The 2013 collection of wedding cakes from Charm City Cakes West is a fresh line inspired by current trends in fashion and design. Created by Anna Ellison and Katherine St. Paul Hill, these cakes serve as a snapshot of each decorator’s distinct aesthetic interests. Drawing from modern florals, textures, and prints, as well as from the couture creations of Christian Dior, Vera Wang, and Valentino, Anna’s cakes pair a muted color palette with classic vintage designs. Katherine’s cakes, meanwhile, are bold and playful, combining the elegant and the unique. With sources of inspiration ranging from the catwalk to her own closet, they juxtapose textures, prints, and colors in eye-catching ways.

For more eye candy, visit www.charmcitycakeswest.com.

Anna’s cakes:

Katherine’s cakes:

Photos courtesy of CCCW

Vendors

Photography: Amanda K Photography/ Venue: Groom’s family farm / Day-of coordinator: Kati Hansen / Flowers: Mother of the bride / Catering: Buster’s Barbecue / Cake: Lamb’s Markets / Rentals: The Party Place / Music: Moondance Entertainment / Officiant: Deacon Jerry Geiger / Bride’s gown: Watters / Bride’s veil: Handmade by her mother / Bride’s shoes: Roxy / Bridesmaids’ dresses: J. Crew, Tower Bridal, and Nordstrom / Hair and makeup: Kati Hansen / Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Calvin Klein and Mr. Formal / Invitations: DIY / Other paper products: DIY

The two, who were married at an old hippie commune near Kettle Falls, Washington, wanted their wedding to reflect their love of all things natural. “We wanted it to feel like an upscale version of Woodstock,” Kristi said. “We affectionately dubbed it ‘Wedstock.’” The flowers were picked from Kristi’s mother’s field on the morning of the wedding and arranged simply in Mason jars wrapped with raffia bows. The caterer that the couple chose—Lovitt Restaurant, where Kristi and Jacob had shared their first dinner out in Jacob’s hometown—served local, sustainable, organic fare that was earthy and hearty.

The ceremony, the most memorable part of the day for Kristi and Jacob, was easeful and heartfelt. “We used a Buddhist prayer bell in our ceremony,” Kristi said. “The tradition is for the bride and groom to write their wishes for each other on the small clanger. When the bell is hung and the wind blows to release its chime, your prayers rise up on the sound of the notes.”

“The whole day was so special,” Kristi added. “From the lanterns hung by our friends to the quick makeshift tents that everyone pitched in to put up when a soft drizzle started to fall, it all feels so wonderful to recall.”

And for Kristi and Jacob, revisiting the day is easy, thanks to the breathtaking photography of Rebecca Hollis, whose organic, artful style perfectly suited the couple’s aesthetic.

Q  & A with Kristi

What’s your love story? How did you meet, fall in love, and get engaged?

My husband and I met on eHarmony almost four years ago. We were both busy professionals, and something in my gut said that my future husband was on this website. When I first saw Jacob’s profile, he had mostly professional photos posted, and I almost passed him by. But buried down at the bottom of the electronic pile of pictures was a single photo of him at Siam Riep. He was lying on a rock, and his beard had grown in. He looked organic and natural, like the scruffy man I wanted to find. I could tell from the photo where he was in the world, and I had always wanted to go there myself. Funnily, he later told me that this particular photo was the one photo he didn’t want to post on the website, and he almost didn’t, but at the last second he changed his mind. We went through the “getting to know you” process via eHarmony’s online app. At the end, you’re allowed to write to each other via e-mail. Well, when that stage came, I was a bit tired of not speaking to this man, so I wrote him a one-line e-mail that said “call me” and gave him my number. He admitted to me later that he was terribly nervous because he doesn’t do well speaking on the phone, and he was right—he didn’t. We stumbled through our first conversation, and just as I was about to write it off, he asked me to go to lunch at a place near my home. I thought I should give it a go, since it was just a lunch date and it would be over in an hour. That weekend, we met at Angele in Napa for lunch. At nearly midnight, the staff had to ask us to leave, as we had managed to have lunch, stay through dinner (yes, we ate twice), and close the restaurant down. We were clearly smitten with each other. We wound up going for a romantic drive after dinner, and we talked until the wee hours of the morning in my car, gazing at the stars. Jacob even managed a first sweet kiss under those stars. It was the best first date either of us had ever had, and it was so unexpected. From that point on, we were inseparable. We both love to travel, and we took our first trip together to Bali and Java that December. We haven’t stopped traveling the world together. I still haven’t made it to Siam Riep, but I know it’s only a matter of time.

