Pioneer Farm Wedding // Stephanie + John
Pioneer Farm in Warwick, New York is a gorgeous backdrop for a wedding, with open fields, a tented reception space, and a team that knows how to handle whatever the day throws at them. Stephanie and John got married here on a rainy Saturday in September, and instead of letting the weather change their plans, they just rolled with it. Here's a look inside their perfectly imperfect day.
The Couple
Stephanie and John met through mutual friends at a concert, which feels about right for two people who are so easy to be around. They're kind, sweet, and about as go with the flow as it gets. The rain on their wedding day proved that. Neither of them seemed bothered by it for a second. They just leaned into it, and let the day be what it was.
Their families, especially their moms, were wonderful to be around all day. There was a lot of warmth in that group, the kind that makes a wedding feel less like an event and more like a gathering of people who really like each other. Stephanie and John's dogs made an appearance in some of the photos too, which is always a favorite part of the day for me. Sweet Alice is named after my cat, so how could I not obsess over any furry wedding day guests?
The Venue
Pioneer Farm handled the rain without missing a beat. Stephanie and John chose to hold their ceremony outside even with the weather working against them, and guests held umbrellas through the whole thing. It gave the ceremony a completely different feel than a typical sunny day would have - quieter and a little more intimate, with everyone huddled together under their umbrellas.
The staff at Pioneer Farm made all of this possible. They were flexible and kind through every adjustment the weather required, and it was clear they've done this before and know exactly how to keep a day moving smoothly no matter what's happening outside.
The Details
Stephanie wore a lace and tulle gown, and John wore a blue suit. The wedding party stood out in navy blue and forest green, and against the rainy sky, the colors read even richer than they would have on a clear day. The florals were bright and colorful throughout, which gave the whole day a nice contrast to the weather, and kept things feeling cheerful and exciting.
Their favors were a personal favorite detail of mine. Stephanie and John thrifted books and wrapped them individually, choosing each one with a specific guest in mind. It's the kind of detail that takes real time and thought, and it showed. They even sent me one in the mail afterwards (Untamed by Glennon Doyle) - it was so precious and intentional; something I’ll never forget.
The Reception
The reception moved under the tent, which turned out to be the perfect setting for the rest of the night. Guests dried off, settled in, and the party carried on without any sense that the weather had gotten in the way of anything - because, honestly, it hadn’t. Everyone embraced the celebration, regardless of the weather.
Stephanie and John's wedding was a good reminder that a rainy day doesn't have to be a problem to solve- it can just become part of the story. Their calm, easygoing nature set the tone for everyone around them, and the day was full of warmth because of it.
From the Couple
“We don't even know where to begin singing Erica's praises. When she says ‘Client Friend,’ she really means it. This is exactly how she treated us from our very first Zoom meeting with her. Not only is she an incredibly talented photographer, but she was such a source of calm and support all the way through the wedding planning process. When we had to find a new venue due to issues with the first one, Erica was so reassuring that it would all work out and she even offered to send me full galleries of all the venues we were considering. When I forgot to put my engagement ring on before our engagement shoot (!!!!), she encouraged us to go back for it and told us not to worry about the timing. And on our wedding day, the second she saw me start to get stressed during family portraits, she stepped in with the most perfectly timed pep talk. Not to mention, she and [her second photographer] managed to make rain on our wedding day such a special adventure that I wouldn't trade it for sunshine even if I could!
Erica is the most kind-hearted and thoughtful human, and this shines through in everything she does. From the many little treats and gifts she sent us just-because, to her ability to make anyone feel comfortable in front of a camera... My husband and I are both very much not photo people, but ten minutes into our engagement shoot, it felt like we were hanging out with an old friend. We heard this over and over again from our friends and family at the wedding too. AND THE PICTURES. Some of my favorites are the candids she took when I didn't even know she was shooting. We had such a lovely time re-living our wedding through the album she sent us. We both said that we were glad we didn't end up spending extra money on a videographer because [her] photos told the whole story of our day so beautifully!
I can't emphasize enough how grateful we are that we found Erica - there is no one else we can imagine spending so much of our special day with. I plan to encourage everyone I know to try and book her for their weddings - if only so we can hang out with her again! We love you, Erica!’
Pioneer Farm Wedding Vendors
Photography: Sweet Alice Photography // Venue + Florals: Pioneer Farm, Warwick, NY // Gown: Essense of Australia from The Wedding Embassy // Suit: Handcrafted by Costanzo // Hair: The Beauty Studio (Nevina) // Makeup: Studio K Beauty // Band: ETA Music
Wedding Date: September 28, 2024
Looking for a Pioneer Farm wedding photographer? Contact me so we can chat more about your big day!
