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Writer's pictureAdrienne Barnes

Spotlight: Kristin and Nathan Moses – A Cozy Rustic Winter Wedding

Every love story is unique, and Kristin and Nathan Moses’ journey is no exception. From a fortuitous Tinder match to a cozy rustic winter wedding at The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, their story is a testament to the power of patience, connection, and intentional love. Let’s dive into the beautiful tale of their relationship, their engagement, and their plans for a wedding day filled with love, family, and cherished memories.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride and groom kissing in front of a wooden wall. Bride holds a bouquet of red roses. Groom wears a maroon suit. Romantic setting.

How They Met


Kristin and Nathan met in an unconventional yet modern way—on Tinder. The timing was just before the world changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Kristin was studying at Ohio University, and Nathan was at Ohio State University. When the pandemic forced them out of their dorms, life sent them in different directions. Nathan moved back to his parents’ home in Pennsylvania, while Kristin remained in Ohio.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride and groom sign paperwork at a white countertop. Bride in lace dress, groom in suit. White flowers in background, warm lighting.

As the world shut down, their connection deepened. With only family around, they became each other’s lifeline for socializing. “We talked for hours, whether it was texting or Zoom, it didn’t matter,” Kristin shared. Their daily conversations created a bond that became the foundation of their relationship. Though they didn’t officially begin dating until ten months later, both agree that they were essentially a couple long before. “Neither of us was talking to other people,” Kristin explained.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride in lace dress holding red bouquet, standing against rustic wooden background, looking down with a serene expression.

Their early days were marked by intentionality and communication—a theme that would carry them through their journey to the altar.


The Proposal


Nathan’s proposal was heartfelt and deeply meaningful. Kristin returned home one day to find rose petals scattered at the entrance of their apartment. Nathan stood there, hands behind his back, with his phone on a tripod and a beaming grin. She immediately knew what was happening.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride in white dress and sneakers crosses a wooden bridge, groom in burgundy suit follows. Bare trees and grassy field in background.

“I was so excited and surprised,” Kristin said. Despite having her hands full with school stuff, the moment stopped her in her tracks. “I almost couldn’t put my things down because of how overwhelmed I was.” Though her memory of the exact words Nathan said is a blur due to her excitement, she remembers his love and joy. He dropped to one knee, asked, “Will you marry me?” and of course, Kristin said yes.


The moment, captured on video, is a treasure they’ll cherish forever.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride in white gown and groom in burgundy suit dance cheerfully by a large tree on a grassy landscape, bathed in warm sunlight.

Looking Forward to Their Wedding Day


For Kristin and Nathan, the highlight of their wedding day was having all their loved ones together. “Nathan doesn’t often get to have his whole family in one spot due to them living far away,” Kristin explained. “But on our wedding day, that won’t be the case. All of the people we love are coming together to celebrate us and our love for each other.”


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Large group photo at a festive gathering in a warmly lit room. People are smiling, dressed in formal attire. Decorated trees in the background.

Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride in lace gown kneels beside a young boy in dress pants and bowtie. She holds a bouquet of red flowers, smiling in a sunny outdoor setting.

This unity of family and friends is what made their day extra special. It’s not just about the two of them—it’s about the community of support and love that surrounds them.


Why They Chose The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms


Having known our Barnes family for much of her life through church and school, a connection to The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms was preexisting. Our venue, steeped in history and rustic charm, was the perfect fit for her vision.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride in white gown and groom in red suit walk hand in hand by a pond. Rustic barn and windmill in the background, serene mood.

Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Bride in lace gown and groom in red suit smile by a wooden fence with cows in a sunny field, creating a joyful, pastoral scene.

“I’ve always imagined getting married in a barn because I love the coziness and rustic feel,” Kristin said. “The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms was the first and only venue we toured because the moment Nathan and I walked in, we fell in love. The character and story of this venue were exactly what we wanted for our big day.”


A Cozy Rustic Winter Theme


Kristin and Nathan’s wedding reflected their personalities and love for things warm and inviting. Their “Cozy Rustic Winter” theme combines the charm of a rustic barn with the elegance of a winter wonderland. From warm wood accents to seasonal décor, the ambiance was a perfect backdrop for their love story.


