Vintage-inspired weddings continue to be all the rage, so these retro wedding color ideas are sure to be perfect for a long time to come! From wine-colored reds to muted pinks and blues to dusty yellows and greens, these color combinations are perfectly whimsical yet classic. Whether you’re planning a summer, spring, or even fall celebration, we guarantee one of these dreamy color palettes will complete you retro vibe!
With the holidays just around the corner, we can’t help but dream of winter weddings! Luckily for you, we’ve been busy rounding up our favorite 2018 winter wedding trends to help you deck your wedding hall. You may not be able to summon snow for your big day, but you can make your winter wedding bright with these eight wedding fashion and decor ideas!
Let’s hear it for the girls! These bridesmaids photos are giving us life today and proving that there’s nothing more powerful and sweet than the bond of a bride and her fierce tribe. From the early hours of getting ready to the post-ceremony champagne toast, some of the best memories of your wedding day will be with your best girls. So, if you needed yet another reason to hire a professional photographer, here are 37 squad-goal-worthy moments that you’ll want to capture so you and your girls can cherish them for a lifetime!
Ready to make your bridesmaids love you even more than they already do? Find the perfect dresses, the perfect Thank You gifts, and the perfect playlist right here:
From properly stocking your reception bar to selecting the overall style—there are endless tasks that go into bringing to life a cozy wedding reception, bar included. Let’s be honest, the reception bar is always one of the most popular elements of your wedding—for you and for your guests.
As a general rule, you should plan to allocate about 10 to 20% of your overall wedding budget for your reception bar. That includes all the bartenders, alcohol, mixers, garnishes, tools, fees, tips, and so on. Because the wedding reception bar will take up such a large portion of your budget, you’ll want to thoroughly research and price out your options before committing to one.
This reception planning resource will walk you through everything you need to know about planning for a wedding reception bar—taking into account your budget and wedding style.
There are a few different options to consider for your wedding reception bar, all of which will depend on your venue’s rules, requirements, and your allotted budget. If you’re looking for the most low-maintenance option, a professional bar that’s stocked and staffed by either the venue or a third-party full bar service is ideal. This typically includes marked-up alcohol prices and service fees, but it’s the perfect option for couples who don’t want the hassle of micro-managing their wedding reception bar.
For the DIY lovers looking to save on your wedding day budget, stocking a bar yourselves is a less expensive alternative. You’ll have to decide what types and quantities of alcohol to buy. It may seem daunting, but we’ve got you covered with the calculations below.
Keep in mind that, even with a DIY bar and wedding, you should hire a professional bartender to serve your drinks rather than have a self-serve bar. Depending on your state and venue’s rules and regulations, you may be required to have certified bartenders—be sure to do your research before getting too far down the DIY path.
Or Do Both Professional And DIY Reception Bar Options
For those in-between couples who just want to purchase the alcohol but don’t want to deal with anything else, a bartending service that provides a bartender, rentals, setup, and cleanup is also a great middle-ground option. Whichever type you choose, you’ll want to know which reception bar style you’re looking for before speaking with vendors.
An open bar is one of the most popular bar styles for weddings. It functions exactly as its name suggests—the host pays a flat rate and the guests can order as many drinks as they like.
Consumption Bar
A consumption bar is similar to an open bar. The only difference is that rather than paying a flat rate, a consumption bar requires the hosts to pay per drink at the end of the event.
Cash Bar
A cash bar requires guests to pay for their own drinks throughout the night—the hosts do not cover the cost. This isn’t a very common reception bar option but could be a solution for couples sticking to a strict budget. Make sure your guests know this ahead of time so they can cover their tabs.
Dry Bar
If you don’t drink, consider a dry bar instead. Simply provide a mix of sodas, juices, flavored waters, tea, and anything else you love—no alcohol required.
As a general guide, assume each guest will consume one drink per hour of your reception. Some guests might drink more, some might drink less—that general equation provides a reliable starting point. For a five-hour wedding reception with 100 guests, you’d need to have enough alcohol for 500 drinks.
