Brandywine Farm Events

All About Wedding Desserts

site-1PGQew — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:49:15 GMT

Here at Brandywine, we believe that the most important part of planning your big day is making sure that your wedding suits your specific vision and tastes--and that includes dessert.

Not into cake? No problem! Cake may be traditional at weddings, but that doesn’t mean it’s your only option; and choosing another dessert doesn’t mean you can’t have your big cake-cutting moment. You can build gorgeous displays with almost any dessert you like, from donuts and pies to cookies and ice cream.

It’s your wedding day, and you can choose whichever dessert is your favorite to be the star.

Donuts

Photo by CharissaPhoto

Pies

Photo by Kendra's Country Bakery

Pies are also a popular cake alternative nowadays, and it’s easy to see why. With intricate lattice work and colorful fillings, they look beautiful on any dessert table, and you can choose between so many fun and delicious flavors. Serve pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies at your fall wedding, or any number of fruit fillings for spring. You can even pay homage to the traditional tiered wedding cake by displaying your pies on a variety of cake stands and towers. Best of all, you can still easily have that ‘cake’ cutting moment with pies.

Cookies & Cookie Cake

Photos by Teeta Cakes and Wild Native Photography

With a cookie cake, you can serve a fanciful tiered cake with layers upon layers of cookie and frosting, or go for a simple decorated one-tier cake along with a large assortment of cookies. A cookie cake will also provide you with the same 'cake' cutting moment as a traditional wedding cake, while serving different types of cookies will add more color and charm to your dessert table. Best of all, you'll be able to serve enough flavor options to please everyone--who doesn't love cookies?

Candy Bar

Photo by Gloria Mesa

Pastries

Photos by Lena Mirisola and Luminous Weddings

Pastries offer plenty of variety and are perfect if you're going for a glamorous and extravagant dessert table. Serve a tower of macarons in the colors of your wedding palette and deck out your dessert table like its a patisserie, with fruit tarts, eclairs, cannolis, chocolate-filled croissants, and more. Pastries offer so much options while still maintaining that upscale look, no matter what you choose.

Custom Cookies

Photo by The Flour Shoppe Cookie Co

Custom cookies are great for the couple who want a truly personal touch for their wedding desserts. You can include anything from your initials and wedding date on these cookies to more intricate designs, like your wedding flowers or even your faces. Let these cookies shine on their own, or use them as favors and pair them with a cookie cake or another option for your main dessert.

Ice Cream

Photo by Krista Gilbert

Breakfast Bar

Photos by Kara Kara Lavish Grazing and Maximalist Studios

This brunch-inspired option is great for any wedding with a morning or midday ceremony. Pancakes, waffles, french toast, and any other sweet breakfast treat you can imagine make up this buffet. If you're a breakfast lover, you can even center your entire catering theme around it; serve some mimosas and you've got the perfect upscale brunch set-up.

The best part of all these options is that you don't have to choose just one. Mix and match desserts to create your dream dessert table spread. And if you aren't a cake eater but are still set on sticking to tradition and cutting that cake, you can still have the best of both worlds. Consider ordering a small, one tier cake just for the cake-cutting, and focus the majority of your dessert offerings on your favorite sweet treat.

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Processionals

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:13:41 GMT

The wedding processional is the group of people who walk down the aisle as the ceremony begins. This group includes an arrangement of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, flower girls, and family members in various orders depending on your preference.

One of the perks of modern wedding processionals is that they are extremely customizable! All of those options can feel overwhelming, but we're here to provide a guide to help you plan the most important part of your wedding day. Listed below is a standard processional ordering accompanied with details on how you can customize and change the processional to best suit you and your wedding.

Grandparents

While having family members walk down the aisle is optional, many couples like to include grandparents in the processional. The grandparents of the bride will walk down first, and the grandparents of the groom will follow. Some couples also choose to have siblings accompany the grandparents down the aisle, and then double back to walk down the aisle again if they are also in the wedding party.

This is also the place to include any other family members in the processional, such as aunts, uncles, or any siblings that may not be in the wedding party.

