1. Real Weddings

A Woodland-Inspired Pink and Green Wedding at Library Ballroom in Macon, Georgia

For the couple who love to hike and walk through the woods together, a woodland-themed wedding was just right for Laurel Rivers (26 and a piano teache

For the couple who love to hike and walk through the woods together, a woodland-themed wedding was just right for Laurel Rivers (26 and a piano teacher) and Andrew Parkhurst (28 and a Spanish teacher and student). Their day unfolded at the First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia, which they chose for sentimental reasons. They met while playing music, and knew they wanted a church with an organ so Laurel’s teacher and classmates could perform for their ceremony. Their reception followed at the Library Ballroom, which they decorated with woodsy colors, including forest green, and wooden details with a splash of contrasting hot pink. Their whole wedding was a family affair. Laurel’s mother created the woodland centerpieces (lots of greenery with adorable animals) paired with wooden slabs from Laurel’s father. One of Laurel’s sisters helped with the catering. Plus, they brought in their local florist, Lawrence Mayer, to create the lush greenery and flower arrangements—and Laurel’s cascading bouquet did not disappoint. Another detail Laurel and Andrew loved? Their DJ, Macon Nite Life, turned the reception into one big dance party and kept the music going until well into the night. Holly Von Lanken Photography was on hand to capture all the details, below, including Laurel and Andrew’s adorable wedding cake and groom’s cake that looked like they’d been plucked out of an enchanted forest.

This cascading bouquet looked like Laurel swept it up from the woods. It contained hanging amaranthus, peonies, spray roses, scabiosa pods, veronica, hypericum berries and a host of natural greenery to complete the woodland look.
Andrew's boutonniere channeled the woodland theme with miniature mushrooms and pinecones, hypericum berries and a scabiosa pod wrapped in mint green.
Laurel's bridesmaids wore green satin V-neck dresses with flower crowns in their hair—pink ranunculus tied with a laurel, of course. Their bouquets continued the natural, overgrown style of Laurel's cascading bouquet.
Andrew and his groomsmen wore gray three-piece suits with mint bow ties and woodland-inspired boutonnieres.
Laurel and Andrew's ivory invitation had forest green script and a Celtic cross.
Laurel and Andrew got married at First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia, because it has an organ. Music is an important part of their relationship, so having Laurel's teacher and music students perform was a meaningful touch to their ceremony.
"I loved the fact that all our friends and family came together to show their support for our marriage," Andrew says. "Their presence was, and continues to be, important as we begin our life as a married couple."
Laurel and Andrew brought their reception to the Library Ballroom in Macon, Georgia, which had a towering ceiling with wooden beams that matched their natural woodland theme. They decorated the dining tables in green and hot pink to contrast.
Laurel's mother created this adorable centerpiece totally DIY. The moss, ferns and lantern covered in greens and ribbons with a touch of hot pink embodied the enchanted woodland theme—plus, the owl was a cute touch.
Laurel and Andrew's sweetheart table stood out with patterned hot pink linens. It had a large lantern centerpiece surrounded my whimsical forest greenery, with a gold "Mr. & Mrs." at their place settings.
The DIY centerpieces were filled with tiny woodland creatures. The squirrel and songbird hiding in the greenery enhanced Laurel and Andrew's enchanted theme.
DJ Macon Nite Life provided the music for Laurel and Andrew's reception and created a huge dance party, just as they envisioned. "Our DJ kept the tunes coming, without breaks, until well past 11 that evening," Andrew says.
Laurel's cake looks like a scene from an enchanted forest. It had three ivory tiers surrounded by whimsical greenery, tiny mushrooms and flowers for a pop of color.
Andrew's two-tier groom's cake was all chocolate. Scabiosa pods, calla lilies and craspedia created a cute nesting spot for his woodland bird cake topper.
Laurel and Andrew's wedding was traditional, full of heartfelt moments and truly representative of who they are as a couple. "The woodland theme was so special to us, since we truly got to know each other through our many hikes in the forest," Laurel says. "It was important that we put that facet of our relationship front and center."