WEDDING BLOG

Cozy Boho Backyard Wedding in Georgia

September 24, 2020 | riley

With temperatures quickly dropping and fall calling our names, we love the idea of backyard weddings with bonfires, fuzzy blankets, and warm colors. Caitlin and Ryan’s cozy boho backyard wedding in Georgia was just that–and it’s giving us all the feels. With the help of expert planner Sweet Magnolia Weddings, the pair put together a laid-back day where they tied the knot in front of their closest friends and family.

The vintage rugs, neutral floral arrangements from The Funky Shack, and small teepees for the reception perfectly match the vibes of the surrounding forest. And Caitlin’s two-piece wedding dress from BHLDN and The Sentimentalist paired with the burgundy fur is the perfect mix of simple and elegant. We’re oh-so-glad that Junebug member Emily Battles Photography was there to capture the details of this intimate day and share it with us.

The Couple:

Caitlin and Ryan

The Wedding:

Tyron, Georgia

The Boho Backyard Wedding Vibe

We knew we wanted a laid-back, cozy, and all-inclusive atmosphere. We wanted people to be comfortable and enjoy themselves–including us. So, we made the space feel warm, energetic, and romantic.

Including Friends and Family in the Ceremony

Our ceremony was very personal because we asked one of our best friends–Brandon–to marry us. His words were heartfelt and sincere, which is what we wanted–to be surrounded by love. Instead of having a bridal party, Ryan and I both had our brothers stand by our side. Again, we wanted to be surrounded by love from our closest family and friends.

Shop similar furs: Faux Fur Stole ($72.99); Red Faux Fur Wedding Shawl ($59.99); Burgundy Red Faux Fur Wrap ($51.30)

A Diverse Wedding Menu

We had a giant charcuterie table open the entire night for guests to snack on. The main course was our favorite food, which is Indian from our favorite local Indian Restaurant. We wrapped the night up with Waffle House for guests to either eat while they were there or to take home with them.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Emily Battles Photography
Event Planning – Sweet Magnolia Weddings
Floral Design – The Funky Shack
Catering – Star of India
Cake – Sweet T’s Bakery
Invitation Design – Minted
Wedding Dress – BHLDN, The Sentimentalist
Bridal Accessories – Manolo Blahnik
Groom’s Apparel – Trio Customs
Rentals – Classic Canopies

Congratulations again to Caitlin and Ryan on their boho backyard wedding in Georgia! Thank you to Junebug member Emily Battles Photography for sharing their special day with us. To see more of Emily’s work, check out her profile in our directory of best wedding photographers in the world!

French Bohemian Wedding at Les Domaines de Patras

September 23, 2020 | riley

dark pink light pink sage green white

Every wild and free-spirited fiance needs to see Sanddy and Simon’s boho wedding at Les Domaines de Patras! Their French wedding–put together by Daylove Events–has everything from dramatic floral arrangements put together by Menthe Sauvage to vintage rugs and colored smoke bombs. We’re obsessed with Sanddy’s custom-made Elise Martimort gown that she paired with another customized piece—an incredible leather jacket for the end of the night.

See Free People meets the French countryside below with the gorgeous photos that Les Bandits captured.

The Couple:

Sanddy and Simon

The Wedding:

Les Domaines de Patras, Solerieux, France

A Custom-Made Wedding Dress

I wanted to feel like myself, so I chose a simple dress without lace or embroidery. The dress was very airy, and it suited my style (plunging neckline, slit up the leg, wide openings under the arms). My inspiration was the dress worn by Edita Vilkeviciute during her wedding in Italy. So I decided to have a custom dress made. After giving her an idea of what I wanted, Élise Martimort–the designer–gave me a sketch in 3 minutes during our first meeting. I knew it was my dress. It was completely unique! I wore it until the end of the night. I didn’t want to change my outfit! You only wear your wedding dress once, so I wanted to make the most of it.

