A Love 30 Years in the Making: Jill & Jeff's Guest-Focused Fall Wedding at Rosewood Farms
Some love stories are a whirlwind. Others are a slow, beautiful burn that proves the best things in life are worth waiting for. That’s the story of Jill and Jeff, a couple whose journey from a 30-year friendship to a beautiful romance culminated in a fall wedding at Rosewood Farms that was all about connection, not convention.
When they came to us at Moore & Co., their vision was refreshingly clear. They wanted an incredible party where their guests could relax and enjoy themselves, not a formal event filled with traditions that were not important to them. Their Fall wedding at Rosewood Farms delivered exactly that. 160 of their loved ones celebrated in a space designed for mingling, eating amazing food, and making memories on their own terms.
A Non-Traditional Fall Wedding at Rosewood Farms
Jill and Jeff chose Rosewood Farms because it’s beautiful and close to home, but what really made it work for their celebration was its flexibility. We’ve planned dozens of weddings at this Elkton venue. What we love about it is how the barn space can be transformed to match completely different visions.
In fact, Rosewood Farms is one of Maryland’s most versatile rustic farm venues. It offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and flexibility for couples who want a barn setting they can truly make their own. If you’re exploring rustic farm wedding venues in Maryland, check out our guide to the 5 Most Beautiful Rustic Farm Wedding Venues in Maryland for more options.
Their top priority was ditching the formalities and creating a reception that felt more like an upscale party than a traditional wedding. Here’s how we made that happen:
- No assigned seating: guests had total freedom to sit wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted
- Long farm tables for groups who wanted to hang out together
- Small bistro tables for couples or more intimate conversations
- Custom soft seating lounges where people could relax between trips to the dance floor
This setup encouraged movement and interaction rather than keeping everyone locked into one spot all night It’s not how most weddings work, but for Jill and Jeff, it was perfect.
The Transformation: From Rustic Barn to Elegant Ballroom
One of the key elements that made this wedding different was the complete transformation of the reception space. To add a truly elegant feel to the barn, we draped the walls, which created a stunning visual change.
The soft fabric completely shifted the atmosphere while keeping the venue’s natural charm. Combined with the fall florals and varied seating arrangements, it created a space that felt cozy inside a large event space.
Seeing the transformation of the space and getting to execute something different for Jill and Jeff was one of the moments that made us most proud to be their planners. It was a true reflection of their vision for a beautifully transformed space where guests could feel comfortable and celebrated—something we were really proud of.
Food That Kept Everyone Happy (Even the Groom)
One of our favorite parts of planning this wedding was working with Jill and Jeff on their menu. Jeff made us laugh constantly throughout the process. He’s incredibly easy-going and adores Jill, but he kept joking that all the food was “too fancy” while simultaneously insisting on a spectacular menu because he knew their guests would love it.
The catering team at Feastivities delivered a true feast. Cocktail hour featured everything from bacon-wrapped scallops and shrimp cocktail to playful mini cheesesteak spring rolls and chicken-and-waffle sliders. For dinner, we set up three stations so guests could choose what they wanted:
- Pasta Station: Orecchiette with wild mushroom and pancetta, penne with marinara, and farfalle with asparagus and lemon
- Chicken Station: Grilled chicken breast with roasted red bliss potatoes, green beans with almonds, and balsamic-glazed carrots
- Salad Station: An abundant spread with multiple lettuces and every topping you can imagine (candied walnuts, dried cranberries, crumbled blue cheese, plus six dressing options)
The night was capped off with wedding cake and a mini pastry display. Cream puffs, fruit tarts, German chocolate squares, and chocolate-covered strawberries delighted guests. Then came a late-night surprise that had Jeff written all over it: Philly cheesesteaks served on sizzling griddles with all the toppings.
A Design Bursting with Autumn Hues
The design embraced everything beautiful about October in Maryland. We worked with rich fall colors that showed up in the florals and throughout the space. Deep rust, warm burgundy, mustard, and sophisticated greens created the perfect autumn palette.
The floral arrangements by Pretty Little Wedding Co were lush and textural. Garden roses, dahlias, ranunculus, mums, hydrangea, and delphinium filled every arrangement. These weren’t stiff, formal centerpieces. They felt abundant and natural, like they’d been gathered from a gorgeous fall garden.
Jill looked stunning in a romantic spaghetti strap gown with a delicate lace overlay and nude underlay. Jeff’s suit with a bolo tie perfectly captured his personal style. The overall look was elegant but relaxed, which matched the vibe of the entire celebration.
The Moments That Made It Unforgettable
More than anything, this wedding was filled with intention and heart. Jill and Jeff were so thoughtful about how they spent their time. They stole quiet moments for themselves throughout the night, but they also made sure to chat with every single guest. You could feel how much their people meant to them.
Adding to the family-centered feel of the celebration, Jill’s son-in-law’s band, BFF Band, performed all night. Having live music from someone so close to the family made the celebration even more meaningful.
As the party wound down, they made their exit in Jeff’s vintage car (a timeless ending to a perfect day). And here’s a detail that perfectly captures their spirit of new adventures: they headed off to Vegas for their honeymoon, which was Jeff’s first time ever on a plane. It’s a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to take a leap, whether that’s getting on a plane or marrying your best friend after 30 years of knowing them.
In Jill's Words
One of the things we love most about what we do is hearing from couples after their wedding day. Here’s what Jill had to say about working with us:
“Moore and Company Event Stylists exceeded our expectations in the planning and execution of our wedding. Courtney and Jenn went above and beyond in taking our vision of a wedding focused on food and fun and brought it to life. The most impressive part is they planned every last detail in three months. Jeff and I were never stressed or worried about the details and the day of our wedding was beyond perfect!
I highly recommend Moore and Company. They will not disappoint!”
Reading words like these reminds us why we do what we do. Planning a wedding in three months is no small feat, but when you have a couple who trusts the process and a clear vision to work from, beautiful things happen.
Planning a Wedding That Breaks the Mold
Jill and Jeff’s celebration proves that the best weddings are the ones that reflect what actually matters to you. If you’re drawn to the idea of a wedding that prioritizes guest experience over tradition—whether that means skipping assigned seating, focusing on incredible food, or creating spaces where people can genuinely relax and connect—we’re here for it.
At Moore & Co., we love working with couples who want to do things differently. When you’re clear about your priorities (like Jill and Jeff were about their guests’ comfort and enjoyment), everything else falls into place. The right venue, the right planning partner, and the freedom to break a few rules can create a celebration that feels completely, authentically yours.
Ready to start planning your Maryland wedding? Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic barn celebration at Rosewood Farms or exploring other venues across the state, we’d love to help you create a wedding that feels authentic to your love story. Contact us to talk about full-service wedding planning that takes the stress off your plate.
Featured Vendors
Planning & Design | Moore & Co Events
Photography | Jen Harvey Photography
Venue | Rosewood Farms
Catering | Feastivities Events
Floral & Rentals | Pretty Little Wedding Co.
Production | 27Studios
Beauty | BTV Beauty
Cake | Bing’s Bakery
Band | BFF Band