When picking out alcohol, keep in mind the following standard volume-to-quantity calculations:
Bottle of wine (750 ml) = 5 glasses
Bottle of champagne (750 ml) = 8 flutes
Bottle of liquor (750 ml) = 18 cocktails
Keg (15.5 gallons) = 124 pints
Get More Exact With Personal Estimates
Remember that these are estimated averages to get you started on your planning. If you want to be a bit more thorough with your calculations, go through your guest list person by person and make a note of what type of alcohol they usually drink. Then adjust these percentages accordingly. When in doubt, overestimate. You’d rather end up with extra bottles at the end of the night than run out of alcohol before the reception is over.
Additional Wedding Reception Bar Costs To Remember
Corkage Fee
If you decide to stock your own bar, you will likely have to pay a corkage fee for your venue to allow you to bring your own alcohol onto the premises. The fee is charged either per bottle or per person served, so it can add up quickly! Just be sure the corkage fee is stated in your contract before signing if you plan on providing your own alcohol.
Liability Insurance
Whether you’re going with a professional service through your venue or a third party or you’re stocking the bar yourselves, be sure to double-check that you’re covered with liability insurance. If the venue or caterer has insurance, you could be covered. If not, you’ll want to purchase liability insurance in the event there is an alcohol-related incident during or after your wedding. We’ve got everything you need to know about wedding insurance right here.
Tips
If a service fee or gratuity isn’t included in your contract, the general guidance is to tip your bartender 20% of the final bar tab. If a service fee is included, there’s no need to tip extra unless you’d like to.
Physical Bar And Glassware Rentals
If your venue doesn’t have a physical bar, you’ll either have to rent one or find an alternative. Additionally, if you’re stocking your bar yourself, you’ll need to rent glassware either through a rental company or through your caterer.
Having a signature cocktail is the statement piece and we’re all about couples having at least one for their wedding. Wine and beer are great options, but a signature cocktail adds a little personality and fun to your big day.
If you’re having a large wedding or your guests will be spread across a huge ballroom, consider having more than one bar. You want your guests to spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying themselves. Plan for at least two separate bars if your guest list is over 50 people.
This is where hiring a full-service bar rental company comes in handy. Hiring vendors takes the planning out of your hands and turns it over to a wedding planning dream. Stocking your own bar can be quite the task, but we’ve created a checklist to help you keep everything straight. From the basics to the alcohol, below is the ultimate checklist of what you’ll need to make sure your DIY bar is stocked and ready to go.
There is a lot that goes into the planning of a wedding reception. If you’re looking for more ways to add personalized and unique touches while still sticking to a budget, check out these budget-friendly reception decor items for your wedding.
Want to save this list for future reference? Pin this checklist now—and thank us later!
There is a lot that goes into the planning of a wedding reception. If you’re looking for more ways to add personalized and unique touches while still sticking to a budget, check out these budget-friendly reception decor items for your wedding.
We found backyard boho bliss in Jacelle and Casey’s low-key San Diego wedding at Hazy Meadow Ranch. The couple’s goal was to infuse their eclectic style with free-spirited decor and a kid-friendly atmosphere, and we wholeheartedly think they nailed it! Rachel Wakefield Photography worked her magic to capture the sweetest first look moments, the most intimate newlywed photos, and every angle of every detail that Tatiana of Bekker’s Catering helped bring together. From the wild and free floral arrangements created by Native Poppy to the rustic signage and cozy seating, this ranch wedding is the ideal inspiration for low-key couples who want to create a backyard feel with an elevated look.
If there’s one thing we can count on from winter weddings, it’s that they bring the coziest vibes! From rich color palettes to timeless style to luxurious florals, winter weddings also tend to be stunningly elegant, which makes them ideal for couples who want to the perfect combination of charm and glamour for their wedding day. For that reason, we’ve rounded up 8 of the best winter weddings we’ve had the honor of publishing. We hope these inspire you to create the winter wonderland wedding of your wildest dreams!
