A Rustic October Wedding: Pampas Grass, Firewood & Family at Thern Farm

We have a thing for October light in the Fox Valley. It sits low and gold and does half the work for you. Brad and Sheena’s Thern Farm wedding photography gave us that light in spades, along with the deep reds and burnt oranges of a Wisconsin autumn running at full volume. Their ceremony unfolded on a preserved 1915 farmstead in New London, surrounded by vintage farm equipment, towering trees, and the people who raised them. After that, everyone caravanned to the bride’s family home for a tented backyard reception that felt less like a wedding and more like the best dinner party of the year.

Getting Ready Inside a Piece of History

Sheena got ready inside the farmhouse, and honestly, we could have spent the entire morning in that room. Floral wallpaper, pine floors worn soft by a century of footsteps, an antique sewing machine tucked in the corner. We shot wide to take it all in because every angle gave us something. Her lace gown hung from a doorframe that looked like it hadn’t been touched since 1915, and the details matched that same rustic warmth: a bouquet packed with blush roses, eucalyptus, pampas grass, and dried lotus pods. Leather-leaf earrings rested on an amethyst geode. The groom’s tie draped over coiled rope and old iron hooks on a barn wall. Every piece felt intentional without trying too hard.

Her mom buttoned the back of her dress while the bridesmaids hovered close, laughing and teary-eyed in equal measure. That calm energy only shows up when you’re surrounded by people who genuinely love you, and it made our job easy. Sheena slipped on her boots, clipped in her earrings, and was ready. No fuss. Just a deep breath and a grin.

An Outdoor Ceremony Under the Trees

The ceremony site was a wide stretch of grass framed by mature trees, with a red barn anchoring the background. Brad and Sheena exchanged vows beneath a wooden A-frame arch loaded with pampas grass and autumn florals. Vintage farm tools dotted the edges of the property, giving the whole scene a lived-in, storied quality we couldn’t have staged if we tried. The guys wore white button-downs and jeans. Bridesmaids layered rust-colored shawls over warm-toned dresses. Nothing fussy. Nothing overdone. Just right.

After the ceremony, we pulled Brad and Sheena away for portraits, and the light was being incredibly generous. Sumac along the field edges had turned a blazing crimson, so we used that color as a backdrop for some of our favorite frames of the day. Brad kissed Sheena’s temple while she held her bouquet close. They walked through tall grass and laughed at nothing in particular. Those unscripted, unhurried moments are what define Thern Farm wedding photography for us. When a couple forgets we’re even there, that is when we do our best work.

A Backyard Reception Full of Heart

The reception at Sheena’s family home was everything a fall gathering should be. Rolled blankets waited in a basket (“For when you’re cold, please take one”). Custom coffee-blend favors sat on wood rounds at each table. A memorial display honored loved ones who couldn’t be there. The whole space felt curated but deeply personal, like months of thought and real love had gone into every corner. If you’re considering a backyard reception instead of a traditional venue, this is your proof that it can feel more intentional than any ballroom.

A dessert bar built on stacked wooden pallets held dozens of frosted cupcakes in chocolate, caramel, and rose. Hawg Tyed BBQ handled the food, and the line stayed long all evening. As the sky darkened, string lights came on, and we pulled in close for Brad and Sheena’s first dance because that soft glow under a Wisconsin twilight was giving us everything. That shift from golden-hour portraits to warm, intimate reception light is something we live for. This whole day was grounded, joyful, and completely their own. If you’re drawn to this style, we’d love to show you more from our wedding photography portfolio.