Chic + Casual Outdoor Wedding

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.

There’s something about California weddings that are so laid-back yet beautifully sophisticated! Becca and Solomon’s fete in San Luis Obispo is so pretty, thanks to lush bouquets and dozens and dozens of white hydrangeas from Flowers by Fluidbloom. Taupe bridesmaids dresses are natural and pretty against the landscape. And we can’t get past the fabulous flower on Becca’s Melissa Sweet gown—it’s fabulous! We hope you love these photos from Korie Lynn Photography as much as we do—see them all in the gallery!

We love the simplicity of this affair, held at a family residence in Indiana. Meghan and Josh’s inspiration gave way to natural details such as pretty baby’s breath and pink David Austin rose bouquets by Marcia’s Flower Cart. The sweeter elements got a shot of rustic flair with barn wood tables built by Meghan’s stepdad and planted succulent favors and centerpieces. The backyard venue provided soft surroundings for the bride’s Watters gown and pale pink D’Zage bridesmaids dresses. Meghan, who is a wedding photographer, wanted to make sure the whole affair showed plenty of both her and Josh’s personalities, and we see them shining through in these images from Clary Photo!

Have you ever found the most beautiful spot in the woods, looked around and thought, “it would be perfect to get married here?” Paige and Tyler’s wedding is that exact woodsy perfection. Colorful, natural, and unfussy, the couple tied the knot outside under a canopy made of branches in the Utah wilderness. Paige looked effortlessly beautiful in a draped dress from J. Crew, a beautiful hairpiece by Mignonne Handmade, and she carried the prettiest of wildflowers that she and her friends assembled. Kate Osborne Photography did a beautiful job capturing their woodsy celebration!

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!

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.

“Above anything else,” Christina said of her New Jersey wedding to Brian, “we wanted our wedding to be fun for everyone, including ourselves.” We’re willing to bet not a soul left without a smile from this Inn at Fernbrook Farms affair, which was filled with soft and rustic details. The amazing Jen Huang photographed the day, capturing everything from the couple’s escort cards—strung from ribbon between two ladders—to the wildflower arrangements created by Viburnum Designs. Burlap graced both the bridesmaids bouquets and table tops  “for more of a natural feel,” the bride said. “Everything was absolutely stunning—exactly what I had hoped for—beautiful, elegant, and natural.”

“Our wedding day started off with the nikah ceremony at our mosque in the morning, a solemn and sacred social contract between the bride and groom in the Islamic tradition,” says bride Irfana of her wedding to Arif. Afterward, guests headed to Canoe restaurant in Atlanta for cocktail hour and Indian wedding traditions beneath a tent set up in the gardens. For the first ceremony, Irfana wore a beautiful sari from Motifz Signature Collection, changing into a knee-length lace dress by Anna Sui from BHLDN for the reception. Soft, lush florals by Heather Jones of Tulip graced tables; Irfana’s bouquet featured pastel blooms dotted with succulents. We adore the attention to detail here: vintage cigar boxes on tables, elaborate henna tattoos for Irfana and family members, and the floral hair wreath she wore for both ceremonies. Amy Arrington Photography did a magnificent job capturing all of this elegance!

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!

Oh, we do love a playful theme around here, and Valerie and Michael’s wedding doesn’t disappoint! We love these happy images from Alders Photography, especially the ones centered around the Ferris wheel and oversize balloons! We also adore the drama of strands of lights hanging from the trees during the couple’s outdoor ceremony at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. Mulberry Row weaved together arrangements of pink and green flowers dotted with succulents for a slightly rustic feel, and bridesmaids wore sweet pink dresses by Bill Levkoff that complemented the florals. Valerie stunned in a St. Patrick gown from Karoza Bridal. Continuing the carnival theme at the reception, the couple opted for fun touches like popcorn and a cotton candy cart from Dolly’s Sweet Dreams Cotton Candy, along with a simple cake from Nikol Nakamura. And we can’t leave out a nod to Mindy Roderick Weddings & Events, who pulled together this flawless affair—see it all in the gallery!

The rustic location of Jessica and Joe’s Rochester, Michigan, wedding complement the sophistication of the outdoor affair, starting with the venue at Addison Oaks! Peach, green, and cream garden arrangements by Twig & Berries Event Design complement the surroundings, while elements like watercolor fan programs, birchwood vases, and a moss-draped chuppah lend a Shakespearean theme. Peach bridesmaids dresses from Jasmine are lovely outdoors, and Jessica’s Tara Keely gown is simple and beautiful! We love the mix of roses and wood, and the repeat of those elements on the table holding a cake by Home Bakery. Amy Carroll Photography captured this gorgeous day—stop by the gallery for all of the beautiful images!

What a breath of fresh air Melanie and Jordan’s romantic Australian wedding is! We love the collected, vintage feel of the photos from Feather and Stone. The pink and garden beauty of Ampelon Gardens is a stunning backdrop for this affair. There are so many gorgeous blooms from Flowers of Elegance Redcliffs, especially in romantic bouquets and also pinned in soft updos and braids. The coral-pink of the bridesmaids dresses from Cinderella’s Bridal World blend elegantly with the surroundings. We adore Melanie’s custom Caleche Bridal House gown, with its sweet lace details and vintage look. Spending some time scrolling through all of the fabulous details, like burlap and lace touches at the reception, a clever doily seating chart, and pretty floral china, in the photo gallery!

