Interactive Wedding at Modern Wedding Venue | Emily + Zach from Columbia, MO
At Emerson Fields, we have seen almost 200 weddings at our modern white barn wedding venue near Columbia, MO. And, with over 15 years of experience in the industry, we understand the importance of creating a space where couples can celebrate without feeling rushed, surrounded by their loved ones. Our venue is strategically located in the beautiful countryside of central Missouri, offering tranquil surroundings while ensuring convenient access to major highways and nearby airports, making it an ideal destination for couples from near and far. Columbia, home to the prestigious University of Missouri, often draws couples like Emily and Zach, who seek an interactive wedding experience with all the amenities necessary for a grand celebration. By selecting Emerson Fields for their big day, they had the opportunity for personalized touches, cozy accommodations, and unexpected reception surprises, creating a weekend packed with treasured moments with their closest friends and family. They crafted a celebration centered around their guests' enjoyment within the inviting atmosphere of our modern wedding venue.
“We had a family member get married at Emerson Fields nearly three years prior to our engagement and couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful the venue was and how we had a tremendous amount of fun. The addition of Emerson Fields Suites opening right before our wedding weekend was just a complete bonus. ”
Getting Ready at Emerson Suites
Emily and Zach met in college at the University of Missouri where they were both in Greek life together. With the University only 45 minutes south of Emerson Fields, they were familiar with us and our location. Right before their October wedding weekend, our new on-site accommodation, Emerson Suites, had opened so Emily’s family got to be some of our first guests! This was the perfect space for her family to stay onsite Friday night after the rehearsal dinner at Emerson Fields.
On Saturday morning the ladies were able to begin hair and makeup in their matching pajamas at Emerson Suites! Having the on-site lodging reserved for the weekend meant Emily had more time to share with her mom and bridesmaids while being pampered. The immediate family really enjoyed a resting place during all the hustle and bustle as well. You can tell from the pictures just how many ladies were able to get ready with a pro team of hair and makeup artists all in our comfortable lodging space! Koch’s General Store delivered a delicious brunch to top off a delightful morning! Then Emily and her bridesmaids made their way to Emerson Fields’ bridal room when they were ready to get on their dresses.
“Emerson Suites allowed this couple to fully embrace the weekend experience at EF. The bride’s family booked the lodging and the bridal party was able to have a full morning of mimosas, brunch, and plenty of space for their beauty team. This is the absolute best part of the wedding morning having space to relax and enjoy time with your favorite people.
Then they walked just a few steps to the bridal dressing suite at Emerson venue to get dressed and ready for photos. No stuffing makeup bags into suitcases or scrambling to clean up the getting ready space = less headache for everyone! I recommend Emerson Suites to all of my clients.” - Madyson, Wright Pro Weddings, Event Management
First Looks
Emily and her father shared a heartfelt moment outside Emerson Fields on the portico for their first look. As they exchanged gifts, a few tears of joy were shed, adding to the emotion of the day. Meanwhile, Zach, surrounded by his groomsmen, prepared for the day ahead. Later, under the shaded pavilion - which would also serve as their ceremony space - Emily and Zach shared a private moment. Here, they exchanged vows and shared personal sentiments, cherishing the significance of the day together before all of their guests arrived.
This is one of the most meaningful benefits of a first look, quiet time for just the two of you!
“We wanted our guests to enjoy the ceremony and reception all within one location to minimize downtime and driving. We valued the outdoor space since we were hoping for a beautiful fall day, and it turned out the weather on our wedding day was perfect for this. We also wanted getting ready space that would work well for both the bride and groom. ”
Outdoor Fall Ceremony
Emily and Zach's October wedding day at Emerson Fields graced them with perfect weather—a radiant, sunlit day with the first hints of autumn foliage. Zach and Emily chose to have the wedding ceremony in the white pavilion at Emerson Fields, one of our four outdoor ceremony locations. It provided the perfect shaded space for an outdoor ceremony surrounded by friends and family. Emily’s uncle officiated the ceremony, adding a special personal touch. After the wedding party and family walked down the aisle, the pavilion doors closed while the string trio built the anticipation with “Canon in D”. Then the doors opened, revealing Emily and her father as they walked down the aisle arm in arm, toward Emily’s groom.
Zach and Emily envisioned an interactive and family-focused wedding ceremony. Their ceremony, designed to be family-centered, featured scripture readings by loved ones and communion for the couple. Then there was a moment for Zach and Emily to hug their parents before finalizing their vows with one another. There wasn’t a dry eye there! It was such a touching moment and everyone was filled with joy! Zach kissed his bride and they were pronounced husband and wife for the first time! For another shared time with guests, Emily and Zach stood at the end of the aisle for a receiving line to greet everyone as they made their way to the cocktail hour.
“Our wedding day was filled with so many moments of pure joy and gratitude.”
