Wedding Planning

A Note to Our Couples // Sincerely, Lorin

If you’ve ever wondered about where our passion for what we do comes from, we have the answer for you right here. Take a moment to hear from our very own Lorin Humphrey, founder and visionary of The Enchanted Barn, about what makes us truly unique.

To view the video, simply click on the image:

A note from Lorin:

”My name is Lorin Humphrey, and I am the owner and visionary of The Enchanted Barn.

Here at The Enchanted Barn, we do weddings, we do elopements, we do destination weddings, we do live music and pizza. We have some great lodging. We’ve done some corporate events, corporate retreats, and business luncheons. About four years ago, we started doing winter weddings. We’re also open to many other types of events that we probably haven’t even envisioned yet. So we’d love to hear what your imagination is and do what event you’d like to have hosted here at The Enchanted Barn.

We’ve created a full-service venue with staff that’s cross-trained, and trained very well. When we say full-service we don’t want our couples or clients to have to worry about anything. They need to just have fun and make the experience a most incredible memory that they’ll remember for a lifetime.

I will say there are typically three main things you want to make an amazing and memorable experience. One of them would be food. Everybody loves good food. We have our own in-home chefs and we have three out-of-house chefs that we can call upon. Anything anywhere from a casual appetizer to a multi-course dinner. Another one would be the features and details of the venue. Having a neutral pallet is perfect so the couple and guests can splash their paint on for fitting whatever style that fits them. The third would be the experience that is produced. That would be the organization, behind-the-scenes, the planning, the staff, and everything that comes out to just make it a ‘wow.’ There are probably a lot of venues that have two of those, I think there is a small amount that has all three.

Probably one of the greatest rewards of this business is how many lives we touch. I think it’s very easy to look through the eyes of a child as folks come onto the property and they look around and just take it all in. I think sometimes that takes me out of the perspective that sometimes we all get into in our own environment and helps me to see it through the eyes of those that come here.

I think the most unique thing we do at The Enchanted Barn is the attention to detail. Keeping the charm and authenticity of the structure as it was once built. Everything we add we try to make sure that there is the right mix of rustic and elegance. We also keep attention to the finest of details in the experience we produce.

We have couples from all the way back to when I started actually, and I hear from some of them time-to-time, where they will tell me that they still hear from their guests that it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to. I think that says a lot right there about what we create.

We’ve done hundreds of weddings. Probably more important than the number is we know that each story is very special to you,. We will do what we need to do to make sure that day is the best it can be so you have a story to remember for years to come.”

Sincerely,

Lorin


Photography: Meghan Lee Harris // Videography: Mollica Films

Wedding Planning // The Ultimate Checklist

The question’s popped, the ring is on, stars are in your eyes, but now what? With so many tasks to take care of and details to arrange, planning a wedding can seem overwhelming. But, if you give yourself enough time to plan and sort the tasks month by month with a wedding-planning checklist and wedding timeline, the job becomes more fun and less stressful. Below we’ve broken down the wedding-planning checklist into bite sized pieces so you can take a step back and simply enjoy the process.

First rule

  • Don’t sweat the small stuff, you will no doubt want everything to be just perfect but if something turns out not quite as you have planned odds are your guests will never even notice as they did not know the original plan.

So here is our ultimate wedding checklist – what you should be doing when, especially helpful if you are wondering where to start. From engagement right through to the wedding day.

Soon After Engagement

  • Sit down together and talk about your ideal wedding, do you imagine having it at home or abroad, number of guests, type of venue, desired season etc, this is a good start and makes sure you are both on the same page.

  • Draw up a budget

  • Start writing down your guest list to get an idea of numbers, and who you want a part of your celebration

  • Start researching potential wedding venues and ceremony locations online and draw up a short list

  • Pop the question to your bridesmaids and groomsmen

12 – 18 Months Before The Wedding

  • As early as possible try to make a decision about the style of your day, this will impact on the suppliers and venue you choose so it is good to have a clear vision from the start. Are you thinking rustic, elegant, timeless, quirky, industrial.

  • Visit and book your reception venue and ceremony location

  • Research potential wedding suppliers:

    • Photographer / Videographer – book early as good ones get booked up well in advance and they can only do one wedding per day

    • Florist – again book early as good ones get booked up well in advance and they will limit the number of bookings they can take per day. If you are doing your own flowers why not book yourself on a course, we would always suggest leaving your bouquet and button holes to an expert as these have to be made last minute

    • Stationery – if you want matching Save The Dates to the rest of your stationery you will need to make a decision on this early on, you can choose to go completely bespoke there are some very talented stationery companies who also have lovely designs to choose from, you could use a printable stationery suite which you add your details to and print yourself, or perhaps you are talented in this area and want to make these yourself.

