Fiddle Lake Farm {Love Letters} The Dance Scene Finale!

For an uber romantic finale, we (Pam & Elizabeth, thank you, ladies!) embellished the dance floor with copies of the original love letters.  ahhh... melt my heart!

I'm not gonna lie.  This was a friendship testing scene.  "Noooo... your ponytail isn't going to catch on fire."  "Quick!  Move that candle!" 

And what's a dance floor without a little dance off?!

"The Dunn Dancers"  (Mamie's family)

VS "The Wells Whirlers" (Johnie's family)  Signs from Write Away For You!

Sister Act!

I love these two!!!

bahahahah!

What better way to end the shoot, than with an improv moment, from Piper (Pappy & Tomlynn's daughter) and her cousin, recreating the couple's pose!  I love it!!!

To view more Fiddle Lake Farm {Love Letters} Scenes visit:

here {for the team intro}

here {for the table scene}

here {for the behind the scenes}

here {for the last love letter scene}

here {for the no look nook scene}

here {for the ceremony scene}

here {for Tomlynn & Pappy eye candy}

here {for the details} 

or here {for the cake scene}

Fiddle Lake Farm {Love Letters} "The No Look Nook!"

Ahhh... The No Look Nook Scene!

"First Looks" and the exchanging of letters before the wedding are a hot trend right now {which I personally LOVE!}

But what about the couple who doesn't want to break with tradition, and see each other, before the aisle?

Enter... "The No Look Nook"

A special space where the couple can be close enough to touch and exchange a letter {or gift}, but with a barrier in between, the mystery and suspense remain!

Thanks in abundance to Maggie and Jason, of Maggpie Vintage Rentals, whose doors & props helped to make my vision a reality! 

The No Look Nook in front of another apple orchard, at Fiddle Lake Farm!

Can the barrier in between, be any better?  A vintage door, with a mail slot...

Letters to "Mamie" & "Johnie"

More beautiful calligraphy, from Write Away For You.

Our original inspiration.   *sighs*

To further bring in the love letter theme and surround the couple with sentiment, we included a some famous love letters, in the nook.  I may need to put these in my home, sometime soon.  They are oh so romantic!!

A love letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams.  "My Dearest Friend,  ... should I draw you the picture of my heart it would be what I hope you would still love though it contained nothing new.  The early possession you obtained there, and the absolute power you have obtained over it, leaves not the smallest space unoccupied..."

To view Fiddle Lake Farm {Love Letters} former posts, visit:

here {for the team intro}

here {for the table scene}

here {for the behind the scenes}

or here {for the last love letter scene}!

Fiddle Lake Farm {Love Letters} "The Last Love Letter"

Given her love of letter writing, we imagined the bride, Mamie, would have written one last, beautiful love letter, as a single woman.

"Dear Johnie, Our wedding day is finally here.  I hope we will be happy and I think we shall be..."

This shot is all about Tomlynn.  Let's be honest.  Beautiful, graceful, sweet, talented, and nice on top of it all.  No one could have played Mamie better!

Fiddle Lake Farm's Bed & Breakfast is a treasure trove of antiques.  Family heirlooms, rich with history, as well as some famous first owners {Mark Twain, anyone??) make it so interesting!   Visit the farm with extra time on hand, to hear all of the stories, that come with the displays and decorations.

Some phrases, pulled from Mamie's original letters, and put together by the multi-talented Julie.

Such a small thing... words on paper.  Everyone can do it.  But few can do it as beautifully as Lynda.  Calligraphy is a fine art that I hope to see much more of.  Write Away For You

Fiddle Lake Farm {Love Letters} "The Table Scene"

Our Fiddle Lake Farm styled shoot was multi-purposed.

* To show how one might creatively incorporate love letters into the theme of their wedding.
* To pay homage to Johny & Mamie (the subjects of the love letters).
* To show some select scenes from Fiddle Lake Farm and how it might look as a wedding venue.
* And to bring together a collaborative team of artists & wedding vendors to showcase each person's craft, in a unique & beautiful way.

We began with the table scene.

Having cancelled the original date of the shoot (Tuesday, September 4th), due to the weather forecast, Lori Witmer (the fabulous florist) and I found ourselves at FLF, alone for the day.  (We both live 3 hours away, and were already there, when we decided to postpone the shoot for a day.)

Unfortunately, the weather man was incorrect and the all-day-rain that was predicted did. not. come.  ugh...

Lori and I decided to make use of the day and move forward with the tablescape, since we had most of the necessary items already there, and neither one of us does well with sitting around.  ;)

We took a quick trip to the local antique store, where we found a few more key pieces.  Then, back to the farm we went, to set up.

Now, I've set a table or two, in my day.  But let me tell you, I have never done a set-up with as much detail, as this.  My mind was rather blown.  Pam tackled the streamers in the trees.  Lori worked tirelessly (while 7 months preggers!) on the multiple flower arrangements and I arranged plates, utensils, letters, etc... It took hours.  But oh, it was fun!!!!  Finally, after Lori and I made the final tweaks "one inch to the left!" ... "OK, move that piece forward 2 inches" ... "straighten the back right candle!"... etc... etc...  I was ready to shoot.

And THAT'S when the rain came.

*sighs*

With the sun being diminished by clouds and soon to set, we dodged sprinkles and prayed for the paper items, as I quickly snapped some photos.  And then we packed it all up.

But, being perfectionists, Lori and I weren't satisfied.  We decided to RE-set the whole scene, early the next morning, so that I could photograph everything in better light and make sure that we had it all covered.

I'm so glad we did. 

The old apple orchard.  I need to have a picnic here.  It's just beautiful.

Notice the stamp's date?  1904!

Bride & Groom chair signs with direct quotes from the letters.  "Dear Friend Johnie" & "Your Friend Mamie"  Calligraphy by "Write Away For You"

Feathery flowers.  ahhh...

Glasses, plates, silverware, coasters, lace, mix-metal pieces, chairs and of course- the famous farm house table- all from Maggpie Vintage Rentals.

Each plate was adorned with a vintage letter opener, which could have been used as a quirky butter knife, or... a letter opener.  {what a novel idea!}  Thank you, Elizabeth Guerrero, for lending us the knives!

Personal letters were written to each guest, at the head table, from "the bride, Mamie".

How lovely would it be to thank each special person, for the impact that they had on your life, on your wedding day? *Written with my sisters in mind.  I love you, Neener, Bean & Nu.*

And more flower goodness.  Oh. My.

Lori, Lori, Lori.  Even the simplest arrangements make an impact.

To further tie in the love letter theme, Maggie, from Maggpie Vintage Rentals custom made these napkins.  They are copies of the original letters.  (!!!!)

So, who wants to have a wedding at Fiddle Lake Farm, with us?!