Warm and rustic, this Pinerock Farm wedding is sure to win you over. As active military members, Monica and Jake dreamed of the day they would have all their friends and family in one place to celebrate their love. After months of deployment and planning alongside Wanderlust Weddings and Events, they finally got to have that special moment in Monica’s hometown. Pinerock Farm set the scene for the fall celebration with the goal of keeping all the details romantic. The coziness of the decor was kickstarted with classic autumnal colors consisting of terracotta, ivory, and gold. Not only did these pigments shine through the velvet bridesmaids dresses, linens from All Occasions Party Rental, and hand-lettered terracotta place cards, but the centerpieces, bouquets, and all petal pieces created by The Farmer’s Daughter were styled to perfection. EF Lighting even weaved lights into a floral chandelier along with other parts of the reception space to help soften the setting and cater to the desired rustic yet elegant ambiance. Rooted in tradition, Monica and Jake chose to incorporate the Polish bridal dance (aka the dollar dance) as loved ones from near and far joined in on the fun, but only after they were served a multi-course meal by Vallozzi’s followed by an espresso station that was a huge hit. Each image captured by Solich Photo and Film as well as the video from Just Hitched Films reveals a day as warm and inviting as the couple had hoped for – one that was as equally as beautiful as their love!
About the Couple
Jake and Monica met in 2015 when they were both freshman at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Jake grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and had always dreamt of joining the Army, following in his dad’s footsteps. Monica, originally from Latrobe, decided to swim Division I at West Point while preparing to serve her country. That first year at school, Jake always asked for help with math class and they even dated for a few weeks before they decided they were better off as friends. Throughout their four years at West Point, they remained good friends and supported each other through many challenges. After graduation, Jake went to field artillery officer training and was quickly deployed to Iraq. Meanwhile, Monica was in Fort Rucker, Alabama learning how to fly the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter. Ten months later, Jake arrived home and he visited Monica at her duty station in Fort Hood. They spent the summer flying back and forth to see one another, quickly making their relationship official. Jake proposed in Raleigh, NC in August 2021, just before Monica deployed for 10 months.
About the Wedding
Their goal was to transform a beautiful barn venue into an elegant and romantic fall affair. They incorporated a gorgeous Pittsburgh cookie table, with contributions from aunts, cousins, and grandmothers. The main design focus was highlighting the flowers and natural greenery throughout the space. The colors of the wedding were terracotta with hints of ivory and gold. They chose classic fall colors and cream linens to complement the gorgeous wooden tables at the venue. Ivory table runners ran along the length of each table, with gorgeous floral centerpieces and flowing greenery across. EF lighting did a spectacular job hanging linens and string lights to soften the space and bring together the look of elegant rustic charm. Following dinner, Vallozzi’s brought out an espresso station, which was a huge hit with the guests.
Favorite Moment
While it is hard to narrow it down to one favorite moment, one of the best memories was the Polish bridal dance, also known as the dollar dance. Monica comes from a Polish family and grew up watching her relatives celebrate weddings with this traditional. It was truly wonderful being able to dance with friends and family from near and far.
