Rustic Modern Wedding in the Countryside | Emily + Harrison from Austin, TX
Summer weddings at Emerson Fields Wedding Venue just hit differently. Gorgeous sunsets, warm breezes, rustic charm, and romantic couples truly encapsulate an Emerson Fields wedding day. These two high school sweethearts got together after Harrison asked Emily to the junior homecoming. Originally from the Quincy, IL area, and went to Missouri State University together throughout college.
When Emily attended an Emerson Fields wedding for her cousin, she said she knew that it was where she would one day get married herself. Emily and Harrison originally wanted a fall wedding but also wanted to get married at Emerson Fields. After they got engaged, they saw an opening on the Emerson Fields calendar for July, they jumped at the chance for a rustic modern wedding the countryside of Missouri.
“Harrison and I fell in love with Emerson Fields actually before we even got engaged! We were both attending a wedding at Emerson Fields for a family member in May of 2021 and immediately fell in love.
I remember turning to my mom that weekend and saying, “Whenever Harrison and I get married, I want it to be here”. When Harrison and I got engaged and started the wedding venue hunt that following fall, we knew instantly without even a thought of where we wanted to get married!”
Emily and Harrison began wedding planning during a time with a lot of life changes. We often see our Emerson Fields couples in this same stage of life: graduating college or getting a further degree, moving, buying a first home, or starting a new career. It can be a busy time to also plan the wedding of your dreams!
At Emerson Fields, we love supporting our couples no matter what stage of life they are planning their wedding during! We were able to support Emily and Harrison while they both graduated walked through pre-marital counseling, and Harrison moved from Illinois to Texas to start a new career. Emily stayed in Quincy to finish wedding planning and relied heavily on the Preferred Vendor list from Emerson Fields to select top wedding vendors to create her dream rustic modern wedding.
Emily had eight bridesmaids in her bridal party and they had a blast getting ready together in the bridal suite at Emerson Fields. The bridesmaids’ gowns from Revelry in the color “cinnamon rose” looked gorgeous and really set the tone of the wedding’s color palette. It was also a nod to Emily originally wanting a rustic fall wedding. This timeless color palette of neutrals, rust, and blush would honestly look gorgeous in any season, but we loved it for this July wedding day!
Emily and Harrison wanted that special first-look moment to happen as she walked down the aisle, so the couple each wrote letters to one another and read them after getting ready. This was such a sweet personal time because it allowed the couple to feel close throughout the day without seeing each other before the ceremony. Harrison read his letter in the groom’s dressing suite downstairs while Emily read hers on the balcony outside the bridal suite upstairs. Reading letters or vows from one another before the wedding builds anticipation for the ceremony and seeing your person!
Emily and her father shared a first-look moment on the upper balcony level of Emerson Fields. Choosing a first look with a parent is a great way to get special photos together but it also eases both of your nerves before the ceremony. Your parents are just as nervous, if not more than you on your big day!
After first looks, the bridal party and groomsmen took some portraits outside. They were able to switch off locations so that Emily and Harrison wouldn’t run into each other before the big aisle reveal. Emily’s rustic and romantic wedding style really popped against the white pavilion with burnt orange and pale peach flowers. The classic black suits coordinated perfectly for a polished and elegant look.
On a hot July day with a warm breeze, Emily and Harrison hosted their rustic modern wedding ceremony under the shade of the all-white outdoor pavilion. Emily was escorted down the aisle by her father while all of their 240 guests watched. Harrison and Emily wanted to incorporate their faith into the wedding ceremony by using the wooden cross from Emerson Fields as the altar and backdrop to their ceremony. They also chose to partake in communion as part of their unity ceremony. Their officiant prayed over them and they exchanged vows and rings. Their guests cheered as Emily and Harrison kissed not once, but twice with an extra dip down the aisle as they exited!
“Looking back, there were many ways Harrison and I made many personalizations to our wedding to make the day special to us. Prior to getting married, I had always wanted a fall-themed wedding. Our dating anniversary was in October and that month was always special to us. When our venue booking came and October wasn’t available, our wedding was now in July, but I still wanted to include my vision of the fall theme.
This included rustic bridesmaids’ dresses, and fall-colored flowers of greens, peaches, and whites. I included lots of “boho” themed décor through Tyena (D-Zines) including pampas grass trailing down the aisle, our fall flowers in the cross, on our cake, and greenery draping from the reception hall. ”
Look at these newlyweds! Lilly Wilson Photography has such a unique style that perfectly captured this rustic and romantic countryside wedding.
