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A Charming DIY Bohemian Harvest Wedding Set Against the Swiss Alps in Interlaken

November 6, 2026 | justine

Glass apple-shaped lamps inspired Polina and Simon’s Bohemian Harvest theme, which brought rich colors, oversized paper flowers, and playful DIY details to their Interlaken wedding Held at Trinkhalle am Kleinen Rugen, a traditional Swiss venue surrounded by the Alps, the celebration featured handmade decorations, custom-printed tablecloths, and personal touches created with help from their families and friends.

The couple met in Basel while pursuing doctoral degrees. Their first date at a local autumn fair continued with a long evening walk and hours of conversation. They soon discovered a shared love of hiking and traveling, and the Swiss mountains became the perfect location for their wedding. Nearly a year of planning followed, with the couple handling most of the preparations themselves.

What We Love About This Interlaken Wedding

  • A Bohemian Harvest theme inspired by glass apple-shaped lamps, with rich blue, pink, and red accents
  • Custom-printed blue tablecloths featuring the same pattern as the couple’s wedding invitations
  • An outdoor ceremony beneath a fabric-draped floral arch overlooking the Swiss Alps
  • A family photo wall featuring relatives from Russia, China, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland
  • LEGO flowers assembled by guests and combined into a bouquet for the couple’s home

Nearly a Year of DIY Planning With Help From Family and Friends

Polina and Simon began planning almost a year before their wedding, even before publicly announcing their engagement. They agreed on a budget early and were determined to host a celebration they could be proud of without dipping into their savings or taking on debt. Live music for the ceremony and reception was one expense they decided to forgo.

They researched vendors through recommendations, social media, and online articles, contacting them directly and arranging in-person meetings whenever possible. A meeting with John from Artisst Catering helped them review the venue’s facilities and work out the schedule. They also found their photographer, Junebug vendor Tatiana Brizhagina, through a recommendation in a Telegram chat.

The day before their Interlaken wedding, close friends who had traveled from different parts of the world joined them to help decorate the venue. The preparations were fun, although occasionally stressful, with everyone pitching in to get everything ready. That evening, the group gathered for a large family-style dinner at the venue. 

Featured Vendor:
Tatiana Brizhagina Fotografie

Wedding Vows in the Swiss Alps and a Slavic Kissing Tradition

Polina and Simon exchanged vows outdoors, with the Swiss Alps providing a beautiful backdrop. A curved arch draped in white fabric and decorated with colorful flowers serves as the altar for the ceremony, attended by family and friends who had traveled from around the world. The couple also incorporated a Slavic wedding tradition that encouraged guests to join in.

During the ceremony, guests repeatedly shouted “Gorka,” meaning “bitter,” prompting the newlyweds to kiss. According to tradition, each second spent kissing brings additional years of happiness. The repeated calls for kisses added a playful moment to their Interlaken wedding, with guests joining in on a tradition familiar to the couple.

An Asymmetric Wedding Dress and a Classic Black Tuxedo

Polina chose a modern, asymmetric wedding gown with a structured strapless bodice, a large floral detail, and a voluminous gathered overskirt. A sheer skirt with floral appliqués was visible beneath the draped fabric. She wanted something comfortable that would allow her to move freely throughout the celebration. She completed the look with a long veil, floral earrings, and a sleek low bun. Polina did her own makeup, while one of her closest friends helped with her hat.

Simon, who works in finance and is accustomed to dressing formally, handled his own styling. He wore a black tuxedo with a bow tie and white floral boutonniere. Although the couple initially questioned whether black-tie attire would suit their rustic mountain venue, they were happy with how their outfits worked with the setting. 

A Traditional Swiss Venue Filled With Colorful Flowers and Handmade Details

Polina and Simon were looking for a venue with plenty of open space, fresh air, and mountain scenery. Trinkhalle am kleinen Rugen, near Interlaken, had all three, along with practical facilities such as a kitchen, preparation rooms, and basement storage.

The building’s wooden beams, stone walls, and tall windows suited their theme, which combined rustic details with rich shades of blue, pink, and red. Glass apple-shaped lamps inspired the initial concept, followed by floral arrangements, fruit, and handmade decorations.

Polina had one firm preference: no traditional white tablecloths. Instead, the couple used custom-printed blue tablecloths featuring the same pattern as their invitations, sewing the fabric themselves. The floral print covered the long reception tables, which were arranged with woven placemats, white dinnerware, and small flower arrangements.

