Grandma Chic and Classic Hometown Wedding | McKenna + Brandon from Macon, MO
McKenna and Brandon took the phrase “grandmillenial chic” and spun it into a fabulous and fresh wedding day at Emerson Fields. This classic style combines timeless elegance with a homey aesthetic. McKenna was able to source a lot of the items and brought in special family heirlooms and antiques to make the vision of this granny chic wedding come to life. We loved this fresh take on an old classic style and we think you will enjoy it too!
Granny-Chic. Simplistic Design. Fresh Florals.
“When our daughter got engaged, the internet overwhelmed us with ideas for the perfect wedding. But when we booked Emerson Fields it was instant relief! Amelia and Steve were always ready with ideas and suggestions for our every question. After the wedding, we sat back in disbelief at how perfect the day had been. Thank you, Emerson Fields, for a wonderful experience!”
The term “grandmillenial” or grandma (granny) chic has become popular among young millennials who have an “old soul” or enjoy retro design. It invites a warm, welcoming, and classic approach to the wedding day design. The timeless blue color palette McKenna chose allowed everything to pop against the all-white background of Emerson Fields. Lovely white roses, baby’s breath, and touches of Oxford Blue added a breath of freshness to the day from D-Zines Weddings.
“Several things made our wedding special and unique to me. We had so many personalized details: my sister embroidering the table numbers, a string ensemble that played music that I wrote, and we had several antique pieces that were family heirlooms.”
McKenna and Brandon chose to have a Sunday wedding at Emerson Fields. While most of our couples have the full wedding weekend, they rented the venue for 9 hours on a Sunday afternoon since most of their families were local. Once the couple got engaged they wanted to get married in a short time frame so a Sunday rental was the best option available at the time.
McKenna and the bridesmaids had plenty of time to get dressed in the bridal room at Emerson Fields and the gentleman came dressed for the occasion. After getting ready, the couple had a first look with each other on the dock. This was such a touching moment for both Brandon and McKenna! Brandon couldn’t hide the joyful emotion on his face when he saw his beautiful bride.
For added privacy, the couple then went into our wooded area where they read letters from each other and soaked in a few moments alone. We love this idea of some quiet moments together because the rest of the wedding day gets busy with your guests. Spending those extra moments alone is a great time to remember that the wedding is your new beginning as a married couple.
“ I remember it being such a relaxing day. Everyone was very busy getting everything ready, but I remember a sense of calm that everything was taken care of, and that people were just genuinely happy for us. I also remember having some extra time which allowed us to roam around the beautiful property and take some extra pictures. I remember being able to tangibly feel the love, both from Brandon, and everyone else who was there for us that day. ”
After their time alone, the couple took photos with their wedding party around the grounds at Emerson Fields. Don’t you just love the multi-colored, midi-length Azazie dresses on the bridesmaids? They look absolutely gorgeous and vibrant against the green foliage and teal lake. Gathering your best friends and family members together to celebrate with you on your wedding day is not only picture-perfect at Emerson Fields, it’s FUN!
“I loved that I had no worries about the small (or big) details. Amelia was so helpful in walking through everything with me prior to the wedding day that I was able to just relax and enjoy the day. I also loved that everything was just beautiful. From the pavilion, to the reception, to bridal portraits in the trees, it was all just such a dreamy day. ”
Timeless Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Brandon and McKenna had a serene outdoor wedding under the pavilion at Emerson Fields. A string ensemble played music that McKenna wrote herself for the processional. The wooden cross from Emerson Fields served as the altar where the couple said their vows. For their unity expression, the couple took communion together. It was a sentimental and special ceremony, honoring their relationship with each other and with God.
“We chose Emerson Fields as our venue for a few reasons. One reason is because we knew Steve and Amelia would take care of us and go out of their way to make our day amazing. We also just love the space itself—it’s all so beautiful that you really don’t have to do much extra decorating and it perfectly accommodated our number of guests. ”
Family members gathered in the pavilion after the wedding ceremony to take family formal photographs while the rest of the guests were invited to a social hour on the back patio of Emerson Fields. They used the wooden cross from the wedding ceremony for these family wedding photos which was the perfect backdrop. These photographs have that timeless look that the family will appreciate for years to come.
Then it was time to celebrate! We love these detailed shots by Rachel B Photography of the wedding reception set up inside the venue. The tables were decorated with lots of little details like glassware, candles, greenery, satin baby blue napkins, and vintage books. McKenna’s sister even embroidered the table numbers which made the granny chic vibe come full circle!
Guests received little mints as a wedding favor in the lobby when they walked in. We loved the family heirlooms and antique photographs on the guest book table to welcome family and friends. Guests also enjoyed the dessert bar with tons of delicious options from Koch’s General Store and a delicious catered dinner by Noland’s Catering of Macon, MO.
With a large guest count of 300, they utilized most of the space inside the venue but their layout still allowed plenty of room to be comfortable. McKenna chose farmhouse tables in the center of the venue for their immediate families and the wedding party to sit at during the reception. Since the farmhouse tables incorporated their wedding party, the couple was able to have a personal sweetheart table on the stage. With tufted chairs, a crushed blue velvet table cloth, and a vintage rug this table looked perfectly granny chic.
By having the wedding party at a separate table, it left room on the stage for the evening’s live entertainment! Keota, a local band from Macon, made the night even more unique with their acoustic and eclectic sounds.
Here’s what McKenna had to say about their grandmillenial-inspired wedding reception…
“I thought our reception was really unique with the live band, and our choreographed first dance. We also had unique father-daughter/mother-son dances that involved our guests in a special way. The reception set up was also really special to me. I wanted our bridal party to be able to sit with their families, but to feel special and honored at the same time.
Amelia came up with the perfect idea of having a sweetheart table up on the stage for Brandon and me, and then our immediate families and the bridal party sat at the farmhouse tables surrounded by the rest of our guests. We were able to have some time with each other, all while watching our guests enjoy the meal and fellowship and it was so special.”
While the sun started to set on this May wedding, McKenna and Brandon slipped out to the pavilion for some final photos. The white flower petals left behind from the ceremony were a special nod to the moment that united them in marriage just a couple of hours earlier. We love that they stepped away from the wedding reception to take a few more photos together and soak it all in. Intentional moments like these are what you will remember forever!
A “grandma-chic” wedding at Emerson Fields feels homey and classic with our all-white interior, shiplap walls, crystal chandeliers, and natural surroundings. We love seeing how every couple takes the blank canvas of Emerson Fields and turns it into their own wedding day vision.
Love this wedding day? Read our To Have a First Look or Not blog for another look at this gorgeous day or begin planning your outdoor wedding with Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Weddings in Missouri.
Vendors
Guest Count | 230
Wedding Venue | Emerson Fields
Wedding Photography | Rachel B Photography
Florist | D-Zines Weddings
Wedding Gown Boutique | Shawn’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Gowns | Azazie
Menswear Rentals | Men’s Wearhouse
Hair Stylist | Shear Image
Makeup Artist | Savannah Casady
Caterer | Noland’s Catering
Bartenders | Chavese Viers, Cami Viers, Megan Rector
Live Ceremony Musicians | Jacob Nelson, Abbey McLouth, Andy Brown, Cayla Corkill
Live Reception Musicians | Keota
Cake & Desserts | Koch’s General Store
Linen Rentals | A.B. Helton
Officiant | Seth Wortman
03/17/2023 - Gabrielle Isom (updated)