Bohemian Wedding Day Vibes

For the decorations and style of our wedding, Simon gave me carte blanche. He trusted me completely and knew how much I wanted to plan it. I wanted a kinfolk/boho style for the decor–with fresh and dried flowers, lots of plants, and wood. Refined and modern style was the focus.

Why Les Domaines de Patras

We live in Paris, and we were looking for a venue in the south of France. Thanks to our wedding planner–Daylove Event–we found the perfect place, Les Domaines de Patras. From the first time we saw it, we knew. The place is magic! The owners, Kety and Eric–so adorable–make the place feel so warm. The barn–our reception location–matched the style of our wedding perfectly. It didn’t require much decoration. It was perfect for dining and partying. We wanted the majority of our guests to stay at the wedding venue, which was possible thanks to Les Domaines de Patras’ guest rooms.

The Wedding Favors

We had a hangover kit prepared for each guest. For a three-day long wedding, this kit was handy. On the dinner table, women received a small vial of olive oil, and men got a small jar of honey. For my wedding party and our mothers, we had a glass bell made with various dried flowers inside.

The Wedding Team:

Photography & Videography – Les Bandits
Event Planning – Daylove Event
Venue – Les Domaines de Patras
Floral Design – Menthe Sauvage
Catering & Cake – Entre Amis Traiteur
Live Music – The Beau Ties, Jane Acoustic Duo
Invitation Design – Cotton Bird
Makeup Artist & Hair Styling – Billy and Clyde
Wedding Dress – Elise Martimort
Groom’s Apparel – Faubourg Saint Supplice
Rings – Mauboussin
Rentals – Velvet Rendez-Vous

Congratulations to Sanddy and Simon on their boho wedding at Les Domaines de Patras! And thank you to Les Bandits for sharing their special day with Junebug. To see more French boho wedding inspo, check out Ismaëlla and Aurélie’s Kinfolk-Inspired Wedding at Ferme Gerquesalle!

How to Plan a Unique Wedding

September 22, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

photo by T & V Photography

We see a lot of weddings. Every year, our team reviews thousands—yes, thousands—of real wedding submissions for Junebug Weddings. We know a thing or two about unique weddings.

If you’re searching for unique wedding ideas in hopes to replicate them—we have news for you. You’re not going to find the perfect unique wedding on Pinterest or even on this blog. The word ‘unique’ literally means “being unlike anything else.” How could you be unlike anything else while copying someone else’s day?

We’re here to help you dig deep to create your day. Let us inspire you to discover your own unique, one-of-a-kind, original style. Then, we’ll turn it into your wedding.

What Makes a Unique Wedding?

We’re giddy with excitement when we open a real wedding submission and immediately feel like we personally know the bride and groom. Careful choices create a sense of personality. Examples of choices that show your unique tastes are a totally rad location, a choice to use only female vendors, or a replica of your favorite board game as a backdrop for photos.

How to Use Inspiration You Find Online

Finding inspiration is okay! In fact, we recommend finding photos to help guide decisions and spark creative ideas. For example, if you find a photo of stunning table arrangements, take that photo to your florist and explain why you like it.

Can you add a flower that represents you? Maybe you can source vintage vases to hold the flowers. Or keep the arrangements as-is and design napkins with fun facts about you as a couple.

Create a Mood Board of Inspiration vs. Replicating

Designing a wedding mood board can provide a centralized place to collect ideas and inspiration photos. Be sure to include a variety of photos—not just wedding photos. Including images of outfits, home decor, and graphic designs can help your wedding team brainstorm unique ideas for your day.

Download our Canva template to create your own mood board.

Let Go of Expectations

If you’re dreaming of a unique wedding, it’s important to let go of any preconceived notions about what a wedding “should be.” Forget what you’ve seen at friends weddings or what your parents say you have to do. Your highest priority should be to create a day that makes you feel comfortable, present in the moment, and has thoughtful touches at every turn.