In true Kristi and Jacob fashion, we got engaged on one of our trips. About two weeks before we were scheduled to leave for Argentina, I had wandered into our local jewelry shop and found a beautiful one-of-a-kind ring with a black pearl in the center and petals of pavé diamonds unfolding around it to form a sparkling flower. Concerned this wasn’t traditional enough, I called Jacob and asked him to come and see it. We both knew that we wanted to get engaged, but since I’m a bit less traditional, I wasn’t sure that I wanted a traditional ring, so there was a bit of a delay in the process. I showed Jacob the ring and asked him what he thought. He said it was lovely, and we left the store. Two days later, I went back to the same store with the intention of putting the ring on hold, and the saleswoman told me it had already been sold. I was devastated. I called Jacob, thinking that if he had bought it for me he wouldn’t be able to lie to me about it. He didn’t flinch when he said he hadn’t bought it, and so with a heavy heart I lamented that my dream ring was gone. That same week, I received another piece of devastating news. Jacob and I had planned a trip to Argentina in December 2011, but my grandmother fell ill a few days before our departure and passed away. Her loss was truly difficult, and we weren’t able to make the long trip. Instead, we opted for a shorter adventure in Belize. I was a mixed bag of emotions on our trip, having experienced the loss of a loved one recently and disappointed that my wait to find the right ring was continuing to delay my engagement to Jacob. We stayed at a beautiful resort on the border of Guatemala. As one of our daily outings, we went over to see the ruins of Tikal. On our way there, our guide, a very jovial young man, inquired as to why we weren’t married or engaged. I told him the story of my ring, and he looked at me slightly puzzled and asked, “How do you know he will ask?” I guess it had never occurred to me that he wouldn’t! We made our way to the ruins, and nearly three hours into our hike we arrived at the very top of the central ruins just as the sun began to descend. I wandered out to the edge with Jacob and was taking in the sight when I realized he was no longer at my side. I turned around, and he was down on one knee proposing. I was shocked! I burst into tears and accepted immediately before he even showed me the ring. When I opened the little red box, there it was, the ring I loved and thought I had lost to someone else. Jacob confessed that he had bought the ring on the same day that we had gone into the store. He had managed to get them to size it quickly before our trip, and since we were sharing a single backpack, he had miraculously managed to keep it hidden from me while he waited for the right moment. I was simply overjoyed.

Can you tell us a little bit about the details of your wedding and your sources of inspiration?

We wanted our wedding to feel like an upscale version of Woodstock. We affectionately dubbed it “Wedstock.” Jacob and I both enjoy the sense of being in nature, and we wanted our wedding to be an organic expression of the love we feel for each other and the family and friends in our life who came out to celebrate with us. We started out wanting to ask our guests to skip wearing shoes and just wander through the wedding site barefoot, but our families convinced us that this should be optional.  We did have our friends “sage” the wedding group and Jacob and me before the wedding ceremony began to cleanse the space and ourselves of any negative energy. We used a Buddhist prayer bell in our ceremony. The tradition is for the bride and groom to write their wishes for each other on the small clanger. Jacob and I both took turns doing this. When the bell is hung and the wind blows to release its chime, the prayers rise up on the sound of the notes.

The setting was a communally owned property, bought in 1972 by friends who wanted to live a communal lifestyle. Although they have since moved on to other endeavors, for the past 40 years they have held an annual celebration at the property, spending three to four days camping and living with each other like they did in the ’70s. We have always felt blessed to be a part of this magical event, and we were so honored that they allowed us to celebrate our wedding there. We hired an amazing caterer, Lovitt Restaurant in Colville, to do the catering. They serve local, sustainable, organic food at their restaurant, and it was the first place where my husband and I went out to eat when he first brought me to his hometown. It held a special place in our hearts before the wedding and certainly holds a special place in our hearts now.

What were your favorite moments or parts of the day?

I am truly blessed to say that my fondest memory is of sharing our wedding vows with each other. Laughter, tears, inside jokes just between me and my husband—the vows were so organic and genuine. I felt so lucky to be marrying my best friend, and so did Jacob.

What kind of advice would you offer to future brides?  

Advice? That’s tough. Every wedding is so different. I think the one thing I would say is that you shouldn’t overthink the whole process. What brings you to this very special day is the love you have for another person in this world, and even if the right people aren’t seated together, or if your napkins aren’t exactly perfect, that special bond between you and your future spouse will outshine any imperfections.

Vendors

Photography: Rebecca Hollis / Ceremony and reception venue: A private commune near Kettle Falls, Washington / Catering: Lovitt Restaurant / Cake: Patisserie D’Genevieve / Bride’s dress: Olvi’s Trend from Shadows Bridal / Groom’s attire: J. Crew and Banana Republic / Hair: Heather Washburn

This wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights.