Parents

If grandparents and other family members aren't included in the processional, the couple's parents will walk down the aisle first. The mother of the bride walks down the aisle first, and is often accompanied by a male family member; for example, if the bride has a brother, he will often escort her down the aisle. Alternatively, she can walk with the father of the bride, and he can double back to walk the bride down the aisle at the end of the processional. The parents of the groom will follow.

Officiant and Groom

The officiant and groom often walk down the aisle at the same time, but you can choose to have them walk separately: the officiant can walk by themselves first, and the groom will follow.

Groomsmen & Bridesmaids

The order of the groomsmen and bridesmaids is incredibly customizable, but regardless of who you choose to pair together, they will typically walk in pairs starting from who will stand furthest from the couple at the altar. If you don't know how to arrange your wedding party at the altar, consider ordering and pairing couples by height. Not only will this look good in photos, it will avoid any hurt feelings that may come about if you arrange them by how close you are.

You can also choose to have each groomsmen and bridesmaids walk by themselves. In this arrangement, the groomsmen will walk first, followed by the bridesmaids. With this option, you can still arrange everyone at the altar by height as well.

Best Man & Maid/Matron of Honor

Like the groomsmen and bridesmaids, the best man and maid of honor usually walk together down the aisle before taking their respective places beside the groom and bride. However, if you plan on having your groomsmen and bridesmaids walk by themselves, the best man will walk down the aisle last with the groomsmen, and the maid of honor will walk down last with the bridesmaids.

If you don't have a ring bearer, or if you don't want your ring bearer to actually be in charge of your rings, your best man and maid of honor will be responsible for the rings instead.

Ring Bearers

Ring bearers rarely actually carry the ring down the aisle anymore, but having an honorary ring bearer or two is a great opportunity to include younger children in the family in the wedding processional. If you don't want to put them in charge of the actual ring (especially if they'e very young) opt for an empty ring box or a sign for them to hold instead.

Flower Girls

Just like ring bearers, the role of flower girls is also changing in modern processionals. While some couples still opt to have their flower girl throw petals, many choose to instead give them a bubble wand, bell, or their own miniature bouquets instead. If your ring bearers are honorary, you can also give them bubble wands or bells and have them walk with the flower girls as a group.

Bride & Father of the Bride

Although the bride's father customarily walks her down the aisle, some couples choose to change up this final part of the processional. Sometimes, both parents of the bride will walk her down the aisle.

Alternatively, the couple can walk down the aisle together, and both sets of parents can walk down at the beginning of the processional instead.

For more ceremony tips and ideas, visit our post about styling your ceremony at Brandywine !

The Best Colors for Your Fall Wedding

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 21:44:07 GMT

Hello September! Fall is just around the corner, and we’re looking forward to seeing some gorgeous autumnal colors at the venue. You might associate fall with the traditional red, orange, and yellow colors of the changing leaves, but this is the perfect season to incorporate a wide range of shades. From dramatic jewel tones to dreamy neutrals, this is the perfect season for so many colors. Whether your vibe is rustic, boho, glam, eclectic, or anything in between, there's guaranteed to be a fall palette that's perfect for your wedding. Keep reading to see a dozen fall colors you can add to your wedding palette, along with recommendations on what to pair them with and how to style them.

Black

Go against the grain and opt for an all-dark, moody palette. Though not traditional, black is striking and stylish as both a main color choice and as an accent color. Layer fabrics and patterns like silk, velvet, and damask linens for depth and texture that will further elevate this color choice. If you’re looking for pops of color, forego the usual black and white combo and try rich purples, oranges, or jewel tones instead for an elevated, glam look.

Sage Green

Earthy tones are perfect for fall. This green is well-matched with wood tones and neutrals for a delicate, natural feel, and is great for any couple looking to decorate with lots of greenery. Creams and whites will give you a soft, dreamy look, but sage also pairs well with contrasting dark and moody colors for dramatic statement pieces.

Burgundy

Burgundy is one of the most popular fall wedding colors for a reason! This is a rich, classic color that’s well-suited for late October and November especially. Navy helps round out the color choice later in the fall season by providing a wintry addition to the palette, while adding neutrals and wood tones make this color perfect for a rustic wedding. Burgundy is also very versatile, and is used frequently enough in fall palettes that it's almost a neutral for the season--it pairs beautifully with every color listed here!

