Site visit review: My Visit to Fair Wind Farms

 
On Monday I decided to take a trip to VA Beach and visit Fair Wind Farms, where you can learn how to ride a horse, or have a fabulous barnyard wedding. I hadn't heard of the place until a colleague of mine mentioned that she'd be attending a wedding there soon and suggested I check it out. I was not prepared for the hour and a half drive I had to take to get there, but every second of it was worth it. This place is absolutely breathtaking. It sits right on the border of North Carolina and Virginia, but one visit to this place and you will understand why a bride would travel from the very deep south just to hold have her wedding at this venue.

 

 

The farmhouse is absolutely gorgeous. An amazing feature is the second floor opening above the stable, where the bride has been known to toss her bouquet from.  

 

 

The horse stable is an elegant, intimate reception venue, but you can also set up a tent right alongside it if your guest list is a bit larger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directly across from the farmhouse is a little piece of paradise where ceremonies often take place. It has an arched bridge, a beautiful weeping willow, a hammock and a tire swing. Your pictures are sure to be unique and full of laughter with all of the built in props. There are also two other small pieces of heaven in walking distance, where ceremony's can be held in solitude overlooking the lovely bay. There are just so many possibilities with this venue!

 

 

Perhaps my favorite part of all is Chris Rush, the owner. She was so very pleasant and I loved to watch her interact with the wild life on this farm. She truly loves her animals and the clients she serves. I give the venue five stars.

 

 

Photo Credit: Brittany Bryant Photography

 

Autumn Inspired Vintage Suitcase Card Box DIY

 

While at the thrift shop last week, searching for the perfect quaint, revivable kitchen set, I, being the distracted person that I am, found the most adorable wooden suitcase for only five bucks!!! :) It had to be at least 50 years old....ok I have no idea how old it was, but it was fabulous. I actually loved it just the way it was, but of course, I, almost immediately (on the drive home....at red lights...because I don't text and drive...) rummaged through Pinterest for some pinspiration (I think I made that word up...I'm claiming it). What I found is that vintage suitcases make the most adorable card boxes for vintage, rustic weddings. Of course as a wedding planner I already knew this....

 

 

Step 1. (Sanding)

Let me just be clear, I am not a perfectionist...or even close to being one. I'm a tad bit lazy (ok maybe more than a tad) and the me two years ago wood have completely skipped the sanding part, but I am trying to be more of a professional and not skip the semi-important stuff. So I sanded it the best I could having no experience sanding anything. And I think I did a good job :)

 

Step 2. (Staining & Painting)

Once I finished sanding I painted the outside with a cherry stain I found at Michaels. It was about $11. I let that dry for about 15 min (even though the can said an hour) because I'm impatient, and then I painted the inside blue. Yes I got stain all over me trying to paint the inside while the outside was still drying. No I would not recommend you try that.

 

Step 3. (Decorating)

I added my embellishments using fabric glue. (I've seemed to misplaced my glue gun). I'm so organized and well put together. I had a lot of fun hand-gluing all of the decorative leaves, adding the sentimental wedding phrases, tying and stringing together the flag pieces, fixating the flowers in just the right places, etc. I really had a blast creating this card box and the autumn colors really gave me a warm, melancholy feeling while working on it.

 

 

 

All of the inside embellishments came from Michaels Arts and Crafts store and many of them came from the $2 bens. With everything combined I probably spent about $40 on this DIY and I will offer it as a Wedding Prop rental for any brides using Jacquelyne Edith Events, LLC coordination services...and I am willing to travel :)

 

As always I hope this was helpful or at least entertaining to someone out there. Until next time!

 

Jackie