In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Emma talks about how she transformed The Barn at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, into a cozy, farmhouse rustic wedding of her dreams.
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
A night out as a third wheel with friends led to a real-life match for Emma and Scott in 2021. Three years later, they were planning their wedding in just nine months at The Barn at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a BOLI Preferred Vendor.
A Third Wheel Night to Remember
One cold night in January, Emma decided to meet her friends at a bar in Huntington. Her friends got there first and started talking to another couple and Scott, who was a third wheeling it as well. “When Scott got up to use the restroom, my friend immediately asked the other couple if he was single,” Emma explains. “When she found out he was, she immediately texted me to hurry up, she had found the perfect guy for me.” When Emma got there, she and Scott hit it off.
In February 2024 on a trip to Puerto Rico, Scott proposed. “He had the ring in his carry-on, and put a Post-It note on it that said ‘engagement ring, please be discreet,’” says Emma. “But he didn’t have to worry because I had TSA Precheck!” Exhausted from traveling, Emma says she found the ring under her pillow, and they were able to spend the rest of their trip celebrating their engagement.
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
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A Short Engagement
Emma and Scott knew they wanted a short engagement, so after a few weeks of basking in that newly engaged glow, they started looking for venues. “We had about nine months to plan,” says Emma. However, she believes that having that short window made it easier to narrow down venues as only a few of the places she called even had available dates. “I also didn’t have a chance to overthink things, which really helped me make decisions quicker.”
For Emma, the venue was the most important vendor. She wanted a venue that offered one wedding at a time, that was unique and had space to easily accommodate up to 200 people. “We loved The Barn – especially because it was Lessing’s,” says Emma. “I loved that it was a traditional wedding venue that we could make our own.”
Once they booked The Barn for their Dec. 6, 2024 wedding, they started booking the rest of their vendors. “After the venue, photography was most important to us,” explains Emma. “I really wanted someone who would be able to capture the moody, winter vibe I was looking for.” Ultimately, she found a photographer – Nicole Rochelle Photography – who had shot another wedding at The Barn. “It was so great that she had been there before, as she knew the layout and landscape of the venue.”
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
A DIY Feel
As Emma mentioned, she loved The Barn because she was able to really make the open space her own. To create the rustic vibe she was looking for, she used farmhouse tables from Magnif-A-Tent to compliment the round tables provided by The Barn. In addition, she also rented vintage furniture for a ‘lounge’ feel. “Emily from The Barn really helped me bring my vision to life,” Emma says. “Every time there was a wedding that had something unique she thought I would like, she would let me come a few hours before the events to view the setup.” And in keeping with the vintage theme, Emma found an antique sewing box which she turned into her card box.
In addition to the rustic, vintage vibe, Emma leaned into the winter feel. She added string lights to bring that warm winter wonderland vibe to The Barn. “And I loved my flowers! Jacqueline at Hometown Flower Co. was amazing to work with,” she says. “I told her the type of flower didn’t matter to me – as long as it wasn’t winter white. I trusted her vision.” The end result was different types of centerpieces such as candelabras and small vases. “Her vision was stunning.”
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
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A Ceremony Surprise
Emma’s brother was the officiant for their ceremony. Ahead of the wedding, he asked her if there were any specific things she wanted. “I told him I didn’t care, as long as Scott and I were legally married at the end of it,” she says. “It was so great having him officiate, as the ceremony was funny and sentimental.” He even surprised her with a singer at the end! Emma says the singer was planted in the audience and got up and serenaded them. “It was such a nice, sweet surprise!” Another great thing about the ceremony, Emma says, was having their dog, Levi, walk down the aisle!
During the reception, Emma says she surprised her mother with a special dance after Scott danced with his mother. “We danced to one of her favorite songs, which was really nice,” she says.
And for their cake – Carvel’s Fudgie the Whale! Scott and Emma aren’t big fans of wedding cake, so they decided to get a traditional ice cream cake instead. “Scott pulled up to the venue with over 20 Fudgie the Whale cakes in his truck,” says Emma. “But it was so good and everyone loved it!”
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
Make Lists
When it came to planning, Emma says the BOLI Facebook page was super helpful. “I learned about things I didn’t know about – like hand canceling our invitations!” she says. “And all of the reviews really helped us choose our vendors.” She even found the bride who was getting married at The Barn the day after her, so they were able to message each other about different ideas and décor.
Now that she’s married and enjoying her newlywed bliss, Emma wants other brides to know that keeping checklists really helped her on the day of her wedding. “Having my bag packed the night before and keeping a checklist of what needed to go to the venue was super helpful,” she says. And if you don’t have a wedding planner, she suggests assigning a point person to take care of little things the day of, so that you don’t need to worry about them.
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
Make your checklists on Ring Leader!
Vendors:
Venue: The Barn at Old Bethpage, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer: NicoleRochelleWeddings @nicolerochelleweddings
DJ: 74 Events
Florist: Hometown Flower Co.
Hair: Beautiful People Salon in Merrick; hairby.Rhiannon
Makeup: Letsgetprettybeautiful
Dress: Max Bridal in Syosset, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Cake: Carvel
Suit: The House of Bruar
Farmhouse Table Rentals: Magnif-A-Tent
Vintage Furniture Rentals: Early Bird Vintage
Lighting: Ambient Events
(Photo courtesy of @nicolerochelleweddings)