Their parents also contributed their experience with floral arrangements and DIY projects. Polina’s father designed and 3D-printed the name tags used for seating assignments, while the couple made around 20 paper flowers to decorate one of the walls. They also incorporated artificial flowers dating back to the previous century, alongside fresh blooms that guests were invited to take home afterward.

Family Photographs Spanning Three Generations and a LEGO Flower Keepsake

Among the decorations was a photo wall featuring portraits and family photographs dating back as many as three generations. The collection included relatives from Russia, China, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, giving guests a chance to learn more about the couple’s family histories.

Polina and Simon also came up with an unusual alternative to a traditional guest book. They asked each guest to assemble an individual LEGO flower, which they later collected into a single bouquet. The finished arrangement now sits in their home, with flowers assembled by the friends and family who attended their Interlaken wedding.

 

Their Advice for Couples Planning a DIY Wedding

Taking on most of the planning themselves was ambitious, but Polina and Simon appreciated the experience. They saw it as an introduction to married life, giving them time to make decisions together and learn more about each other.

Their one lighthearted regret? They wished their guests had arrived with bigger appetites. With so much food and drink prepared, they joked that perhaps they should have encouraged everyone to indulge a little more.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Tatiana Brizhagina Fotografie
Venue – Trinkhalle am Kleinen Rugen
Catering – Artisst Catering
Cake – Basel Bake
Wedding Dress – Lara Dress
Groom’s Apparel – Moss

 

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A Relaxed and Organic Garden Party Wedding at Jardin del Sol in Snohomish, Washington

November 5, 2026 | justine

Crosby and Graham had a garden wedding in mind from the beginning. During their relationship, they’d spent countless hours in a small garden where Graham once worked. It was where he first asked Crosby to be his girlfriend and, years later, where he proposed. When they discovered that Jardin del Sol was available on their seventh dating anniversary, they booked it.

The celebration was relaxed and informal, with guests gathering for cocktails in the garden before dinner and dancing. Crosby and Graham kept the decor simple and spent more on the things they loved most: music, food, and drinks. They even put together their own cocktail hour playlist to get the party started.

What We Love About This Jardin del Sol Wedding

  • A garden venue booked for the couple’s seventh dating anniversary
  • An ivory corseted wedding dress with a matching neck scarf
  • The couple’s dog serving as ring bearer and running after them down the aisle
  • A handwritten seating chart displayed inside a framed art print
  • Two camcorders used by guests to capture candid wedding footage

From a Teenage Crush to a Wedding on Their Seventh Anniversary

Crosby first met Graham in 2016 during a family ski trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was 16, he was 19, and although they barely spoke, she developed a huge crush on him. She even imagined taking his last name, Keys, because she thought it had a nice ring to it.

Three years later, they unexpectedly crossed paths again. Crosby was attending university in Tacoma, Washington, when a family friend invited her to spend a weekend away from campus. She didn’t realize Graham, who lived in Seattle, would also be there. “I was really glad I wore a cute outfit!” she recalls.

They immediately connected and began dating. During their relationship, a small garden where Graham worked became a favorite place to spend time together. He eventually proposed there, so finding an outdoor wedding venue was especially important to them.

Jardin del Sol was the first venue they visited. When they learned that their anniversary was one of the few remaining available dates, they didn’t need to look any further.

Personal Vows and an Unexpected Moment With Their Ring Bearer

The couple arranged a first look and finished their portraits before the ceremony, leaving more time to spend with guests afterward.

Crosby’s older sibling accompanied her down the aisle, and she and Graham exchanged vows they’d written themselves. Several guests were moved to tears, with some later telling the couple that they were among the most beautifully written vows they’d heard.

Their dog also had a role in the ceremony, serving as ring bearer with Graham’s sister holding the leash. After the newlyweds shared a dip at the end of the aisle, Graham’s sister released the leash, and their dog ran after them as they walked away.

Before joining cocktail hour, Crosby and Graham spent a few quiet minutes together. Their coordinator brought them their signature cocktails and appetizers while guests mingled outside. Crosby had prepared the playlist, choosing music to suit the garden setting.

Featured Vendor:
Eryndae

Earthy Garden Details and a Coordinated Wedding Party

With the venue’s lush gardens, string lights, and reception tent already in place, Crosby and Graham didn’t need much additional decor. They chose a few of their favorite flowers and classic table settings, with muted shades of green, orange, and blue appearing throughout. Crosby made the seating chart herself, framing one of the couple’s favorite art prints and handwriting each table assignment. Her love of calligraphy made it one of her favorite DIY projects.