    • Wedding cake – what sort of design do you want, choose a cake maker whose style reflects your ideas rather than taking them someone else designs to copy

    • Hair and make up

    • Music – decide what type of entertainment you want for ceremony, cocktail hour, and your reception

    • Research and consider options for your decor – are you buying bits yourself and asking bridesmaids and family to help set them out at the venue, will you get a company involved to style and set out everything. Often florists have a large number of props so it is worth checking with your florist before getting another supplier involved.

    • Caterers – need we say more?

  • Start your wedding dress research, what style do you like, book yourself into bridal shops to start trying some on. Some dresses can take over 6 months to arrive in store and then need to be altered so it is good to get this sorted early on during the planning.

  • Gathering addresses for guest list – create a spreadsheet for RSVPs, menu choices etc

  • Send Save the Date cards – very important if you’re getting married abroad, or during a very busy time of year

8/12 months before

  • Book your music for ceremony and reception

  • Research and reserve accommodation for guests

  • Book Honeymoon

  • Order wedding cake

  • Book Groomsmen’s Suits

  • Book officiant

  • Book wedding car or transportation if you are having one

  • Decide on your wedding décor and where you will be ordering from:

    • (confetti, pew ends / aisle decorations, ring cushion, ceremony signs, ceremony backdrop / arch, centerpieces, candle holders for tables, table runners / linen, name cards, name card holders, table numbers, napkin decoration, chair decorations, table games/ice breakers, wedding favors, children’s activity packs, table plan, guest book, cards table décor, cake table décor, signage for around the venue, candle holders / lanterns for around the venue, hanging decorations or string lighting for around the venue, outdoor decorations, outdoor games (summer weddings), selfie station decoration / props)

6/8 months before

  • Ensure passports are in date for honeymoon – order new ones if necessary

  • Start planning honeymoon

  • Choose your wedding rings

4-6 months before

  • Choose bridesmaids’ dresses and think about shoe options for them

  • Choose and order wedding invitations

  • Attend pre-marriage counseling, if this is something you’re interested in

  • Meet with florist to discuss options

  • Shop for groom’s suit

  • Decide on prayers, readings and music for order of service — check with your officiant

  • Organise transport for bridal party and guests if necessary

2-3 months before

  • Send invitations to guests

  • Rent / buy groomsmen outfits

  • Attend dress fittings

  • Organise gifts for parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen and each other

  • Organise hair trial

  • Organise makeup trial

4 weeks before

  • Final wedding dress fitting

  • Make any last-minute adjustments with suppliers

  • Organise welcome baskets for out of town guests, leave these in their rooms

2 weeks before

  • Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded

  • Pass on numbers to suppliers who need to know – venue / caterers / does florist know correct number of tables for centrepieces etc

  • Have final discussion with photographer / videographer about when are where you will do your photos and which family members are to be in family photos

  • Create your table plan

  • Print placecards

1 week before

  • Supply wedding coordinator with a list of supplier requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed by florist.

  • Call all wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements, create timetable for day

  • Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.

  • Get manicure, massage, waxing & all your preening and prep

  • Do full wedding dress rehearsal from underwear to veil

  • Pack an overnight bag for the reception

  • Pack for the honeymoon

  • Organise money to be paid to vendors on the day

2-3 days before

  • Groom: Go for final fitting and pick up your formalwear.

  • Groom: Ask the best man to make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and pick up their outfits.

  • Confirm pick-up times with wedding car company

  • Reconfirm final details with all vendors. Discuss any necessary last-minute substitutions.

Day before

  • Drop off reception and ceremony décor at the venue if possible. If someone else is setting these out for you give them detailed instructions: place cards, table numbers, menus, favours, table plan, centrepieces, signage etc

  • Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding. Parents / Best Man.

  • Ensure the cake is on track to be delivered to reception venue

  • Rehearse ceremony with full wedding party ceremony readers your officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse and iron out details.

  • Get a good night’s rest

The Wedding Day!

  • Ensure the gifts to be given out during the speeches are in the reception room.

  • Give wedding bands to the best man to hold during the ceremony

  • Introduce your venue coordinator, to your bridesmaid/best man for questions or problems during the reception.

After the Wedding

  • Prearrange for someone to return any rentals if necessary.

  • Pre plan for attendants to take the bride’s gown for cleaning and return the groom’s tux to the rental shop.

  • Write and send thank-you notes to gift-bearing guests and vendors who were especially helpful.