1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Wedding in Cambridge, MA

At first, Becca didn’t think much of the “glasses-wearing, violin-playing, dorky boy” (her words, not ours!) who sat behind her in her junior-high geo

At first, Becca didn’t think much of the “glasses-wearing, violin-playing, dorky boy” (her words, not ours!) who sat behind her in her junior-high geometry class. But as the years went by and they entered high school, she soon found herself relying on Dean to help her through algebra and calculus. The Bride Becca Huynh, 24, elementary school teacher The Groom Dean Thongkham, 23, student The Date June 13 When it came time for the homecoming dance, the two had already become good friends, so Dean mustered up the courage to ask Becca by spelling out “Will you go to Homecoming with me?” in Scrabble letters outside her front door. He used the same move five years later when he had a bigger question: “Will you marry me?”

Romantic Wedding Reception
Although all the dresses were lavender, chiffon, tea-length and gathered at the waist, each maid got to incorporate the neckline she wanted into the bride’s design.
More DIY! Dean and his groomsmen pinned boutonnieres made with silk and dried flowers, beads, ribbon, and feathers to their lapels.
Romantic Wedding Signs
Dean’s friend played “Dawn,” by Dario Marianelli, from Pride and Prejudice, for the processional. Next, Becca’s uncle, a minister, officiated the ceremony.
A purple butterfly design and a mix of classic and contemporary fonts helped push the wedding’s whimsical-elegance theme.
Becca and her friends printed the programs on an old letterpress in the basement of one of Harvard’s dorms.
As a nod to the proposal, guests took home tins full of magnets with words like “true” and “kiss” spelled out in Scrabble letters.
A simple strawberry cream cake was part of the dessert buffet. The couple’s friend created the butterfly-inspired cake topper.
The couple scoured thrift shops, garage sales, and vintage markets for bowls, pitchers, teacups, and plates to use for their low-key centerpieces.
Bell Kiss Tradition
Becca carried a romantic bouquet of peonies, roses, and limonium, which she arranged herself after ordering the flowers in bulk online.
The groomsmen wore tuxedos with purple vests and ties in different patterns, which coordinated with the lavender bridesmaid dresses.
Even Becca’s Enzo Angiolini heels worked with the color scheme. On the bottoms, Becca added her and Dean’s initials in rhinestones for her “something blue.”
When Becca and Dean started planning, two words came to mind: whimsical and elegant. They chose a lavender-and-cream color palette and incorporated butterflies and their monogram into their spring wedding filled with DIY details.