and greenery also lined the aisle. After Ashley and Eric exchanged vows, Ibranyi Is Floral helped to carry the motif into their barn reception with earth-tone accents. Each table had lush arrangements of roses, greenery and their favorite mango calla lilies in natural birch wood vases. Their wedding cake matched it all to a T with an added birch wood-inspired design on every tier and a curved wooden “W” topper. (It doesn’t get much better than that!) Catch every detail, shot by Nikki & Chip Photography, below.

The same flowers picked for their centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres were used in the aisle decor. Lush arrangements of red roses, orange proteas and greenery were placed in mason jars and hung against each row of white folding chairs.
Their favorite flower, the mango calla lily, popped up in arrangements throughout the wedding, including Ashley’s bouquet. She worked with Ibranyi Is Floral to fill it with earth-tone-inspired flowers. Red orange and crimson roses, orange and red ranunculus, orange dahlias, red hypericum berries, orange proteas, greenery and, of course, their calla lilies were all put in the bouquet and wrapped in burlap.
“I tried to keep a vintage, elegant look to go with the feel of the barn,” Ashley says. What she chose was completely unexpected. She picked out a white trumpet-style Maggie Sottero dress from Arlene’s Bridal Salon with cascading ruffles along the skirt, ruche detailing and a bold, black beaded sash across her waist.
Ashley and Eric’s program, menu and invitation suite were inspired by Perona Farms in Andover, New Jersey. They drew on the rustic venue with images of mason jars, earth-tone-inspired colors and other funky images for a playful twist.
Rustic Wood Reception Card Box
Natural Birch Wood Escort Card Display
Even the guest book was made of wood. Ashley and Eric’s initials in a heart were placed at the center while guests took turns writing their names and sweet messages around it.
Wooden tables at the reception were paired with one of two centerpieces; the tallest versions took natural to a new level. Birch wood formed the vase while a display of greenery, red hypericum berries, magnolia leaves, mango calla lilies, red roses, curly willow and orange tulips spilled over the sides. Matching birch-wood-accented candles and pinecones also circled the arrangements.
It doesn’t get more rustic than this! Ashley and Eric worked with Palermo’s Bakery to design a four-tier, round, strawberry and lemon wedding cake that resembled birch wood. Each buttercream-frosted layer mimicked their wooden accents and was even paired with bright orange sugar roses. A sweet wooden “W” also topped the confection. Those who dislike cake weren’t left behind. A plate of homemade doughnuts was set on each table.
Ashley and Eric put their own spin on a rustic wedding favor. Each guest took home a different mini succulent planted in a wine cork and set inside a mini mason jar.
With such an ornate barn as their backdrop, Ashley and Eric had to let it shine. Only string lighting from Omnivent Event Services was draped along the ceiling. Low birch-wood-inspired candles were also placed along the tables.