Lorna & Ryan’s Rowallan Castle Wedding
Autumn/winter is my favorite time of year, and I wanted to mimic what was going on outside on the inside. I definitely wanted everything to have a whimsical feel about it. I chose more foliage and bare branches for the bouquets and table centerpieces over lots of flowers. We also had 2 free standing trees with lots of foliage and candles for where we stood during our ceremony. I wanted everything to feel effortless and natural.
The first thing we said when planning was we didn’t want specific wedding colors. Instead of limiting ourselves to two or three colors, we opted to go by mood. We loved the idea of going dark and dramatic for winter so if it fell into that category, it worked for us! It was so much more fun to plan without worrying if it matched a swatch perfectly! All of the designs evolved organically until we eventually ended with black, gold, silver, gray, burgundy, gunmetal, blush, and white.
See Charyssa and Austin’s full wedding feature here!
We love the outdoors. We are always exploring our province with our two chow chows and love camping and hiking. So, we wanted our vibe to be a bit of an enchanted forest feeling. Our decorator did an excellent job creating the vision we had, along with a few touches we made ourselves!
See Joanne and Rebecca’s full wedding feature here!
We planned our wedding in less than 5 months – and we would do it the same way again! Not allowing ourselves too much time to fret about the picky details was critical. By choosing to get married “off-season” on a winter Sunday, we were also able to secure our wedding planner and all of our top vendors on a short timeline. We kept our guest list unapologetically tiny; ultimately our extended families and friends were super supportive! Just because you have a small wedding, doesn’t mean you should short-change yourselves. Use the money you save on the giant guest list to invest in what is truly important to you. For us, that meant prioritizing amazing photos, décor, and food! It also meant securing a planner to worry about logistics and facilitate our vision. In the end, our wedding was more about celebrating our marriage than the anxiety of planning.
See Allison and Brayden’s full wedding feature here!
I had prayed and prayed for snow to fall on our wedding day but when I woke up on New Year’s Eve in Edmond, Oklahoma, it was actually quite nice outside for a December day. I wasn’t bummed out or anything but when the limo got closer to the venue, my bridesmaids and I realized it had snowed in Goldsby, Oklahoma! We all started freaking out and quickly pulled out our phones to take pictures and videos. I get so full of joy every time I look at our snowy pictures!
We had a winter wedding, and we definitely wanted to use the natural elements around us as inspiration. The look and feel we were going for was natural, effortless and timeless. We chose some more modern/trending looks like the navy suits and brown shoes for the guys. And for the ladies, we kept it all in the theme of whites and off-whites for winter. It was classic and elegant.
Emerald Lake Lodge was one of our favourite places to visit since we moved to Calgary. It is isolated, with no cell phone service and no tv’s in the rooms (only wood burning fireplaces!). We wanted our everyone to unplug and relax, spend time getting to know each other and enjoying the mountains.
Our ceremony was just the two of us, on the side of Stanley Lake, after a fresh snow. There was probably no one for miles around us, and it felt so secluded and peaceful. We hiked through the snow to one of the most beautiful places in Idaho with the Sawtooth Mountains as our backdrop. It was freezing but so beautiful! We wrote our own vows to each other, and our officiant Chris wrote a beautiful piece to say during the ceremony, as well.
See Nicole and Justin’s full wedding feature here!
Is there anything sweet than a wedding in the woods and a backyard picnic-style reception with everyone you hold dear? After seeing these beautiful photos of Sydney and Dylan’s wedding captured by Maggie Grace Photography, we’re inclined to say no! Emily Aitken Events helped bring every detail of the couple’s dreams to life, including helping find the perfect nook in the woods for their ceremony. We love that Sydney opted for an ethereal bridal look with a BHLDN gown and side-swept updo and added a woodsy feel to her look with a moody, organic bouquet made by Brier + Ivy. We also love the surprise pink leather jacket her mom gifted her for the late-night reception and newlywed photos by the water! All in all, this wedding was sweet, simple, and totally romantic — everything you want when you wander into the woods to say, “I do!”
