There’s nothing like a bright color palette, sandy beach, and a wedding arch covered in white linen to scream the ultimate summer wedding. With the help of the amazing planners and designers at FourNineteen Weddings, Mary and Serban headed to the Pacifico Beach Club in Costa Rica to plan their fun, beach wedding. As soon as the sun started to set, paper lanterns hanging from the trees lit the reception, creating a truly romantic atmosphere. Talented photographer Sergio Pucci expertly photographed the fun couple enjoying their big day with friends and family!
The overall wedding theme was inspired by the bride’s vintage, timeless wedding gown. Our goal was to merge nautical accents, such as the compasses and ‘message in a bottle’ table numbers, with romantic, vintage inspired décor with glowing lanterns, tea lights, and soft colored flowers.
The Moments:
It is incredibly challenging to choose one favorite and most memorable moment from our wedding day, but if we had to choose, it would be the moment when we first saw each other.
The Couple Recommends:
Jonathan and his team captured our beautiful day in ways we could only imagine. He created a stunning video that preserves the essence of the welcome party, ceremony, and reception better than any picture could. The video is shot and edited perfectly, and reflects his exceptional talent and creativity. He and his team were also very easy to work with and down to earth, but thoroughly professional. (Jonathan is the kind of guy you’d like to hang out with anyway!) Choosing them to create our video was worth every cent; the highlight reel he put together, alone, has received over 1500 views so far (7 months since the wedding), and each time we watch it, we are immediately transported back to those incredible days in beautiful Costa Rica. If you are considering hiring a videographer but have doubts, allow us to dispel them all: it is unequivocally worth it and Jonathan Yonkers is as good as it gets!
After a proposal in India, Courtney and Grant saw it fit to incorporate Indian inspired traditions into their wedding. An Asiatic elephant topped cake, Henna artist, Tarot card reader, and other cultural touches made this eclectic boho wedding at Mercury Hall in Austin, Texas unforgettable. The bride, who’s a designer herself, personalized the wedding by designing her gorgeous nude dress with hints of pink. Brilliantly planned and designed by Becky Navarro of Pearl Events, the colorful wedding decor popped throughout the venue, creating focal points for tables, which were dressed in white linen and gold and black flatware. The amazing photographer Briana Purser captured the couple’s big day perfectly.
I’d call it “East meets Southwest” – a blend of India inspired traditions, colors and sparkles along with Southwestern succulents and cow skulls. I designed my own dress made from traditional Indian attire pieces I found in New Delhi.
The Moments:
The best part about our wedding was having our friends and family from all over the country come together in our favorite city + our home base for our special day. We were so excited to share what we love about this town with our guests through our wedding festivities, from the local BBQ of East Austin’s own Mickelthwait served at our night before the wedding Welcome Party, to the wine from Becker Winery in Texas Hill Country, and of course, the sounds of all of our super talented musician friends that performed. We are so lucky to have such a great creative community here in Austin, our wedding wouldn’t have been nearly as cool without their help and talents. But back to the real question… if you really want to know our favorite moment, it would have to be our tequila shot toast. That was awesome :)
The Couple Recommends:
We loved loved our wedding team!! Becky Navarro of Pearl Events Austin is the best. She helped us figure out so many of the small details and was just so completely cool and collected throughout the entire process. Briana and James of Briana Purser Photography were awesome, they captured our wedding beautifully and created a gorgeous album for us that we LOVE. Danann Patrick is an amazing hair stylist and I am still thankful for her suggesting that I get extensions for the wedding = love her! Ashley Rae Hancock is such a super talented total babe MUA and I am still so pleased with the pink lip color she whipped up for me :) STEMS did a super lovely job with our flowers and table top decor, they picked the most vibrant and perfect coral peonies for my girls, arrangement + flower crown! Stephanie of LWR did just the trick with her artfully draped sari photo booth backdrop, altar decor, and more. Courtney Chavanell & James Webber took our photobooth to the next level with their portrait style capture of our guests. My henna!-Thanks Nisha! Angeliska on Tarot! Chris, Karla, Ted, Paul, Andrew, Abram, Dana, Matt, Simon, Molly – thank you guys soooo much for all of your help with orchestrating the musical entertainment for the night – we are so lucky to have you talented fools as friends! ;) <3 We are so grateful for all of our wedding team, friends, family members and parents. Much love xox ~Courtney & Grant
There couldn’t have been a more perfect venue for Tina and Michael’s romantic beach wedding than Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach in Florida. The relaxed atmosphere set a breezy and casual tone for the day, while giving Tina and Michael’s extraordinary team of both wedding professionals and loved ones the space to create a chic and beautiful wedding style. We are positively beside ourselves looking at the images Jonathan Connolly Photography captured of Tina in her custom Oscar de le Renta dress on her wedding day.
St. Pete Beach is so beautiful, and the Postcard Inn has such a cool, relaxed and fun atmosphere so the location really was the inspiration for the overall theme. We kept the decor pretty simple, because when the setting is so gorgeous you don’t need much else. Most of our guests were traveling from New York and New England so it was really important to us that they were able to really enjoy themselves and dance the night away to awesome music.
