1. Real Weddings

A Vintage Bird-Themed Wedding

As they planned their fall wedding, it was important to Corynne and Weldon to incorporate as many local artists as they could into their wedding detai

As they planned their fall wedding, it was important to Corynne and Weldon to incorporate as many local artists as they could into their wedding details. In college, Corynne had been an associate producer for Thacker Mountain Radio and often worked with the Powerhouse in Oxford, a warehouse-style venue, to plan events. Later, she used the venue to hold charity concerts for Hope for Africa, an organization she cofounded. When the time came to plan her wedding reception, she knew the space would be perfect. The Bride Corynne Ware, 22, head of crafts at a boy’s camp The Groom Weldon Pless, 23, recruiter for a boy’s camp The Date January 2 The decision turned out to be fortuitous because at the time of their reception, the venue also happened to be hosting a local photography show, which added a personal touch to the wedding decor. Beyond the local photography, Corynne also included antique country details, including mason jars, old books, bottle crates, glass bottles, and other homespun items in the reception details. A simple bird motif unified the rest of the wedding day details.

As cofounder of the organization Hope for Africa, which helps support orphans in Uganda, Corynne and Weldon decided to make a donation in their guests’ honor rather than hand out traditional favors.
Outside the church, a borrowed bicycle’s basket was filled with ceremony programs so that guests could grab one as they entered.
The 11 bridesmaids wore gray Mori Lee dresses with cream shoes and accessorized with their own jewelry. Corynne also gave them purple feather hairpieces made by an artist friend of hers in keeping with the bird theme.
In addition to wedding cake, the couple served Oreo cookies in paper cups. Corynne designed the milk cups for guests to take home as another favor.
Because two of the groomsmen already owned tuxes, it made sense to have them wear their own duds for the wedding.
The bride designed the “P” monogram on her computer using a custom stencil from an artist she found on Etsy.com.
A friend of Corynne’s mother made the simple white cake adorned with purple and white flowers.
Most of the reception centerpieces were comprised of antique books Corynne had owned since childhood. She also cut out paper birds from old hymn books to embellish the displays. Soup cans and mason jars with candles completed the look.
Corynne bought her handmade bird cake topper online at Etsy.com.
The warehouse-style wedding venue had several large windows for plenty of natural light. The otherwise bare space created the perfect backdrop for Corynne and Weldon’s wedding vision.
Corynne’s simple white bouquet included roses and green hypericum berries.
A simple “wedding” sign hung outside the venue to point guests to the ceremony.