We’re so very excited to post the highlights from this super fun and unique fair/carnival themed wedding! Jessica + Steven tied the knot this Spring and we absolutely LOVE how they personalized everything to fit who they are and what they love! Here are a few highlights from this super-fun wedding, along with an exclusive “behind the scenes” look from Jessica, our bride…

“I grew up showing cows, sheep, pigs, etc so I technically grew up at the fair/carnival. Once we nailed down the theme I found a website/blog that also did a wedding carnival and that is where we got decor ideas.”

“Growing up the ladies would get together to can, quilt, make candy, etc. So I learned how to make a “yo-yo” quilt but I was nowhere near as good as Aunt Faye. In making one yo-yo you had to cut a circle by hand, no Martha Stewart gadgets. Then with needle and thread you a continuous stitches around the outside, making sure they are small enough and even distance from the edge to make a perfect yo-yo. Next you pull the drawstring and iron flat. All that work for just one yo-yo. Faye was the best at it and when I see one she is the one person that comes to mind. The quilt is a reminder of the legacy my family instilled in us.”

“I got my dress at Bridal Traditions in North Wilkesboro and Kelly, the owner, knows her stuff.  I picked out my dress and she grabbed another one by the same company to get my size. My mother was skeptical but when my dress arrived it fit perfectly. The only thing needed was to hem my dress. My hair piece was purchased on a whim from her store as well and turned out to be just right. Every veil I tried looked like an 1980s bride, so I was content without one. Red is my color which made perfect since to wear bright red shoes, slightly Dorothy inspired. Something old: my late maternal grandfather’s dogwood bracelet from his collection. Something new: my shoes/dress/feather headpiece/pearls. Something borrowed: Joey’s (bridesmaid) pearl earrings. Something blue: my blue flowers.”

“My bouquet idea came from a magazine called Flea Market Weddings but they used old maps whereas I wanted a little more color so we went with scrapbook paper. The correct name for the origami flowers is “kusudama” (origami-instructions.com). I didn’t want to be worried about fragile fresh flowers or expensive silk flowers. My mom folded and made the whole thing for me.”

“The bridal party attire was loosely based on the beginning scenes of The Notebook at the carnival. Bridesmaids wore Forever21 dresses and the men, my dad included, wore simple khakis and white button down shirts. Their ties where from Hamricks each distinct but cohesive. My dad’s tie matched my mom’s dress beautifully without me even trying. Both bridesmaids and groomsmen spent less than $70 for their attire. I wanted them to feel relaxed but with a more vintage feel captured from the movie. I had Tom Noblot (Noblot Jewelers in Lincolnton) a dear friend and jeweler design and make the bridesmaids’ pearl necklaces. We also bought our rings, engagement ring included, from Tom. He engraved the saying in Steven’s ring also.”

“The decor and games came from stores like Walmart, Dollar Tree and Oriental Trading Company. Since VBS was carnival/theme-park themed and spring was on the way decorations were easy to come by. We used old wooden pallets from a family members company to build our carnival game booths. The location is my cousin’s “farm” but we consider her an aunt. She has told others ‘no’ when they asked to use her place for weddings but since it was me she said ‘yes’. The house we were at was actually the caretaker’s house years ago.”

“I picked foods that said fair/carnival to us. At the NC State Fair the NC Cattleman’s Association have a booth that serves ribeye steak sandwiches and we eat them every year we are there. Mt Olive also has a booth at the NC State Fair with $0.50 pickles and it is also my favorite, so we had to have a pickle bar! Hot dogs are another given for fairs but I don’t eat the silly things.  No one loves just wedding cakes so we wanted family and friends to make cakes that we know and love along with the wedding cake.”

“I copied a friend’s idea of having the children walk in, do their part and then return to the parents. It was awesome because they didn’t have to stand in front of everyone and behave. Also the parents could relax knowing the kids weren’t going to ruin anything. They carried balloons just because it was a carnival and easier than throwing petals! The girls wore colorful dresses they liked and felt comfortable in as well.”

“My dad loves the Eagles so I scoured the Internet to see what other people said about father daughter dance songs from them. I came up with “I Wish You Peace” which was true for my daddy. Steven was in charge of finding our first dance song and it was down to Eric Church and Casting Crowns. Eric Church “Like Jesus Does” won out because it is one of his favorite songs and his favorite artist. So we chose songs meaningful to us and not some sappy, tear filled songs that weren’t us.”

“This wedding was a true church wedding without being inside the church. Our children’s pastor created our invitations, music pastor was our DJ, and our lead pastor was the officiant. We borrowed the 1964 Chevy Malibu from a fellow church member. That car had never seen a rain drop before our wedding. One church member made our wedding cake and lastly another member did all of our hair. Tim, one more church member, graciously cooked our food in the rain. I don’t know what we would do without our church family. On top of that the cotton candy and popcorn machines belong to our church as well.”

“It took a few days to realize it but I understand now why the rain was important. Steven and I thought we knew how much love was shown to us but until it rained we had no clue to how much we were actually loved and blessed with family and friends. We had 250 chairs and there were several if not a hundred or so more people standing on the sides and in the back in the rain. God knew what he was doing even though we couldn’t see past the umbrellas and mud stained clothes.”

Thanks so much, Jessica for sharing your story and giving us a “behind the scenes” look!

xoxo

Jason + Heather

www.revivalphotography.com

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