Wedding day fashion – I work for Oscar de la Renta as the Director of Fabric Research and Development. When I found this incredibly beautiful broderie anglaise silk organza, I thought, I want this to be my wedding dress! So our incredible design team (and dear friends) made me this amazing dress and veil. I am forever honored and grateful and will cherish it forever!
The Moments:
There are so many to choose from! All our guests made a weekend out of it so it was amazing to see people from all different parts of our lives forging bonds and friendships (and playing volleyball together).
Tina: After the last song played everyone ran down to the beach to light wish lanterns, it was completely magical to watch all of our favorite people working together to make the lanterns float away into the night. And then one of the most awesome moments happened which could not be captured on film, our friends going skinny dipping in the ocean!
Mike: Lots of amazing moments, hard to choose but crowd-surfing together with Tina to our last song “Shout” was truly rad, everyone was laying down on the floor and then erupted towards the end of the song. Was truly magical and will always remember that feeling of togetherness with all our guests.
The Couple Recommends:
Most of our wedding professionals were also friends and family. Our dear friend Matt Gosline designed our amazing save the date and invitation which all of our guests were raving about. My super talented sister did my hair, as well as my mom’s, my other sister and my niece’s hair. Kerrin Griffin is an old friend and a makeup wizard, she made sure I felt like the most beautiful version of myself. And our friends Meryll and Francois went above and beyond to create the most incredible music playlist not only for the wedding reception, but for the the ceremony and the welcome party the night before. Last but not least are Jonathan and Marie, our absolutely incredible photographers who now feel like friends.
A special thanks to Jonathan Connolly for sharing this sweet Postcard Inn wedding with Junebug! For more chic beach wedding inspiration, check out Carine and Chris’ geometric inspired Irish wedding.
We were flown to paradise when we first laid eyes on Sara and Evan’s Costa Rican wedding and wanted to share the sun and palm trees with all of you! Beautifully captured by Jessica and Jason Hill of A Brit & A Blonde, this blissful wedding had us dreaming of roaring ocean waves and coconut cocktails. Not to mention, the gold animal figurines are to die for as well!
The Couple: Sara and Evan
The Wedding: 2.7.2014 – Hotel Parador, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
The Goals: Getting married in Costa Rica, we had two main priorities. One was to keep the intimacy, formalness and significance of a traditional wedding even though we were holding it in a tropical location. When people hear “destination wedding” we found there is a tendency to think Hawaiian shirts and a casual setting. We knew we wanted to have an elegant, cocktail affair, but in a beautiful, jungle setting where monkeys and sloths were crawling around nearby. Thankfully our fabulous wedding planners, Aimee and Karen, at Tropical Occasions, accomplished this and then some. We also wanted to keep things personal and meaningful, particularly with the marriage ceremony. To do that we flew my minister down to officiate the wedding. It ended up making the ceremony very special.
The other priority was to ensure our guests had one of the most amazing, memorable trips of a lifetime and walked away realizing why we wanted to get married in such a magical location. We realized that our guests were traveling far and wide to see us get married and we wanted to make it worth their while. We also recognized that our guests were a diverse bunch who may like to experience Costa Rica differently others (i.e. some would want to lounge by the pool/get a spa treatment and some would want to immerse themselves in the adventure and nature of Costa Rica). We put a lot of thought into picking the right venue – went on an exploratory trip a year before the actual wedding where Karen showed us multiple locations. In the end, we felt Hotel Parador was a perfect mix of luxury and nature and we couldn’t have been happier with our selection. We also planned three days of amazing events for our guests, with the expert guidance and advice from Karen – a fun welcome party for all guests complete with a traditional Costa Rican meal, drinks, cigar roller, and wish lanterns; the wedding day festivities; and finally to top it all off a Catamaran Cruise the day after the wedding.
The Design: We wanted to create a very ethereal, elegant atmosphere, with lots of whites, creams and greens, and then add some fun, whimsical elements that guests would always remember. Once we started the design phase with Aimee, she suggested adding pops of blush and gold and we LOVED the idea. We also did a lot of Pinterest boards with Aimee and both ended up seeing a super creative and unique design element – the painted gold animals. Once we saw them, we knew we had to have them. We actually bought some plastic animals at Target and my sister and I spent a cold afternoon spray painting them on the balcony. It made it a fun craft and we just loved how they turned out. Our amazing photographers, Jessica and Jason really put them to good use and snapped some awesome shots with them too. Some our guests who came even took them back with them and have them displayed in their offices or homes, which we love! We also loved our cocktail napkins that said “BEST DAY EVER” and had our names and date printed. They were a fun addition!
Going along with our theme of trying to make things personal, we had one of our closest friends and superbly talented designer, Katherine Warminsky, design all of our wedding pieces – from the save the dates and invitations to the the program, menu, welcome bag insert. We loved each piece because we were all able to collaborate on the content and then let Katherine run with the design based on some of our ideas. They all turned out beautifully.
The Look: Sara – I absolutely loved my dress. I’d wear it again if I could! Going into the wedding dress shopping process, I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted something classy, slightly different than the average dress, and appropriate for a beach setting. When I tried on the Vera Wang dress, I just knew I had found the right one! I actually learned after the fact that she had designed this particular dress, the Evelyn, with a destination bride in mind. It also went with our ethereal look and was very grecian looking, which I loved. I am a big accessorizer and found a hairstyle Blake Lively wore once – also very grecian – with an amazing beaded head wrap. So I went on a mission to find the perfect piece. I ended up finding one by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge. I borrowed the earrings (Anthropologie) from one of my bridesmaids, and wore a single, 18k gold Persian bangle bracelet that my dad’s mother had given to my mom as a wedding present. So all things were pretty special and unique!
