Just a Country Boy and Girl Gettin' Hitched on a Farm
I've always dreamed of an October wedding. It's my favorite month. I love the crisp air, sunshine and beautiful autumn leaves. So, when we got engaged last October 13, I thought nearly a year was plenty of time to secure a fabulous location. My research began the following day. Mr. Right and I are not fancy, ballrooms-with-marble-columns type of people. We both grew up in the country and prefer 
corn-on-the-cob to caviar. So, I wasn't looking for the typical downtown hotel reception. I looked into a few venues only to discover that every Saturday in fall 2010 was completely booked at all three locations!
One of my many web searches revealed Armstrong Farms in Saxonburg. The photos on the website were breathtaking. I called immediately and spoke with Kathy Allen, the "innkeeper" of the farm. She told me they had one Saturday open in the fall, September 25. I made an appointment to visit the site for the following Saturday--there was no time to waste!
My mom, Mr. Right and I drove to Saxonburg on a clear, sunny Saturday morning. As we rounded the bend in the dirt road, as if it was a mirage, there stood the Allyson Anne barn surrounded by pine trees, with a quaint guest house next door and a shimmering pond in the background. I didn't even need to see anymore. This was it.
We went inside the 150-year-old barn to find strands of white lights and paper lanterns lining the ceiling. Outside on the deck, the view of the pastures and rolling countryside seemed to go on forever. We took a stroll down by the pond where an atrium framed the picturesque ceremony site and a stubborn goose paced her territory. Finally, Kathy took us inside one of the two guesthouses that came with the property. It was fate. There was only one Saturday left, and, even though it wasn't quite October, it was going to be ours! We signed the contract then and there.
I've been careful not to take the farm theme too far, but it does allow for some creativity. For example, the centerpieces will be antique mason jars filled with ivory gerber daisies, and our rehersal dinner will be a casual cookout outside the barn. Then after 
the reception is over, a bonfire will be lit so we can continue to celebrate with our family and friends.
I love everything about Armstrong Farms, even though I would have thought I was too practical for an outdoor wedding. Armstrong Farms was too beautiful to pass up. Besides, it's my wedding day--it couldn't possibly rain! Right?
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Reader Comments:
Hi Lisa,
I, too, love Armstrong Farms and while we haven't chosen a venue just yet; we have started at least narrowing. I was wondering what your experience has been with Kathy. I have read some not so glowing reviews about the "coordination" services she is capable of and they seem to leave a lot desired. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Fellow corn-on-the-cob appreciator
Fellow corn-on-the-cob appreciator,
I have nothing but great things to say about Kathy so far. Granted, we are still a couple months away, so we haven't gotten down to the nuts and bolts yet. Kathy has been very attentive, following up every couple months to make sure we don't have any questions. Plus, we have another day-of coordinator who has also been very responsive. I'll let you know as the big day draws closer if we experience any problems, but as of right now, I have nothing bad to say.
Thanks,
Lisa
Thanks for the response. That is reassuring and I do like to hear a lot of reviews from different people since opinions on these matters can very so greatly. I think what I have read were reviews from people who did not have day-of coordinators and didn't anticipate all the work that would be needed for decorating, arranging, etc. on the...day-of. I also think paying for a day-of is worth sparing headaches and rushing around. I will look forward to any future updates and I hope you have good weather!
P.S. It's a little weird to read your article and think that a lot of these ideas have been exchanged between my guy and I, down to the barnside RD cook-out.
I'm getting married there in a few weeks. The venues at Armstrong Farms (there are actually 3 barns on site) are all FABULOUS. Kathy, however, is another story. Based on experience from me and my friend who was married there 2 years ago she is attentive during the initial visit and contract signing. After that, make sure YOU HAVE A SCHEDULE because she either cannot focus on more than one thing or has too many things going on. I would suggest that you hire a coordinator, but with the hefty 6K+ price tag it may not be in your budget. Kathy pitches herself as a coordinator, but she really is a person who owns the place. She had ignored many inquiries about local establishments like the Mainstay Bed and Breakfast, for what I can only assume is competition for her future business.
I have to disagree about the need to hire a coordinator at Armstrong Farms. We were given a coordinator, Cat Loeffler, and she was FANTASTIC! I couldn't have asked for anything more from her or Kathy. I'll post all of the fabulous details in next week's blog, but for now I just had to say how wonderful everyone at Armstrong Farms was!