A Rustic Blush and White Wedding at Schafer Barn on the Hill

Wedding Date: July 18, 2020

Tessa Knutsen says she hates decorating the Christmas tree, but her sentiments might have mellowed when, after two years of dating, boyfriend Chris Bireline handed her a gift and told her it was a special tree ornament. That ornament was inscribed with “Will you marry me?” Recalls Tessa, “I obviously said yes, right after asking if he was sure!” Their ceremony, originally planned for May, was postponed to July because of COVID-19. “Our wedding day was the hottest day of the year in a church and barn with no air conditioning,” she says. Despite their change of plans, close family and friends were in attendance to make it what Tessa calls “the best day ever.” The moment that stands out, she says, was when she and Chris had their first dance. “It gave us a few minutes to truly appreciate those who came to celebrate our love,” she says. Tessa chose white, silver and blush for her color palette and used fresh flowers and greenery for a clean, simple look. A food truck serving tacos and gyros made catering a simple matter—and was an overwhelming success. And since neither Tessa nor Chris is fond of cake, they put in an order for one of their favorite treats: Starbucks cake pops.