Sarah and Nate Willow Creek Farm Wedding
Vendor Team:
Full Service Wedding Planner - 618 EVENTS, Maggie
Ceremony and Reception Venue- Willow Creek Farm
Catering- Willow Creek Farm
Photographer- Taylor Good
Florist- J. Blu
Chair Rentals- Forget Me Knot
Linen Rentals- Lottie Brogan Linens
DJ- Dorsey Entertainment
Hair and Makeup- Thrive Salon and Spa
Dresses- Azazie and BHLDN
Cake and cupcakes- Cake Artist Studio
Sarah and her mom, Traci, met with me (Maggie) shortly after Sarah and Nate were engaged. They knew they needed help planning Sarah’s big day. Traci actually owns Willow Creek Farm (a local wedding venue in Urbana) so I had worked with Traci before. It was my first time meeting Sarah though. I was completely honored that Traci wanted to work with me as I know she’s worked with several wedding planners throughout her years of owning a venue.
Sarah booked the full service package which means I was helping her throughout every step of the way. We started emailing to get the planning ball rolling but quickly realized that emailing was not the best method to communicate. We set up a meeting every other week over Sarah’s lunch hour to touch base on planning details. This worked really well for her! I would ask her questions as far as what needs to get done, what’s been done in the last two weeks, and give her updates from what I’d been working on.
Since Traci has been in the wedding industry she had a good idea of some other vendors she wanted to book. But others they weren’t sure so I helped them to nail that down.
Sarah is likely the most laid back client I have ever worked with. She had an opinion on some things and knew what she wanted, but others she just truly didn’t care. She was SO easy to work with!
The ceremony and reception venue and catering services are included at Willow Creek. Traci knew she wanted to hire Julie with J. Blu Designs for florals, Lottie Brogan Linens for the napkins and table runners, Cake Artist Studio for the cake, and Forget Me Knot rentals for the wooden x back chairs. I helped Sarah to choose a photographer, cake flavors, linen color, floor plan, invitations, dresses, timeline, and many more details.
Sarah’s dad has passed so she wanted a very small ceremony as she knew it would be an emotional moment. It was only immediate family and the bridal party. Sarah walked halfway down the aisle alone and then met Nate at the back of the aisle to complete the processional. It was a very sweet moment. At Willow Creek most clients are only allowed an outdoor ceremony by the pond. However since this is Sarah’s mom’s venue she was able to have the ceremony in the field which was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. J. Blu decorated a beautiful circle arch for the backdrop.
After the ceremony, Sarah and Nate wanted a moment to themselves which the remaining guests arrived for cocktail hour out on the patio. Willow Creek has an outdoor bar off the patio which is inside an old silo. So fun! Additionally, Willow Creek is an actual farm so the donkeys and horses came to greet guests during the cocktail hour.
We ushered guests inside to find their seat and then the party got started! Sarah and Nate were introduced along with their bridal party and then the guests were dismissed for dinner.
The DJ they hired from Wisconsin as they’d been to a wedding last year that he DJ’ed and they loved him. Tim is extremely talented. He plays lots of instruments and sings! So he does DJ but he also brings instruments to add to the songs. Very fun! I wish he was local as I’d love to work with him again!
Sarah’s siblings and mom all gave a toast and it was very sweet! You can tell they look up to her and love her very much. It is always so touching to see a close knit family.
Sarah and Nate had the most perfect weather for their outdoor wedding and they truly enjoyed their magical day. Congrats to the newly weds and thanks for letting me play a part in your planning and big day!