As for shoes, I knew I wanted to wear a wedge. Everyone kept suggesting barefoot or sandals, but again, I wanted to remain formal even though we were on a beach. There are not many formal wedges out there, but I found the perfect pair of Jimmy Choo‘s that I love, love, love!
I also loved my flowers, not only because they were breathtakingly gorgeous, but because there was a special significance to them. My father passed away when I was 15, so it was so incredibly important to incorporate his memory into the day. Growing up, anytime my mom, sister or I would celebrate a birthday, my dad would always give us red roses. My mom had the perfect idea to add one red rose to my bouquet in memory of him. I still have that rose today – pressed in a book I took for the honeymoon. I also had my seamstress sew a button from a sweater my dad always wore, and a button from my mom’s wedding dress into the hem of my dress. Those little details are the ones that I’ll always remember.
As for the bridesmaids, I never even thought to use an actual bridesmaid dress. I wanted to find something at a stylish store, that they would absolutely be able to wear again. I saw the Parker Bayou Maxi Dress at Cusp and thought it was perfect. I didn’t even have a color in mind, but the blush color of the dress was gorgeous and I thought it would look amazing in the setting. I then found some great Kendra Scott earrings, in seafoam color, that really brought the whole look together. For my sister, the maid of honor, we wanted her to stand out a bit, so she found a great cream colored statement necklace and bracelet. With the cream colored flowers, everything looked so good.
Another great element for the bridesmaids, was the robes. I knew I wanted us to all get ready in style – it also made for great pictures! One of my bridesmaids got ready in a Plum Pretty Sugar robe when she got married a few years ago, and I thought they were so cute and stylish. I decided on the turquoise colors for the girls and the white one for myself.
Evan – I knew I wanted to wear a full three-piece suit. Tuxes were never an option. Given the 90+ degree temperatures, dark suits were out of the question. I found a great gray option from Bonobos and went with it. The color pop in my outfit came with the socks, a gingham pattern from Thomas Pink (I am a big fan of bold colors and patterns with my socks so this fit perfectly). Like Sara, I loved my shoes — I had my eye on these double monk strap shoes from To Boot New York for a long time and was excited to finally get to wear them!
The groomsmen were spared from wearing jackets in the hot sun. They went with a simple, classic look — pants and vests from Bonobos. Our ties were sourced from a friend who is launching a startup called THE GROOM BOX. He was able to find us a great navy blue shade that matched well with the gray suits.
The Moments: Everything. Seriously. We had nearly 70 of our closest friends and family from all over the world travel to one of our favorite places on earth to celebrate with us. Having all of those people in one place was a dream come true.
Sara – Do I have to pick one thing!? First and foremost seeing Evan during our first look. Our photographers picked an amazing location for it and it was that moment when you realize everything is starting to happen. Plus he looked so dapper and that didn’t hurt either. I also vividly remember seeing our reception set up for the first time when we arrived back at Parador after the ceremony and my jaw literally dropped. It was everything and more than I had imagined.
Evan – For me it was seeing her walk down the aisle. We had done a first look for our photos so I knew what she would look like, but there’s something about a bride walking down the aisle that is so captivating. And it’s a whole other ballgame when it is your bride.
The Advice: Follow your heart and do what you’ve always dreamed of doing. It was the advice we gave ourselves and are so happy we followed. We fell in love with Costa Rica after we vacation there in 2012. When we got engaged, we knew that is where we wanted to have the wedding. It was a tough decision because having a wedding thousands of miles away and in a different country limits those who can attend. Every now and then we’d ask ourselves if we made the right decision and contemplate if we should just give up our vision so it would be easier for guests. But we kept telling ourselves that this was the most important moment of our lives so far and that we needed to go with our gut and follow our hearts. We are SO happy we did because we couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. Thankfully we have the most amazing family and friends who traveled from across the globe to be with us – from San Francisco to Tehran, Iran to Bolivia and everywhere in between (Chicago, NY, PA, DC, VA). We ended up having 70 guests, which was an absolute perfect number! If we didn’t follow that advice, we know we would have looked back and thought, “What if…”, which you never want to do for such an important time in your lives.
If you’re looking to plan a wedding in the beautiful Savannah, Georgia area, then don’t miss the Southern Wedding Experience: B…The Event in Savannah, GA and Tybee Island, March 1st – 3rd. It’s the perfect opportunity to really experience all that a southern wedding can be, and to get your planning started off right!
Unlike most wedding shows, the Southern Wedding Experience isn’t anything like an afternoon of walking a trade-show floor, this is a fun and luxurious weekend away where you and a guest will experience Savannah in style, as if you’re attending a destination wedding yourself.
