Eco-Friendly Wedding Inspo at The Barn on New River

A couple stands in front of a decorated wedding table. The man wears a mustard jacket; the woman is in a white lace dress holding a bouquet. The backdrop features a wooden barn door.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Inspo at The Barn on New River

CATEGORIES

October 21, 2024
Words by Kinsley Brown
Photos courtesy of Him and Her Photography

Eco-friendly weddings are more than a trend—they’re a powerful way for couples to create meaningful and stylish celebrations with minimal impact on the Earth. Joelle of Joelle Parks Events Co. and the talented photography team at Him & Her Photography proved this in their captivating “Milk + Honey” styled wedding photoshoot at the Barn on New River, located in the heart of Appalachia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Here’s how they inspired couples to incorporate sustainable touches to the wedding day:

Collage of wedding details: floral stationery with yellow accents, white chairs with greenery and yellow flowers along the aisle, and an ornate pedestal with a large floral arrangement outdoors.

A Unique Vision with a Splash of Yellow

Joelle Parks had one color in mind for this shoot: yellow. A bold and often underused wedding color, yellow brought an immediate sense of joy and warmth. Inspired by nature and the serene landscape of the venue, Joelle designed a look that embraced the surroundings without conforming to typical “barn wedding” aesthetics.

“The beautiful mind behind this shoot is Joelle,” the photography team at Him & Her Photography shares. “She contacted us to see if we’d be interested in photographing an eco-friendly styled shoot with a romantic, warm vibe. How could we say no?”

Bride in a white dress and groom in a mustard jacket pose separately; outdoor setup with white chairs and floral decorations in a scenic landscape. A couple in wedding attire holds hands outdoors, with floral arrangements and green hills in the background.

A Ceremony by the River

The ceremony set up by the river offered views of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Joelle designed the aisle flowers (some grown right on the property) to appear to burst right out of the ground.

“We wanted to let nature shine,” Joelle explains. “The river provided the soundtrack, and the mountains were our backdrop. The florals, in large urns at the front, didn’t overshadow the landscape but drew attention to the ceremony’s focal point.”

The eco-friendly part? Floral arrangements could easily be repurposed for different parts of the event—like on the sweetheart table or lounge area at the reception—minimizing waste while maximizing beauty.

Couple in wedding attire sitting on a couch outdoors; surrounded by yellow and white flowers with lit candles nearby. White barn with wooden doors; table set with drinks outside. Close-up of a white cake with yellow flowers. Couple in wedding attire holding drinks, smiling at each other in a scenic outdoor setting.

Reception Décor with Sustainable Elegance

The team created an intimate setting right outside the property barn’s doors for the reception look. A visual masterpiece, the table was covered in luxurious, textured linens from BBJ La Tavola Linens, a company committed to sustainability through practices like carbon-neutral shipping and water conservation.

From the dishware to the menu holders, nearly everything was rented as opposed to purchased. “This is one of the easiest ways couples can have luxury décor while being eco-friendly,” the team at Him & Her Photography shared. “Rentals give you that elevated look without creating more waste.”

The florals, many of which came from the venue’s gardens, mirrored the meadow-like arrangements from the ceremony, offering continuity while bringing fresh textures and tones to the table. And in a nod to eco-friendliness, even the candles were sourced locally from Saylor Candle Co., each poured into reusable glass jars.

An elegant outdoor dining setup with a long table decorated with yellow and orange flowers, neatly folded napkins, and place settings. A lush green landscape is visible in the background.

More Than Just a Dinner: A Lounge Experience

For the after-party, Joelle designed a cozy cigar and bourbon lounge in a newly opened section of the property. With leather couches, twinkling lights, and greenery hanging from above, it was the perfect spot for guests to relax. This section gave couples a glimpse into how they can repurpose spaces at a venue to create different vibes throughout the day.

One highlight of the event was the Shutter Shack Photo bus. The vintage van, restored and repurposed for events, doubled as both an entertainment option for guests and a fun, eco-friendly visual element. “It’s a fun touch that brings a lot of personality to weddings,” Joelle said.

A couple stands in a field; a person cuts a cake adorned with flowers; a dining table is elegantly set with floral centerpieces, yellow napkins, and golden flatware.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Tips for Couples

Through this shoot, Joelle and her team hope to inspire couples to take steps toward sustainable wedding planning. Here are some simple tips from the team:

Use Locally Sourced and Seasonal Florals – Not only do local flowers minimize transportation emissions, but they also connect you to the land and time of year of your wedding.
Rent Décor and Linens – Luxury doesn’t have to be wasteful. Many rental companies now focus on sustainability, so you can enjoy beautiful, high-quality pieces that don’t end up in the landfill.
Repurpose Ceremony Florals – Make the most of your floral arrangements by using them in different parts of your event, such as at the reception tables or around the bar.
Opt for Eco-Friendly Dress Designers – Kite & Butterfly, one of the featured dressmakers, uses organic and sustainable fabrics, so you can look and feel good about your choice.
Consider Vintage and Restored Elements – The restored VW bus photo booth is a great example of how something vintage can bring a touch of personality and sustainability to your event.

The “Milk + Honey” styled shoot is a testament to the fact that couples can create eco-friendly weddings that are just as beautiful, meaningful, and luxurious as any other!

Collage of a whiskey decanter, a man in a mustard jacket holding a phone, and a couple kissing outside a decorated van labeled "Photos."