A DIY Carnival Wedding at Home: Bethany & Eric

Bethany & Eric’s carnival-themed wedding was held at their home, Antebellum Farmhouse in Granville, Ohio. “The inspiration for our wedding really started with our pre-civil war home”, Bethany told me. “When Eric and I first saw our house with our realtor we both stood on the front porch with tears in our eyes. We had not even walked through the front door but we knew this was our home. Eric looked at me and said ‘we could be married here.’ He then carried me across the threshold. Sounds like a fairy tale…. But so real.”

The theme may have started with their home but over time ‘a day and night at the fair’ became their manifesto. Royal Steamline provided the perfect stationery to fit the idea. “We wanted to create a vintage carnival feeling for all ages of guests to enjoy,” the bride continued. “I have an antique and interior design business named after our home, so I incorporated many antique and vintage items, furniture and props to create the scene. I searched auctions and estate sales for real vintage goblets, punch cups and plates for our guests to enjoy. I used vintage furniture outside to create a living room area that was a fabulous photo booth for all of our guests as well as the bridal party.”

The ‘outdoor living room’ was a particular highlight for all the guests. “We NEVER realized how much of a hit the backyard living room would be,” Eric explained. “I would have bought five more couches and cocktail tables and candelabras had I known it would have been so popular a place to sit! We also used it as a makeshift photo booth area — it was perfect!”

Bethany wore a vintage handmade lace dress that a friend found in a suitcase that she had bought at a garage sale! “When I tried it on, it fit like a glove and I knew it was meant to be,” she explained. “The only problem was that it was so old that it was pulling apart in places and no seamstress wanted to touch it because it was so fragile. I finally found a lovely woman named Peg Smith who had sewn the costumes for the Columbus Ohio Ballet for decades and was willing and able to hand pleat the tulle hem and hand mend the lace.”

“We had a bar under a maple tree where we used a vintage wood bar and stools lighted with globe lights and feathered lamps,” continued Bethany. “The gazebo was an iron structure from Mexico that Eric gave to me as a gift before the wedding. We used hay bails from our farmer neighbor topped with oak planks from a local mill for our ceremony seating.”

“We wanted the food to have a carnival feel as well,” she remembered. “We chose Leslie’s Creperie, a local food truck, to serve our guests fresh made to order crepes. It was a visual experience to watch the crepes being made as well as being delicious. We also served fresh baguettes made by our neighbor who has a bakery called Lucky Cat. The children (and adults) enjoyed the spun cotton candy, popcorn, and shaved ice cones.”

“There was something for all ages at this wedding. The children played vintage carnival games as their parents danced the night away to a live band. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display that lighted up the sky over the farmhouse.”

“The best thing about our theme was that it gave the kids something to do, ” Eric confirmed. “Our bestest kid-sitter Sarah brought a friend and helped the kids win ‘carnival coupons’ that would be drawn from a hat to win some prizes. All they had to do was spin an old carnival wheel I bought and get above a certain number, or put the softball in old milk jugs that were in the barn when we moved in, or put the bean bag in the corn toss, each ticket making them more eligible for a prize. Yes, we sugared them up with cotton candy and snow cones and a lot of candy. But then the kids had THEIR area and the parents had their area under the maple tree bar or on the dance floor, or on the big front porch.”

Even though their wedding looked spectacular, like most newlyweds there are a few thing they wish they could have done differently. “I wish we had a ferris wheel and I checked into hot air balloon rides,” the groom explained. “I bought fireworks — it was soooo much fun to just let them rip toward the end of the evening. My simple addition was antique lanterns that I bought while I travelled. I went from Oklahoma to Boston to Arizona antiquating before work and finding old railroad and barn lanterns to hang in the lights. I packed them gently and travel them like gold in the airplane overheads. Many times I had to explain to TSA that is was for a wedding and that they could test away for explosives. I already had my fireworks! However I think the simple lanterns, torches, and lights in the trees and tents presented a very easy way to light our 3 acres. An outdoor fire-pit added to the romance as well.”

Obviously a huge undertaking, the couple called upon friends and family to help plan and execute their wedding. “The day before the event, all of Eric’s family, sisters, brothers-in-law, their kids and grandkids showed up early to start the set up,” said Bethany. “They set up tents, tables, carnival games, outdoor bar, cotton candy and snow cone machines, lights, dance floor, hay bales for seating, etc. They were an amazing team. They left the farm looking absolutely fabulous.”