A Rustic, Outdoor Wedding at Parkway Marina in Huddleston, Virginia

Samantha Thomasson (24 and in inside sales) and Scott Thomasson (41 and vice president of sales) had the casual, outdoor wedding of their dreams at Parkway Marina in Huddleston, Virginia, overlooking Smith Mountain Lake. "This is where the fireworks are set off on July 4," Samantha says, "so it was really the only place that felt right and the view of the mountains is beautiful." Under a white arch with sunflowers and cascading greens, the couple said their "I dos" in front of their closest friends and family. They wanted to keep their wedding casual, but there was one element of the decor that Samantha really knew had to be at the wedding. "There was only one thing that I knew I wanted: sunflowers," she says. "They are by far my favorite flower, so I chose colors that meshed with them." Samantha and Scott's florist, Daisy Patch, used sunflowers, white roses and baby's breath to create Samantha and her bridesmaids' pretty bouquets. To complement the bright yellow of the sunflowers, Samantha and Scott chose a color palette of navy, red, orange and yellow, and created a rustic theme for their day. Keeping with the rustic, casual theme, Plantation Catering served a barbecue-inspired menu for guests to enjoy. Samantha and Scott were sure to make their entire wedding day reflective of themselves and their personal styles, and they advise future couples to do the same. "The most important thing is to not make the day about making everyone else happy," Samantha says. "Have cupcakes instead of cake if you like that better, or leave on a boat rather than a limo. They are your memories to make."