There’s nothing quite like newlywed bliss, so Laura and Stuart knew they wanted to capture their joy forever with a post-wedding shoot! Less than 24 hours after tying the knot, Love Luella Photography captured the couple’s incredibly romantic spin around Moel Famau, one of the highest hills in North Wales. Special details like a classic car, a minimalist bouquet, and an effortlessly chic flower crown lend a timeless flair to Laura and Stuart’s passionate newlywed session!
Kayla and Mark fell in love among the gorgeousness of Houston Museum of Natural Science‘s Gem and Mineral Exhibit, so when it was time to choose a wedding venue, the couple knew it was a no-brainer! Taking design cues from the exhibit’s dramatic mahogany hues, the couple’s jewel-toned agate slice reception décor perfectly mirrored the museum’s natural artifacts. We also love how the couple incorporated details from their fave TV show, The Walking Dead, in the groom’s cake, the boutonnieres, and even a surprise pinball machine! Leighanne Herr captured this Houston Museum of Natural Science wedding perfectly, including a meaningful balloon release before the ceremony.
My most important focus was my husband. I wanted to do anything I could to incorporate what he loved, as well as what I loved. We just wanted our entire day to reflect us, and we wanted our guests to walk in and say, “Oh, this is definitely Mark and Kayla‘s wedding.” It was just important to us that all of our family and friends felt like they were truly celebrating with us, which is why we opted for a more intimate ceremony.
I had been going to the Houston Museum of Natural Science since I was little, and my favorite exhibit was alway the gem and mineral exhibit. I would just gaze upon all of the glistening stones; I would spend hours in there. So one of our first dates had to be there. And Mark did just that with me. Gaze upon gems for hours. We just knew that it would be a dream come true to say our vows amongst the very treasures where we began to fall in love.
Our first look was such a surreal moment. We both opened our eyes at the same time, and cried. I just couldn’t believe that my soon to be husband was standing in front of me; I didn’t want to take my eyes off of him. It was a moment that I felt I had been waiting for since we met.
We added touches of our favorite TV show anywhere we could. If any one knows us at all, they know we are the absolute biggest fans of The Walking Dead. I put tiny Walking Dead lego men in the boutonnieres and I had a Walking Dead grooms cake of the iconic doors from the first episode, I had one of our best friends (who married us) put what he was going to say in our favorite Walking Dead issue, we added in “I vow to always have our Walking Dead Sundays,” in our traditional vows, and lastly I surprised Mark with a Walking Dead Pinball machine at our reception. I tried to tie it in the best I could with out it feeling like a comic book store; but in the end even if it did feel that way, that is Mark and I!
My best friend had passed away right when Mark and I began to date; She absolutely adored Mark so I wanted to send her a message that she was always right. He is perfect, and now he was becoming my husband. So her mom, Mark and I all wrote little notes and sent them her way. It meant the world to me to have that photographed.
I really pulled ideas from anywhere. We both love the cold weather, which we don’t get much of in Texas so it was important to us for our wedding to be at the beginning of January. We also wanted a very intimate feel, so we had every one stand at our ceremony, so they could be standing with us.
Our advice: Have fun! Mark and I spent a little more than a year just enjoying being engaged. We did everything together to plan, and it honestly was some of the most fun times we have had together.
I tied in the gemstones with things such as our agate slice place cards, and more decor. I also really drew from my ring, which belonged to my Great Grandmother. Very art deco feel, which I tied in with the bridesmaids dresses. The main focus was intimacy; we had a nice dinner outside at two long tables so it felt just like a family feast.
We DIYed our dance floor! I wanted a very specific look with the gold and white squares, so we figured let’s make it ourselves!
If you’ve been dreaming of a woodland wedding like something in a storybook, we’re here to help you achieve the look! More and more couples are saying “I do” to getting married in the woods instead of traditional venues, but there are a few things you need to consider before getting hitched in the wilderness. From logistical needs that are unique to a forest setting to styling tips that enhance the natural beauty of your surroundings, here’s how to throw a totally enchanting woodland wedding.
Find the Perfect Ceremony Spot
Whether it’s against a big tree or in an opening in the woods, your ceremony spot should showcase the beauty of the surroundings while highlighting what’s most important — you two saying “I do!” Location scouting before the day-of can give you an idea of where you’d like to set up your ceremony, but keep in mind that a forest isn’t maintained, so a tree may fall or other natural conditions may change up what you had in mind. As with any ceremony location, don’t forget to consider where the sun will be shining!
photo by India Earl, wedding design by ; see more from this wedding here!
Let Your Floral Design Get a Little Wild
Overgrown bouquets have been trending for a while now, but there’s no better place to carry one than a woodland wedding! Because a forest setting is naturally unkempt, a tight, round bouquet can look out of place and take away from the organic vibe. Keep your wedding look as effortless as the landscape with an asymmetrical shape, mismatched blooms, and dripping greenery.
No, we don’t really mean that you should send Save the Dates to neighboring deer and squirrel families! However, plastic critters couldn’t be a cuter addition to your woodland wedding decor. From cake toppers to escort cards, your favorite creatures are the perfect touch of whimsy!
Styling your ceremony and reception with natural elements can help to create a consistent setting without detracting from the beauty of your surroundings. Tree stumps and wood rounds may not have been organically placed in the woods where you’re celebrating, but they certainly look like they belong when you’ve built a romantic display by pulling elements from your setting!
One of the obvious differences between being married in a traditional venue and a forest is the lack of accommodations. A tent is a great option for providing coverage over your reception, ensuring that animals, wind, and falling leaves aren’t interfering with your décor or guests. Choose a tent with a clear roof to keep the outdoor affect, or string cafe lights across the ceiling for an enchanting look!
To get the full effect of a wedding in the forest, skip the tent and have dinner among the trees! There’s nothing dreamier than an outdoor dinner party, so treat your guests to long tables, earthy accents, and hopefully a light breeze!
The wide open space of a forest can be a blessing and a curse when it comes to organizing your wedding. Vignettes give your guests a sense of direction, letting them know what areas are part of the celebration, and what’s just wilderness. Furniture can turn any corner of the woods into lounge seating, a dessert display, a photo booth, a drink station, a place to sign your guest book, or anything you can imagine!
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