Sangria is the ultimate summer crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make by the pitcher, and the flavors only improve as it sits. While there are many sangria recipes that use red wine as a base, white wine versions are equally delicious, and there’s no risk of party spirits being dampened by dreaded red wine stains. Pinot grigio is a sweet white wine, so you don’t need to add sugar, which is called for in many other sangria recipes.

Ingredients (per serving):

• 5 ounces of pinot grigio

• 1 ounce of peach schnapps

• Apples, cubed

• Strawberries, sliced

• Red grapes, cut in half (and some rolled in sugar for garnish)

• Honey

Directions:

Chill pinot grigio for several hours. Add 1 ounce of peach schnapps to a glass, add chopped fruit, and pour wine over top. Roll three whole grapes in honey and then sugar to skewer for a garnish.

Note: To make a pitcher, add 4 ounces of peach schnapps and two cups of chopped fruit to a pitcher. Pour wine over the top and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

Photos and recipe by Carlene Thomas for Limn & Lovely

Left: Photo by Patric Shaw for Brides. Right: Photo by Gustavo Marx for Brides.

Left: With soft, intricate textures suggestive of shells and seaweed, this A-line stunner from Monique Lhuillier proves that ball gowns and beaches can mix. It features an embellished corset bodice, an embroidered-organza hemline, and a horsehair sash.

Right: An embroidered-tulle and ripped-taffeta overlay covers this beautifully breezy A-line gown from Angel Sanchez.

Photo by Jose Villa for Saja

Short, simple, and sweet-looking, this Saja creation was made for a casual beach wedding.

BHLDN’s romantic “Rosecliff”gown features tumbling tiers of embroidered and sequined tulle beneath a fitted sweetheart bodice.

With a powder-blue hue and soft draping that mimics the rippling of water, Lea-Ann Belter’s dreamy “Colette” gown couldn’t be more fitting for a beach bride.

As shimmery as the sea, this showstopper from Sarah Seven has serious siren appeal.

Photo by Sybil Steele for The Lane

Designed by Rachel Gilbert, this light and airy blush gown with a ropy bodice is the stuff of many a beach bride’s dreams.

Left: Photo by Brian Doben for Brides. Right: Photo by Brian Doben for Brides.

Left: From Vera Wang’s White collection, this gauzy gown has a preppy East Coast vibe.

Right: This crinkled silk-chiffon halter gown from Jenny Yoo has a relaxed yet chic look.

A study in ethereal minimalism, this modern gown from Cortana features subtle pleating and a sheer shrug.

The pair decided that they wanted to get married in Denver—the city where they’d spent the bulk of their young adult lives together—at the historic but casual Washington Park Boathouse. “After making this decision,” Lindsey said, “we both agreed that more than anything—more than good food, fancy décor, a sanctimonious ceremony, bumpin’ dance tunes, or beautiful clothing—we wanted this day to truly represent who we are as individuals and as a couple.”

Traditions that didn’t suit the two went out the window, and they chose to write and conduct their own ceremony. Lindsey’s love of geometric design and saturated colors contrasted against bright, open spaces, as well as her aversion to anything that appears too polished, guided how the wedding’s aesthetic took shape. The final result was a “loose geometry theme” with pops of vivid color carried throughout.

“One of my favorite aspects about the entire day was how almost every component of our wedding was the result of an enthusiasm for DIY that verged on mania, coupled with the incredible generosity of our friends and family,” Lindsey said. With the help of her mother, she hand-folded hundreds of geometric shapes out of paper and hand-dipped every single votive candle in purple paint. Brian’s mom chained together scores of paper triangles to create the couple’s garlands, and a close friend designed their invitations.

“As a surprise, my sister and my aunt baked our wedding cake from scratch, and my sister also expertly applied my makeup,” Lindsey said. “In addition, two wonderful friends acted as our wedding coordinators, making sure that everything was lovingly put together on the day itself. It was so moving to see everyone come together as a team to support us and make our day beautiful. We felt very lucky and very loved.”

Vendors

Photography: Happy Confetti Photography / Venue: Washington Park Boathouse / Catering: Basic Kneads Pizza Truck / Desserts: Mini pies from The Shoppe, cake made by the bride’s sister / Flowers: The Succulent Garden / Rentals: Butler Rents / Bride’s dress: Elizabeth and James / Groom’s attire: Indochino, Brooks Brothers, Levi’s / Paper goods:  Brandon Roth

Vendors

Photography: Jessica Maida Photography / Location: The Carillon at Byrd Park / Dress: Bliss Bridal Consignment Boutique / Shoes: DSW / Ring: Vintage / Flowers: The Picked Petal / Model: Karla Dattilo / Hair: Lara Bridger / Makeup: BRIDEface Richmond

This shoot was submitted via Two Bright Lights.