The Couple:
Sydney and Dylan
The Wedding:
Seattle, Washington
We wanted our wedding to feel personal and intimate. We knew early on that we didn’t want to have a big wedding, but that we wanted to include our families. It was hard to find that balance, but we landed on having an intimate wedding in the woods of Washington. We had family travel from all over the country to attend, and it was an entire weekend of getting to spend time with the people that we love most.
For Dylan, the most memorable part of the day was reading our vows to one another. We wrote our own, and it’s pretty reflective of our personalities that he started working on his several weeks in advance, and that I wrote mine the morning of the wedding, sitting on the porch of the cabin. The most memorable part of the day for me was walking down the aisle – having my dad walk me into the forest and seeing Dylan at the end of the trail was a moment that I’d been anticipating for so long! It was also the first time I had seen the ceremony location, and I was blown away by how beautiful it was and how my dream came to life.
We asked my brother to officiate the ceremony. He’d officiated a wedding for his friends last year, and that helped keep the intimate feel of the event. He wrote the ceremony, and we included a reading by Neil Gaiman that I’ve loved for years. We also wrote our own vows (and mine may have included One Direction lyrics that got a few people to laugh during the ceremony).
If planning is not one of your strengths, hire someone else to do it! I always associated wedding planners with formal, elaborate events, but I’m indecisive and a procrastinator. When we started trying to find a location for the wedding, I had trouble even trying to narrow down where we wanted to go. We hired Emily and she handled everything, down to the details I wouldn’t have even thought about. It made it so much easier to stay relaxed and enjoy the day of the wedding.
I’ve always dreamed of a wedding in the woods, and Emily found the location in Washington, as well as all of the cabins we booked for our family to stay in. We searched for a ceremony location the night before the wedding but had trouble finding one that had the look that I wanted but was also easily accessible. I had pretty much given up on finding the perfect location and was ready to compromise on having it on the land outside the cabin when Emily and Maggie went back out for a few hours and found the perfect place. I didn’t see it until the wedding, and it felt like everything had fallen into place.
Maggie Grace Photography is one of my best friends, and I’ve wanted her to be my wedding photographer for years! One of my favorite parts of the day was venturing deeper into the woods to take photos. Not only did she make us feel totally comfortable in front of the camera, but she also made it feel like it was just Dylan and I. It was the only time until the end of the party where the two of us got to be “alone” and really reflect on the ceremony and the day.
My mom gave me a blush pink leather jacket as a wedding gift! We had seen it a few weeks before while shopping, and I had joked that it would look great with my dress. So, she secretly bought it for me! It kept me warm at the end of the night.
Small town charm met big-time romance in Amanda and Tyler’s wedding at The Union on Eighth! The couple, who wanted their day to be a whirlwind of love that allowed their nearest and dearest a glimpse into their life, planned an unforgettable celebration with the help of Kelly Jones Events. Using a palette of jewel tones perfect for the Texas winter, they brought moody blooms designed by Sweetwater Stems together with vintage, rustic decor to create the coziest feel. The couple infused personal touches by writing their own ceremony, hiring a caricature artist for the reception, and serving Freebird’s for dinner (as a nod to where they first met). But, of all the unique details, our favorites have to be Amanda’s non-traditional wedding dress from Renegade Bridal, which was printed with a letter written by Tyler, and her fiery red exit dress! From the first look to the exit, this sweet Texas wedding was bursting with emotion, and Feather & Twine captured it all brilliantly!
As a pretty private couple, the most important thing was to create an immersive experience for our friends and family. We wanted, above all else, to bring our loved ones into our world and show them the incredible love we had for them and for each other!
Our fashion and beauty inspiration followed the same theme as the rest of the ceremony. We didn’t want to look or feel different than ourselves. We just wanted to be the wedding version! I kept my hair and makeup simple, and Tyler wore a slim fit suit and some sneaker sole dress shoes, which were great for dancing! The coolest part of our look was my skirt, which had a letter that Tyler wrote printed on it! The light pink print played off of my sister’s pink dress and the bridesmaid’s wine dresses. The boys wore blue suits to compliment Tyler.
I had both of my dads walk me down the aisle, which was really special. We also wrote our own ceremony! We were able to include a handfasting, self-written vows, and the story of how we met.
