[Welcome to Wedding #1]Words by Tracy Nicholson Photography by M. Schleif Photography
Grain Designs cordially invites you to the first wedding at The Pines, the area's newest wedding and event venue. A lot has changed since our last issue which outlined the venue's build and the gorgeous remodel on the property's poolside home. While last month hammers were swinging, this month, wedding bells are ringing. To celebrate the venue's opening, the bride and groom, Grain Designs' own Pat Bresnahan and his wife Nicolette, welcomed our readers to see inside their special day. No need to RSVP, we'll give you a glimpse of the designer details that made their farmhouse chic wedding day unforgettable. By nearly all accounts, The Pines first wedding on September 15th was a resounding success. Although the 9,000 square-foot building was not 100 percent complete, the Grain Designs team made sure the bride and groom's big day was perfection. To get the venue ready, the team worked endless hours with Taylor Belk of Epic Homes, Differding Electric and Zulauf Construction to ensure that the wedding party and 320 guests could celebrate in style. "It took an army of help and support from friends and family for weeks leading up to the wedding until the ceremony started," said Blain Mikkonen of Grain Designs. "The entire Grain Designs team and all of our families, including Nicolette's family, really stepped up and put in extra hours to make the first event at The Pines a great success." To put the finishing touches on the reception site, Grain Designs handcrafted the new signage, 40 tables, a ceremony pergola and two sliding barn doors suspended between the grain bins. Cafe lights were strung, 600 plus chairs were set in place and the farmyard grounds got a newly landscaped facade. Field of (their) Dreams On the property's 17 acres, there are several designated areas for outdoor wedding ceremonies, but Nicolette and Pat had their hearts set on the field just beyond the grain bins. With a creative twist, the grain bins became the grand entrance and the space between the bins would become both the entrance and a communal space, leading guests to the ceremony site and Grain Designs pergola. For added ambiance, a family friend, Carol Thibeault, used her DIY know-how to suspend a chandelier between the grain bins and custom made Grain Designs barn doors. "On Friday afternoon, right as we were adding the final décor to the venue, The White House Co. girls showed up in what might as well have been the ‘Magic School Bus’. They quite literally turned our ceremony spot into a magazine-worthy spread by adding a beautiful, vintage seating area, rug and coffee table. Not only was this area functional, but it was so fun seeing guests take pictures in our outdoor living room," said Nicolette Bresnahan. Designed to Dine To complete the venue's dining decor, Thibeault and a few members of the wedding party came earlier in the week to assist with the final details. "Carol can take anything and either make it useful, pretty or both," said Nicolette Bresnahan. "She helped me organize the theme and vision for our wedding while keeping our budget in mind. I knew I wanted lots of fresh greenery and she came up with the idea of using Russian Olive Branch—a common tree with full green leaves that are easily found in the area. She hand-picked all of the Russian Olive Branch for centerpieces the day before the wedding, which made the dark stain of the custom Grain Designs' tables stand out even more." "For our floral, Kimberly from Prairie Petals hit the nail on the head. I only explained to her the vision I had for our big day, with no specifics of certain flowers. From the colors to the arrangement, it was perfection. One thing about Kimberly’s work is that it will, without a doubt be completely unique." "Although The Pines was not fully complete at the time that we got married, it was still absolutely beautiful," said Nicolette Bresnahan. "White, board and batten walls and beautifully handcrafted Grain Design tables are just a few things that made it a stand-out space. The tall ceilings and open room are exposed with just the right amount of light." Farmhouse Fare Within the venue, which can accommodate 400 plus for a seated dinner, The Pines offer a prep kitchen for the caterers, provided by Chef's Table Catering with a full bar set-up. For the venue's first wedding, the bride and groom chose a more relaxed, buffet-style dinner. "The Swedish meatballs and grilled chicken buffet was fantastic - we got a lot of great feedback from our guests," said Pat Bresnahan. Those with a sweeter tooth could head to the antique door table for a candy bar of sugary confections. Bresnahan Wedding Breakdown:
What's next for The Pines? As this issue hits the stands, The Pines will already be back to work, completing the remaining interior finishes, in preparation for wedding number two on October 28. By this date, all of the exterior paneling and concrete slabs will be completed and ready for a whole new guest list. The interior's finishes will also be completed with classic detailing, as well as exposed beams and white reclaimed wood paneling. As they head into winter, Grain Designs will be preparing for an upcoming photoshoot, Eco Chic's Vintage Christmas at The Pines event, and an array of corporate and Christmas parties. Interested in hosting your own event or wedding at The Pines? Make sure to call soon. They are still booking events for this fall, and although there are still a few wedding dates available for 2019, they're booking up fast. Follow their progress and adventures as they continue to renovate the farmhouse bridal suites and plan for their official, grand opening celebration! For more information, contact: The Pines
 
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