How to Communicate You’re Breaking Tradition

Be blunt, honest, and communicate your desires clearly. We promise you’ll feel empowered by doing so. Try using any of these options when you’re communicating your unique ideas:

“We love how you did ‘XYZ’ for your wedding, but ‘ABC’ is more important to us.”
“Thank you for the ideas, we’re hoping to brainstorm things that will be unique to our story. We can’t wait for you to see what we come up with!”
“That tradition makes us uncomfortable.”
“We decided on mismatched dresses so each bridesmaid can choose a gown that represents their unique style.”

Unique Wedding Ideas from Real Junebug Couples

Remember the thousands of weddings we review every year? When we choose to feature real couple’s weddings on Junebug Weddings, we are careful to select the ones that are truly unique. When you see other couples break tradition, embrace quirky ideas, and rock their true style—we hope you feel free to embrace your truest selves, as well.

We’ve rounded up a few truly unique weddings to inspire you on your journey.

photo by Fox & Film Photography

This Fabulous Feminist Wedding at Ace Prop House + Studio

The Couple: Steph & Bobby

Location: Miami, Florida

What Made the Wedding Unique: Steph and Bobby broke tradition in the most awesome of ways for their funky and feminine wedding in Miami, Florida. The couple hired all woman-owned businesses as their vendorstalk about a rockstar move! We’re in awe with how they made an already fun venue even cooler with food trucks, disco balls, and floral creations.

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Are small businesses important to you? Do you want to support Black-owned businesses? Do you want to hire an all-female team? Consider what you stand for and how you could incorporate social causes into your wedding.

Edgy Industrial Fall Wedding at Castaway Portland

The Couple: Courtney & Marcell

Location: Portland, Oregon

What Made the Wedding Unique: If you’ve ever dreamt of an interesting wedding, take this couple’s advice: break as many rules as possible. Courtney nailed the non-traditional bridal look with a fabulous champagne-colored, beaded gown, and Marcell looked rad in all black attire. You could tell fashion style was important to this duo!

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Take note of how each of you dress in “everyday” life. Is comfort important to you? Do you swoon over gold jewelry? How can your wedding outfits mimic your everyday style—or leave them in the dust with show stopping looks?

Old Hollywood Wedding at The Houdini Estate

The Couple: Adam & Diana

Location: Laurel Canyon, California

What Made the Wedding Unique: Adam and Diana love Old Hollywood and Havana vibes—their wedding reflected it. Their guests were already feeling special receiving rad, themed invitations, and the party was only enhanced with a marajuana bar (when in Rome—right?), cigars, the couple’s favorite food truck, and even more personal touches.

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Specialty entertainment can be an awesome way to bring a touch of you into your wedding day. Whether it’s your favorite coffee shop, a popsicle stand, food truck, or local band—give your guests a chance to experience something you love as a couple.

photo by Evren Türker

Fashion-Forward Blush and Baby Blue Zurich Wedding

The Couple: Florian & Gustavo

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

What Made the Wedding Unique: Florian and Gustavo wanted their guests to feel their belief that “happiness is only real when shared.” They created individual invitation cards that included curiosities, dates, and facts about them.

They wrote to us, “Continuing with the unique style of ‘us,’ we decided to avoid the basic male suit. Our suits matched the colors, flowers, and other decoration elements of the wedding day—as well as the surrounding elements of the venue and season. That’s why we chose the top of Zurich as our venue, to also bring an excellent open air atmosphere to our guests, where they could enjoy the excellent view of our home.”

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Be like Florian and Gustavo—thoughtful and wholehearted in your planning. Consider the feelings you want to inspire for your guests and—most importantly—yourselves

Wedding inspiration can come from anywhere. While we hope to inspire you to create a perfectly unique wedding, we encourage you to follow your heart when it comes to planning. After all, the music will fade, the guests will go home, and you’ll be left standing with your new spouse. Remember what makes that day the most special—start there.

Looking for the team to help pull off your unique wedding ideas? Visit our directory of carefully selected wedding professionals.