1. Real Weddings

A Colorful, DIY Wedding at Cheat Lake in Morgantown, West Virginia

Despite Hurricane Joaquin's gloomy weather, Heather Harris (33 and a museum educator) and Devin Smart’s (32 and a PhD student) wedding was bursting wi

Despite Hurricane Joaquin's gloomy weather, Heather Harris (33 and a museum educator) and Devin Smart’s (32 and a PhD student) wedding was bursting with color. Between the floral arrangements, the bride’s shoes, bridesmaid dresses and cakes, vibrant hues of orange, yellow, purple and pink illuminated the tented reception area in the middle of the woods near Cheat Lake. “I have been a theater teacher in the past and currently manage the educational programs at an art museum, so life for me is very colorful, and I wanted my wedding to reflect that,” Heather says. “Neutrals, although they are quite fashionable, are just not my style.” Several local vendors helped the couple bring their hands-on vision to life. Morgantown, West Virginia, print studio Elm Leaf Design created custom invitations, even including a hand-drawn map of the ceremony area; Sweet Babes Cakery concocted the colorful cakes; a local food truck supplied the reception meals; and a local farmers' market vendor grew the flowers for bouquets and centerpieces. —Allie Volpe

Heather's engagement ring is a combination of her maternal grandmother's engagement and wedding rings fused together. "The fact that Devin asked my mother for the ring was truly one of the most meaningful parts of our engagement," she says. Devin's great-grandmother's wedding band was passed down to Heather for the couple's wedding day.
Colorful Invitation Suite
Despite the wedding's colorful elements, Heather opted for a classic white gown with an illusion neckline and lace overlay and flowy skirt. "The sheer pattern reminded me of leaves and wildflowers, which was just what I imagined," she says.
Bridal Beauty
To offset her classic white gown, Heather wore vibrant purple heels with orange floral decals from Ruby Shoos.
Rather than using a florist, Heather and Devin contacted a local farmers' market vendor for wildflowers for the bouquets and centerpieces. Devin's family went to the woman's farm just outside Morgantown to pick the fresh florals.
Bold-Colored Boutonniere and Orange Tie
Flower Girl Dresses
Cheat Lake Estate
Ceremony in the Woods
Wine bottles filled with wildflowers surrounded by lanterns and votive candles decorated each reception table. Turkish towels were used in lieu of table runners.
Giant Jenga games kept guests of all ages occupied outside the reception tent. In addition, an arts and crafts area kept kids entertained.
Local food truck Hash Browns & New Grounds provided mobile eats to the outdoor portion of the reception.
Because of rainy weather, Heather wore fuchsia rain boots for most of the day. "I threw on my rain boots and danced with my dad and my groom in the middle of the mess," she says.
Sweet Babes Cakery created a series of brightly hued treats in shades of orange, pink and purple.