Emerald Green

This deep jewel tone is perfect for a wedding with upscale, glam decoration that’s full of blooms. We love seeing this luxurious shade accented with metals and dark colors for a moody vibe, or pairing it with pampas grass, eucalyptus, and creams for a beautiful, upscale boho or farmhouse look. Whether you use emerald as an accent color or as the focal point of your color scheme, it's an ideal choice for fall.

Caramel

Brown as a central color may sound drab in theory, but these rich, warm tones are anything but. Sage and lilac are the perfect complements for a boho wedding, while focusing purely on the caramel and coffee tones is great for a rustic vibe. As a neutral, this shade will also pair naturally with virtually any accent color you choose.

Plum

You may not usually associate purple with weddings colors, but this dark color pairs beautifully with dusty roses and lilacs for boho weddings, or with rich oranges and black for a dramatic October vibe. This color is versatile and can be easily dressed up or down depending on what you pick to complement it. Orange might be the traditional Halloween color, but this dark plum can bring all the dark, spooky, and elegant vibes for your wedding.

Rust

This traditional October color doesn’t have to be a neon, Halloween-decoration shade. Rust, terracotta, and clay are chic and trendy, and will closely match the changing autumn leaves instead of looking like Halloween decorations. Pair these tones with delicate forest greens, contrast them with warm-toned pinks, or go with black and rich fabrics for a lux look. This versatile fall color is great for anything from suits and dresses to table runners and bouquets.

Navy

Make your decor your "something blue" with navy! Though often used as an accent shade, this bold blue can stand on its own and is great for weddings in late fall. Almost everyone looks great in blue, making navy a great choice for everything for bridesmaids dresses. This shade also pairs well with almost any orange or red tone, as they stand out against the dark blue. Peach and blush will soften this color for a delicate look, while bold crimsons, burgundies, and golds will dress it up.

Dusty Rose

Though often associated with spring, this classic wedding shade is versatile and pairs well with darker, fall tones for a moody color scheme. Match it with golds, neutrals, and plums for a feminine look that updates this classic color for fall. Florals are an easy choice to incorporate this color, but it also works well for linens, dresses, and accessories.

Cream

Who says light colors don’t work for fall weddings? This neutral tone is perfect for pairing with blush, subtle yellows, and light blues. Alternatively, go for a monochromatic look as featured here to transform cream into a true showstopper. These elegant tones will stand out against the fall foliage, making them an excellent choice for an outdoor wedding.

Sapphire

This lux jewel tone is perfect for eclectic decor and maximalist brides. Pair it with other jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and amethyst for a bright, bold look and accent it with gold or silver for even more glam. Break out the taper candles, decorative glassware, and plenty of silk and velvet fabrics to go with this bold, lavish color.

Golden Yellow

Yellow is an underused color in weddings, but it can easily be the star of the show with this beautiful shade. Forget bright yellows and spring for this soft, delicate color that will pair wonderfully with neutrals and browns and work well with minimal decor. These tones will brighten up your decor, and are great for any boho or eclectic event where you want to let the natural background shine.

Decorating Your Fall Reception

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 19:11:53 GMT

Spring and early summer may be traditional wedding seasons, but fall is one of our favorite times to host! September, October, and November are now some of the most popular months for weddings, and it's no secret why. Fall is the best time for a wedding if you love moody color palettes, jewel tones, cool weather, and cozy decor.

We're here to give you tips and tricks on embracing autumn, with practical options for color schemes, decor, and reception activities perfect for the season. Check out how brides at Brandywine have styled our venue for their fall weddings!

Warm Colors

Want an autumnal color palette and a bright, airy feel? These warm tones make for the quintessential fall palette. Mix rust, mauve, and sage tones with creams and beiges for a classic wedding feel with an autumnal twist.

Wood accents will give your reception a warm, rustic feel, while tablecloths in your color palette can add more bright centerpieces without going overboard on centerpieces. These warm palettes especially welcome lots of floral decor. Layer flowers and greenery on your cake, table centerpieces, and floral wall--the more the merrier!

