Real Wedding: Karen & Kyle

It’s only September, but I know that when I sit back to reflect on the weddings of 2024, Karen and Kyle’s wedding will be amongst the most memorable of the year. They were an absolute delight to work with from start to finish and I am so glad I got to be a part of their big day. Enough about me - I got to follow up with the couple and here’s what they had to say…

Where did you start? Was the venue the most important, the food, the color palette? 

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but finding the right venue can help alleviate all that stress, which happened once we found Bread & Chocolate. The venue is beautiful and charming, and its food and service are outstanding. While searching for a venue, we wanted to make sure it was one we loved and could envision our guests loving and feeling comfortable in, too. 

What was the most helpful part of the planning process with Bread & Chocolate?

 Bread & Chocolate's service and recommendations were the most helpful part of the planning process. The whole B&C staff was excellent, professional, and accommodating on our wedding day. Leading up to our big day, Jama was always available to answer our questions anytime. She went above and beyond in every way, from sitting down with us to go through our timeline to ironing every tablecloth the morning of our wedding. We cannot say thank you enough to Jama and the rest of the B&C staff! As soon as you book with B&C, you get access to their portal, where you can find preferred vendors, a food and drinks menu, information about the venue and surrounding area, and much more. 

What was your favorite B&C menu item?

 Several family and friends mentioned the outstanding food at Bread & Chocolate when they attended prior weddings at the venue. Karen wanted a beautiful yet functional venue, while Kyle wanted delicious food. And luckily, B&C offers both! Kyle's favorite menu item was the lemon rosemary chicken, and Karen's favorite was the late-night popcorn bar! 

What was your favorite thing about getting married at B&C?

Since we got married in July, it was important for us to find an indoor venue with separate spaces for the ceremony and reception. The bonus with B&C is they have three separate spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception! We loved the whitewashed brick, fairy lights, large windows that provided beautiful natural light, and white drapery. All of these elements dress up the rooms, giving a bridal feel while keeping the historic charm of the Old Bag Factory. 

Thinking back on your wedding day, what is one moment that stands out to you?

Several memorable moments stand out to us, but our favorite was the details of our ceremony. Before Karen walked down the aisle, Kyle turned around to face away from the guests. Natalia Plastow, the ceremony singer, began to sing "Pieces" by Amanda Cook as the doors opened. When Karen and her father entered the doors and turned the corner, they stood for a few seconds. Then, Jake, the best man, told Kyle to turn and see Karen for the first time. This detail created an intimate moment for us, even in front of all our guests. The officiant of our ceremony was Kyle's college basketball coach, Jeff, who knew both of us very well, allowing his message to be very personal to our relationship. Jesus is the foundation of our lives and marriage; we wanted our ceremony to reflect that. Before our vows, we prayed as a couple and took communion together. Once the ceremony ended and we were pronounced husband and wife, we walked back down the aisle to our favorite country song to exit! It's hard to pick one favorite moment of our wedding day, but we believe the intentionality behind the planning made it so special and unique to us! 

All photos provided to Bread & Chocolate by Reese Media

Seasonal Wedding Trends

We have watched wedding trends change with the seasons for years now, but there’s one that affects couples more than they’d like to think … and it never goes away. Weather trends. 

With “climate weirding” getting more drastic, we have seen popular wedding months shift, especially over the last 5 years. March and October are becoming more popular because of extreme heat and heavy storms ruling the summer months. However, lucky for us, our venue is ALL INDOORS. Our venue was even listed as one of the top 20 winter wedding venues in the entire country.

Many couples absolutely love the idea of an outdoor ceremony, and so do we. We also recognize the reality of rain, snow, extreme heat, and other conditions happening on one of the most important days of your life. Why pay thousands for incredible outfits and hairdos to be rained on, when you can protect yourself with 4 whitewashed, beautiful brick walls? Your hairdresser (and grandma) would probably agree. 

When you book a wedding at Bread & Chocolate, your special day is protected from whatever Mother Nature decides she’s serving up that day. Hot outside? We’ve got air and cold beer. Freezing cold? We’ve got heat, candles and warm coffee. Rather than having to pivot to plan B, we can just be your plan A. The beauty of it all is that everything is in one place. There’s no separate tent, chair and table rentals, no what ifs. Just peace of mind and good times. 

Best of Goshen - 2023 Update

Goshen just keeps getting better and better folks! We’ve got new businesses to add to our list of places to hit when you’re in town.

Food & Drink:

Daycap
Family friendly brunch spot, owned by the Common Spirits team
www.itsdaycap.com

Castanita Tacos & Restaurant
Family-owned Mexican restaurant available for dine-in or carry-out
www.castanedatacosandrestaurant.com

Barecito
Modern Latin fare, cocktails, beers, and music served in a chic lively setting
www.facebook.com

The Table at 108
Locally sourced and Italian-inspired meals, for friends and families
www.thetable108.com

Chocolatte
Located in The Old Bag Factory, coffee and artisan chocolates
www.facebook.com

Shopping:

ReFind Curated Consignment
A pop-up consignment store in downtown Goshen
www.facebook.com

The Green Bee
Eco-friendly shop for home, beauty, and gifts. Refillery and zero-waste store, featuring plastic free goods
www.thegreenbee22.com

The Planted Arrow
Goshen’s succulent bar with plants and antiques
www.facebook.com

TOFT
Located in The Old Bag Factory, hand-crafted soaps, lotion, sustainable living items, and more

Natural Secrets Boutique
Located in The Old Bag Factory, faith-based boutique, featuring women’s and baby clothing and accessories
www.naturalsecretsboutique.com

Woldruff’s Footware
Goshen’s favorite shoe store
www.woldruffsfootwear.com

Woldruff’s Apparel
An extension of Goshen’s favorite shoe store, Woldruff’s Apparel is located just a few doors down, featuring a women’s clothing boutique
www.woldruffsfootwear.com