Less than 24 hours before walking down the aisle, Marah—a firefighter, musician, and one of the most resilient brides we’ve ever met—was juggling a state exam and a wedding rehearsal. And doing it all with grace.
Their wedding at The Hidden Meadow & Barn in Pepin, Wisconsin was so much more than beautiful—it was a reflection of perseverance, joy, and deep connection. It was also filled with dogs, laughter, late-arriving flowers, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This is their story.
Putting Out Fires (Literally) Before “I Do”
On the Friday before their wedding, Marah spent the day prepping décor, getting pedicures, and baking cookies with her bridesmaids. Meanwhile, she was also preparing to take her Firefighter Cert 1 Practical Exam—scheduled for the next morning.
Then, as if life wanted to test her one more time, she found out the white roses she’d ordered weren’t going to arrive until Monday—two days too late. Still in the middle of her test, she handed the reins over to her bridal party. Within minutes, they’d organized backup plans, and not long after? The roses miraculously arrived. Exam passed. Flowers delivered. Crisis averted.
A Rehearsal Full of Love
That evening, the couple hosted their rehearsal dinner at home. Marah wore a long white lace dress and a greenery crown that might have fooled Jon into asking, “Wait… is that your wedding dress?” Their families laughed, shared stories, and passed around cheese curds as her grandma debated the legitimacy of Wisconsin sweet tea.
As the night wound down, Marah stood in the kitchen surrounded by loved ones. Tears came—not from stress, but from the overwhelming feeling of being loved. And from knowing that the next day, she’d marry the man who feels like home.
Wedding Day at The Hidden Meadow & Barn
The next morning, the bride and her crew traveled to Pepin and began setting up the venue. The Hidden Meadow & Barn was the perfect setting: rustic on the outside, boho-chic on the inside. The venue’s open-sided barn and clear plastic rain enclosures provided cover from spring showers without hiding the view.
Planning your own celebration? See more weddings at The Hidden Meadow & Barn →
In the Bridal Cottage, Marah was getting ready with her bridal party and her corgi, Ruby—aka “Dog of Honor”—snooping around for fallen snacks. There were laughs, music, and spontaneous shouts of “I’m getting married!” that made Ruby’s ears perk up in agreement.
Jon and his brothers (his groomsmen) prepped in the Grooms Room, buttoning dusty gray suits and matching steel blue ties. Jon stood out in satin white accents and custom wooden cufflinks etched with a “V” for their new shared last name.
A Dress with Meaning
Marah’s dress wasn’t just beautiful—it was designed for transformation. A lace and bead bodysuit with delicate off-shoulder details paired with two skirts: one full and romantic for the ceremony, and a second more streamlined option for the reception. Her look came together with sparkly earrings, a sheer veil, and a dazzling hairpiece. “I can’t cry—my eyelashes are too expensive,” she joked. (Spoiler: she cried anyway.)
Emotional Letters and a Dog of Honor
Before the ceremony, Marah and Jon exchanged handwritten letters. She read hers with Ruby curled up beside her, eyes misty and heart full. Jon read his alone, tucked away in the quiet of the Grooms Room, a smile never leaving his face.
Guests arrived and were ushered into the barn, where Ruby trotted down the aisle with a bridesmaid. Around her neck, a wooden sign read: “My humans are getting married!” The joy was infectious.
A Ceremony Under the Barn Lights
Marah’s entrance was magic. Walking under glowing chandeliers and wooden beams, she held her father’s arm and locked eyes on the altar—except not with Jon. “I looked at my dad the whole time so I wouldn’t cry,” she later said.
The couple exchanged heartfelt vows, written themselves. Their officiant, a dear friend from Virginia, guided the ceremony with humor and reverence. There was laughter, soft barks from Ruby, and moments where Marah and Jon felt like they were the only two people in the room.
And when they were pronounced husband and wife, the joy was palpable. The moment they walked back down the aisle together—eyes sparkling, hands intertwined—it felt like the start of something unforgettable.
Cocktails, Photos, and Polaroids
Guests sipped cocktails and snapped Polaroids with the disposable cameras the couple had provided. Kids ran barefoot in the grass, friends traded stories, and Marah and Jon took portraits with family and close friends before sneaking away for a few quiet moments together.
Toasts, Tears & the Best Man Who Hated Him (At First)
Dinner was followed by heartfelt toasts. The Maid of Honor and Best Man spoke with sincerity, reflecting on the deep love Marah and Jon share.
But it was Jon’s longtime friend, Chaney, who stole the mic. “He was just some Midwestern hockey guy who said things like ‘How are you?’—so obviously I hated him immediately,” he said, grinning. The room roared. Chaney shared how he, Jon, and Jon’s twin brother Charles grew close through college hockey. When they watched Marah perform music at a show years earlier, Charles nudged Chaney and said, “He loves that girl.” Turns out, he was right.
Advice from the Bride
“I’ve never felt so loved,” Marah said of her wedding day. Her advice for other couples?
“Things will go wrong. And they’ll work out. The show will go on. If your groom shows up and says ‘I do,’ nothing else really matters.”
It’s a lesson in grace, perspective, and trusting the people around you to help carry the day when you need it most.
A Love That Feels Like Home
Marah and Jon honeymooned in Colorado Springs, reflecting on the whirlwind they’d just lived through. “Jon feels like home,” Marah said. “And I have the honor of calling him my husband for the rest of my life. There’s no better feeling.”
Congratulations, Marah and Jon. Your day was full of heart, humor, and unforgettable memories—and we were so honored to be there for all of it.
Venue: The Hidden Meadow & Barn in Pepin, WI →
Photo + Video: Boxcar Photography
Dog of Honor: Ruby (with honorable mention to Goose, who stayed home)
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