An Eclectic Forest Wedding at Wildflower Woods

Wren and Thomas’s Jackson-Gluth forest wedding at Wildflower Woods in Frederickstown, OH, was the kind of day that sticks with you—the kind of wedding that’s as much about the people as it is about the details. It wasn’t just a celebration of their love but a send-off, a last big hurrah with their friends and family before moving across the country to start their next chapter. It was a wedding day filled with color, music, emotion, and a whole lot of laughter.

Their vision? A wedding that felt like them—fun, untraditional, overflowing with florals, and packed with moments that mattered. They wanted to be surrounded by nature, to dance all night, and to have photos that captured every tear, every laugh, every ridiculous dance move. From the moment Wren’s sister did her makeup (just as she had for every other big moment in Wren’s life) to the final songs playing under the glow of the disco ball, their forest wedding was nothing short of magic.

Why A Forest Wedding?

For Wren and Thomas, choosing a venue wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about meaning. They had always been drawn to the outdoors. Their love for hiking, sunshine, and open spaces was one of the things that connected them, so a nature-filled wedding was non-negotiable. After recently moving to Colorado, they wanted their Ohio wedding to be just as wild and free as the places they love to explore together. This forest wedding was the perfect way to express themselves in a venue

Wildflower Woods in Frederickstown, OH, checked every box. It’s one of the only venues in the state where both the ceremony and reception can be tucked into the forest. The ceremony space was framed by towering trees, giving the feeling of being completely secluded in nature. The venue’s winding wildflower trail was pure magic, the kind of place that feels untouched and romantic. The reception space was nestled into a cozy oak grove, where golden light bathed the tables during dinner. It was the perfect setting for the kind of forest wedding they wanted—a space where the love they shared could be mirrored by the beauty around them.

An Emotional, Joyful, and Wildly Fun Day

Wren and Thomas’s wedding was one of those days where every emotion was turned up to eleven. There were so many moments that stood out, but a few made a lasting impact:

• Thomas’s reaction to Wren walking down the aisle. Some grooms tear up. Some smile. Thomas? He dropped to his knees and sobbed. Full-on, overwhelmed-by-love, heart-on-his-sleeve emotion. Everyone watching felt it.
• A first look prank with Wren’s dad. Wren’s brother thrifted a wedding dress just for the occasion. He walked up to their dad for a “first look,” and before he even tapped him on the shoulder, Wren’s dad was already emotional—only to turn around and burst out laughing.
• The ceremony itself was a tear-jerker. Thomas’s mom lost it when the officiant—Wren’s brother—got choked up and called Thomas the brother he never had.
• Temporary tattoos of their dog became the most popular wedding accessory. The kids were covered in them. There’s one especially great shot of the maid of honor helping a little girl apply a tattoo to her nose.
• The dance floor? Absolute chaos in the best way. Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club and HOT TO GO were the undisputed anthems of the night. There was not a single person sitting down once the music started.
• A last-minute song switch for the father-daughter dance. Wren’s dad surprised her by playing a recording of her singing when she was younger. She barely made it through the dance without crying. Then, because they played softball together for years, they did a “last catch” on the dance floor—tossing a ball back and forth, one last time.
• Wren and Thomas’s couples’ photos in the wildflowers. The golden-hour light, the setting, the way they looked at each other—it all came together perfectly.

The Look and Feel of Their Wedding

If there’s one thing Wren and Thomas weren’t interested in, it was a neutral, cookie-cutter wedding. Their style was eclectic, vintage-inspired, and bursting with color. From the wildflowers to the décor to the outfits, their wedding felt alive.

• Wren thrifted her dress. Not only did it fit the overall vibe of their day, but it also felt like a perfect reflection of her personality—thoughtful, creative, and a little rebellious.
• They skipped traditional catering and brought in a pizza food truck instead. Because who doesn’t want to celebrate their wedding with pizza?
• Instead of the usual introductions, Wren’s dad gave personal speeches about each member of the wedding party. It was the kind of detail that made their day feel that much more special.
• They leaned all the way into disco ball magic. The reception had that perfect mix of vintage charm and wild energy, with lights bouncing off the dance floor in every direction.

Photographing Wren & Thomas’s Day

Capturing Wren and Thomas’s forest wedding was as fun as it was emotional. They gave me full trust to document the day as it unfolded, knowing that they wanted their photos to feel natural, joyful, and filled with movement.

Lighting and Technical Choices

The day was full sun, meaning I got to play with light in a way that added even more depth to their photos. Some highlights:

• The golden light in the forest during dinner was unreal, adding a dreamy, backlit glow to the evening.
• The string lights and disco ball during the reception made for some of my favorite dance floor shots ever.
• They love motion blur photos, so I incorporated that into their couple’s session and went all-in during the reception with flash to capture the movement and energy of the night.

Favorite Photos from the Day

There were so many moments that stood out at this forest wedding, but these were the shots that really stuck with me:

• Wren’s mom helping her into her dress, a quiet, intimate moment.
• The wedding party walking through the wildflowers before the ceremony, full of anticipation.
• Thomas falling to his knees when he saw Wren—there aren’t words for how powerful that moment was.
• Wren looking at Thomas right after they were pronounced married, absolutely beaming.
• The wedding party running in for a group hug right after the ceremony, pure joy.
• Wren and Thomas in the flower path, bathed in golden light.
• Wren sitting in the flowers, completely serene.
• The rings balanced on wildflowers—simple but beautiful.
• Them at their reception table, framed by glowing light through the trees.
• Every single dance floor photo. Absolute mayhem, in the best way.

Takeaways for Future Couples

Wren and Thomas’s wedding was a reminder that your wedding should be exactly what you want it to be. It was vibrant, unconventional, and unapologetically them.

If you’re planning your wedding and wondering whether you should lean into what makes you unique, the answer is always yes.

Love thrifting? Thrift your wedding look.
Love pizza? Have a food truck instead of a formal dinner.
Love disco balls? Cover your reception in them.
Love music? Create a playlist that will actually get your friends dancing.
Love nature? Get married in a forest, wildflowers all around you.

Wren and Thomas did exactly what they wanted, and the result was a wedding that was as unforgettable as their love story.

For non-traditional couples, nature lovers, and those ready to throw the best dance party of their lives, a wedding like Wren and Thomas’s is proof that you don’t have to follow the rules to have the perfect wedding day.

Dreaming of Your Unique Wedding Day?

Dreaming of a wedding that’s uniquely you—filled with laughter, personal touches, and a dance floor that never stops? Wren and Thomas’s forest wedding proves that the best celebrations are the ones that break the rules. If you’re planning your own day and want a photographer who captures every heartfelt moment, let’s make magic together. Get in touch today!