The most memorable part of the day was right after the ceremony. We had been together for 7 years (to the day!) and had waited to get married. We wanted to graduate from school, move to Colorado, and get settled before planning a wedding. Once the ceremony was over, we were so overwhelmed that we had finally done it! We were married! It was worth the wait, and that moment was truly everything to us. We had taken our time and did right by each other. It was the best feeling in the world to cry and look at one another knowing that we wouldn’t change a thing.
Our colors were jewel tones. These are also the colors we have in our home and what we surround ourselves with on a regular basis. In order to be true to our vision of bringing everyone into our world, moody tones were the way to go!
We love getting our caricature drawn! We have 5 different renditions from different artists that we hang in our house that serve as a fun reminder of different times in our life together. To share this with our guests, we had a caricature artist at the reception! It was so much fun to see everyone walk away with a fun and special memento. There were even a few that came out really funny! Grandma got a crown and a scepter, and my stepmom’s dog even got drawn!
Remember when we shared these spectacular elopements last year? We didn’t think it could get any better but, wow, Junebug couples have proven us wrong! From deserts to snow-capped mountains, from secluded beaches to dense forests, we’ve got 18 epic elopements that make us fall in love every time we look at them. If you’re dreaming of a non-traditional wedding day, these couples will show you that it’s possible to make your dream a reality. And, if you haven’t considered eloping, these just might change your mind!
Why we love it: If there’s one thing we love more than an intimate elopement it’s when the couple chooses to include a handful of their family and friends in their big day. After saying “I do” at the NYC Courthouse, Kayla and Brennan strutted around the city to get some incredible portraits by Nicole Leone Miller before heading to brunch at one of their favorite local cafes. They also gave high-fashion a carefree boho vibe that made them stand out against the Manhattan city backdrop. Every element of this elopement was perfection!
Why we love it: Janay and Jono’s Ecola State Park elopement proved that all you really need for an epic wedding day is a lot of love, your closest family members, and a breathtaking location. Two days before their wedding, they found the perfect quiet spot along the Oregon Coast, nestled deep in the woods near the coast, blanketed in ferns and clovers that made it look as if they had stepped into a fairytale scene. The moody vibes, the classic PNW weather, and the minimal details were all we needed to get completely swept away by this enchanting Oregon elopement!
Why we love it: It’s not every day that a couple and their photographer climb a mountain for a summit ceremony, which is why Phong and Hoang’s elopement in Vietnam is one of our favorite of all time! With nothing but a view of the sea, a boho-inspired arch, and a vintage rug, the couple exchanged emotional vows just as the sun was rising, and it could not have been a more romantic moment. As if that wasn’t swoon-worthy enough, the couple and Phan Tien Photography then made their way to a floating sweetheart table decked with boho florals, lights, dreamcatchers, and greenery. This Vietnam elopement was truly like nothing we’ve seen before!
Why we love it: When the mountains called, Danielle and Ezekiel didn’t walk but ran to Rocky Mountain National Park for their intimate elopement. With their daughter by their side, they exchanged vows at the waterfront and then enjoyed a picnic full of sweets and bubbly. This elopement also had one of the most emotional first looks we’ve seen, which Wolf & Rose Photography managed to capture brilliantly. If we had to pick one reason we love this elopement so much, it would be the simplicity of it all. Danielle and Ezekiel proved that you don’t need a lot to have the most perfect, unforgettable wedding day!
Why we love it: We’re all about destination elopements that allow the couple to go straight from wedding mode to honeymoon mode! Laura and Josh decided that St. Lucia checked off all of their boxes for an adventurous location with a little bit of everything – mountains, water, and jungle vibes. We also adore that Laura channeled bohemian princess vibes with a Free People dress and a flower crown crafted by Samuel Franklin, while Josh went for a classic yet casual vibe with his rolled-up sleeves and floral tie. The adventurous spirit and epic views that From the Daisies captured in this St. Lucia elopement completely stole our hearts!
