A Whimsical Backyard Wedding in Leesburg, Virginia, With DIY Touches

Lauren grew up playing in the trees around her house with her sister. “It was our personal wonderland,” she says. She wanted to re-create that magic when she married Steven in those same Virginia woods. On the invites, a watercolor map of the property hinted at the dreamy festivities to come: a relaxed boho celebration with lawn games, mismatched china, and a spread of mini apple, pecan and pumpkin pies. “I knew three things when I started planning,” Lauren says. “I wanted sleeves, a flower crown and to marry my best friend in the woods.” Lauren and Steven exchanged vows in front of an arbor they built together, while guests looked on from church pews. Clusters of butterfly weed, snapdragons, roses and seeded eucalyptus topped harvest tables .While walking through her family’s forest, Lauren found dozens of old jars and bottles buried in the ground. “We still have no idea where they came from, but they were absolutely perfect for our centerpieces,” she says. The couple borrowed a blue VW bus from a neighbor to use for photo ops.