Karen and Ben’s wedding is classic New England at its finest! Their ceremony and reception were held at Land’s End Inn, once owned by Ben’s uncle, in the heart of Provincetown, Massachusetts. We love the crisp blue details, on bridesmaids dresses from Darling Brides Showcase and Karen’s navy bejeweled Badgley Mischka shoes, against the waterfront setting. Karen chose a beaded strapless gown and long veil from The Brides Project near her Michigan hometown; the classic silhouette is perfect for this crisp nautical affair! Kelley’s Flowers of Wellfleet created a soft pink peony bouquet for Karen, while reception flowers took on a slightly bolder look. In keeping with the simplicity of the pretty decor and surroundings, Cosmos Catering created a cream two-tier cake with buttercream frosting that looks amazing! The flavor of New England shines through beautifully in these images from Lara Kimmerer!

When a couple chooses Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to host their wedding festivities, you can be sure that gorgeous blooms will be center stage—and that’s why we love Rachel and Jason’s colorful garden wedding filled with orange, pink, and red florals. During the outdoor ceremony, Rachel wore a classic ruched gown from the Romona Keveza Collection while carrying a bright bouquet by Rosehip Floral. Her daughter and flower girls wore subtle cream dresses by Monsoon and I Love Gorgeous, while bridesmaids opted for sleek, darker dresses by J.Crew. We love how everything fits nicely into the garden theme, from stationery by Studio SloMo and Botanical PaperWorks to the flower girl hair wreaths. The Nichols photography team did a fabulous job of capturing the laid-back Austin celebration, as always, making sure to catch details like wildflowers planted in wooden boxes and a wax leaf and floral chair garland at the patio reception. Huge flower blossoms decorate each dessert on a wooden table featuring pies and cakes from Whole Foods Market. This wedding couldn’t be any more fabulous—see all of the gorgeous photos in the gallery!

We can’t decide what part of Natalia and Cody’s wedding is our favorite: the cotton candy-colored bridesmaids dresses, the outdoor setting of Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, California, or the punches of pastel color in the hydrangeas and roses from Floral Design by Reina. Everything is so effortlessly sophisticated! Of course, Natalia’s Badgley Mischka gown is amazing, with lace and beading details on the skirt, bodice, and even sleeves. We’re also fond of Cody’s classic gray suit from Nordstrom, with a peach tie that complements the color scheme of the day, pulled together perfectly by Tres Fabu Event Planning and Design. More rustic details, like the birch and floral arbor and barnlike setting of the reception—where a cake from Parker-Lusseau Pastries & Cafe holds court—keep everything fairly low-key. Josselyn Peterson captured all of the lovely details of this pretty occasion!

Candice and Jonathan’s Santa Ynez, California, wedding is such a breath of fresh air! The Gainey Vineyard is a gorgeous yet laid-back locale for an outdoor affair, and nothing about this day disappoints! Abany Bauer Styling + Flowers crafted the blooms and other details of the day, including the lush green garland draped around wooden ceremony chairs and arrangements placed on long reception tables. Candice stuns in her Claire Pettibone gown with vintage lace cap sleeves, while her bridesmaids chose individual dresses in the same color palette. Rylee Hitchner shared these amazing images from the day, and we can’t stop poring over the chic, elegant ideas—including the understated but beautiful cake topped with fresh berries from Enjoy Cupcakes. See all of the gorgeous details in the gallery!

Margaret and Cameron’s cozy, family-filled wedding in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, featured plenty of casual elegance with no detail overlooked! The ceremony was held at the gorgeous Lakeside Baptist Church before an outdoor reception at Margaret’s family’s grist mill, Bellamy Mill. The variety of flowers in centerpieces by Hal Peck of Bullucks is stunning, with shades of green, white, and yellow, especially under the elegant tents brought in by Sperry Tents. Rebecca Schlieman of Millie Holloman Photography shared these sweet, gorgeous images with us, and she didn’t miss a thing! We’re totally wowed by Margaret’s David Fielden silk gown and the understated bridesmaids dresses from Sue Wong. Beautiful from start to finish!

Some weddings are just lovely in every way, and that describes Meagan and Oscar’s North Carolina nuptials perfectly. Held in the gardens of The VanLandingham Estate in Charlotte, the pretty outdoor scenery is further enhanced by loose, wildflower-inspired bouquets by Lily Greenthumb’s Wedding & Event Design. Short taupe bridesmaids dresses from J.Crew are understated but get a pop of color from coral shoes, such a nice contrast with the surrounding greenery! Meagan’s Paloma Blanca gown is one of our favorites—simple and gorgeous! For the reception, succulent place cards are the cutest, and our sweet tooth is dying over the combed-icing cake from Happy Endings. Melissa Tuck Photography documented this laid-back but elegant affair—click through to the gallery for even more loveliness!

Wow is all we have to say about this San Gregorio, California, wedding, held outdoors at Chateau La Joye. Eveli and Ryan’s day was full of romance and elegance—with a fun nod to Eveli’s heritage in the form of a traditional mariachi band. We love! Eveli looks stunning in an Allure Bridals gown, completed with a breathtaking mantilla veil from Emily Rohm. Long and flowy gray bridesmaids dresses are the perfect grounding color for romantic pink and green flowers by Alena Jean—and a few even found their way into Eveli’s gorgeous updo! Details like yellow sugar flowers on the cake from Sweet Tooth Confections and sweet babys breath wreaths for flower girls push this wedding over the top. We love all of the beautiful images from Christina Diane!

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!