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A DIY Backyard Wedding in Galena, Illinois

Rather than scope out reception venues in their town of Galena, Illinois, Rylynn (28) and Jeff (34) settled on the bride's parents backyard to celebra

Rather than scope out reception venues in their town of Galena, Illinois, Rylynn (28) and Jeff (34) settled on the bride's parents backyard to celebrate their special day. Thanks to her detail-oriented mom and some serious crafting skills, the bride was able to create a DIY wedding with plenty of personal flair -- including a custom cocktail at the tented reception! "I wish we could have invited the whole world to see the love that was shown that day," Rylynn explains. "We had so many different elements that made the wedding truly about our love and our journey together. We incorporated so much of who we are that it really made our ceremony one of a kind." After a night of dancing and ceremonial toasts alongside family and friends, the couple closed out the night with a private fireworks display. "The reception was one for the books," Rylynn says.

The bride wore a white lace, cap sleeve dress with a plunging neckline and low back. "It was purely romantic," she says.
The groom's fresh green boutonniere popped against his tan linen suit.
The couple served a raspberry-filled buttercream cake to the guests during the reception.
The bride chose her parent's backyard as the ceremony and reception location. "Their property has been and always will be near and dear to me," Rylynn explains. "So we decided to create our own vintage, romantic wedding in their backyard."
Pink roses were hung in glass mason jars and situated at the end of each row of chairs.
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Green roses were paired with purple delphinium to create the rustic, DIY centerpieces.
"Detail is my first name," the bride explains. "My family and I get very creative when it comes to events and tiny details." The bride and her mother even created a DIY card holder out of this rustic piece of luggage.
The couple served up a signature cocktail dubbed "The McTini" made with vodka, strawberry lemonade and fresh lemons.
The bride and her mom decorated the DIY reception space with framed family photos.