Alex + Hunter’s Home Farm Barn Summer Wedding in Indiana, PA
Alex and Hunter planned their wedding at The Home Farm Barn in Indiana, Pennsylvania, while living out of state—and they didn’t see their Indiana County wedding venue in person until the day before the wedding.
Planning a wedding is one thing. Planning a wedding from out of state at a venue you haven’t actually seen in person yet? That requires a whole different level of trust. Alex and Hunter planned their wedding at The Home Farm Barn in Indiana, Pennsylvania, while living out of state—and Alex didn’t see the venue in person until the day before the wedding, when they arrived for setup. No pressure. 😂
Luckily, they had an incredible team helping bring everything together, and by the time the wedding day arrived, The Home Farm Barn was filled with dusty blues, navy, gold accents, pearls, approximately 150 of their favorite people, and all the pieces of a celebration they had been imagining from several states away. And somehow, it all came together beautifully.
From Best Friends to Bride + Groom
Alex and Hunter met during their freshman year of college through mutual friends and quickly became best friends. Over time, that friendship became something more. For Hunter, the realization that Alex was his person happened during the second half of their senior year when they lived together. Spending everyday life together made it pretty clear that this was the person he wanted beside him for the rest of it.
For Alex, the moment involved someone else entirely: their dog, Sosa. Hunter wasn’t exactly thrilled when Alex first brought Sosa home. But eventually she started noticing the wrestling matches, the secretly shared snacks and just how much Hunter loved and spoiled him. Watching the two of them together—and especially taking walks as their own little family…made something click.
A Proposal Hidden Inside College Graduation Photos
Technically, Alex had a little advance warning that a proposal might be coming. She accidentally found the ring. Whoops. She knew something was probably happening, but she didn’t know when. Hunter managed to preserve at least part of the surprise by proposing during their college graduation photos while one of Alex’s close friends was taking pictures. It was the perfect full-circle moment: celebrating the end of one chapter while beginning an entirely new one.
Planning a Pennsylvania Wedding From Out of State
By the time their wedding arrived, Alex and Hunter were living in Delaware, which meant much of their Indiana County wedding had to be planned from a distance. They chose The Home Farm Barn in Indiana, PA, and put their trust in the people here to help make their vision happen. In fact, Alex didn’t actually see the venue in person until the day before the wedding during setup.
As a photographer who has worked a lot of weddings throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania, I can tell you that having a strong vendor team matters on every wedding day, but it becomes especially important when you’re planning from several hours away. You need people who communicate. People who know the venue. People who can solve problems without turning every little hiccup into an emergency. Alex and Hunter had exactly that.
The Rule They’ll Carry Into Marriage
Underneath all the funny stories, there’s one little detail I loved about them. Alex said one tradition they plan to carry into their future together is simple: No phones at the dinner table.
It doesn’t matter whether they’re home or eating out. Dinner is time to actually be together. It makes perfect sense considering their Friday-night tradition. After a long week, they go out to a bar, put their phones away, order food and drinks and spend a few hours actually talking about their week. There’s something beautifully uncomplicated about that. In a world where everyone is constantly documenting, scrolling and responding to something, they’ve intentionally created little pockets of life where they are simply present with each other. Hunter, meanwhile, has also established an important future-family tradition: Their children will not be required to attend school the Monday after the Super Bowl. Priorities.
Alex + Hunter’s Indiana, PA Wedding Vendors
A wedding planned from out of state requires people you can trust, and Alex and Hunter had a wonderful team helping make their day happen.
Venue: The Home Farm Barn — Indiana, Pennsylvania
Wedding Coordination: Colleen — One Fine Day PA
Hair + Makeup: Tracey Chambers
DJ: It Takes 2 — Jenn Gunter
Catering: Mission BBQ
Photography: Jen McKen Photography
Planning a wedding at The Home Farm Barn or somewhere else in Western Pennsylvania? Reach out to Jen McKen Photography and tell me what you’re dreaming up. I want to hear the whole story—the sentimental parts, the weird parts and everything in between.
The Very Serious Business of Being Alex + Hunter
Of course, sentimental is only half the story with these two. Their relationship also includes some wonderfully specific quirks. Their ideal Saturday morning? Sam’s Club.
They wake up early, wander the aisles together, get what they need—and probably several things they don’t—and Hunter gets his soft pretzel and soda before they sit and people-watch. That’s marriage material. Alex is the more social of the two, while Hunter tends to be reserved until he’s comfortable. Apparently once you get him talking, though, good luck getting him to stop. Alex’s treat-yourself order is a green tea refresher and cake pop from Starbucks.
Hunter’s? Velveeta Shells & Cheese. Alex would be thrilled with a thoughtful, personalized gift tied to a memory or inside joke. Hunter would like free beer.They are beautifully balanced. 😂
If they won the lottery tomorrow, Alex would buy a boat and Hunter would be shopping for a 1997 Toyota Supra. And while Alex admits that Hunter’s nervous leg-shaking can occasionally drive her crazy—particularly when it gets vigorous enough to shake the entire car—Hunter would like it officially documented that Alex shops and buys things she does not need. We won’t be taking sides.
Planning a Wedding at The Home Farm Barn?
One of the things I love about photographing weddings in Indiana County is being able to tell the story of the day in a way that feels like the people actually living it. Yes, we’ll make the beautiful portraits. But I also want the photo of Grandma watching you when you don’t notice. Your best friend losing it on the dance floor. Your dad’s face right before he walks you down the aisle. The way your new spouse looks at you when everyone else’s attention is somewhere else. Those are the photographs that become more valuable with time. If you’re planning a wedding at The Home Farm Barn in Indiana, PA, or anywhere throughout Indiana County and Western Pennsylvania, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Farm Barn Weddings
Where is The Home Farm Barn located?
The Home Farm Barn is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, making it a convenient wedding venue for couples looking to celebrate in Indiana County and the surrounding Western Pennsylvania region.
Can you plan an Indiana, PA wedding while living out of state?
Absolutely—and Alex and Hunter are proof. A responsive venue, experienced wedding professionals and clear communication become especially important when you’re coordinating everything from another state. Their wedding came together beautifully even though they didn’t see the venue in person until the day before.
Is The Home Farm Barn good for wedding photography?
The property gives couples the ability to keep much of their wedding day in one location while still creating variety in their photographs. For photographers, having access to different textures, open spaces and changing light throughout the day means we can create polished portraits while also documenting the candid moments happening around the celebration.
Do you photograph weddings outside Indiana County?
Yes. Jen McKen Photography is based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania and photographs weddings throughout Indiana County, Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and beyond. Destination and out-of-state weddings are also welcome.