Get Cozy

Embrace autumn's cozy vibes and provide your guests with blankets that coordinator with your wedding palette. They'll help your guests stay warm in colder months and be a cute addition to your decorations. Put them in a basket for guests to grab as they enter the reception, or drape them on chairs for additional decor and texture.

Jewel Tones

Looking for lux vibes? Rich jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and sapphire and dark, heavy fabrics like velvet add texture and depth for an elegant, formal reception. Choose one bold, statement color and fill in the rest of your palette with neutrals; or for an eclectic, maximalist feel, use multiple complementary jewel tones and ditch the neutrals.

Large, floral centerpieces and accents will add drama, while toning down floral accents and using animal prints will complement a more rustic or boho style. Add in metal accents to elevate the aesthetic and contrast with the bold, dark tones.

Bonfires & S'mores

Brandywine has the perfect set-up for fall staples like a bonfire. Our hand-built, stone fire pit is a great addition to any autumn event. Its cozy atmosphere and warm mood lighting make it the perfect backdrop for photos once the sun has set.

Set up the fire pit as a quiet conversation area for you and your guests away from the dance floor, or make it a centerpiece of your reception. Add to the cozy fall vibes with a s'mores or hot chocolate bar with a variety of chocolates and marshmallows.

Halloween & Moody Hues

If your wedding date falls near the end of October, you have the perfect opportunity to throw a themed party. Feature pumpkins in your decor, embrace orange tones, and place lanterns and candles around the venue.

Go traditional with black and orange, ghosts, and spooky decor; or go dramatic and glam with dark fabrics, black candles, and moody florals. Choose burgundy, navy, and deep orange hues, with mixed metal accents for this upscaled look. Play up rich florals, and welcome these dark, dramatic color schemes.

Boho & Rustic Vibes

Keep it simple with a limited color palette and a focus on woodsy decor for a rustic style. Let the covered barn itself be your statement piece, and display simple, minimal decor so the forest background can shine through. Candles are an inexpensive, easy accent to add, and are a great complement to fall's early sunsets.

Elements like pampas grass and simple, subtle greenery are the perfect accents for a boho aesthetic. Mix textures and patterns and focus on creams and beiges in your color palette with pops of muted colors to lean into the boho feel.

Whether you want an upscale, lux reception, or a down-to-earth, rustic or boho reception, you have endless options at Brandywine. Check out our wedding gallery for even more inspiration and to see everything our venue has to offer!

Planning Your Reception

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:54:32 GMT

It’s party time! The “I do’s” are over and the celebrations can begin. As most couples know, it takes a great deal of planning to ensure that the reception runs smoothly and that all the key moments, from the cocktail hour to the send-off, go off without a hitch.

Cocktail Hour- 6:00 PM

Once your ceremony ends, your guests will go to the reception area while you and your wedding party head off with your photographer for more pictures. While your guests mingle, one of our bartenders will begin serving drinks and refreshments. During this time, you can also choose to serve appetizers to hold your guests over until your entrance and dinner. Set up charcuterie boards, serve small finger foods, or have a snack table for guests to graze on. Our reception barn layout is modular and able to accommodate whatever your reception set-up is so that your guests can mingle and have fun in comfort while they wait for your entrance.

Grand Entrance - 7:00 PM

When cocktail hour ends and you're done taking pictures, the emcee will call for guests to be seated for your grand entrance into the reception. Have your wedding party enter first, either individually or in pairs. The emcee will introduce everyone by name as they enter, leading up to the grand debut of the newlyweds. Play a fun song, strike a pose with your wedding party, and let your photographer capture plenty of photos and footage while your guests cheer and celebrate your debut as a married couple.

First Dance & Parent Dances - 7:15 PM

Many couples segue into their first dance immediately following their introduction, though some opt to wait until after dinner and toasts have concluded for dances. Others choose to separate these dances, having their first dance immediately and then having parent dances take place after the toasts. Regardless, you have plenty of staging options at Brandywine. Have your first dance in the middle of the reception barn if you'd like to focus your friends and family in the background; or choose a location with a scenic or woodsy background for a more intimate feel.