On Friday you’ll arrive for your stay at one of the area’s top hotels – the Ocean Front Cottages Tybee Island, the Mansion on Forsyth Park or the Savannah Hyatt and then head off to a fabulous Welcome Party. Saturday brings tours of incredible venues on Tybee Island and in downtown Savannah, and even a historic trolley tour! Saturday night you and your guest will attend a glamorous gala for dinner, cake tastings, one-on-one time with top wedding professionals, a Boho-chic bridal fashion show, and education from celebrity wedding planner Shawn Rabideau as well as other experts throughout the weekend. Sunday wraps things up with a farewell brunch before you head home with your souvenir bag and all the new wedding planning experience and inspiration you’ve gained.
It’s a five-star weekend of pampering, planning and inspiration for the Southern Bride!
If you can’t make it to Savannah, here are some future Southern Wedding Experience events in the works:
Asheville, North Carolina: August 2-4, 2013
Nashville, Tennessee: November 15-17, 2013
Atlanta, Georgia: February 28 – March 2, 2014
And for all you wedding professionals out there, looking for some great professional education, there is a sister event happening on March 3rd and 4th that Blair and I will be speaking at! The Southern Wedding Experience is partnering with Inspire Smart Success for the ISS Experience Savannah – a 2 day event for the wedding industry. Other speakers include the amazing Jacqueline Nwobu (Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Munaluchi Bride Magazine), Shawn Rabideau (founder and President of Shawn Rabideau Events & Design) and Stacie Francombe (the founder of Inspire Smart Success). We hope to see you there!
This post was sponsored by Southern Wedding Experience – B… The Event, and chosen for What Junebug Loves because we think it’s a fantastic wedding planning event, and we’re excited to be involved!
Be prepared to wish you had been there! Inna and Daniel’s destination wedding in gorgeous Playa del Carmen was a fun-filled three-day event with as many fantastic activities and moments as they could possibly squeeze in. Add in sunset-colors, serious pampering for their guests, and a lot of romance, and I’m totally dreaming of Mexican vacation myself! Enjoy this glimpse of the beautiful wedding celebration from Del Sol Photography!
The Goals: Providing their guests with a relaxing, fun-filled weekend filled with special touches was a priority for the considerate couple. The celebration was a three-day affair of wedding festivities which kicked off on Friday evening with a welcome party; Saturday’s wedding included a cocktail hour and formal reception, and on Sunday they held a morning-after brunch and celebratory dinner. Rather than traditional favors, they gave each guest a jute welcome beach bag that was filled with a personalized seven page wedding newsletter, a local map with information on the area and attractions, personalized playing cards, mints and other treats, sunscreen, and a starfish bookmark. At their ceremony, they gave bamboo fans to all the ladies, and each wedding guest had flip flops so that they could dance the night away in total comfort!
Inna and Daniel chose a modern Jewish ceremony that included a memorial (for those family and friends who have passed), personalized vows, and a beautiful sand ceremony. They adored their location, the Paradisus Playa Del Carmen – La Perla the moment they saw it, and knew it was the perfect spot for the romantic, fun, chic wedding they dreamed of.
The Design: Inna chose a sunset-inspired color palette of tangerine, blush, and ivory. They incorporated beachy elements throughout their decor, beginning with elegant paper accents that featured a tangerine colored starfish. Their delicious almond cake made with fresh berries was also decorated with seashells, and they danced the night away under a thatched palapa!
The Look: Inna’s bridal style was romantic, chic and sophisticated – much like the style of the wedding! She chose her Marisa gown for the beautiful ruffled skirt, and complemented it with a gorgeous handmade Russian veil accented with silk flowers. Her girls worn sunset-colored tangerine chiffon gowns that were breezy, fun, and elegant all at once!
The Moments: From bride Inna – The most amazing moment was when my groom and I saw each other for the first time! The photographer orchestrated this on a beautiful bridge at the resort. It was also a great moment when my father saw me for the very first time! Not only did he and I break out in tears, but so did the rest of the bridal party who was witness to this very special and unforgettable moment. For Daniel and I both, exchanging our vows and our first dance were the most romantic moments of the day. It seemed like the world stopped, and we were the only ones there! A dream wedding in Mexico, surrounded by surf, sun, and sand; marrying the man of my dream…what more could a girl ask for?
The Pros: Please visit Inna and Daniel’s page in our Real Wedding Library for details on the talented team that contributed to their Playa del Carmen Wedding!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful beach wedding with us, Inna and Daniel! Our very best wishes in your new life together!
Readers, be sure to check out our Real Wedding Library for more inspiration from real couples!
Bringing together friends and family from all over Canada and the US, and having a ball expressing their creative personal style, Caroline and Joe’s South Carolina backyard real wedding was filled with fun in every detail! I hope you’ll enjoy their wedding story and they vibrant wedding photos from Caroline Ghetes as much as I have!
The Goals: Having met in Sweden and being from different countries, Caroline and Joe were excited to bring together all the people they loved so they could get to know one another, as well as Caroline and Joe as a couple.They loved that everyone could come to visit their new hometown of Charleston, South Carolina and make a long weekend of it. Many members of their wedding party and a number of other friends rented a large house together which gave them even more time to connect. “In the house they all got to meet and hang out. We had a welcome party there the night before the wedding and I think the guests had an even better time the next day because they met a lot of people the night before.”
The Design: To ensure that the wedding details and atmosphere really reflected Caroline and Joe’s personalities, they got involved in creating lots of DIY details and invited friends and family members to utilize their talents to help as well. They set up a photo shoot with the help of a friend and used the images for their wedding invitations, Joe’s aunt and Caroline’s mother created the flower arrangements, Caroline and her bridesmaids made their own bouquets, and Caroline even made all of her bridesmaids’ dresses!
