By Gravestone Valley
Let's talk about why getting married in the Midwest is such a great idea.
According to a study by WeddingWire, the Midwest is one of the most affordable regions in the country to get married, with an average wedding costing around $20,000 compared to a national average of $30,000. Plus, the Midwest offers a wide range of wedding venues, from rustic barns to elegant ballrooms, and everything in between, and beautiful views that change with every season.
Graystone Valley is a prime example of a unique wedding venue offering stunning views of the Ozark Mountains with a rustic yet elegant atmosphere. With its natural beauty and old-world charm, Graystone Valley is a perfect place to say "I do" in 2023.
"When it comes to choosing your venue and decor, don't overthink it. Remember that your wedding is meant to tell and celebrate your love story. And sometimes, less really is more. Opt for features, accents, and spaces that look and feel like you. For us? That was the beautiful Ozark Mountains." -Jessie Turner (shown above with husband Brad Turner at Graystone Valley)
Let's dive into 3 exclusive midwest wedding planning tips:
The ability to embrace the natural beauty.
"Our friends and family thought we were insane when we committed to an outdoor winter wedding, but we knew the bare trees and spacious skies that make winter feel like a stop in time would add to the timeless feeling of our love." - Jessie Turner
One of the biggest draws of getting married in the midwest is the stunning natural beauty of the area. Why not embrace that beauty and incorporate it into your wedding design?
Consider using local wildflowers and greenery in your bouquet or centerpieces. Or incorporate rustic elements like wood and stone into your table settings. For example, you could use wooden signs to direct guests to different areas of the venue or incorporate natural stone accents into your table settings.
"Graystone Valley is such a beautiful location, and we love helping couples create a wedding design that complements and enhances that natural beauty," says wedding designer Anna Smith.
3. Honor the beauty around you.
As a generation that is passionate about the environment, many millennial couples are choosing to make eco-friendly choices when planning their big day. Not everyone knows how to make eco-friendly adjustments and quite frankly, you may be so consumed with wedding planning that the idea of researching one more thing feels overwhelming. So to make it easier for you, here a 4 easy options you may consider:
Use recycled or sustainable materials such as: recycled paper invitations and/or decorations.
Reduce transportation emissions: Encourage your guests to carpool or take public transportation to the wedding, and consider renting hybrid or electric vehicles for your transportation needs.
Reduce waste: Consider donating leftover food to a local food bank.
Give eco-friendly favors: Giving your guests a sustainable gift, such as seed packets, reusable bags, or eco-friendly candles.
4. Consider a photographer who specializes in natural light.
Natural light pouring over Graystone Valley creates stunning, romantic photos. If you're looking for some celebrity inspiration (because why not), here are 4 examples that love using natural lighting in their photos!:
Selena Gomez - the singer and actress is known for sharing candid, natural light photos on her social media platforms, often featuring beautiful landscapes and her friends and family.
Zendaya - the actress and fashion icon often shares photos on social media that are beautifully lit by natural light, showcasing her unique sense of style and personality.
Tyler Mitchell - a young photographer who gained widespread attention after being chosen by Beyonce to shoot her Vogue cover, Tyler Mitchell is known for his beautiful use of natural light in his portraits and fashion photography.
Harry Styles - the musician and fashion icon often shares candid, natural light photos on his social media, showcasing his sense of style and love for the outdoors
And as always, enjoy the process.
It can be easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture, but at the end of the day, your wedding is about celebrating your love with the people you care about most.
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We hope to host you soon.
Love,
Graystone Valley
Photos by Lainie Arnold Photography
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