A Romantic, Garden-Inspired Wedding at DoubleTree by Hilton in Akron, Ohio

Tudor Revival-styled Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio, served as the perfect location for this elegant, garden-inspired wedding, especially since the bride was a big fan of "Downton Abbey" that took place in the same time period the venue was built. "I knew I wanted a romantic color scheme that incorporated the lavender color of the dresses for a vintage, secret-garden feel," Kelly Calvey (28 and a library associate) says of her marriage to Brandon Halleen (29 and a printer). "I wanted the colors of the flowers to stand out, so I went with soft purples, blush, greens and grays." Because lush landscape already existed at the venue, little to no additional decor was needed for the outdoor ceremony. Kelly walked down the aisle lined by birch trees and lilies of the valley, and the couple said their vows surrounded by tea houses that overlooked the lake, captured by Studio Elle Photography. The man-made bouquets filled with anemones and roses were arranged by the Budding Tree and went with the natural ambience the couple had envisioned for their wedding day. The reception that followed was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Akron, Ohio, where dining tables were marked with purple table numbers surrounded by white candles. We adored the ivory and lavender wedding cake that was served for dessert, which appeared to be simple but really embodied the wedding day as a whole. The purple banding that wrapped around each tier and the ruffled texture was designed to resemble the bridesmaid dresses, and the garden roses and anemones that decorated the surface reflected the flower choices. "Trust your vendors, let them do what they do best, and everything will work out," Kelly says. "It can be tempting to micromanage, but you just have to let things go and pick what really matters. Definitely add personal details, even if they are little and subtle. It will really make the day special."