The Look: Caroline’s look was a true expression of her personal style – fun, modern, comfortable, and sparkly! She was sure to incorporate lots of bling in her accessories, and she chose a super funky surprise for Joe when it came to her wedding shoes. “I knew I wasn’t going to wear heels because I’m already taller than my hubs, so I decided to surprise him by wearing a pair of Air Jordan’s (he loves them!). The ones I chose were pink and gray. I gave him a peek of them when we were standing at the alter and he was so surprised and happy!”
Caroline decided to make all of her bridesmaids’ dresses, which each had a similar silhouette but were totally unique and wildly playful! The groomsmen all had different ties (stripes, starfish, polka dots, etc.) in pink, purple and navy. Wow! So much fun.
The Moments: Caroline loved standing at the alter surrounded by their friends and family, dancing with her father who has been her biggest supporter in life, and seeing all the people from different parts of their lives getting to know each other. Mostly though, looking back their best decision was simply, “marrying each other!”
And a special opportunity for couples out there – photographer Caroline Ghetes is giving away wedding photography and videography services to one deserving couple this year – get more information on her blog!
Two outdoorsy DIY lovers, four dogs, and a passion for nature—that’s the heart of Jenny and Sean’s Stove Prairie Ranch wedding. What started as a dream for a laid-back, design-forward celebration became a full weekend campout filled with personal touches, pastel florals, and unforgettable memories. From hand-painted signage to ceramics the couple personally decorated,, every element of this Colorado campout wedding reflected a piece of Jenny and Sean.
Jenny and Sean’s love story began on Tinder, and from their first messages, they bonded over bird hunting, camping, and hosting backyard hangouts. It’s no surprise then that they turned their wedding at Stove Prairie Ranch into a weekend-long campout for guests who wanted to join them under the stars.
This love of the outdoors carried through in their venue choice. Nestled in Northern Colorado, Stove Prairie Ranch offered scenic views, sprawling outdoor space, and even a big red tractor cart that shuttled guests to the ceremony site. An unexpected highlight that added a playful touch.
What We Love About This Stove Prairie Ranch Wedding:
The personalized outdoor-inspired details like game bird escort cards
Dogs not only walking down the aisle but also signing the marriage license (yep, really!)
A weekend-long campout at Stove Prairie Ranch with guests pitching tents and soaking up the Colorado scenery
Jenny’s fashion goal was timeless elegance with a nod to old Hollywood glam. She wore a stunning gown that transformed from ceremony to reception with a removable cape instead of a veil, paired with soft waves and a classic makeup look. When it was time to party, both Jenny and Sean changed into relaxed outfits that felt more “them,” embracing the laid-back vibe they wanted their guests to enjoy all weekend. Sean chose a linen suit in a soft pastel that matched the color palette and was ideal for the summer celebration.
A Stove Prairie Ranch Wedding Ceremony Full of Emotion (and Dogs!)
The couple opted for a first look just outside the getting-ready cottage, followed by portraits with family and friends. Without a traditional wedding party, they were able to spend more time with their guests throughout the day, which was one of their top priorities.
Their ceremony, officiated by a close friend, was emotional and heartfelt, telling the full story of their relationship. But the true stars of the show? Their four dogs. Two escorted them down the aisle, while the other two served as ring bearers. After the ceremony, the pups got to sign the marriage license. A unique Colorado perk that allowed Lena and Foster (the dogs they had before meeting each other) to be official witnesses to their union.
Bringing Their Vision to Life With a Creative (and Trustworthy) Team
As avid DIYers, Jenny and Sean took the lead on planning and designing the wedding themselves. Jenny created everything from the dog silhouette illustrations in the invite suite to the seating chart and signage. “Lean in to the personal touches and details that matter to you,” she advised. “It’s so fun to see details truly reflect who you are as a couple.”
Still, they knew when to call in the pros. “Find vendors that you trust absolutely to execute on your vision and then enjoy your day,” Jenny said. Some were venue-recommended, while others were discovered through social media and chosen because their portfolio aligned with Jenny’s Pinterest board. The result? A seamless blend of DIY charm and professional execution.
A Stove Prairie Ranch Wedding Reception Rooted in Celebration and Sweetness
The reception felt like one big, joyful party. Guests enjoyed a relaxed outdoor cocktail hour, a nod to Jenny and Sean’s love of nature and community. A painting by Sean’s mom welcomed everyone, and Jenny’s hand-crafted signage brought everything together.
Their cake-cutting moment featured plates they painted themselves on a pre-wedding pottery date. An incredibly sweet DIY keepsake they now use for anniversaries. And instead of a traditional cake dessert, guests were treated to the couple’s favorite ice cream, served up under a glowing Colorado sunset.
As the sun dipped behind the hills, Jenny and Sean changed into their party looks and rejoined the dance floor, ready to celebrate the night away.
Why Personal Details Make All The Difference
Their best advice? “Lean into what matters to you—those details that feel like you as a couple. And when the day comes, let go and trust your team.”
