Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Real Weddings An Outdoor Barn Wedding in Iowa By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 29, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Rebekah Molloy These hands-on grooms made their wedding their own—from the invites, to a ceremonial bread, to the fashions. 01 of 14 Drew and Chase Rebekah Molloy You know a couple are in sync when they each find the same wedding venue while browsing Pinterest separately. When Drew Jaz and Chase Cecil started planning their nuptials, a shared love of the outdoors—along with Chase's family roots in small-town Iowa—hatched the idea for a barn wedding. Then each came upon the picturesque Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn, near Iowa City and less than two hours from Chase's hometown, and the details of their day fell into place with a little help from loving family members. Chase's grandfather built a "sweetheart" reception table that now resides in the duo's new home in Oakland, California; Drew's cousin-in-law at Sprout Creek Farm, in Poughkeepsie, New York, sent cheese for cocktail hour; and Chase's mother altered a flower girl dress she had worn as a child to fit Drew's niece. An outdoor wedding was a given for these two. Ever since they met at a New York City bar in 2012, they've put their feelings out in the open—literally. On one of their first dates, Chase, a birder who now works for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco, suggested a hike in New York's Hudson Valley. Drew, a New Jersey-bred advertising creative director, started feeling sick in the heat but powered through it. Then, in November 2013, Drew visited Chase, who was studying conservation science in London, and a hike in the Cotswolds led to another heart-racing occasion. "The sun came out, and I thought, 'This is the moment,'" says Drew, who was hiding an engagement ring in his pocket. "I got down on one knee and read a poem I'd written." The sun was beaming on them again the following spring, on May 30, 2015, as they exchanged self-penned vows, standing on antique oriental rugs under a vintage chandelier hung from a piece of farm machinery. One hundred guests witnessed the ceremony, feasted on a locally grown dinner as Drew's best friend played classical guitar, and danced to DJ-spun tunes. Revelers then moved off the farm and on to an after-party in Iowa City. It was a blast, but for their anniversary the pair will get back to nature—returning to the Cotswolds, their own place in the sun. 02 of 14 The Invitations Rebekah Molloy The Book of Palms, a centuries-old folio of illustrations of botanicals native to the Amazon, inspired the pair's stationery suite, which they designed together. Vintage-Style Wedding Invitations 03 of 14 The Barn Rebekah Molloy The 19th-century barn that was their venue "still had farm equipment, tools, and grains, but that was all the better to us," says Drew. Rustic Wedding Venues to Book for Your Big Day 04 of 14 Style Profiles Rebekah Photography "We did everything together, including getting ready," says Chase (right). "We knew we'd miss out on that moment of tying each other's ties if we didn't." As a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and accustomed to "quirky fashion," Chase sought an ensemble that was "a little bit out there but nothing extreme" without clashing with Drew's selection. The guys found the answer in two J.Crew suits: Chase's, a subtle floral print, and Drew's, chambray (that he accented with a Stag Handmade tie and pocket square, reminiscent of vintage Liberty London prints). Chase completed his look with a Fox & Brie bow tie. Grooms Who Wore Bow Ties 05 of 14 The Wedding Party Rebekah Molloy For wardrobe inspiration, the couple sent their 11-person wedding party of friends and siblings a color palette with six shades. Non-Traditional Wedding Party Ideas 06 of 14 With These Rings Rebekah Photography The pair purchased their Victorian-era signet bands—Chase's features a moss agate, while Drew's has an elk tooth—at Esqueleto in Oakland, California. Drew's sister gifted the pair this wooden board, featuring an etching of the same image that the couple produced for some of their paper goods. Unique Men's Wedding Bands 07 of 14 The Processional Rebekah Molloy Drew's nephews acted as ring bearers, and his niece, the flower girl, was not far behind. 08 of 14 The Ceremony Rebekah Photography After reciting self-penned vows, receiving a Polish blessing from Drew's father (involving bread, salt, and wine), and listening to a reading from Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, the duo's marriage was official! What to Know About Writing Your Wedding Vows 09 of 14 A Nod to Heritage Rebekah Molloy Specially decorated loaves were used for the "bread and salt" blessing, led by Drew's father, to honor their Polish heritage. Creative Wedding Rituals That Symbolize Unity 10 of 14 Toss Cones Rebekah Molloy During the recessional, invitees tossed birdseed on the newlyweds from cones Chase's mother made out of pages of vintage books. Creative Wedding Exit Toss Ideas 11 of 14 The Escort Cards Rebekah Molloy Chase's love of lithographs and Audubon prints led to tables labeled not by number butby animal. Framed cards helped guests find their seats. Insanely Creative Seating Cards and Displays 12 of 14 The Reception Décor Rebekah Photography Chase grew up "hunting geodes" along the Mississippi River near his town in a park called Wild Cat Springs. After meeting Drew, he realized that they shared the childhood hobby in common (though, Drew collected them in New Jersey). The two decided to incorporate the minerals into the reception tablescapes, with Chase's parents buying an assortment of sizes and shapes at local shops (about 120 total) to round out the collection. A cluster sat in front of the pair's sweetheart table, too. 13 of 14 The Wedding Cake Rebekah Photography Drew and Chase admit that a formal cake cutting would have been too much fuss for them and the barn setting. Instead, they stepped away with their parents to break into this carrot confection topped with cream cheese frosting, while guests helped themselves to a dessert bar of fruit pies and tarts as the last course. Small Wedding Cakes With a Big Presence 14 of 14 Sources Rebekah Photography Location, Secrest 1883 Octagonal BarnEvent planning, design, and styling, South Social & HomeCatering, The Motley Cow CaféFlowers, The Foxglove StudioPhotography, Rebekah MolloyOfficiant, Cathy Bolkcom of Life RitualsStationery, moss + boneStationery printing, Jakprints (save-the-dates and invites); Minuteman Press (day-of paper)Cake, DeLuxe Cakes and PastriesCeremony and reception music, Ruby Des Jardins of Toast & JamCocktail hour music, The MayfliesRentals, Aero RentalDrew's and Chase's suits, J.CrewDrew's shoes, Steve MaddenDrew's tie and pocket square, Stag HandmadeDrew's tie clip, Fired Up Ladies HammerDrew's and Chase's belts, Johnston & MurphyChase's shoes, Cole HaanChase's bow tie, Fox & BrieMothers' and bridal party's hair and makeup, Buzz SalonWedding bands, EsqueletoLighting, Unique EventsTransportation, Durham CharterPolish wedding bread, Kolatek's Bakery and Deli Was this page helpful? 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