Knowing that they would settle down in Greenville, Meredith and James decided to hold both their ceremony and reception in this relatively small city with big-city amenities. The venue they chose, The Loft at Falls Park, overlooks one of Greenville’s most well-known attractions: Falls Park, a garden-filled oasis in the middle of downtown Greenville with a suspension bridge that spans a waterfall on the Reedy River. Meredith and James had their “first look” outside the historic building and then spent some time on the bridge. A light mist of rain made for romantic photographs.

For the reception, wooden farmhouse tables were decorated with subway tile table runners upon which sat red, white, and blue blooms arranged minimalistically in a variety of glass and silver vases. Metal lanterns adorned with wispy flowers and greenery were hung above each table. Created by Couture Cakes of Greenville, a trio of cakes and champagne ice pops were displayed on a stainless steel table draped with lace and accented with red and aqua confetti. One of the cakes was designed to mimic Meredith’s dress, which had a form-fitted bodice that exploded into a tiered, crystal-accented English net skirt. “Worthy of any Southern belle, it was also the perfect gown for a big-city bride,” Shannon said.

Vendors

Photography: Raycroft Art / Ceremony and reception venue: The Loft at Falls Park / Event planning resource: Wedding 101 Greenville / Flowers: Frilly Bloomers Florals / Cakes: Couture Cakes of Greenville / Bride’s dress: The Poinsett Bride / Bride’s clutch: Plumes and Pearls / Makeup artist: Katie Cotton of Cotton Rouge / Men’s attire: Bow Ties & Veils / Invitations: Sofia Invitations and Prints / Heirlooms and extras: A Darling Day

She was a January bride, and she got married during a record blizzard at a little Ohioan church. Sewn over a one-year period by my grandmother, her long-sleeved gown was made from upholstery fabric purchased at a local discount store, and it looked remarkably similar to the one that’s pictured on the cover of the winter 1955 issue of Brides, although I’m sure she’d like me to note that she was married several decades after that. If I’d been around then to pick a palette for her, this is the one I would have chosen: a soft, romantic combination of blush shades and nuanced grays. She would have carried a bouquet of pussy willow (a nod to her love of willows), anemones, ranunculi, sweetpeas, Majolika spray roses, and a bit of gypsophillia.

CREDITS (from left to right, top to bottom): Brides magazine cover > Brides / Flowers > Saipua / Earrings > Rachel Leigh Jewelry / Bird > Photo by Luke Stephenson (via Once Wed) / Doily tidbit plate > BHLDN / Invitation > Martha Stewart Weddings / Cocktails > Photo by White Loft Studio (via Style Me Pretty)

To complement the setting, Anneri, who planned the day with the help of her mother, chose a palette of neutral colors—layered creams and crisp greens—with “splashes of black,” which lent a modern feel. The floral décor, including roses, tulips, lisianthus, carnations, tuberoses, and dendrobiums, was contemporary yet soft and fragrant. Ribboned succulents festooned the ceremony chairs, set under a canopy on Kleinevalleij’s scenic lawns. While waiting for the bride to make her entrance in a finely detailed one-shoulder gown from Elizabeth Stockenstrom, guests busied themselves with “newspapers” containing stories about the bride and groom, profiles of the wedding party, family trees, and crossword puzzles.

For Anneri, the walk down the aisle was particularly meaningful. “One of the most special things about our wedding was that I had the privilege of walking down the aisle with my dad, who passed on a month after Pieter and I got married,” Anneri said. “I will remember it forever. I will also always cherish the memory of seeing Pieter waiting for me with this huge smile on his face, his eyes filled with excitement.”

Christine Meintjes, the couple’s photographer, who cultivated a love for photography in high school and has shot more than 200 weddings since opening her business in 2007, felt honored to be a part of Anneri and Pieter’s day. “Anneri is beautiful inside and out, and Pieter is a real gentleman,” Christine said. “People love to be around them because they are filled with positivity and joy. Their presence lights up a room.”

 Q & A with Anneri

What’s your love story? How did you meet, fall in love, and get engaged?

