We could not have asked for anything more perfect than this sunny fall day at Chanteclaire Farm! It was just breezy enough to feel cool, with just enough sun to warm things up.
Chanteclaire Farm Weddings
Chanteclaire is really well designed for couples who like to do everything in one place. They have a farmhouse and cabin on site, which make for convenient but separate prep areas for the wedding party. There is a beautiful lawn beside the barn for outdoor ceremonies, the deck and downstairs are well suited for cocktail hour, and the upper level of the barn (with its signature silo bar) make for a great reception.
Lauren and Micheal chose Chanteclaire Farms because it fit their laid back elegant rustic style. They loved the uniqueness of the cocktail hour room, the silo bar, the ability to have huge barn doors open during the reception to get an outdoor feel, and then ending it all with a bonfire and smores!
Two other things we loved about Chanteclaire: their attention to detail and food! Chanteclaire’s planner, Haleigh, has everything down to a science. Before the wedding day she reached out with the timeline and some other great venue specific info (like where we would stash gear, where we could find outlets, where to park, best photo/video spots on property, and of course, the timeline). She made sure even little things were covered (like moving cars from the farmhouse and cottage so that they aren’t in the background of any of the ceremony photos or video) and kept everything us informed throughout the wedding day. We love working with awesome planners.
I also have to give a shout out about feeding the vendors. It’s a little thing, but at the end of a long day, it’s so nice to have food. Some venues can be so difficult about feeding vendors (even after they have charged their couples for vendor meals) and Chanteclaire plans to feed vendors well, at a time we can actually sit to eat food, in a place we don’t have to run a mile to find (after I’ve been running around all day, my poor feet are dead, and running across a huge venue to find a hidden closet with some food is kind of the last thing I want to do). The food was hands down amazing.
A Deep Creek Lake Destination Wedding
Lauren’s family has been vacationing at Deep Creek since she was a child, and now have a lake house of their own to enjoy. Lauren introduced Michael Deep Creek when they started dating and have enjoyed coming up with friends and family over the years in every season! They enjoy all the activities Deep Creek Lake has to offer (hiking, boating, dock time, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, live music). When it came time to propose, Michael took Lauren down to the docks at sunrise, and they had their first look in the same location.
They were able to host family and their rehearsal dinner at their own lakehouse and hosted Michaels family in neighboring rental houses, keeping everyone in the same neighborhood for easy transportation and pre-wedding fun.
The Right Wedding Officiant
I’ve shared many times the pros and cons of selecting a family friend to officiate your wedding. I love it when an officiant really knows the couple, it really makes the ceremony so much more personal and unique. But not everyone realizes the responsibility of officiating a ceremony. It’s more than just reading some words and signing a paper. The officiant is the host of the event, the literal master of the ceremony. They can set the tone and create a memorable, enjoyable event….or a cringy awkward one. Lauren’s cousin, Tom, knocked it out of the park. It probably doesn’t hurt that he’s a professional actor, but he took the task seriously and was prepared. I’m only half joking with I remind new officiants to not forget to have people sit down after the entrances, but Tom already had it in his notes, and even masterfully stepped out of the way to not be in the background of the first kiss.
Vendor Team:
Venue: Chanteclaire Farm
Video: MotionWorks Wedding Films
Photo: Jacqie Q
Florals: Farmhouse Fete
Stationery: Gingerly Press
Hair and MakeUp: Poetically Brushed