Wedding Date: September 18th 2022

Have you heard of the amazing Neon Museum just outside of Las Vegas? It’s where old signs and pieces of history are retired and kept for another generation to enjoy. When I heard about the Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings from Emily and Nicholas, this was the first thing that filled my mind. Talking with them during their wedding planning and in the weeks leading up to the big event got me even more excited, but somehow still didn’t prepare me for what I was about to experience.

I took off early driving by farms and fields as I left the city behind. Somehow, from the fields surrounding the property, historic buildings, old signs, and memories from years past came into view. It was an entire town and tonight, it was all ours. I met up with Emily in one of the cute little cabins in which they created a getting ready paradise complete with stained glass windows from an old church. After she dawned the last of her finishing touches, we were off to the ceremony where Nicholas was waiting at the end of the aisle with a huge smile. The manicured garden where they held the ceremony was beautiful, dotted with brightly colored flowers and framed by farming fields. Once they said “I do,” we were off to explore the rest of the unique venue!

Their wedding party came running to give them hugs and wish them congratulations. Emily shared the stage with a few of her bridesmaids in the Rice Street Royalty, so they surprised her by crowning her for the big event. After lots of laughs, the sun started to set so we left their friends to start the party at the reception as we made our way to the glowing fields off in the distance. Walking through the mainstreet of this half historic, half imagined town all to ourselves felt otherworldly. The sunset illuminated them along with the old neon signs that were slowly starting to light up as well. The soybean fields were the perfect autumn backdrop, filling our view with bright yellows and oranges. They twirled in the middle and danced until they were silhouettes against the sky.

As we walked back to the party already in progress, they noticed their name up on the famous Cottage View Drive-In sign. I guess they’re famous now! The hall was decorated beautifully with more historic signage and lots of charm. The only thing that was more welcoming than the hall was the people themselves. Everyone from the staff, to the guests, and their friends and family made me and everyone else feel like we were part of a tiny close-knit community coming together for a family wedding. It was what I imagine small towns were like long ago and perhaps that’s part of the appeal.

Vendors: Little Log House Pioneer Village (venue), Rustic Floral (florist), Canon River Catering (catering), Nana's Cafe (cake), Sunset Blue Productions (videographer), The wedding shoppe (dress shop), Vue (makeup), Cora Bella (hair)