Real Weddings: Bethany + Andrew

Gray and yellow are a hot trend in modern color palettes, and the combo was perfect for Elena and Andrew’s contemporary affair at Chicago’s Galleria Marchetti. The mix of sunny and stormy carried over into ceremony programs that doubled as fans for guests, as well as their elegant gray, yellow and white bouquets and arrangements by Stems. Elena’s Melissa Sweet gown—with unique dimensional flowers gracing the bodice and skirt—stood out just enough from Andrew’s gray Banana Republic suit and the J. Crew bridesmaids dresses in the same hue. Inside a draped tent dotted with yellow and white Chinese hanging lanterns, guests toasted with a signature drink—a Moscow Mule—and danced to the couple’s DIY playlist as Laura Ivanova Photography captured the entire celebration into the night.

A rain shower on your wedding day is considered good luck, so we expect happy years ahead for Jordan and Joseph after a Southern storm cooled the air just before their outdoor ceremony at RT Lodge in Maryville, Tennessee. The casual, wildflower-style bouquets from Lisa Foster Floral Design looked as though they were plucked right from the woodsy surroundings, and the bride added a playful touch as well, sporting casual and comfortable TOMS beneath her full-skirted Watters gown. We love the laid-back elegance captured in these images shot by Dixie Pixel, as well as the personal touches like signature mojito cocktails and local honey packaged by the bride and her parents as a parting favor for guests. We just can’t imagine a sweeter, more heartfelt affair!

Over the river and through the woods to Heather and Nick’s breathtaking ranch wedding we go! The natural setting of Rock Springs Ranch in Bend, Oregon, went hand-in-hand with the couple’s vision for a laid-back affair punctuated with casual but pretty details like wildflower bouquets and trees potted in burlap-wrapped containers from Cascade Garden Center. Heather’s twin sister stood near the ceremony arch—crafted from branches and surrounded by more purple and yellow blooms—in a breezy, orchid-colored chiffon dress that complemented the bride’s elegant, gauzy gown, both by Vera Wang. Heather and Nick sent guests home with ready-to-plant white pine trees from the Arbor Day Foundation to cap their day of happy memories. Enjoy these images from Michelle Cross Photography.

Anna and Jonathan were married under a large tree at Sonnet House in Leeds, Alabama. So fabulously Southern, wouldn’t you agree? Well, the Southern touches didn’t end there. There were mason jars, burlap, cigar boxes and Southern foods galore, but in addition to all of the rustic and casual details, Anna and Jonathan’s wedding was also artistic and vibrant with lots of colorful snapdragons, hydrangea, and garden roses in unique containers by Proper Measures. I love the laid-back, easy Southern charm in these lovely images from Crimson & Clover Photography!

Sweet personal details, gorgeous photography, amazing flowers, and true, wholehearted love are the ingredients guaranteed to cook up a beautiful wedding and Skye and Alex’s Birmingham soiree has them all!  From the chuppah (handmade from a blanket crocheted by Skye’s great grandmother), to the something blue (blue buttons from one of her baby dresses lovingly sewn into Skye’s gown by her mother), to serving a keg of their favorite Michigan brew, Alex and Skye celebrated their love with their nearest and dearest by including many of the details that make their love story special and unique – and that’s the best part of any wedding!  Historic Rucker Place is full of Southern charm, and the images from Spindle Photography beautifully capture Skye and Alex’s love – and all of the amazing details!

Catherine and Nate had a laid back wedding at Catherine’s family’s vineyard, Tarara Winery. The girls got ready in a historic cabin hidden in the woods, a perfect, natural backdrop for Katelyn James to take photos. Can you believe her dress is handmade? The wildflower bouquets by Holly Chapple were wrapped in twine and hemp, complementing their relaxed feel. With rustic touches like these, a ceremony by the lake, and yummy pies, Catherine and Nate had a wedding that was beautiful and completely personal!

A “destination” wedding in Austin, TX, Erica and Josh invited friends from around the globe. Their wedding was filled with handmade details and heirlooms captured by Bonnie Berry Photography. From the veil and headpiece, the seating cards, menus, and the bridesmaids’ necklaces (made by the bride and her sister from their mother’s bead collection), the wedding was a true group project. The biggest heirloom however was Erica’s mother’s dress that she wore for the ceremony. Erica altered it herself, transforming the sleeves from leg-of-mutton to a 3/4 straight sleeve with satin trim. Their whole wedding is beautiful, unfussy, and truly personal. Congratulations Erica and Josh!