With heartfelt personal touches, a ceremony led by love (and paws), and a weekend spent under the stars, Jenny and Sean’s Stove Prairie Ranch wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was a memory made for a lifetime.
Reshma and Brendan’s Indian wedding in Tuscany was the perfect blend of tradition, intention, and personal flair. Nestled in the heart of the countryside, Il Borro was more than a scenic backdrop. It was the only venue Reshma had in mind. “It’s such a unique place,” she shared. “It’s actually a whole medieval village restored by the Ferragamo family. We rented out the entire village so our guests could have the full Tuscan experience.” She had first visited it years before meeting Brendan, and its peaceful charm and five-star service made a lasting impression.
Planning began almost immediately after the engagement. While her parents let them choose the venue, they—true to tradition—selected the wedding date with the help of an astrologist. October 20, just after their engagement anniversary, felt meant to be.
As a wedding planner, Reshma had a clear vision from day one. For both the Catholic and Hindu ceremonies, she wanted a timeless, cohesive look built around a clean color palette and white roses. The same flowers Brendan used to propose. She worked with Giardino Delle Fate Flower Design, who instantly understood her style and brought it to life.
She and Brendan managed the early planning themselves—booking vendors, building timelines, and designing mood boards. But knowing the complexities of organizing an Indian wedding in Italy from the U.S., Reshma leaned on her talented Resh&Co. team. “As someone who’s very Type A, I like to control every detail. But I’m so glad we handed things off where it mattered. It allowed us to truly enjoy the process.”
And enjoy it they did. With two events per day across three days, their celebration honored both cultures while making guests feel at ease. “Not everyone was familiar with both traditions. So we created a mood board with the full itinerary and outfit suggestions to make packing and planning easier for everyone flying in from around the world.”
What We Love About This Indian Wedding in Tuscany:
The three-day, six-event fusion celebration blending Catholic and Hindu ceremonies
The Aperol Spritz-themed mehendi and rustic welcome dinner
Personalized touches like handwritten notes, custom totes, and a guest newspaper
The carefully curated outfits, including heirloom jewelry and a 60-foot veil
The Millefoglie wedding cake assembled live in front of guests
From the beginning, Reshma and Brendan knew they wanted their guests to feel appreciated every step of the way. “Since our guests were traveling all the way to Italy, they were our top priority. We covered accommodation and meals for three days and built our budget around that.”
The experience started even before arrival. Pallavi from Kiana Invitations created a save the date styled like a postcard reading “Meet us in Italy,” complete with handwritten notes to each guest, an effort that took over a month. It came tucked into a sleeve shaped like Il Borro’s silhouette. Their formal invitation, created with Sakshi of Inquisited, featured letterpress cards wrapped in a watercolor of Il Borro’s gates. Designed to feel like opening the door to the village itself.
Their big day was filled with thoughtful details that made guests feel instantly welcomed. Upon check-in, guests received personalized keycard holders with a note from Reshma’s parents and another watercolor of the venue. Each room included a custom tote bag designed by Reshma’s maid of honor, Lauren, through her company LoSull Creations. The bags featured an illustration of the couple and the phrase “Find me in Tuscany,” echoing their save-the-date theme. Inside, guests found snacks, a bottle of Il Borro wine, and a custom newspaper filled with fun facts and icebreaker games—like “Find the guest who…” to spark conversations.
Throughout the weekend, the couple continued to surprise them with small, meaningful gifts: Panama hats and fans with on-site calligraphy on Day 1, cozy shawls for chilly moments on Day 2, and handwritten thank-you notes with bomboniera on Day 3.
Kicking Off Their Indian Wedding in Tuscany with Color, Comfort, and Aperol Spritz
Day 1 of Reshma and Brendan’s Indian wedding in Tuscany was the perfect way to welcome guests and set the tone for the celebration ahead. The couple encouraged guests to wear breezy white outfits to complement the relaxed countryside setting,they added their own splash of color.. Reshma wore a vibrant cherry red draped gown with delicate ruching, while Brendan complemented her look in a cream suit with a red bow tie and pocket square, adding just the right pop.
Festivities began with a mehendi ceremony inspired by their favorite Italian aperitif. “We wanted to kick off the weekend in the most authentic Italian way possible—with Aperol Spritz and pizza!” Against a backdrop of crisp white decor with bold pink and orange accents, guests mingled as a roaming band serenaded them and guided the way to the welcome dinner.
The evening transformed into a charming, rustic pizza party. Long wooden tables were decorated with fresh tomatoes and bright red florals, giving the space the feel of a cozy neighborhood pizzeria.
Embracing Both Cultures Through Ceremony and Celebration
Blending two cultures was never just about having two ceremonies. It was about creating moments that felt personal and true to both families. Day 2 began with a romantic Catholic ceremony set in the Italian garden of Il Borro, overlooking the entire village.
“We wanted to keep it simple, elegant, and romantic.” The altar and florals were filled with white roses—a subtle nod to Brendan’s proposal—and a string quartet played “Until I Found You” as Reshma walked down the aisle, with her bridesmaid Jordan singing live. Adding to the emotion, Brendan’s sister and Reshma’s brother co-officiated the ceremony, making the experience even more meaningful.