Pieter and I met at Stellenbosch University at a local student bar. After we were briefly introduced, I searched for Pieter on Facebook. I “friended” him, thinking that he probably wouldn’t remember meeting me. But he did. Shortly thereafter, Pieter left for an internship at a wine cellar in Napa. During the four months that he was away, we kept in touch on Facebook. The messages continued getting longer and longer. Shortly before he returned to South Africa, he asked me for my number so that he could take me on a date. I didn’t think he was going to call, but the day after he returned to South Africa, he phoned me. The phone call lasted more than an hour. A few days later, he took me on a date, and the rest is history.

We got engaged after two years of dating. One Saturday morning, we drove out to Cape Town, where we did a little bit of sightseeing, which is what we usually do on weekends. We stopped at one of our favorite lookout points on Chapman’s Peak. While enjoying the view and taking pictures, I saw Pieter get down on one knee all of a sudden. He had this little box in his hand. I was a bit shocked, and I think a few seconds went by before I finally and very excitedly said yes!

Can you tell us a little bit about the details of your wedding? 

We wanted to get married outside and to have a romantic wedding, so we needed a venue that had a spectacular view, which is why we chose Kleinevalleij. Surrounded by majestic mountains and rolling vineyards, it has such natural beauty. The venue itself is also very “crisp,” so my neutral color scheme worked perfectly. I always wanted a wedding that was filled with neutral colors, and I later decided to include splashes of black, which can be seen throughout the wedding in the bouquets, the wedding party’s attire, the ribbons, the “newspapers,” the pillows, and the glasses. The flowers, candles, and décor exuded a romantic vibe. For a fresh and natural feel, I wanted the flowers to be in shades of white, cream, and green. We used roses, tulips, lisianthus, carnations, tuberoses, and dendrobiums. My bouquet was tied with a black satin ribbon and had a diamante clasp, which added a little bit of glam.

We got married at 4:30 p.m. so that we could still have good light for the pictures. We gave the guests “newspapers” to enjoy before the ceremony. Each newspaper was four pages long and contained stories about us, facts about the wedding party, family trees, and a crossword puzzle. These newspapers were displayed in wooden cases handcrafted by my grandfather.

After the ceremony, the guests indulged in canapés while a gypsy-jazz band (Visa Vintage) performed. The lounge chairs were decorated with pillows made by my mother. (The pillows are now part of our home décor.)

After the guests moved inside, we opened the dance floor to “Be Somebody” by Nickelback. Dinner included smoked seafood towers with blinis, lamb shanks with rosemary jus, and seasonal vegetables. Following dinner, the guests helped themselves to a dessert table and a four-tiered Lindt wedding cake. Each tier was different—one was chocolate ganache, one was granadilla yogurt cake, one was hummingbird cake, and one was tiramisu.

I also wrote a letter to my parents that one of my parents’ friends had to read during the speeches. I was too afraid to deliver a speech, as I knew I would cry. It was a really special moment that I will never forget.

One of the most special things about our wedding is that I had the privilege of walking down the aisle with my dad, who passed on a month after Pieter and I got married. I will remember it forever. It was a very special and emotional moment. I will also always cherish the memory of seeing Pieter with this huge smile on his face, his eyes filled with excitement. He kept whispering sweet things to me during the ceremony.

What kind of advice would you offer to future brides?

Planning a wedding can be quite overwhelming. When you see how many service providers there are, you might not know where to start. I made myself a little scrapbook in which I kept all the information and ideas I gathered. Always add a little bit more to your budget, as there will be hidden costs. Also make sure that you get a very good photographer, and consider hiring a videographer as well. The evening goes by so quickly, and you might miss some of those moments that your photographer or videographer can capture in time, allowing you to relive them later. Overall, just enjoy your day, and don’t worry about the things that could go wrong or do go wrong!

Vendors

Photography: Christine Meintjes / Videographer: Guava Graphics / Ceremony and reception venue: Kleinevalleij / Flowers: Leipzig / Catering: Malita Joubert Catering / Cake: Kanya Hunt / DJ: Deejays / String quartet for the cocktail hour: Visa Vintage / Hair and makeup: Helga Bridal / Bride’s dress: Elizabeth Stockenstrom / Bride’s shoes: Errol Arendz / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Adrian Williams / Groom’s attire: Carducci / Groomsmen’s attire: Trenery and Happy Socks / Laser cutting: Doodles / Newspapers: Madre Kohn

I will never tire of fresh produce and the natural color schemes that fruits and veggies create. Whether you’re browsing a farmers’ market or strolling the grocery aisles, something will reach out and give you a shock of inspiration. It’s the same with picking a wedding color palette according to your season. Looking at the pink- and green-tinged rhubarb stalks, I was inspired to pour something floral and bright, something sweet but not saccharine. With a cottage-garden feel, this seasonally special rhubarb-vanilla fizz is a must-try before the heat of summer creeps in.

