Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

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Our featured couple, Alexandra Heliotis and Michael Meseke, knew in order to have the natural, rustic wedding of Alexandra’s dreams, they’d have to look for a locale outside of their West Village neighborhood of New York City. Envisioning a relaxed, down-home wedding, they began searching for the perfect barn venue. After some disappointing finds — most barns were either too pricey or so restored they had lost their original charm — Alexandra’s mom found Springdale Farm Bed & Breakfast in Victor, New York, during an online search.

 The couple set off on a scouting trip to the Finger Lake region of New York, and happily, the six-hour drive paid off. Alexandra fell in love with the site. When the owner told her a date was available just four months away, she wasted no time planning her down-to-earth wedding. 

 The couple wed before 78 guests in a late-afternoon ceremony held outside just 40 yards from the B&B. Alexandra wore a Saja gown, Miz Mooz shoes and a floral headpiece by BlumeBloom. A relaxed reception followed in the barn, decorated with string lights and paper lanterns.

Alexandra created the DIY wildflower centerpieces using blooms provided by Arena’s Florist. For containers, she had tracked down mason jars at Sprout Home, a home-and-garden store in Brooklyn, along with vessels and bottles collected throughout the planning process. How gorgeous is the outcome?

 Guests dined on barbecue provided by Dinosaur Bab-B-Que. (Leftovers were donated to the local Ronald McDonald house. Two thumbs up for that charitable idea!) Then fellow guests entertained: Alexandra’s dad and uncle played two Beatles tunes, and friends of the couple performed Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.”  After a night of singing and dancing, cupcakes courtesy of Sugar Mountain Bake Shoppe ended the reception on a super-sweet note.

Photos courtesy of Jenelle Kappe Photography

See the whole story for more details, planning tips and wedding inspiration.