1. Real Weddings

A Blue and Orange Wedding in Big Flats, NY

Tim first spotted April in an online photo. “I was enamored with April's amazing red hair, and immediately asked her out on a date,” he says. But by t

Tim first spotted April in an online photo. “I was enamored with April's amazing red hair, and immediately asked her out on a date,” he says. But by the end of the date, Tim wasn’t sure he and April would have a second one -- “I was getting signals that it was going to be our only date,” Tim says. Luckily, he misread those signals and the two exchanged vows three years later. The Bride April Mirabile, 32, nanny and full-time student The Groom Timothy Wade, 32, sales associate The Date July 18 Tim’s spur-of-the-moment proposal came while he, April, and his mom were driving past a lake in Watkins Glen. Tim suggested the lake would be a nice spot to get married, and April, sitting in the back seat, asked if he was serious. By the end of the car ride, they were engaged. The two have a special connection to the Horsehead and Big Flats areas, and decided it was the perfect place to have their wedding. They chose an orange-and-blue color scheme (their favorite colors) and added as many unique details into their day as possible.

The reception took place in a large, open room that was once a youth camp. April and Tim’s crew of friends helped hang orange tissue flowers and white lights throughout the space.
April surprised Tim with orange Lego cuff links to wear with his tan suit. She found the creative accessories on Etsy.com.
April’s bridesmaids wore light-blue and ivory dresses from Aria Bridesmaids and accessorized with orange shoes, necklaces, and earrings. All four bridesmaids held orange carnation bouquets.
For the reception, April changed into an orange, 1950s vintage prom dress and accessorized with orange Vivienne Westwood shoes. Graphic, bright blue-and-orange fabric created a “faux-to booth” backdrop.
When April found tiny drinking classes decorated with light-blue and orange elephants and flowers at IKEA, she knew they’d be a perfect addition to the reception. The couple’s florist filled them with kumquats and flowers.
Tim wore an orange ranunculus boutonniere accented with studded stephanotis and wrapped with light-blue ribbon. His orange paisley tie and tan suit were a playful alternative to the standard black tux.
April and Tim’s friend (and day-of coordinator) made bookmark wedding favors. The take-homes were printed with an illustration of the tree they were married beneath and were similar to their invites and save-the-dates.
Tim’s best friend, John, officiated the wedding, which took place beneath a tree next to a small lake. Orange tissue-paper “poofs” (made by April and her bridesmaids) decorated the ceremony chairs.
Strands of tiny white lights decorated with orange flowers were hung throughout the space.
April bought birdseed letters from a seller on Etsy.com in the couple’s initials: “A,” “T,” and “W.” They hung them in their ceremony tree and left them there afterward for the birds to enjoy.
To keep with their super-simple reception decor, April borrowed antique Mason jars from Tim’s mom and had the florist put an orange carnation in each.
Even though they had an ice cream sundae bar for dessert, April and Tim still wanted to have a cake-cutting. They ordered one from a local bakery the day before the wedding.