Ingredients:

•   2 tablespoons of rhubarb syrup (Morris Kitchen*)

•   1.5 ounces of vodka

•   Vanilla seltzer water to fill (DRY Vanilla Bean Soda*)

•   Rhubarb stalk to garnish

*For a light and balanced drink, I’ve recommended certain products, as I know the outcome that they will produce. Feel free to use your preferred brands to fit your palate.

Directions:

Fill a glass with ice and pour rhubarb syrup and vodka over the top. Fill the glass with vanilla seltzer and stir the drink to blend with the rhubarb stalk.

Photos and recipe by Carlene Thomas for Limn & Lovely

Wedding gowns > Saja / Photos > Tec Petaja courtesy of Saja / Model: Quinn Lake / Hair and makeup: Jordan Byers

In addition to travel-themed décor elements, including paper airplane escort cards, passport wedding programs, confetti cut from the pages of a tattered atlas, and vintage suitcases, the couple’s chosen colors—blue and yellow—also reflected their love of the globetrotting life. To Ramon, blue represents the sea and sky, and to Grace, yellow is symbolic of the sun. Ramon, usually spare of words, even penned a love letter to Grace on the back of a Delta ticket. Composing it took him nearly two hours.

Desiring someone with a fresh take on photography to document the event, the two sought out seasoned pro Ale Sura, whose photos skillfully reflect the happiness of the day and its tender moments. What’s more, Lovell Productions captured every last bit of beauty as it existed in motion, producing a tearjerker of a film that will leave even the steeliest viewer in awe.

Grace and Ramon // Wedding Film | Costa Rica from Lovell Productions on Vimeo.

Vendors

Photography: Ale Sura / Cinematography: Lovell Productions / Event planning: Costa Rica Paradise Wedding / Ceremony and reception venue: Zephyr Palace at Villa Caletas / Officiant: Marcello Galli

“We really wanted to make it like a French garden party,” Rachel told Limn & Lovely. “Overall, we wanted it to be a dream.”

The bridesmaids were dressed in “steely blue gowns,” Rachel said, and the couple’s do-it-yourself blooms were arranged “so that they looked as if someone had gone into their garden and gathered a bundle together.”

The couple exchanged traditional vows on the spring-green grounds of Rachel’s home church. “We chose to do a foot washing ceremony to show our desire to have a marriage where both parties serve each other in humility,” Rachel said. “It was beautiful and so very meaningful to us.”

She added, “I know this sounds clichéd, but it really does fly by. When the pastor said, ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife,’ I looked at him strangely because I thought he had skipped something. Don’t fret about little things. Trust me, it won’t matter nearly as much when it’s all over. Skimp where you can on the wedding, and splurge on a rockin’ honeymoon with the man of your dreams.”

Vendors

Photography: Kristin Partin Photography / Ceremony and reception venue: House of Prayer / Flowers: Whole Blossoms and Roy Houff / Catering: Maggiano’s / Cake: Made by a friend of the family / Officiants: Pastor Mark Jordan and Pastor Steve Stells / Bride’s dress: Tara Keely / Bride’s shoes: TOMS / Veil: Bella Rosa / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jasmine B2 / Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: J. Crew / Hair and makeup: Friend of one of the bridesmaids / Invitations: DIY / Guest book: Michaels

After struggling to find a wedding venue that really spoke to them, a friend of Nathan’s suggested a secluded mountain overlook in Manitou Springs. “When she walked us out to the ceremony site, we were blown away by its beauty,” Christina said. “We knew instantly that it was the right place for our wedding.”

Stylistically, the two aimed for a vintage-rustic look, which suited the setting and reflected their personal aesthetics. They decided to invite only their immediate family members. “We really wanted the wedding to be simple and intimate,” Christina recalled.

Personal, handmade details contributed to the homespun charm of the event. “When I was growing up, my family and I often ate off of our own Make-A-Plate creations,” Christina said. “Nate and I decided to carry on the tradition by designing our own dinnerware using butterfly drawings. I also painted wooden cake toppers to look like me and Nate, and I made my own veil.” Scouring local thrift stores and antique shops turned up usable goods of all kinds. “Rummaging through other people’s discarded treasures is how we found our favors,” Christina said. “Each female guest received a vintage floral handkerchief and a vintage brooch. The men received individually unique gifts, such as comic books, pocketknives, geodes, old postcards, and a children’s accordion.” A battery-operated record player provided music throughout the day. And like the wedding itself, the dinner was simple yet satisfying. Guests were treated to classic comfort staples, including barbecued pulled pork, old-fashioned macaroni and cheese, and homemade corn muffins.

