1. Real Weddings

A Chic DIY Wedding at Vesuvius Vineyards in Iron Station, North Carolina

Sarah McClure (23 and a wedding photographer) and Ludwing Vivas (27 and in retail management) pulled off a chic DIY wedding at Vesuvius Vineyards in I

Sarah McClure (23 and a wedding photographer) and Ludwing Vivas (27 and in retail management) pulled off a chic DIY wedding at Vesuvius Vineyards in Iron Station, North Carolina, with a dusty blue and gold palette and personal touches throughout their ceremony and reception. Sarah tapped into her creativity to create the beautiful blue and ivory invites, along with the bouquets and signs. During the couple’s first look before the ceremony, they exchanged personal vows to each other while standing on a rock in the middle of a creek. “The ceremony was really important to us, and we wanted to keep the focus on God, since he is the center of our marriage and creator of marriage,” Sarah says. For their altar, the couple decorated a cross with blooms and planted ivy and greenery in urns that were placed at the top of the aisle. Other religious touches included taking Communion and Ludwing's sister serenading the crowd with “How Great Thou Art” in English and Spanish, since Ludwing is Puerto Rican. During the dinner reception, the newlyweds also incorporated Latino culture through music and food. They served tacos with rice, beans and chips and salsa. “Ludwing and I love Taco Tuesday,” Sarah says. “It’s one of our favorite date nights, so we wanted to have a dinner that was true to what we love.” The couple kept their reception simply chic, topping tables with white linens and floral centerpieces. Nature-inspired place settings included wicker chargers, white plates, gray-blue napkins, olive branches and thank-you cards.
After an evening of dinner and dancing, friends and family gave the newlyweds a celebratory sparkler exit. —Marissa Hermanson

On the morning of her wedding, Sarah and her three bridesmaids made their own bouquets.
Ivory and dusty blue invitations with calligraphy set the tone for Sarah and Ludwing’s wedding day. Along with the bouquets, the bride also created the stationery and signs.
Ludwing popped the question with a diamond solitaire surrounded by a halo of miniature diamonds.
Sarah and Ludwing exchanged personal vows during their first look, as they stood on a rock surrounded by a creek at Vesuvius Vineyards in Iron Station, North Carolina.
“I knew even before I went dress shopping that I wanted a long-sleeve gown,” Sarah says. “I am a pretty decisive person, so I really tried on only about three long-sleeve gowns and knew that the Essense of Australia gown was the one.” She later realized that the dress was one she had her eye on before she was engaged.
“I am a wedding photographer and love the way that that film picks up certain colors, especially grays and blues," the bride says. "That is what led me in the direction of the bridesmaid dresses. I knew that the texture and color would look great on film."
Ludwing looked dapper in a navy blue suit and his three groomsmen sported navy pants with ties and suspenders.
Ludwing accessorized his blazer with a rose boutonniere tied with white ribbon.
“Most people said I was crazy, but I really wanted to design my own flowers for the wedding," Sarah says. She ordered her selections from a local wholesale flower market and created the bouquets with her bridesmaids the morning of. "I would do it all over again," she says. "That ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day."
Sarah and Ludwing kept their reception simply chic, topping tables with white linens and floral centerpieces for the celebration at Vesuvius Vineyards in Iron Station, North Carolina.
The newlyweds decked out their romantic sweetheart table in white linens, a beautiful arrangement of blooms, taper candles and glitzy Mr. & Mrs. signs.
Each place setting included a wicker charger, a white plate, a gray-blue napkin, an olive branch and a thank-you card.
After an evening of dinner and dancing, friends and family gave the newlyweds a celebratory sparkler exit.