Sarah and Scott originally had a large celebration planned, but like many other brides, COVID changed that. In a cautious manner they decided to move forward with their wedding with just their 12 closest family and friends. Despite the small guest count, the design aspect was large. Their outdoor ceremony took place surrounded by banyan trees under the most stunning Chuppah. Reception was followed with the most divine tent with flowing florals and hints of citrus.

Sarah & Benjamin wanted guests to feel like they were entering a magical world when they arrived at their wedding and the day was full of awe-inspiring details which made that vision a reality. From getting married at the castle-like Wonderland Cluj Resort, to the horse-drawn carriage fit for royalty, to the show-stopping, jaw-droppingly lush, floor-to-ceiling florals by Elena Bodea – Las Floristas that filled both the ceremony and reception, guests were transported into a fairy tale for the day. Add to that that these two look like they walked out of a magazine themselves, and this may be one of the most dreamy weddings ever! The gallery is full of more incredible photos by Ioana Porav Photography, from the stunning rose petal seals on the stationery by Invogue Art, to Sarah’s romantic Milla Nova wedding gown (a nod to her Hispanic roots), to even more photos of their unbelievable florals, and trust us, you absolutely want to see them all!

We’re pretty sure there’s nothing more romantic than an Italian destination wedding, and we are just undone over Kelli and Gabriel’s event at Villa Cicolina in Montepulciano, Italy! Because the couple was far away from their venue in the United States, they entrusted Chic Weddings to finalize the details, meeting with them on just a single trip to Italy before their wedding. And, oh, the details! Lush, earthy florals filled the villa grounds, artfully arranged by La Rosa Canina, including peonies, olive leaves, roses, and other blooms in shades of sage, peach, lemon, and clementine. A handmade chuppah from Jennifer Raichman, embellished with flower garlands, anchored the outdoor ceremony. Kelli chose to wear a delicate beaded Jenny Packham gown from Nouvelle Vogue, paired with an Art Deco style bracelet by Maria Elena. Long tables placed on the grass are simple but stunning, with low, colorful florals mixed among more rustic candles. We are swooning over all the gorgeous details in these images from Lelia Scarfiotti!

From the story told in these images from Blue Rose Photography, Ariel and Collin couldn’t have chosen a more perfect, light-drenched place for their wedding than Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, Washington! The mountains in the backdrop are majestic and gorgeous partnered with the mossy orange and gold fall florals from Patti Bosket Au Naturel, especially the wreaths hanging on freestanding doors that “open” up to the ceremony. The rust-orange color repeats on stationery from Carlson Craft. Navy bridesmaids dresses from H&M are a great alternative to black and look fabulous paired with the bold flowers. Ariel was practically floating in an Essense of Australia gown—we love the tiers of ruffles on her skirt! Stop by the gallery to enjoy all of the images from this stunning autumn wedding!

There are so many fresh details to love from Lori and Matt’s Philadelphia wedding, held at Knowlton Mansion. The yellow and white bouquets, including some tied with striped ribbon, are a fun pop against navy bridesmaids dresses by Alfred Sung. A nod to vintage decor with lace elements and a fishnet veil paired with Lori’s private label gown from Katherine’s Bridal Boutique gives a bit of a retro vibe to the rustic location. These two put their own spin on everything, from the Digby & Rose stationery to the playful bride-and-groom giraffes atop the cake from Conroy Catering. We adore this entire affair captured by Maria Mack Photography!

When she pictured her wedding with Eric, Jodi envisioned rustic elegance—a blend of wood, lace and a touch of sparkle that would make a lasting impression on their guests. With Southern California’s elegant Walnut Grove ranch as their backdrop, the couple took on a multitude of do-it-yourself endeavors, as well as spent hours scouring Etsy for the perfect invitations, programs and favors. “I poured my heart into every little detail, and it ended up just how I had imagined it.,” the bride says. We’re head-over-heels for every detail ourselves, from the wooden centerpiece boxes etched with the couple’s initials to the pastel blooms that florist Regina Robertson arranged in each box. And those cakes! This couple had not one but three incredible, delectable whipped creations from Cindy Harber. We can only imagine they were as delicious as they look!