Dinner - 7:30 PM

Once the dances are complete, dinner can begin! The cocktail hour will tide guests over, but it's best to get dinner started fairly early in the reception. This will also allow the majority of guests to be seated once you begin toasts. Our venue can accommodate any type of set-up, including formal, multiple-course meals, a buffet-style dinner, and even food trucks. Once you finish your meal, this is also a great time to speak with your guests and thank them for attending. Alternatively, the couple can also give a welcome speech as guests are seated to thank everyone all at once.

Speeches & Toasts - 8:00 PM

Bouquet and Garter Toss - 8:15 PM

The end of dinner and speeches is a great time to do the bouquet and garter toss. If you plan to take part in these traditions, they'll help get your guests up from their seats and into the party spirit. Pick some fun songs to play, and the bouquet and garter toss can transition right into opening the dance floor and partying. Alternatively, you can choose to pause around half an hour into the dance set for this activity since most guests will already be up and mingling.

Party Time! - 8:30 PM

The dance floor is open and it's time for everyone to have fun and cut loose! The reception barn is spacious with plenty of room for guests on the dance floor. Whether you’ve hired a DJ or a live band, our open barn can accommodate your music choice and party-goers through the night. Have fun with your friends and family and take some time to relax.

Get in touch with your DJ or band before the wedding to give them a list of must-have songs as well songs you don't want played; you should also decide whether you'd like guests to be able to make requests. Guests will follow the example of the couple, so if you'd like your friends and family get out on the dance floor, make sure you lead the way!

Since your schedule will be the most open once the dance floor is open, this is also the best time for any other activities you have planned. If you're looking for more things for your guests to do at your reception, lawn games like corn hole, ring toss, and bocce ball are popular set-ups at outdoor weddings. We also recommend setting up a photo wall or or themed photo booth for you and your guests to use. Our outdoor venue is the perfect space for a wedding packed with dancing and games!

Cake Cutting - 9:00 PM

Send-Off - 11:00 PM

Once the party is almost over, your emcee will announce the last dance and then call guests to begin lining up for the send-off. It's best to make sure you announce the send-off 10 or 15 minutes before the evening ends to give guests plenty of time to gather.

Have guests light sparklers, wave ribbons or flags, ring bells, or blow bubbles as they cheer and celebrate a fun and successful wedding! Our hanging string lights provide a dreamy, romantic backdrop for whatever send-off you choose, with plenty of space and a beautiful atmosphere to stage photos and videos.

Fortunately, you and your family don't have to be the ones to worry about making sure that everything happens according to schedule on your wedding day. One of our coordinators can help make sure your day runs smoothly and stress-free: they'll manage your timeline, coordinator with vendors, organize and direct details for the ceremony, and make sure that events are happening according to schedule. We're committed to helping you host a fun, worry-free reception, no matter what your timeline looks like!

Brandywine Farm Groom's Cabin

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:55:38 GMT

We’ve been updating our groom’s cabin this year, and we’re so excited to show it off!

Say cheers with your groomsmen here! This rustic groom’s cabin is the perfect getaway, situated just up the hill, away from the reception barn and bridal suite. Featuring antique beer signs and mirrors and a built-in bar, it’s the perfect hangout to relax and get ready before the ceremony.

Styling Your Ceremony at Brandywine

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:59:54 GMT

Today we’re showcasing our ceremony spaces and sharing tips for DIY brides! We want our guests to be able to customize the venue for their dream ceremony. Place our hand-made arch at the pond, bridge, barn, or forest, and decorate the arch and aisles to match. Your walk down the aisle and "I Do's" are two of the most important moments of your wedding, and we're here to help you pick and style your ceremony space at Brandywine to match your vision.

The Bridge

Located over a stream by the pond, one of our newest features at the venue is the bridge! Use the bridge as your aisle, or as a backdrop in your ceremony. Featured below in both spring and fall ceremonies, it's the perfect canvas for any color palette and natural elements like pampas grass or wildflower sprays that will accent the woodsy, scenic background.

