1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Snail-Mail Themed Wedding at Juliane James Place in Finlayson, Minnesota

Sometimes finding love can feel like hitting the bull's eye—literally! Hadija Steen (27 and a restaurant manager and server) and Nicole Mills (35 and

Sometimes finding love can feel like hitting the bull's eye—literally! Hadija Steen (27 and a restaurant manager and server) and Nicole Mills (35 and a youth social services program director) first bonded at a mutual friend's birthday party. Nicole was carrying a BB gun ("I'm just a kid from Nebraska," she says) and offered to teach Hadija to shoot. "She perfectly shot three cans off of a haystack," recalls Nicole, who proposed two years later. After finding the venue, a secluded site in a forest two hours north of their Minneapolis home, details started coming together. Using the fall hues as a natural backdrop, they chose a neutral palette with pops of color and carried out a "snail mail" theme, with letters, packages and stamps incorporated into the day. "It was awesome!" Hadija says.

For a warm, personal touch, the couple designed their own invitations, which included separate envelopes detailing the who, what, where, when and why, plus vintage postcards for RSVPs.
Snail Mail-Themed Wedding Invitations
Envelopes marked "who" held adorable photo booth shots of the couple.
Tara LaTour Wedding Dress
Top Shelf Bride Suit with Vest
"It felt like us," Hadija says of the wooded location on a pond. "Small town class," she adds.
Hadija and Nicole First Look
Nicole accessorized her suit with a vintage timepiece.
A loose arrangement, which included anemones and ranunculus, created the wildflower feel Hadija wanted. The hand- kerchief wrapped around the stems was a sweet addition.
A mix of blooms in various vibrant hues complemented Hadija's slightly wild bouquet.
Vintage typewriters, pens and paper were set out for guests to write letters to loved ones; the couple then mailed them after the wedding.
Stamped Letter Escort Cards
Illustrated Ceremony Programs with Vintage Handkerchiefs
Headphones and a Jimi Hendrix record saved a seat for Hadija's brother, who had recently passed away. A cowboy hat sat on another chair to honor Nicole's late father.
Ring Bearer in Navy Suit
Flanked by vintage pews, the flagstone path led to a small stage where the pair exchanged vows.
Hadija and Nicole First Kiss
Stamped Letter Table Numbers
Kraft Paper-Wrapped Wedding Gift
Bunches of wildflowers in salvaged glassware dotted the tables. Brown paper packages and bundles of letters tied with twine denoted the table names, which were each a different street in Minneapolis.
Rustic Tented Reception at Juliane James Place
Assorted Pie Dessert Station
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple served apple pies, chocolate beer cakes and ice cream.
White Lace Reception Dress
The DJ played funk, soul, salsa and bachata— "and there was even an impromptu swing dance-off!" Hadija recalls.
Their wedding was the perfect excuse for Hadija to spring for a new pair of cowboy boots she could wear again and again.
The Oilerie St. Paul
Tara LaTour Strapless Wedding Dress
Strapless Tara LaTour Wedding Dress
Rustic Wooden Wedding Arch