Just an hour north of San Francisco, Manka’s Inverness Lodge was exactly the kind of no-frills but pretty site Vicky and Rodger envisioned for their wedding—and it’s just the kind of fete that becomes a 2012 favorite. A self-described laid-back couple, the details of the day reflect that personality: Vicky carried a small calla lily bouquet to complement her sheath-style Nicole Miller gown, and navy bridesmaids dresses from The Dessy Group were understated and classic. One thing the couple knew they wanted was Bret Cole Photography to document the ceremony and reception, held beside the waters of Tomales Bay. Later in the evening, family members and the bridal party enjoyed a traditional Chinese wedding banquet and a two-tiered confection with quilted details from Have Your Cake. “Our wedding style was simple elegance,” says Vicky. That’s our favorite kind!

Katie and Erick’s Florida wedding features tons of things we adore: A pretty, natural setting at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, lovely wildflower-style bouquets from FH Weddings & Events, and an adorable bride and groom who couldn’t take their eyes off of each other! Katie chose the gardens because it reminded her of days spent picking flowers with her mom, so it was a sentimental and beautiful backdrop for her Maggie Sottero gown—the rhinestone T-strap back is stunning! Her Tessa Kim hairpiece takes its cue from the surrounding flowers to tie in the outdoor theme—just like the butterfly-accented seating chart and all of the blue and yellow reception accents. We think Justin DeMutiis Photography did a phenomenal job of showing off one of his favorite affairs of 2012!

The McNay Art Museum, with its courtyard area and Spanish-inspired details, was exactly the type of place Chelsey and Bryan envisioned for their San Antonio nuptials. “Our wedding was a celebration of nature and art as much as it was of us—earthy but elegant,” says the bride. To that end, garden-inspired bouquets and floral arrangements from Statue of Design reflected fall color with oranges, golds and greens, with touches of succulents mixed in to continue the natural vibe the couple desired. The early autumn sunlight created a perfect canvas for the pictures by Suzi Q. Varin of Q Weddings. Chelsey’s Vera Wang gown—strapless with a full ruffled skirt—is gauzy perfection, and navy bridesmaids dresses from David’s Bridal played off the lighter Tiffany blue in the couple’s letterpress stationery suite from Echo Keaney. We’re head-over-heels for every detail!

Love was blowing through the Windy City on Carrie and Mike’s wedding day, and these breathtakingly sweet photos showcase the elegance of it all! The couple wanted guests to have a real taste of the city, and the downtown Chicago Cultural Center was just the right venue for their ceremony and reception. Jesse Deckard of Event Creative made sure Carrie had a classic all-white bouquet to accent her White by Vera Wang gown – Carrie is a drop-dead gorgeous bride and we have to admit to being just a wee bit smitten with her! We love details like the moss reception table numbers wedding planner Lauren Carter of Lola Event Productions found, and the foam fingers that guests used to welcome Carrie and Mike to their reception. Such a fun day captured by Bobbi+Mike!

Even though Katie and Sam didn’t imagine a traditional ceremony for their wedding celebration, judging from these images from Daria Bishop Photographers, they still pulled off an affair that was both classic and all their own. The spring setting—Sam’s great-grandparents’ home on the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont—meant the landscape was alive with yellows and greens. A Schoolhouse Garden pulled bouquet and centerpiece inspiration from the surroundings and sprinkled in some birch details that lent a casual vibe. There was no shortage of sweet treats for guests: Jason Merrill of The Quechee Club set up s’mores by the river, while Vermont Cake Studio delivered a textured buttercream creation topped with vibrant yellow and green flowers. Katie and Sam kept their ceremony short and sweet so they could get on with the party—dancing to music from The Grift, where everyone could catch a glimpse of Katie’s bright yellow shoes beneath her romantic Jenny Yoo gown.

Jessika and David were “determined to have a fun, outdoor wedding with great food, drinks and music,” said the bride. “And from what we heard, we succeeded!” The Nichols captured this vibrant affair, which took place at Austin’s dramatic Laguna Gloria estate. The entire evening was full of fun surprises for guests—they were served cocktails before the lakeside ceremony, and were welcomed to the reception with a Mexican food buffet! We love the couple’s simple but vibrant floral arrangements by Posey Events and the large, red flowers that marked the bride and groom’s chairs!

Intimate and charming, Karin and Taylor celebrated their wedding with their closest friends and family by hosting a dinner party at their family home.  Guests were seated at a long banquet table lined with elegant and neutral white centerpieces and to echo the beauty of the landscape, succulents served as place cards and keepsake favors.  Max and Poppy Photography beautifully captured the simple elegance of this wedding, and the mountains of Palm Desert make for the perfect backdrop!