Their wedding attire followed a similar palette. Crosby wore an off-the-shoulder ivory gown with a corseted bodice, textured fabric, and a matching neck scarf. Graham chose a dark brown suit, while his three groomsmen wore lighter brown suits.

Each of Crosby’s three bridesmaids wore a different color from the wedding palette and chose her own dress style. The groomsmen’s ties matched the bridesmaids’ respective colors, tying the wedding party’s outfits together without making everyone look identical.

Crosby wore her natural curls in an updo, just as she often does in everyday life. She and her bridesmaids also opted for natural makeup, with everyone choosing hairstyles they were comfortable wearing. 

Good Food, Great Music, and a Packed Dance Floor

Music, food, and drinks were Crosby and Graham’s biggest priorities when deciding where to spend their wedding budget. Once they’d secured the venue, they began looking for their DJ and caterer.

They found their vendors following recommendations from the venue owners. Crosby handled most of the planning herself but hired the venue owner, who was also their day-of coordinator, for additional planning support closer to the wedding.

The celebrations began with a small rehearsal dinner on Thursday at one of their favorite date-night restaurants. They reserved the outdoor space for their closest family and friends, leaving Friday free for last-minute preparations and some downtime.

At the wedding reception, the music was a particular highlight. The dance floor stayed packed throughout the night, and guests continued complimenting the couple on the music, food, and drinks long after the celebration.

Two Camcorders Instead of a Traditional Wedding Video

Crosby and Graham decided against hiring a videographer and instead used two camcorders to document the wedding. They asked a few guests to record their vows and capture footage throughout the evening.

One camera was kept in the bridal suite and the other in the groom’s suite during preparations, giving them recordings from both sides of the wedding morning.

They were also fortunate with the weather. An entirely outdoor wedding had made them a little nervous about the forecast, but their wedding day was sunny, and everything went according to plan.

  

Their Advice on Wedding Priorities and Last-Minute Planning

Crosby and Graham wish they’d had more time to talk with guests during cocktail hour. Even with their portraits finished before the ceremony, the afternoon passed surprisingly quickly.

For couples planning their own wedding, Crosby recommends hiring a partial planner toward the end of the process. Having someone take over vendor communication during those final weeks relieved much of their stress and was more affordable than hiring a full-service planner from the beginning.

She also suggests deciding which parts of the wedding matter most before getting caught up in smaller details. For Crosby and Graham, that meant booking their DJ and caterer soon after securing Jardin del Sol, then working through everything else.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Eryndae
Venue – Jardin del Sol
Floral Design – Mandy Hereth
Catering – Act 3 Catering
DJ – Jeremy Williams
Makeup Artist – Makeup by Lina
Hair Styling – Janey Wahl
Wedding Dress – Anthropologie Weddings
Bridal Accessories – Azazie
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Rings – Green Lake Jewelry Works

 

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This Italian Villa Selvatico Wedding Found the Perfect Balance Between Modern and Timeless

November 3, 2026 | justine

A bright green and white color palette, asymmetrical floral arrangements, and understated decor gave Camilla and Giuseppe’s Villa Selvatico wedding a modern look. Located in Italy’s Euganean Hills, the historic villa offered gardens, classic architecture, and panoramic views. The couple chose flowers, candles, and touches of green fruit for the tables, keeping the arrangements simple to showcase the setting.

The couple planned the entire wedding themselves, from selecting vendors to designing the stationery and preparing homemade favors with their families. Their plans for an outdoor celebration took an unexpected turn when rain arrived shortly after the ceremony. Fortunately, they had just enough time to exchange vows in the gardens before moving the festivities indoors.

What We Love About This Villa Selvatico Wedding

  • A bright green and white color palette with modern, asymmetrical floral arrangements
  • Custom green bridesmaid dresses and beige groomsmen suits with coordinating ties
  • Homemade olive oil and walnut liqueur favors, plus a ceramic ring dish made by Camilla
  • An outdoor ceremony that finished just before the rain started
  • A surprise choir performance by friends who had rehearsed for months

Featured Vendor:
Moon Stories

Modern Florals and Bright Green Accents at a Historic Italian Villa

Located in the Euganean Hills, Villa Selvatico had the romantic, pastoral character Camilla and Giuseppe were looking for. They loved the historic architecture and surrounding greenery but preferred a more contemporary approach to the decorations. White and a bright shade of green became their main colors, appearing in the flowers, table settings, and wedding party attire.