“It really was a dream day,” Christina said. “I wouldn’t go back and change anything. I’m so thankful for the generosity of our friends and family members, who made our wedding possible. And I am grateful for our photographers, Sean Flanigan and Sergio Mottola, who took such incredible photos for us to look back on. They both felt like part of the family that day.”

Vendors

Photography: Sean Flanigan / Second shooter: Sergio Mottola / Ceremony and reception venue: Crystal Park / Officiant: Donovan Kennedy / Catering: Front Range Barbeque / Hair and makeup: Gabrielle Lutze, the bride’s sister-in-law / Bride’s dress: Tadashi Shoji / Bride’s veil: Made by the bride / Bride’s shoes: Macy’s / Groom’s shirt: Gap / Groom’s pants: Kohl’s

The pair, who both had their hearts set on a beachside vow exchange, decided on a destination wedding in Playas del Coco, a small coastal town in the northwestern Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. Because the natural backdrop was so impressive, they used a light-handed approach when it came to their décor, keeping things chicly subtle and in tune with the setting. Pale pink and various shades of white made up their suitably neutral color palette. “I really wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of both of us,” Christy recalled, “so we decided that an earthy but elegant wedding was the way to go.”

Katherine Stinnett, a fine art wedding and lifestyle photographer who splits her time between the snow-covered peaks of Aspen, Colorado, and the sun-drenched islands of Costa Rica, captured the day exquisitely, and Tropical Occasions’ Aimee Monihan, Crystal and David’s event planner, made sure that everything went off without a hitch. “I really had to lean on our wedding planner for a lot of the personal touches I wanted,” Christy said. “She was amazing and delivered flawlessly.”

Vendors

Photography: Katherine Stinnett / Venue: Pacifico Beach Club / Event planning: Aimee Monihan of Tropical Occasions / Cake: Victoria Zoch / DJ: DJ Guana / Bride’s gown: Demetrios / Groom’s suit: J. Hillburn / Ring bearer’s attire: Nordstrom

The two are laid back by nature, and Lannin is an avid golfer, so settling on a venue—The Signature at West Neck, an Arnold Palmer–designed golf course in Virginia Beach—was just as easy. The back lawn, with expansive views of the course and its smooth-surfaced lakes, served as the couple’s ceremony site, while the veranda offered an ideal reception space for a “simple and comfortable” event whose color palette was inspired by Crystal’s love of iridescent blue hydrangeas.

On June 23, the day of the wedding, she looked every inch the radiant bride in a ruffled dress designed by James Clifford. Her “something borrowed” consisted of her late grandmother’s cross, which was nestled in her bouquet. “My aunt also surprised me with my nana’s hankie to carry as my ‘something old,’” Crystal said, “and a freshly picked magnolia bloom from my nana’s tree, the one I used to climb as a little girl.”

In the end, it was the imperfect moments, including a runaway ring and a brief musical glitch, that made the wedding perfect. Of course, a team of talented vendors, including photographer Chelsea LaVere, whose signature style shines through every image, didn’t hurt either.

“We tried hard to support local businesses with our vendor choices, and all of our choices were choices well made,” Crystal said. “Everyone we worked with did such a wonderful job and contributed to making my wedding day go so smoothly.”

Vendors

Photography: Bit of Ivory Photography / Ceremony and reception venue: The Signature at West Neck / Day-of coordination: Staci Jelly of The Signature at West Neck / Flowers: Fluttering Flowers / Cake: Cake Delights / Ceremony and reception music: Hey DJ / Hair: Elle Madison Salon / Makeup: Faces by Rebecca Wood / Bride’s dress: James Clifford / Bridesmaids’ dresses: Ava Clara Couture Bridal / Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Dan Ryan’s for Men / Paper goods: Annalily / Favors: Donation to Edmarc Hospice for Children

Q & A with Crystal

What’s your love story? How did you meet, fall in love, and get engaged?

As for our love story, we met in a bar! Haha, it’s okay, we aren’t ashamed. It wasn’t totally random, as we were originally introduced by a mutual friend, but we met one night, had our first date the next, and that was it! We hit it off from the beginning and never looked back. We’ve been blessed with comfort and love from day one. Now, it’s strange to look back and realize how quickly five years has gone by, but I couldn’t imagine my life without Lannin.

His proposal was a complete surprise. After asking both my father and step-father for their blessings, Lannin proposed on bended knee at our home before taking me to dinner at my favorite restaurant. I was so shocked that I hardly remembered to say yes. I kept saying, “Wow!” throughout the entire evening!

Can you tell us a little bit about the details of your wedding and your sources of inspiration?