Reshma wore a corseted ball gown from Galia Lahav made of French guipure lace, featuring a cat-eye neckline and a dramatic 10-foot veil embroidered with the lyrics “Forever’s gotta start somewhere.” The same lyrics playing during Brendan’s proposal. “I kept my makeup soft and romantic, and chose a messy updo so the veil would have something to grip onto,” she shared. For her something blue, her Maid of Honour stitched a heart-shaped piece of the blue polka dot dress Reshma wore the day she met Brendan into the gown’s hem.
Brendan wore a white and black suit, while the wedding party kept it classic in all black. Sleek and timeless, just like the ceremony itself.
Afterward, guests had a short break to change outfits before heading to the amphitheater for the sangeet, where the energy shifted entirely. Bright pinks, bold florals, and upbeat music transformed the evening into a lively celebration. One of the most memorable moments? Reshma’s mom surprising everyone with a heartfelt dance to ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers.”
Choosing a Venue They Already Loved
For Reshma and Brendan, Il Borro wasn’t just a wedding venue, it was the obvious choice. “My family and I visited a few years ago, even before I met Brendan,” Reshma shared. “We were immediately drawn to its peaceful charm and five-star guest service. So when it came to planning the wedding, we didn’t even consider other venues.”
After Brendan proposed, the couple flew to Bangalore for a traditional South Indian engagement ceremony that spanned two days and welcomed over 1,200 guests. While it was a joy to be surrounded by so many loved ones, they quickly realized how chaotic it had been. “We barely had time to soak it all in. That experience made us think a smaller, more intimate wedding might be more our style.”
Honoring Heritage with a Traditional Ceremony and Starry Farewell at Their Indian Wedding in Tuscany
The final day of Reshma and Brendan’s Indian wedding in Tuscany began with a deeply traditional Muhurtham ceremony. The mandap was placed on a quiet, tree-lined road framed by holm oaks and a sweeping mountain view. “It felt very earthy and calm, and really stayed true to my South Indian roots,” Reshma shared.
Inspired by the flowers they saw blooming during a summer site visit, the couple chose soft pink florals and white roses for the mandap. Elegant, subtle, and perfectly in harmony with the natural surroundings. Reshma wore a gold Kanchi saree chosen by her mom and aunts, paired with a matching blouse embroidered with tiny pink flowers to mirror the mandap design. Her 60-foot veil added an extra sense of drama to the peaceful setting.
Brendan wore a custom-stitched dhoti and kurta, while the groomsmen matched in cream, and the bridesmaids wore pink and gold lehengas—coordinated to reflect the ceremony palette. For jewelry, Reshma traveled light, bringing only pieces with deep sentimental value. “I wore bangles passed down from my paternal grandmother, and the longer necklace belonged to my ammamma’s temple collection,” she said.
That evening, the celebration transitioned into a chic, under-the-stars reception in the villa’s courtyard. The black-and-white color scheme was intentionally minimal, allowing the night sky and heartfelt moments to shine. At each place setting, guests found handwritten thank-you notes from the couple, doubling as both place cards and parting words of gratitude.
Instead of a traditional cake, Reshma and Brendan embraced Italian culture with a Millefoglie—a layered pastry of flaky puff pastry and rich cream, assembled live by a chef in front of the guests and finished with fresh berries and powdered sugar. It was the perfect sweet ending to a celebration that was as meaningful as it was beautiful.
When Plan A Turns Into Plan B (and That’s Totally Okay)
Despite months of meticulous planning, not everything went according to script—and that’s okay.
“If you checked the forecast on October 1, the entire month looked sunny, except for the exact three days of our wedding,” Reshma recalled. “So yes, it was rainy and gloomy the whole weekend, and we had to pivot to Plan B for almost everything. But we were in Italy, surrounded by our favorite people. What more could we ask for?”
Even on the final night, there were last-minute surprises. Just moments before their grand entrance into the reception, Reshma’s carefully bustled gown came undone. “We were about to go into our first dance, so we couldn’t just walk out like that,” she said. “Brendan, I, and three of my girlfriends rushed upstairs to safety-pin it back together. Meanwhile, the DJ was announcing us—twice—thinking we just hadn’t heard him!”
Her biggest piece of advice for other couples? Let go of the small stuff. “You can plan every detail down to the millisecond, but something will still go off-script. And that’s okay. Guests won’t remember if the flowers were the wrong shade or if the DJ played the wrong song. They’ll remember how they felt.”
Ashley and Ramiro’s love story started with a simple night out after work—and eventually led to a whirlwind proposal on the Amalfi coast. “We had vouchers from the pandemic that were about to expire,” Ashley shared. “I had to convince Ram to go on this trip. We got sick as soon as we landed, then he got food poisoning just as we were starting to feel better.” But somewhere between jet lag and recovery, they managed to make happy memories. “Ram took me to a jewelry store and I unknowingly picked out my own engagement ring. We walked to the pier and he proposed. All while I thought we were just having a regular conversation.”
After that trip, they knew they wanted to see the rest of the world together, and planning a wedding that reflected their shared joy and bold personalities felt like the natural next step. Their DIY Denver wedding wasn’t just an event, it was an explosion of color, creativity, and pure celebration. Set at Blanc, a modern-industrial venue tucked just outside downtown Denver, the day brought together two years’ worth of planning, crafting, and dreaming.
