This Fall Wedding Seamlessly Blends Farmhouse and Black-Tie Style

It's also proof that Halloween weddings don’t have to be gimmicky.


romantic halloween wedding

Photographs by Asya Photography

Anna Croll and Viktor Josefsson chose their wedding venue before they even got engaged. Farms were something the two instantly connected on when they first met—Viktor’s family has run the same farm in Sweden since the 1600s, and Anna grew up in Bucks County—so the couple knew they wanted their nuptials to take place on one. When Anna drove past the Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm for the first time, she and her mom pulled over immediately. “And then I see: There’s a farm! An inn! There’s rolling land! It was perfect.”

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So Anna was dismayed when she called the farm the day after she and Viktor got engaged (he popped the question right before their 2014 New Year’s Eve party) and it was booked for the year. Then fate kicked in: October 31st opened up, and as luck would have it, Anna loves Halloween. So the venue was booked, and Anna began plotting out their dream day.
Right away, she tackled how to address the fact that their black-tie wedding was on Halloween. There was a costume-party idea—“That lasted a millisecond”—but the couple decided to instead incorporate elegant autumn elements—like white and sage pumpkins—into their decor, and have apple cider doughnuts and hot apple cider to greet guests when they arrived and home-made caramel apples in the welcome bags. (The colorful autumn leaves that held on just long enough for their wedding day were the finishing touches.) 

It was important to Anna to find ways to incorporate Viktor’s Swedish heritage and family into the day: A cousin and her husband read a Swedish poem as part of the ceremony, a group of cousins gave a traditional Swedish toast, and Anna surprised Viktor by saying her vows in Swedish. “Real” imported Swedish fish and happy-hour cornhole games imprinted with the out- lines of the cities of Stockholm and Philadelphia were additional fun details.

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The reception’s farm tables were strewn with small pumpkins, seasonal flower arrangements and candles, for Viktor. (“It’s a Swedish thing.”) In lieu of a cake, Anna’s mom, a pastry chef, created eight desserts in seasonal flavors, including cappuccino brownies with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Mini bottles of Chandon sparkling rosé lined the entrance to the reception and served as escort cards. For their stationery, the couple chose a slate and rose gold palette—the “farm version” of classic black and white. Anna’s leaf- inspired jewelry perfectly complemented her one-shoulder silk chiffon gown.

Pumpkin chocolate chip walnut cupcakes were one autumnal dessert option for guests to enjoy. Jenny Love of Love ‘n Fresh Flowers created Anna’s bouquet of dahlias, garden roses and antique mums in the wedding’s peach and marsala color scheme. “I wanted my bouquet to look like I picked the flowers from my mom’s garden,” Anna says, “and Jenny was very attuned to my vision.” The bridesmaids each chose their preferred cut of floor-length peach Joanna August dresses. The oversize balloons with peach and rose gold confetti were a fun celebratory prop that Anna incorporated to add a whimsical element to their photos.

When Anna (scared into thinking the day would y by and she’d miss it all) stopped and surveyed the celebration—her family and Viktor’s together, having a blast, dancing and making memories at their perfect venue—she knew in that moment: “I’m never going to forget this.”

VENDORS
Photography and Videography: Asya Photography | Venue & Catering: The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm | Doughnuts: Solebury Orchards | Decor: Flowers, pumpkins, and candles by Love ‘n Fresh Flowers; farm tables from Maggpie Rentals; balloons from Paperboy Party | Bride’s Gown: Mira Zwillinger from Carine’s Bridal Atelier | Hair: Elizabeth Benke | Makeup: Beke Beau | Bridesmaid Dresses: Joanna August | Groom’s Formal Wear: Trunk Club | Stationery: Haute Papier | Music: The Heather Hayes Experience | Transportation: Sterling Limousine and Transportation Serves

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