1. Real Weddings

A Classic Military Wedding at the Brooklyn Arts Center in Wilmington, North Carolina

Ashley, 23 and a marine and Keith, 24 and a marine were in the same unit at the United States Naval Academy but didn't get to know each other until th

Ashley, 23 and a marine and Keith, 24 and a marine were in the same unit at the United States Naval Academy but didn't get to know each other until their junior year. "He kept asking me out but I just wanted to be friends," says Ashley. "Eventually I gave in because while were were great friends, I thought maybe there was a chance we good be something more." Keith popped the question two years later during a weekend getaway in Washington, D.C. for the Marine Corps Marathon. After being stationed at Camp Lejeune, the couple planned a traditional military wedding in North Carolina. Yellow arrangements and rustic DIY chalkboard details added a personal touch to the Brooklyn Arts Center Military Reception.

Ashley accessorized her airy Mori Lee ball gown with glamorous silver stilettos.
Fiore Fine Flowers wrapped the yellow peony and succulent bouquet with an ivory ribbon fastened by a crystal broach.
Ashley's had her bridesmaids choose their own golden yellow dresses.
Keith and his groomsmen all were formal military uniforms to the outdoor ceremony.
Ashley and Keith first met at the United States Navel Academy and Keith proposed two years later during a trip to D.C. for the Marine Corps Marathon.
Ashley's adorable flower girl wore a white flower in her hair.
Ashley and Keith swapped vows outside of the Brooklyn Arts Center in a traditional military ceremony before inviting guests indoor for a DIY-inspired reception.
After speaking to Richard Leder, the executive director at the Brooklyn Arts Center, Ashley and Keith were smitten but being able to have an outdoor ceremony with an indoor reception sold them.
"The second I put on my sparkly cream dress by Mori Lee Bridal, I knew it was the one—I couldn't stop smiling!" says Ashley.
After first meeting at the United States Naval Academy, Ashley and Keith planned a timeless military wedding complete with the arch of swords following their ceremony.
"We wanted the overall style to be a little bit of elegance with a whole lot of fun," says Ashley. "So basically it was all pretty laid-back and I made most of the decor myself!"
Our wedding was at the Brooklyn Arts Center (BAC) in Wilmington, NC. Since we are stationed at Camp Lejeune,rnNC we wanted to chose somewhere near us. We chose this location because it is a beautiful city and thernBrooklyn Arts Center is a beautiful re-purposed old church that is used for all sorts of events. Also Richard Leder,rnthe executive director at the BAC, is a very enigmatic and enthusiastic man who made it a pleasure to plan myrnwedding and reception there.
Ashley created the black and yellow centerpieces by painting recycled bottles with chalkboard paint.
Ashley and Keith served a three-tiered textured buttercream flowers with yellow flowers and clay cake toppers made by the bride.
"I wanted to add a personal touch and made the wedding toppers out of clay molded to look like Keith and myself as we would look on our wedding day," says Ashley.
"I had made my mind up on a dress that seemed nice when one last dress caught my eye," says Ashley. "Once I walked out of the dressing room and looked in the mirror, I broke out into a smile and couldn't stop smiling!"