Add rugs and greenery along the bridge for a boho, eclectic feel, or leave the bridge plain for a simple, rustic aesthetic.
Non-floral decor like lanterns or candles will give your decor a fuller, lux appearance. If your style is eclectic, add a variety of colors and textures in your decorations
If you’re aiming for a more classic look, choose a small selection of pieces from the same collection or from a limited color palette.

The Pond

The pond is the perfect location for a spring or summer wedding. Located in the center of the venue, this ceremony spot can accommodate ceremonies both large and small, and its proximity to the field and hay barn make it ideal for a country wedding. Couples getting married here can expect to see our Brangus and Beefmaster cattle in attendance behind the ceremony space.

The pond is a great place to let the background shine in your decor. Add some drapery and flowers to the arch for a simple, natural look that won't overwhelm the scenery.
Light, pastel colors look great in this location, and it provides a long aisle perfect for adding a variety of decorations.
In lieu of an arch with lots of details, add accents down the aisle. You don’t need to decorate every single row, but placing flowers, lanterns, candles, or garlands along a few rows will add visual interest to the aisle.
Less is more! Focus on pieces that you like and that add to your ceremony decor without overwhelming it. Small vases with flowers and florals or greenery hung from the chairs will add a bright, dainty to look to your ceremony.

The Woods

Pick this woodsy backdrop for a dreamy, forest ceremony. Ideal in any season, this setting will complement darker color palettes. This forest background will add plenty of visual interest to your ceremony on its own, so we recommend matching your decor to the space and keeping it simple.

For a romantic, fairytale ceremony, add string lights in the trees behind the arch, and place candles and lanterns along the aisle. Set against our woodsy land, your ceremony will have a secluded and magical mood.
Elevate the space with an aisle runner in a color that accents your palette, and add greenery and seasonal flowers along the aisle in vases for a clean, chic aesthetic.
Fall weddings look great in this location, with warm, golden leaves accenting your ceremony. Add wildflowers to your arch and aisle for a boho look that will pair perfectly with the autumnal backdrop.
In colder seasons, provide blankets in your wedding colors for your guests and accent the arch with rich velvet drapery for a cozy, lux-feeling ceremony.

The Barn

Planning a small, cozy elopement? Our pole barn is the place for your ceremony! Get married in the shade, enjoy the view, and head right to dinner and dancing once the ceremony is over. With a 200 guest capacity, there 's plenty of room for festivities under this covered barn. The barn is also a great option if heavy rain is expected on your wedding day. Stay comfy and dry with no worries about your ceremony being disrupted by the weather.

After the ceremony is over, place your head table in front of the arch and let it be your reception's centerpiece.
Highlight the rustic feel of the barn with log rounds, lanterns, and warm toned fabrics and flowers.
Coordinate your arch decor with your centerpieces for a cohesive look that will bring your ceremony and reception together.

Your ceremony options are endless at Brandywine Farms. Have a bright, scenic wedding by the lake; an enchanting ceremony against a woodsy, forest backdrop; or a charming, rustic ceremony in the barn. Whatever your outdoorsy vision is, we can make it happen!

Redesigned Bridal Suite

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:45:38 GMT

2023’s wedding season has officially begun at the farm, and we’re starting this month off by showcasing our redesigned bridal suite!

Our bridal suite is right beside the reception area, and is the perfect place to relax, toast to your big day with your bridal party, and prepare for the "I do's" before the ceremony. Complete with wood-paneled walls, farmhouse decor, and a vanity counter with seating, this cozy, rustic suite is sure to complement your wedding's vibe no matter your style or the season.

Lounge on cozy vintage furniture, use the combination coffee/mimosa bar and mini fridge for breakfast or brunch, and unwind with your bridesmaids before you start getting ready for the day.

New Venue Features at Brandywine & How to Use a Firepit at Your Wedding

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:10:01 GMT

Accompanying the bonfire is a new, crushed gravel patio. With all this extra space, you have even more options for your reception's layout! The patio extends the reception area to allow extra room for your dance floor, photo booth, yard games, guest seating, and more. We can't wait to see how you'll use the patio for your event!

Brandywine Farm Events Blog Launch

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:55:49 GMT

Check in for updates on the venue as we add new features, inspiration for your wedding, decor ideas, style guides for your ceremony and reception, and practical advice for your big day.