Their wedding was full of personal and seasonal touches. Starting months before the wedding, Kristin and her family began baking and freezing cookies. By the time the big day rolled around, they had amassed a cookie spread of hundreds, all unique and homemade. Guests were able to recreate their favorites after the fact. Booklets were given out with thirteen different recipes, a memento that will serve as a reminder of the event for years to come. Next to the cookie table was a hot chocolate bar, fitting the cozy rustic winter theme perfectly.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. A cookie table with plates of cookies and cupcakes, a sign explaining the Pittsburgh tradition, black napkins, and festive lights in the background.

Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Dessert table with cookies and pastries, surrounded by festive red and green tree decorations in a rustic wood setting. Warm, cozy vibe.

Before the wedding, Kristin and Nathan went to a winery where they crafted their own wines to serve at the bar, complete with matching labels.


Columbus Ohio wedding venue. Wine bottle labeled for December 2014 wedding, surrounded by ribbons and invitation with couple's photo on wooden table. Festive setting.

As guests arrived and mingled during cocktail hour, they were encouraged to sign a branch on the tree of Moses' family and friends.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Framed family tree with signatures on table. Nearby a small red ornament and a card with a tree graphic. Warm, cozy setting.

One of the reasons that I love winter weddings is the ease and natural feel of many aesthetic choices. After the ceremony, moving into the cocktail hour and reception, the Moses’ chose a classy Christmas playlist with such hits as “White Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” The decor kept with the classic red and green seasonal colors, with pine greenery scattered throughout. The Christmas trees and lights added to the cozy, homey feeling.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Festive scene with red roses, berries, greeting card, and a green box with rings. A joyful couple's photo is visible among the decorations.

A Love Built on Choice and Care


When asked to reflect on their relationship, Kristin and Nathan emphasize that love is a choice—a commitment to nurture and care for one another every day. They spent ten months talking online before meeting in person and have faced periods of physical distance due to school and early careers. But through it all, they chose to invest in their relationship.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Bride in lace gown smiles as groom in burgundy suit kisses her cheek, with veil floating around them, creating a joyful, romantic mood.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Six men in suits around a wooden poker table with drinks. Background of rustic wooden walls, creating a formal, serious mood.

“Love is not just a feeling but a choice you make every day,” they shared. Nathan added, “Kristin is the most supportive, loving, kind-hearted, and beautiful person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Their story is a reminder that love takes time, effort, and intentionality—but the rewards are immeasurable.


Planning Without a Coordinator


Kristin and Nathan have managed to plan their wedding without a dedicated coordinator, leaning on their family, bridal party, the Barnes family, and their vendors for support. Kristin mentioned how helpful it was to select a theme early on, which gave them direction and focus for their planning.

Their advice to future couples?


Central Ohio wedding venue. Wedding party poses outdoors in formal attire. Bride in white gown holds red bouquet. Bridesmaids in burgundy, groomsmen in suits. Smiling.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Bride and groom holding hands during a wedding ceremony. Officiant reads from a book. Stone wall with wreath and garland backdrop.

Grooms: “Be involved in the process. It strengthens your bond and takes some stress off your future wife.”

Brides: “Try not to let the stress of wedding planning overwhelm you. This time should be joyful and fun

—enjoy every step.”


Central Ohio wedding venue. Smiling woman holding red and white bouquets with berries against a wooden background, creating a joyful and celebratory mood.

A collaborative approach to wedding planning can make the process more meaningful and bring you closer as a couple.


A Celebration of Love and Family


Kristin and Nathan’s wedding was a heartfelt celebration, filled with personal touches, cherished traditions, and the warmth of family and friends. Their story—beginning in physical distance and a period of waiting—shows that love can flourish even in challenging circumstances.

We are so thankful to all of the couples who chose to trust our venue with one of the most important days of their lives. The Moses’ wedding perfectly crowned our inaugural year. We were honored to host and witness the beginning of their happily ever after.


Central Ohio wedding venue. A group photo of diverse people in formal attire, including a bride in white, posing under a wooden pavilion with a grassy field backdrop.

Has the Moses' love story left you wanting more? See the story of our barns and our venue here:



 

Thank you for stopping by our blog! We hope that you will consider hiring a locally owned wedding venue for your big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience, they tend to have little to no turnover, they support the local economy and they are part of the community. In an effort to support locally owned wedding venues, we will feature six small business wedding venues in each of our blogs. Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on



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