Katie + Ryan’s wedding day was chock full of so many stunning details, but we are already playing favorites with those bridesmaid dresses above – because, well, just look at them! We love how they ended up inspiring the entire day’s design + palette, and how this fun scenario proves that inspiration can, indeed, be found just about anywhere. Katie shares, The inspiration for our wedding really grew out of the bridesmaid dresses. I knew I wanted some florals mixed with solids. (Not the easiest of feats! But they came together beautifully in the end.) From there, it kind of unfolded organically. We didn’t really set any boundaries. I didn’t discount something because it didn’t fit a theme or wasn’t within a strict color palette. Frankly, I had a hard time narrowing down colors, because we just kept finding things that I loved. We ended up with an eclectic mix of things, but it was so perfectly reflective of Ryan and me. Extra bonus, we planted all of the succulents and herbs we used on the tables, so now we get to enjoy those as they grow in our yard and smile back on the small but lovely role they played on our special day.
Big thanks to Christina Block Photography for the stunning photos and congrats to K + R on such a lovely day!
The bridesmaid dresses were the perfect vibe for showing off Katie + Ryan’s love of all things nature + you can shop this look in our guide below!
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It started to rain pretty heavily right as the bridal party was to walk out. We ended up delaying the ceremony about 40 minutes, which had me a little anxious. Finally, there was a long enough break in the rain for us to walk out to the open air pavilion, where the guests awaited us. Once I reached Ryan, and the ceremony began, the rain began to fall again – but this time, we were all together, family and friends, Ryan and me – and all my nervousness washed away. I stood before the love of my life, and we read our own vows, pledging our love and lives to each other as the rain danced away on the tin roof. It was magical.
Processional: Wedding Party: Swept Away – The Avett Brothers; Bride: The Nutcracker: Act 2, Pas De Deux: Intrada – Tchaikovsky
Recessional: Sold – John Michael Montgomery
First Dance: Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
We both love nature, plants, and animals. Ryan is an avid outdoorsman, and I love all things crafty, vintage, and sentimental. I wanted to infuse as much of us, our individual personalities as well as our lives together, into this day. So that meant lots of greenery, florals, feathers, antlers, succulents, driftwood, custom-dyed fabrics, boutonnieres with Ryan’s hand-tied flies, a few inside jokes within our vows, and so many other little details. We also decided to get married on Earth Day, and I now couldn’t imagine a more perfect day. What better way to celebrate our marriage than with everyone who means the world to us.
The week leading up the wedding was crazy. I knew that between setting up the venue, finishing lots of hand-made projects, and designing all the flowers, quiet moments were going to be hard to find. So I made it a point to sit down the weekend before – the calm before the wonderful storm – to write my vows to my soon-to-be-husband and my thank yous to my beloved parents and bridesmaids. I didn’t want these important messages to get forgotten in the shuffle or to be done half-heartedly due to time. It was too important to me to tell each of those people how much I love them. Presents are awesome [I gave those too ;)], but nothing quite replaces words that come straight from the heart. Give yourself enough time to write those down, thoughtfully and with intention.
Be adventurous. If you want to do something a little crazy, do it. You don’t have to fit into some mold or idea of what a wedding should be. It’s your blank canvas. Create a day that reflects just who the two of you are. And get a buddy. Wedding buddies are of the utmost importance. Don’t do it all by yourself. I was blessed with some incredible help. Because of that, I can truly say the planning was fun. It was a lot of work, but certainly a labor of love and worth every minute.
photography: Christina Block Photography // venue name: Bowing Oaks , Jacksonville, Florida // florals: Oh My Darling // bride's shoes: Toms // hair stylist: Coastal Beauty // makeup artist: Coastal Beauty // calligraphy: B.B. Designs
The bride and bridesmaids look amazing. I’m seriously obsessed with her dress and veil and how all the bridesmaids are mismatched. Gorgeous!!
Absolutely PERFECT wedding!! The photos are so nice, I love that sort of cloudy filter that gives it an older vintage feel… http://www.theweddingexpert.com
BEAUTIFUL tones!
Love,
NST Pictures – Cinematic Weddings
http://www.nstpictures.com
Instagram @nstpictures
I was swooning all over this wedding but one correction – Into the Mystic is by Van Morrison, not Jim Morrison ;)
And I’m only correcting this because it’s the perfect first dance song and one I always wanted to use!
Yes!! You are correct on that – actually love that song as well :) — thanks and updated!
What a gorgeous photo shoot. Absolutely love your wedding dress!
Absolutely Beautiful!!! did Hera Papergoods
Also do the adorable “wedding program?”
I’m looking for something with a similar
Design and layout. Any help to point me
In the right direction is greatly appreciated!