1. Real Weddings

A Casual Wedding in Charlotte, NC

Mindy liked Daniel from the moment they met. “He was gorgeous and sweet…and a drummer. I’ve always liked drummers,” she says. They met on the Universi

Mindy liked Daniel from the moment they met. “He was gorgeous and sweet…and a drummer. I’ve always liked drummers,” she says. They met on the University of North Carolina campus and started talking and messaging each other on Facebook. One day, Mindy updated her status, suggesting someone meet her at Starbucks on her lunch break. Daniel tried to email her, but his computer died. So he drove 40 minutes to campus, emailed her about lunch, and then waited another two hours for her to meet him. “He left that day knowing we would get married,” says Mindy. The Bride Melinda “Mindy” Odell, 21, an artist/freelance photographer The Groom Daniel Coleman, 22, a student The Date September 5 Ten months later the couple found their favorite picnic spot, and when it was time for dessert, Daniel pulled out a bag of clementines (their favorite fruit) with his nicknames for Mindy, Sweetsie, written on each one. The last fruit was hollowed out and filled with green tissue paper and a ring! She said yes and they spent the next three-and-a-half months planning an informal, outdoor wedding with lots of bold colors and a picnic-style atmosphere.

The bride shopped for a variety of antique glass vases and bottles before the wedding. They were perfect for displaying colorful wildflowers atop tree stumps on the reception tables.
Photo Reception Decor
Mindy used clothespins to make the sweet cake topper, which was a miniature version of the bride and groom. Even their outfits matched!
Vintage Bicycle Decor
Melinda used her calligraphy skills and sepia pens to create the ceremony program. She scanned the original, and then printed copies for all her guests at home.
Mindy had a tough time finding bridesmaid dresses to match her wedding colors, but eventually stumbled upon these cute strapless summer dresses at the mall. The ladies also wore brown shrugs to match the guys’ casual brown vests. The entire wedding party wore flip-flops on their feet to keep the look fun and cohesive.