My goals for our wedding were to include all of our closest family members and friends, and to be able to celebrate with a great party! I didn’t want to kill myself with stress either, and avoiding do so was a mission accomplished. Our ceremony and reception took place at the same venue, The Signature at West Neck. My husband is big into golfing. Plus, the golf club is absolutely gorgeous, and the food is delicious, so choosing our venue was a no-brainer. Our ceremony was held on the back lawn, which has beautiful views of the course and lakes, and the reception was held on the veranda underneath a huge lighted white tent. There was also a bar area inside, and that’s where our photo booth was located.

As for inspiration, I just wanted things to be beautiful, simple, and comfortable. We aren’t stuffy people, so to have a stuffy wedding just wouldn’t fit us as a couple. Thus, I really did try to keep things simple and uncomplicated. I love hydrangeas, so everything pretty much started with those, from the colors I chose for the linens and dresses to the design of our invitations. I’m not the most creative person on the block, so there weren’t many DIY touches, but I did incorporate a few very personal details that were important to me and to my family. We set up a memorial table to honor those loved ones who were with us only in spirit, and we also displayed a huge picture collage that a co-worker made for me. It included photos of Lannin and me throughout our lives. I was very close with one of my grandmothers whom I lost four years ago, so it was tough not having her there on my wedding day, and we made great efforts to include her. My “something borrowed” was actually my nana’s cross, which my mother keeps and which I carried in my bouquet. My aunt also surprised me with my nana’s hankie to carry as my “something old” and a freshly picked magnolia bloom from my nana’s tree, the one I used to climb when I was a little girl. It meant so much to me to have those little details as part of our wedding day.

What were your favorite moments or parts of the day?

There were a few humorous moments. Our DJ’s computer overheated at the exact moment that I was about to walk down the aisle, so we had a little remix and a little break while things got restarted! It was actually a blessing in disguise, because it gave my dad and me the chance to take some deep breaths and soak everything in. Also, during the ceremony, Lannin’s ring jumped straight out of our officiant’s Bible and proceeded to bounce around on the brick sidewalk a few times before I was able to catch it!

What kind of advice would you offer to future brides?

My advice to upcoming brides would definitely be to plan ahead and don’t stress! At the end of the day, it is about you and your new spouse and the wonderful life that you are starting together. It is not about all the fancy stuff; that’s just a perk.

This wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights.

Some of our favorite pieces from Twigs & Honey’s new collection:

GOLDEN ROSE AND BLOSSOM BRANCH HEADPIECE

FLUTTERING CRYSTAL HEADPIECE

WOODLAND FERN GILDED HEADBAND 

BABY’S BREATH CRYSTAL HAIR VINE

PEARL AND CRYSTAL BLOSSOM TWIG HEADPIECE

DOUBLE FLOWER HEADPIECE WITH CHAIN SWAGS

ANTIQUE CRYSTAL HEADWRAP

Photos by Elizabeth Messina for Twigs and Honey

Photos courtesy of Hamda al Fahim

The most notable aspect of this session, though, is the models, Talitha and Matthew. The two are a real-life couple, as one might gather from the love and warmth that they radiate. Sadly, an absentee photographer left the pair, who have been married for a decade, without a single wedding photo. This shoot gave them the chance to amend that loss. Both wore their original wedding attire, which still fit perfectly after ten years.

“Talitha and Matthew exemplify strong and passionate love,” Julie said. “We were so happy to be able to give them tangible memories in the form of photographs that fit the style of their wedding.”

 

Vendors

Photography: Julie Wilmes Photography / Venue: White Rock Lake Park / Flowers: Marion Miller of Designs by M. Miller (Designsbymmiller@gmail.com) / Vintage rentals and prop styling: Rent My Dust / Cupcakes and treats: La Bella Cupcakes

This shoot was submitted via Two Bright Lights.

Escort Cards:

Table Numbers:

Instructions:

1. Print out on medium-weight off-white paper or kraft paper.

2. Cut out around edges.

3. Use a fine-tipped black calligraphy marker (we like these) to hand-write your guests’ names on the escort cards. No writing is needed for the table numbers.

Download:

DOWNLOAD LARGE ESCORT CARDS

DOWNLOAD SMALL ESCORT CARDS

DOWNLOAD TABLE NUMBERS

Editor’s note: These photos and artworks are copyrighted material. They are intended solely for personal use and not for republication, distribution, sale, preparation of derivative works, or any other non-personal use. If you’d like to blog about this post, feel free to share the photos (with a proper credit line and a link back to this post), but please do not distribute these downloadable PDFs on your site or anywhere else. Thank you!