Where it took place: Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, Spain
Why we love it: If the cliffside ceremony beneath a canopy of tropical greenery doesn’t get you, we’re positive the coral and violet sunset in this Cap de Formentor will! The couple’s planner, Sarah Linow, found a hidden gem that provided a soundtrack of crashing waves for their ceremony, a secluded spot for their seafood dinner, and breathtaking views of the island. They used a mix of seashells and pearls, an elegant color palette of gold, powder blue, and pink, and combined tropical greenery, succulents, and grasses from Flores Mallorca in a way we’ve never seen before. We are obsessed with how Light Meets Love captured every moment of this dreamy Mallorca elopement!
Why we love it: With winter right around the corner, we’re all in for all things cozy, which is why we’re obsessed with Lisa and Matt’s Catskills elopement at Kaaterskill Falls! Their day not only included a hike to a frozen waterfall but also an intimate, picnic-style vow exchange in the woods and a relaxed dinner at their cabin’s bar. Their day wasn’t full of “traditional” wedding details, but it was certainly full of color and charm! Courtney Sinclair Photography was there every step of the way to capture this unique adventure with the care and creativity it deserved.
Why we love it: Some couples get overwhelmed with the stress of wedding planning and, when that happened Natalie and Rocky, they simply switched gears and left everything up to their dream team of professionals. Blue Daphne Events and Floral Design set up a simple pampas grass semicircle that denoted the ceremony space but didn’t block the spectacular view of the ocean. She also created the coziest floral-covered teepee sweetheart table filled with pillows, blankets, a charcuterie board, and mini wedding cake. In addition to epic views, this Big Sur elopement was full of tearful and laugh-filled moments, and Tessa Tadlock didn’t miss a beat in capturing them all!
Where it took place: Hotel El Cid, Palm Springs, California
Why we love it: When your wedding day includes In-N-Out burgers, you know you’re doing something right! We are totally in favor of modern couples, like Payton and Kason, opting for low-key celebrations over over-the-top events. These lovebirds opted for poolside nuptials after falling in love with their space at Hotel El Cid and then they showed off the very best of Palm Springs in their desert newlywed session with Rachelle Davis Photography. We just love the relaxed yet excited vibes they brought to their entire day!
Where it took place:Muir Woods, Mill Valley, California
Why we love it: This elopement is especially near and dear to our hearts because it marked the beginning of forever for our Editorial Assistant Colleen and her husband Ross! We’re still not over Colleen’s goddess-inspired BHLDN ensemble and gold floral crown created by Mignonne Handmade, and the couple’s cooler-than-cool looks during their newlywed beach photos with Lauren Scotti. But, if we’re being totally honest, the moments that put this elopement over the top for us were the getting ready moments before the main events of their day even began. There’s something insanely intimate and heart-warming about a couple getting ready for the biggest day of their life together, and Colleen and Ross’ pre-ceremony moments were just as sweet as they are!
Why we love it: Desert? Check. Mountains? Check. Phenomenal bride and groom style? Check! Jordan and Ben opted for an adventurous elopement in Bell Rock, Arizona, which allowed them to keep their day totally intimate and secluded. We see a lot of desert weddings and elopements, but this one truly stands out among them all because of the location and this couple’s carefree vibes. Amy Bluestar Photography knocked it out of the park in capturing such an iconic US landscape while also capturing the intimacy of this day. And the couple’s boho style was perfection for this location!
Where it took place: Sunnyside Farm Boone, North Carolina
Why we love it: If you’re going to nix tradition by having an elopement, why not go even further with dramatic, non-traditional wedding attire? While Caleb opted for a burgundy suit and floral print bow tie, Kristy was a knock-out in a black floral print gown from Elizabella’s Bridal and a berry-adorned hair clip that matched her striking red and pink bouquet. We love that Drea Dawn Photo + Films took this couple through the open fields and cozy forests around the farm for an unforgettable newlywed session and that these photos enhance the couple’s dramatic style!