- Emily, an Emerson Fields Bride from Columbia, MO
Wedding Reception
Zach and Emily planned a high-touch wedding reception, with multiple opportunities to interact with their guests and enjoy the fall evening together. They hosted an outdoor cocktail hour on the patio overlooking the lake at Emerson Fields. Guests enjoyed the beautiful weather, open bar, and chatting with loved ones, all while Emily and Zach captured a few family pictures and portraits together. Meanwhile, Madyson's team from Wright Pro Weddings seamlessly transitioned the ceremony florals into the main venue, adding a fresh, elegant touch to the evening. With the combined efforts of Wright Pro Weddings and the Emerson Fields staff, every detail was meticulously attended to, ensuring a seamless experience for guests and the wedding party alike.
“I assisted with logistics management, timeline creation, coordination of all vendors, ceremony logistics/live musician timing, and guest experience. There were a lot of logistics to coordinate and manage like cocktail hour, getting outside later for fireworks and getting back in from fireworks. There were a lot of moving parts and people to do this fall wedding day!”
Wedding receptions are one of our favorite parts of the wedding weekend experience at Emerson Fields. They're the heart of the celebration, where all the anticipation and happiness converge. For Emily and Zach, their reception wasn't just another event—it was a family-focused gathering designed to create lasting memories and connections with their loved ones.
Some of the highlights of this fall wedding reception:
Conversations and libations during the cocktail hour on the outdoor patio
Stringed Trio playing as guests flowed out to the patio to enjoy the sunset and open bar
The wedding party kicked off the dinner hour with a fun group entrance
Heartfelt speeches and toasts that ended the dinner portion
Fantastic fireworks show over the lake at 8 PM
Large dessert bar with multiple selections - including to-go boxes for favors (See more below.)
Dancing! Dancing! Dancing! and late-night treats served by Cakes by Kristina
“I enjoyed the family-centered desire of this wedding, to craft not only a beautiful event but one that was centered around shared moments with loved ones. I loved the couple’s heart to ensure their guests had a great experience from beginning to end (dessert to go boxes even!). ”
“If I had to pick one of my top favorite moments, it would be our first dance. The fast pace of the day felt to slow down in that moment when it was just us two, dancing to our first song as a married couple.”
Who can forget the interactive beauty and delicious samplings of a dessert station? An eye-pleasing display will delight your guests and allow them to select whatever satisfies their sweet tooth. For this display, Cakes by Kristina worked with the bride to create a dessert bar that incorporated various heights, delectable treats, and beautiful signage (which is great for guests who have food allergies). The couple enjoyed a simple two-tiered wedding cake but focused most of their dessert budget on the bite-size treats for their guests.
Kristina, of Cakes by Kristina, gave us a few tips for creating an appealing dessert station. “ Incorporate florals, touches of decor, and clear signage to your dessert station because your guests will be drawn to it and enjoy that they can choose what suits their fancy. I suggest couples plan for three small treats per guest to offer variety and have plenty on hand. No one likes to run out of dessert! One final tip is to add a simple pipe and drape backdrop. This will help the aesthetics of the dessert station and allow for unseen storage of extra helpings,” shared Kristina.
Crafting an interactive wedding experience doesn't have to be overwhelming. By entrusting seasoned wedding professionals, who have navigated countless celebrations before, you'll find invaluable guidance in bringing your vision to life. At Emerson Fields, we pride ourselves on curating a select list of premier wedding vendors, each one personally vetted and trusted by our team. This thoughtful approach not only streamlines the planning process but also ensures your big day unfolds seamlessly. Whether you opt for a weekend wedding experience with exclusive lodging or a single-day rental package, Emerson Fields offers the perfect canvas for your wedding dreams to flourish.
Click here to grab the wedding planning checklist that will help you plan a wedding like this!
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Click here to grab the wedding planning checklist that will help you plan a wedding like this! ~
“To put it simply, it was easy and uncomplicated. The vendors that work with Emerson Fields staff frequently, knew exactly what questions to ask us and made suggestions to help us prepare due to their familiarity with the venue.
For us, we also loved to let the vendors utilize their creativity and expertise with the vision we had. Which led to an overwhelming happy surprise on the wedding day for us as the bride and groom to see the final product. This method of planning allowed for every detail to be covered and a seemingly flawless weekend.”
Interested in your wedding day at our modern wedding venue in Missouri? We would love to customize a wedding package for you! Simply inquire with us to learn more.
Vendors
Venue: Emerson Fields Venue
Photographer: Karson with Kelsi Kliethermes Editing
Videographer: Byler Media
Lodging: Emerson Suites
Event Coordination: Wright Pro Weddings
Florals & Rentals: D-Zines Weddings
Rentals: A1 Party and Event Rental, Columbia
Brunch and Cocktail Hour: Koch’s General Store
Hair Stylist: Day Break Salon, Shelby Jo
Makeup Artist: @confidentbeautibyerica
Bridal Attire: The One Bridal
Men’s Attire: Mens Wearhouse
Live Musicians: Leme Ensemble
Cake and Desserts: Cakes by Kristina
Bar Service: Case N’ Keg
Shuttle: Celebrations Party Buses & Limos
Gabrielle Isom - 3/20/24