While Emily and Harrison took family and newlywed portraits, their wedding guests made their way into the venue for cocktail hour. Guests were greeted and asked to sign the guest book in the foyer before making their way to the appetizer spread and cocktails. Noland’s Catering served appetizers to the wedding guests and guests were able to either socialize on the back patio overlooking the lake or cool off inside the venue.
Emily chose to have D-Zines Weddings suspend greenery from Emerson Fields’ string lights to add to the rustic modern wedding effect. She also really wanted to use taper candlesticks, so it made the most sense to choose the farmhouse tables from Emerson Fields down the center aisle. Since those tables don’t require linens they are more suitable for taper candles in case of wax drips.
On the guest tables, a rustic floral arrangement was displayed in mercury glass hurricanes, and white candles in glass enclosures added to the romantic effect of the table décor. While this was a countryside wedding, Emily and Harrison kept the décor romantic and modern, with touches of rustic elements like the cinnamon rose color palette throughout.
After cocktail hour and newlywed portraits were finished, the wedding party was introduced by Elevate Entertainment. They had a lot of fun with this and you could feel the excitement and joy in the room as everyone cheered for Emily and Harrison! Speeches were made, champagne was toasted, the cake was cut, and special dances started on the dance floor. The couple chose to play a fun “shoe game” during the reception which is always a great way to entertain your wedding guests.
After dinner, the couple snuck back out while their guests finished their meals so that they could soak up some golden hour time together. Lilly Wilson captured gorgeous portraits during this summer dusk to really make Emily and Harrison’s rustic and romantic countryside wedding come to life in photographs.
What did it feel like to have an Emerson Fields wedding?
“Planning our wedding at Emerson Fields was an overall smooth and amazing experience! Amelia and her team were amazing and very hands-on and communicative throughout the wedding planning process. Any questions, no matter how big, small, or silly, Amelia was immediately emailing me back with a response.
Another aspect of Emerson Fields that we loved was its vendor list! Almost all of the vendors we used were from their list! Our wedding coordinator was recommended through Amelia, and we truly could NOT have had the amazing wedding we did without Tyena and her team at D-Zines! I felt very little stress while working in the wedding planning process with Amelia and Tyena as part of my team. They are true rockstars!”
The dance floor was packed throughout the night as everyone celebrated the newlyweds! We could tell that everyone had a wonderful evening dancing, singing, and wishing the couple their best.
“As my wedding day was all around the best day, I would say the best part of my wedding at Emerson Fields was at the very end of the night. After the last dance, our DJ led everyone outside for the sparkler send off including all vendors and left Harrison and I inside to dance together for one last dance.
We danced to a song that was the first song we danced to when we were little 16 year olds. This moment had to be my all time favorite as we were able to dance, look around at the venue, reminiscence on the day/night, and enjoy the last of our day with just the two of us and no one else around. It may be a small memory of our wedding day, but will forever be our favorite and mean the most to us. ”
At Emerson Fields, we get to walk with our couples all throughout the wedding planning process. In the midst of big life changes like graduating, career changes, or moving, we often see our couples thrive because we consistently communicate with them and try to lower their wedding planning stress. After all that planning and the race to the wedding day, Emily and Harrison were able to make the most of it with all their family and friends cheering them on.
Are you interested in a wedding venue that provides consistent communication, endless advice, top-tier connections with vendors, and a “can-do” attitude? You’ve found it here at Emerson Fields!
Want to see what wedding Emily attended as a guest that led her to book Emerson Fields? We have a portfolio blog about it!
Faith Inspired Spring Outdoor Wedding | Carley + Luke from Quincy, IL
Vendor Team
Guest Count | 240
Venue | Emerson Fields Wedding Venue
Wedding Photographer | Lilly Wilson Photography
Florist | D-Zines Weddings
Wedding Coordinator | Tyena, D-Zines Weddings
Caterer | Noland’s Catering
Bartender | Case N’ Keg
Wedding Gown Boutique | Mia Grace Bridal
Wedding Gown Designer | Eddy K
Bridesmaids Gowns | Revelry (cinnamon rose)
Menswear Rentals | Men’s Suit Mart
Hair Stylist | Corrie Noble, Envy Salon
Decor Rentals | D-Zines Weddings
Wedding Videographer | Sharadyn Janssen Video
02/20/2023 - Gabrielle Isom