The flowers were a particular priority. After researching vendors on social media, requesting quotes, and reviewing recommendations from the venue, they hired florists who specialized in the style they liked. The arrangements featured asymmetrical designs, while candles and green fruit decorated the reception tables.

Their wedding attire followed a similarly simple, elegant approach. Camilla chose a voluminous satin gown with a structured, strapless bodice and a full skirt, paired with minimal hair and makeup. Giuseppe wore a dark green suit, while the bridesmaids wore custom-made dresses in a coordinating shade of green. The groomsmen wore beige suits with matching green ties.

The couple purchased their outfits from the same atelier. Although they kept their choices a secret from each other until the ceremony, the staff knew what both had selected and helped coordinate their looks.

The Rain Held Off Just Long Enough for Their Outdoor Ceremony

Camilla and Giuseppe had planned to spend their wedding day outdoors, taking advantage of the villa’s gardens and panoramic terrace. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. They were particularly concerned about the rain, but they managed to hold their religious ceremony outside as originally planned. A friend delivered a speech about marriage and love, drawing from passages in the Bible.

The couple also decided against a first look, preferring to see each other for the first time at the altar. Looking back, they were especially happy with that decision. The rain started almost immediately after the ceremony. They managed to squeeze in a few photographs with family and friends, along with some portraits together, before heading inside.

Although the weather forced last-minute changes to nearly every part of the day, the venue staff handled the adjustments. The reception continued indoors, beginning with a buffet and a musical welcome.

A Hands-On Approach to Wedding Planning, Down to the Smallest Details

Camilla had dreamed of her wedding since childhood and has long been interested in the wedding industry. She even hopes to work in it someday. So when it came time to plan her own wedding, she and Giuseppe decided to organize everything without a wedding planner.

They researched and selected their vendors, coordinated the decorations, and handled the stationery. Drawing on her educational background, Camilla designed the invitations, menus, seating chart, and other printed materials.

They also prepared several items by hand. Camilla made a ceramic ring dish, while the couple and their families produced olive oil and walnut liqueur, which they packaged in small jars as wedding favors.

Having saved money during their relationship, they were able to set a comfortable budget for the wedding. They were willing to spend on the things they cared about while keeping the overall costs reasonable.

A Wedding-Eve Tradition Followed by a Last-Minute Change of Plans

Camilla and Giuseppe first met in November 2021 at a pizza dinner organized by a mutual friend. Giuseppe’s family had recently moved from Southern to Northern Italy, and the gathering was an opportunity for him and his sisters to meet new people after months of COVID restrictions.

Although they barely spoke that evening, Camilla noticed him immediately. She even remembers dreaming about their wedding that very night. They continued seeing each other through mutual friends and began dating soon afterward.

The night before their wedding, Giuseppe surprised Camilla with a serenade, following a Southern Italian custom in which the groom sings to his bride. The tradition isn’t common in Northern Italy, where they live, so the gathering brought plenty of laughter along with the music. Their closest friends and family joined them for the evening.

Friends and Family Had a Few Surprises Planned for the Reception

The reception at Villa Selvatico included several performances organized by the couple’s family and friends. Camilla’s father and one of her friends arranged live music for the evening. Another surprise came from a choir made up of their friends, who had secretly spent months rehearsing a song for the newlyweds.

Their videographer also edited a short trailer using footage captured earlier that day. Guests watched it at the beginning of the evening reception, before the party continued with a DJ set.

The couple had a difficult time choosing their favorite moment from the wedding. Despite the weather and the changes to their original plans, they particularly appreciated the effort their friends and family had put into the celebration.

What They Learned From Planning Their Wedding Without a Planner

After organizing their Villa Selvatico wedding themselves, they encourage other couples to enjoy the planning process and work together as much as possible. “Have fun, not just on your wedding day, but throughout the entire planning process,” they advise. “Work together with your partner; it will bring you even closer.”

They also recommend concentrating on what matters to you as a couple instead of worrying about everyone else’s opinions. The months spent researching vendors, preparing decorations, and making decisions together are memories they’ll carry into married life.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Moon Stories
Venue – Villa Selvatico
Floral Design – Twins in Bloom
Catering – Food&Co
DJ – Dacj DJ
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Deborah & Giuliana of Bridal Makeup Service

 

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