Rustic Wedding at the Blue Rooster Inn
Deb and Ben tied the knot at a rustic Bed and Breakfast on the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon. From the outdoor Jewish ceremony to the cocktail hour to the barn reception, this beautiful wedding was designed down to the very last detail by Rebekah McNall of A & B Creative. View more of this rustic wedding at the Blue Rooster Inn in the full gallery here, all fabulously photographed by Larissa Cleveland.
From the Bride & Groom:The thing you realize after its all over is that every step of planning your wedding – the endless details, the trips to rental companies to look at tablecloths, the outings with friends to try on dresses and suits, the wine tasting, the food tasting, the cocktail tasting, the scheduling, the hotel booking, the invitations, the music selections, the arguments with your mom... – it’s all totally worth it.
We got married on a slightly overcast but otherwise beautiful September day at the Blue Rooster Inn on the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon, where Deb grew up. There were was a barn, a hillside for the ceremony, a lawn for bocce, a backdrop of rolling hills and a general sense of the bigness of the northwest. We imagined a wedding that was partly DIY, partly elegant, partly informal, partly Jewish and definitely delicious, light-hearted, warm and fun.
Deb’s brother has battled a brain tumor, so we wanted our wedding to be a celebration of love, family, community, and how they all intersect. It was an emotional and joyous weekend filled with offerings from important people in our lives. We asked our friends and family to contribute in large and small ways - they grew our flowers, made our photobooth, designed our chuppah, gave fruit from their backyard for jam, played us music, wrote and read us blessings, and hung lights and signs, and provided those necessary words of council and reassurance.
The ceremony went by in a blur: our best friends held our chuppah, Ben’s brother and Deb’s oldest friend played music, our Rabbi sung songs, more friends and family offered readings, we drank wine (carefully so as not to spill), we kissed, we both cried and laughed. There are moments that stick out: like when Deb’s mom nearly forgot to hug her during the processional, or when Ben stomped on the glass three times because he wasn’t sure it had broken.
We loved the rest of the night too. Seeing the barn, fully decorated, lights lit, bitters on the bar, finally filled with our guests. Deb’s brother’s toast. Ben’s brother’s toast. Fumbling through the box step during our first dance. Raising each other’s hands during the hora. Marionberry pie and ice cream. Shaking it to the band. Shaking it to the ipod (when it got late). Singing “Pursuit of Happiness”, in the middle of a giant hug-circle of our friends when the speakers gave out.
The advice we’d give couples is the same we received from others - enjoy it. All of it. Let people help because they will make it better. Start the ceremony as early as possible so you get the maximum time out of your day.
What the Bride would have done differently:Overall the day was perfect, even in it's imperfections. There are a few small things that I might have done differently. I wish we had hired a videographer, or at least had a friend record the speeches. We had some really emotional, beautiful, and hilarious speeches and I wish we could revisit them now. Also, I wish we had started the ceremony earlier (we called it for 4:30) so that we just had more time for the whole celebration.
- Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Bridal Shop: Bridal Galleria
- Cake: Lauretta Jean’s Pie
- Caterer: Marché Provisions Catering
- Desserts: Red Wagon Creamery
- Event Designer: A & B Creative
- Flowers: Moda Floral And Event Design
- Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Brides By Kelly Anne
- Hair: Gervais Salon
- Ketubah: Woodland Papercuts
- Makeup: Blush Makeup Artistry by Beth Level
- Officiant: Temple Beth Israel
- Photographers: Larissa Cleveland
- Rentals: Parties To Go
- Stationary: Ahoy! Letterpress
- Venue: Blue Rooster Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Wedding Dresses: Jim Hjelm