Why we love it: Santorini continues to top the list of most romantic places on Earth to tie the knot! Janice and William had a wildly emotional day that was framed by the iconic blue and white architecture of the island, and the result was breathtaking. We absolutely adore that the couple chose a minimalist style for their looks, with Janice rocking a simple A La Robe wedding dress and William looking dapper in a tan Suitsupply linen suit. Nothing about this wedding was overdone, and Days Made of Love captured the simplicity and intense romance of this Santorini elopement brilliantly!
Why we love it: Sometimes, the sweetest things in life are also the simplest. Rather than worry about timelines or vendors, Adeyling and Martin spent a relaxing morning getting ready and sipping cocktails in a cute little house in the middle of the desert. Then they and Alexandria Monette Photography made their way out into the iconic national park for an emotional first look, a vow exchange with the most stunning backdrop, and a portrait session that was equally carefree and romantic. We adore all the natural elements that were infused into this sweet elopement, especially the couple’s casual wedding looks that were perfect for a warm summer day in the desert.
Why we love it: Snow, s’mores, and hot tubs…oh my! Nicole and Justin’s Stanley Lake elopement was the epitome of an adventure elopement! The couple began their day slowly — cuddling on the couch with their sweet puppy and getting ready — then made their way to the lake for a private ceremony with a spectacular view of the Sawtooth Mountains. We can’t get enough of their playful photo ops in the snow with Maggie Grace Photography, and we’re still a little sad we weren’t invited to their campfire picnic for s’mores and hot cocoa!
Why we love it: A cozy wedding ceremony in the woods, portraits under a waterfall, and an intimate cabin reception made this Mt Hood elopement one for the ages! Texas sweethearts Hannah and Jake have always been drawn to the romantic, adventurous vibes of Oregon, so they treated 20 of their closest loved ones to a weekend of the best the PNW can offer. With just two Airbnb cabins, simple florals designed by Oak Grove Floral, a boho-chic Rue De Seine gown, and lots of DIY crafts and curated goods, the couple created the wedding day of their dreams, which Cassandra Michelle Photography captured in brilliant detail.
Giulia and Federico’s Isle of Skye and Dolomites Elopement
Where it took place: The Isle of Skye, Scotland and the Dolomites, Italy
Why we love it: Two locations are always better than one in our book, which is one of the many reasons Giulia and Federico’s elopement is one of our all-time favorites! The couple used the dramatic landscape of The Isle of Skye for their ceremony backdrop and then made their way to Italy to use the Dolomites for breathtaking newlywed photos with The Ferros. As if that wasn’t enough, Giulia wore two stunning dresses – the first one was handmade by her mother, and the second one was a dreamy Rara Avis dress that floated in the wind. Seriously, though, words can’t even come close to doing justice to this magical and mysterious elopement!
Why we love it: One of the biggest concerns couples face when planning an elopement is thinking they will disappoint their families, but Kourtney and Jorge prove that it is possible to have the day of your dreams and make everyone (okay, almost everyone) happy. The couple had a quick ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, which their family attended, but then they b-lined it to the coast to exchange their personal vows privately. We love that, even though they had a non-traditional wedding day, Kourtney and Jorge chose glamorous attire to bring an element of tradition to their day. This entire day was a pure reflection of the couple’s love and commitment to each other, and Little Boat Photography captured it all beautifully!
Leah, Baron, and their super-creative loved ones made this entirely DIY St. Augustine beach wedding look as effortless as if it had been put together by a team of wedding professionals! After a surprise morning rainstorm, the couple’s hometown beach was clear, crisp, and secluded for their barefoot ceremony that can be described as nothing less than wildly romantic. Then they and their guests returned to the bride’s parents’ home for an intimate backyard reception that featured furniture and vintage accent decor found around their homes, hand-dyed linens, hand-painted signage, and tons of natural textures that made it feel like a casual and cozy oceanside celebration. Evergold Photography had their work cut out to capture all dreamy DIY details and heartfelt moments of this at-home summer wedding, and they totally nailed it!
