A Rustic-Chic Fall Wedding With Cozy Vibes

Amanda and Jackson tied the knot on November 13, 2024 at the Barn at Perona Farms.

Their Story

After spending three years living in China and traveling across Southeast Asia, Amanda returned to the United States to establish her life in the New York area.

Inspired by a friend in Asia, she downloaded a dating app called Tan Tan, hoping to connect with others who shared her interests in travel, food, and culture. Coincidentally, Jackson’s account was created by a friend just three days after Amanda started using the app.

When they matched, they quickly bonded over their shared connection to Malaysia—a country where Amanda had lived for half a year and where Jackson’s family is from, having spent part of his childhood there.

Ironically, after traveling all over Asia, Amanda found her perfect match just a few miles away in New York City.

The Proposal 

Amanda and Jackson got engaged in Maui on May 23, 2022. Amanda’s family lives in Hawaii, a place that holds a special meaning for her and her loved ones.

He told Amanda they were going to a sunset party on Oneloa Beach in Kapalua, Hawaii. To her surprise, not only did he propose, but he had also arranged for a professional photographer to capture the moment.

“We spent the first few days of our engagement in Hawaii, celebrating our new chapter together,” says Amanda.

They were also able to share this joy with Amanda’s family, including her grandmother, who sadly passed away in 2024. “While she couldn’t be with us on our wedding day, it’s comforting to know she was one of the first people to celebrate our journey.”

Details of the Day

The couple chose an “autumn rustic-chic theme, inspired by warm, nostalgic feelings that create a sense of home.”

“Our wedding colors featured primary shades of dusty rose and mauve, balanced by secondary hues of sage and natural green, with touches of gold adding a hint of elegance,” says Amanda. “We wanted the atmosphere to feel inviting, cozy and elegant.”

In addition to hiring photography and videography services, they also hired a content creator to help capture behind-the-scenes moments of us and our guests.

“The decor I’m most proud of is our guest book and card box area,” says Amanda. “For our guest book, we used photos from our engagement shoot at Waterloo Village, beautifully captured by J&R Photography, featuring Jackson in his Marine service uniform. These photos were incorporated into a custom photo guest book, with blank pages for guests to leave their signatures and messages.”

“Surrounding the guest book, we added personal touches, including a thrifted sage-green panda pen holder and two canvas push-pin maps, showcasing where all our guests traveled from to celebrate with us. We had guests travel from various parts of NJ, NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, Hawaii, Georgia, the UK and more.”

To add to the relaxed vibe, they included games like cornhole, horseshoes, giant Jenga and a personalized crossword puzzle.

For a sweet send-off, guests enjoyed apple cider donuts and took home customized matchboxes as favors.

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Choosing the Venue 

“The thought of a grand ballroom felt intimidating, yet we still wanted something elegant,” says the bride. “Our best man, who works in the film industry, found Perona Farms online and suggested we visit.”

“When we arrived for the tour, we were greeted with specially made snacks, and I immediately felt like we’d found something special. The moment we stepped into the Barn, it felt like home—we knew it was the perfect place to celebrate our love.”

Favorite Moment 

“Although every moment was special to us, our favorite was the first look,” says Amanda. “We shared this moment on a path lined with pine trees.”

“When we first met online, I started my first job at an animal shelter and he was in his final year at John Jay College. Now, I work on the Social Media team of a nationally recognized organization while he is in the US Marine Corps. After more than seven years together, through both career and personal growth, it was an incredibly beautiful feeling to realize that we would spend the rest of our lives together, growing old side by side.”

Detail They Couldn’t Live Without 

“One of the most meaningful details was choosing who would officiate our ceremony,” says Amanda. The couple selected Amanda’s Uncle Wolf—her father’s twin brother—to take on this special role.

“Uncle Wolf’s eloquence, sentimentality, and unwavering support for our relationship made him the perfect choice.”

Advice for Couples 

“We recommend staying together for the entirety of the wedding,” says Amanda. “It was a magical day that we were able to enjoy together.

“In addition, take opportunities to spend as much time with your guests as possible. It is rare for everyone from different chapters of your life to come together in one setting.”

Honeymoon 

Amanda and Jackson plan on traveling to Chicago for a mini-moon and Alaska for a honeymoon.

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