A fall wedding in the woods and a timber-frame barn, with a bridal party in every color of the season.
Lainey and Joe asked us for two things: to photograph their wedding, and for James to officiate it. We have known them for years, and it was an honor to do both. Our own kids walked the aisle that afternoon, too, as flower girl and ring bearer.
They married on September 26 at The Swan Barn Door, a timber-frame barn on River Road outside Wisconsin Dells. The Swan family built it themselves, from cutting the timber to raising the frame, and you can see that care in every beam. The ceremony was held in the woods beside the barn, and the reception filled the hall until the sparklers came out.
The Morning
The day started in the loft of the barn, with the gown hanging beneath the diamond window and the invitation suite, rings, and vow books laid out on a vintage rug. Lainey and her bridesmaids got ready at the Orchard House, with mimosas once hair and makeup were finished. Joe and his groomsmen got ready at Timber Lodge.
A First Look with Her Bridesmaids
Before anyone else saw her, Lainey walked out to her bridesmaids at the ceremony arch. Most of them were in tears before she reached the rug. The dresses were mismatched on purpose, velvet and satin in every color of the season, and the florals carried the same palette: burgundy dahlias, coral roses, pampas, and long strands of amaranth.
Vows, Back to Back
Lainey and Joe wanted their first sight of each other to happen at the aisle. They still wanted a private moment first, so they stood back to back on the barn’s stone stairway and read their vows to each other without looking. Then Joe and his groomsmen took over the same steps.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was held in the woods beside the barn, with 220 guests on wooden benches, vintage rugs for an aisle, and a macramé arch dressed in fall florals. James officiated. Rivalee & Katie photographed the front and the aisle during the ceremony with our video crew. Before anyone was dismissed, we made one photograph of every guest from the altar.
Portraits
Family portraits ran for an hour from a list we built with Lainey before the wedding, largest groups first, releasing people as we went. Then the full wedding party on the stone steps, and twenty quiet minutes for the two of them under the trees.
Dessert and Dinner
A grand entrance, dessert, and then dinner, opened with a prayer. Every guest found a handwritten letter from Lainey and Joe waiting at their seat.
Fifteen Minutes at Sunset
Late September sunset in Wisconsin Dells comes early, so we borrowed Lainey and Joe from dinner for fifteen minutes. Tim held the speeches until they were back.
Speeches, Dances, and a Second Look
Both dads spoke, then the maid of honor and the best man, and Joe closed with a thank-you. Then the first dance, the father-daughter and mother-son dances, and an open floor. At 9:45 Lainey changed into a short lace dress and white cowboy boots, and pizza came out at 10:00.
The Send-Off
Last song at 11:15, sparklers at 11:20, and one last kiss on the way out.
The Wedding Team
- Venue
- The Swan Barn Door, Wisconsin Dells
- Getting ready
- Orchard House and Timber Lodge
- Photography
- James Stokes & Co. Photographers: James and Katie Stokes, with Rivalee Rae Stokes
- Officiant
- James Stokes
- Videography
- Noah Zastrow
- Coordinator
- Candace Blakeslee
- DJ & MC
- Tim Kramas
- Rehearsal dinner
- House of Embers, Wisconsin Dells
Planning a wedding at The Swan Barn Door?
We photograph a limited number of weddings each year so every couple has our full attention. If you feel we are the right fit, we would be honored to hear about your day.