The Couple:
Leah and Baron
The Wedding:
St. Augustine Beach and Private Residence, Florida
For me, the wedding planning process was (almost) as fun as the wedding! One of my mother and I’s favorite things to do together is make things. We look like crazy people running around the craft store and getting excited about everything haha. I think the most important part of planning for us was keeping it real and authentic. The wedding industry can make you feel like you need to buy everything, and although we loved getting married in our backyard, it is obviously not a wedding venue. It is full of imperfections, and I think it is important to embrace these aspects and not worry about making everything “picture perfect.”
Although Baron and I did not meet until college, we both grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. My childhood home holds so many amazing memories, not to mention a pretty nice view, making our venue decision an easy one! Setting up lighting, music, and accommodating 80 guests in a house over 100 years old had its share of challenges, but I could not have imagined it anywhere else! Several generations of my family have grown up there and I am so grateful we got to add another love story to its history.
I love hand-lettering, and had a lot of fun painting jackets for my mother and I, creating all the signs for the receptions, crafting bookmark favors that doubled as escort cards, and adding a personal touch to our yard games. We found a lot of the personal details around the house, such as an old typewriter, books, bikes, casual seating, wildflowers, and centerpieces for the tables.
My bridesmaids and I spent the entire morning setting up the backyard. When it started raining a couple hours before the ceremony and we had to bring everything back inside, I was a little panicked (we didn’t exactly have a plan B) haha. My amazing photographer, Mallory, found the perfect spot in our house to style our portraits, and as soon as it cleared my bridesmaids were sweet enough to dry off everything and put it back in order. Although I wasn’t thrilled about the rain at the time, it may have been a blessing in disguise. The shower left us with some beautiful weather and an empty beach!
The altar was found at an antique shop in our town, and we hung a beautiful piece of stained glass created by Zuni Mountain Art Glass to add something extra without taking away from the already beautiful scenery!
Our photographer was absolutely amazing! When it started raining a couple of hours before the ceremony, she quickly styled a corner of the house into the perfect spot for portraits. She also helped us keep things on track and stress-free considering we did not have a wedding planner or traditional DJ. I was blown away when I got our pictures back, I really feel that she understood my style and captured it perfectly!
I went wedding dress shopping in a slightly untraditional way. I found the Inca gown from Grace Loves Lace online and immediately knew it was perfect, but I was determined to save a little money considering I would only wear to wear it once. I found it used on the website OnceWed and took a risk by purchasing it 2 sizes too big, without trying it (or any other dresses) on. Some people thought I was crazy, but it turned out perfect and was a quick and easy alteration. I paired my dress with simple but elegant earrings that belonged to my grandmother, my mother-in-law’s stunning engagement ring, and bare feet, which is always my favorite shoe choice.
I really wanted to incorporate the ocean vibe into our wedding without a nautical or beach theme. To me, this meant playing with raw materials, textures, and incorporating as many natural elements as possible.
We chose shades of white, blue, and green. These are Baron & I’s favorite colors. I hand died gauze material for the table runners to get the texture and colors that I wanted. They all ended up slightly different colors, but I kind of liked it that way and based our color scheme around them.
Almost all of the details in our wedding were personal to us. We got married at my childhood home on my parents’ wedding anniversary. We are both very laid back, so a small backyard wedding just made sense! Our house is named the sea swan, due to my grandmother’s love of swans. We incorporated swan details on our invitations, centerpiece, and cake topper. We ended up finding most of the details and furniture around our homes and used some of our favorite backyard games. We both love to read, which inspired me to include the books and bookmarks in the reception.
Our biggest congratulations and a special thanks to Leah and Baron for sharing their special day with Junebug! Loving the idea of a cozy backyard wedding? You’ll want to take a look at our ultimate guide to planning a backyard wedding!
photo by Lauren Scotti
photo byLauren Scotti; see more from this wedding here!
photo by Roy Nuesca Photography; see more from this wedding here!
photo by Marcucci Photography; see more from this wedding inspiration here!
photo by Shanna M. Photography; see more from this wedding inspiration here!
photo by Shunkwiler Photography; see more from this wedding here!
photo by Nikk Nguyen Photo; see more from this wedding here!
photo by Yellow Bird Visuals; see more from this wedding here!
.jpg "Photographers")