What We Love About This DIY Denver Wedding:
The couple’s unforgettable aisle entrance to Gangsta’s Paradise followed by Young and Beautiful
Custom temporary tattoos featuring their faces
Rainbow-colored florals and glittering wardrobe changes
A surprise mariachi performance organized by their moms
DIY elements galore, from the “Best Day Ever” piñata backdrop to personalized guest bookmarks
Saying Yes to Bold Fashion (and Custom Everything)
Fashion was a huge part of Ashley and Ramiro’s wedding vision, and they each worked with local designers and makers to create looks that were completely their own. Ashley described her style as “rainbows, unicorns, and glitter,” and her wedding day outfits fully delivered on that vibe.
Ramiro’s look was equally intentional and personal. He wore a custom black and green suit from James Givens Custom Clothiers, complete with a full floral lapel also created by Blumenhaus. The couple kept their looks completely under wraps from each other for a full year leading up to the big day, making their first look even more meaningful. “It was a roller coaster of emotions to see everything executed so perfectly. Doing a first look in our custom outfits made it all the more special.” To keep the energy high and inclusive, they also invited guests to wear their most colorful outfits, and no one held back.
Junebug Tip: One subtle but lasting way to add personality–or a pop of color–to your marriage is through unique wedding bands. Think pink sapphires, yellow diamonds, or unexpected shapes and textures. It’s a small detail that can speak volumes about who you are, both individually and together.
Starting DIY Denver Wedding Journey With What Made Them Happy
For Ashley and Ramiro, the most important goal was simple: “We mainly wanted everyone to have a good time. Good vibes only,” Ashley shared. That outlook guided every decision—from choosing a colorful palette (“the more color, the better!”) to making their dinner the highlight of the evening.
“We’ve been to so many weddings where you leave hungry and unimpressed by their chicken cordon bleu,” Ashley said. “So we made food a priority.” That mindset paid off, with guests raving about the meal and the relaxed, joyful atmosphere throughout the night.
They also took time to step away and soak it all in. “We snuck off to celebrate our ‘joint’ matrimony with a post-ceremony drink and snacks while we soaked in the moment and enjoyed the culmination of 2 years of planning.”
How One Chance Visit Led to the Perfect Venue
Venue hunting almost made the couple give up. With Ramiro’s family in Texas and Ashley based in Denver, location was a challenge. “We looked at a few venues in both states but nothing really checked both of our boxes at the same time,” Ashley explained. “We were about to give up and just elope when I went to a client’s wedding at our venue and fell in love with it.”
That venue was Blanc—an urban, industrial spot nestled in Denver’s arts district. It offered the perfect mix of modern architecture and a spacious courtyard, serving as a blank canvas for all their bright, bold ideas.
“Since the groom’s family was coming in from Texas, we organized a welcome dinner to get them acclimated to Denver’s altitude. Some of the family even drove up with a huge brisket to slow cook for everyone.”
Breaking Traditions Made Their DIY Denver Wedding More Meaningful
Ashley and Ramiro skipped a wedding party, walked down the aisle together, and even threw in a choreographed handshake before their first kiss as husband and wife.
Their ceremony—officiated by Ramiro’s dad—included a sweet sand ritual and began with one of the most epic entrances we’ve seen: Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” playing instrumentally as guests looked around in delight.
Embracing the Power of DIY (and a Cricut)
Nearly every visual detail was created by the couple, their family, or close friends. From the invitations and centerpieces to handmade guest gifts, Ashley and Ramiro put their Cricut skills to work.
Their photo booth backdrop was made by Ashley’s mom–giant piñata letters that spelled out “Best Day Ever.” Ramiro created a personalized seating chart using rainbow bookmarks. Even their three dogs were included in a custom portrait, which showed up on everything from macarons to tattoos to signage.
“I wanted lots of color, glitter, bright and boldness everywhere,” Ashley said. And they delivered.
Why Letting Go of Control Was the Best Decision
Ashley and Ramiro thought they had everything mapped out, until the music changed. “We had a mariachi band! It was a complete surprise.” “Our moms worked with our planner to make it happen, and they serenaded us during dinner.” It was a heartfelt moment that added an extra layer of meaning to the night, blending their families and cultures in the most joyful way.
And just when guests thought things couldn’t get sweeter, out came the milk and cookies bar, another playful twist on tradition. “The wedding was completely us in every way,” said Ashley. “We had temporary tattoos of our faces, piñatas for the photo booth, milk and cookies for dessert. We even snuck off to celebrate our ‘joint’ matrimony.”
Despite all the planning and personal touches, the couple’s top priority was simply to be present. “Our biggest goal was to spend the night fully enjoying each moment with everyone, rather than feeling like we were busy hosting.” Thanks to a solid team, including a DJ who kept the dance floor packed, a planner who kept things on track, and a photographer who captured it all, they got exactly that. “We were able to be so present with our loved ones, and that meant everything.”
Advice from the Couple: Do It Your Way
It doesn’t get much more heartfelt–or vibrant–than Ashley and Ramiro’s DIY Denver wedding. Their advice to other couples? “Make this day yours, 100%. Play your favorite music, eat the food y’all love, and spend time with those y’all love the most.”
And one last tip? “Hire a vendor team you like and trust, and let them do their thing. Especially if you’re planning a nontraditional wedding–you want people who support your vision.”
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