Bright Inspirational Real Wedding stories

Sweet Southern Bohemian Wedding at Ponce City Market

Sophie Woodward (23 and a graphic designer) and Harrison Nevel (24 and a content creator) were stuck between wanting an intimate ceremony and a big reception. In they end, they planned a celebration that combined the best of both worlds, compiling two guest lists for their event at Ponce City Mar...

A Bright, Modern Wedding at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing in Richmond, Virginia

“The tradition of wearing white didn’t ring true for me,” Heidi Nel (36 and a social impact strategist) says. Yellow better captured the joy she felt in marrying Tom Rosser (27 and a project executive) and the celebratory, welcoming mood she wanted to share with 155 guests. Marigold became the da...

A Bright, Quirky Wedding at Planterra Conservatory in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Newlyweds Noel (25 and a lawyer) and John (26 and an automotive engineer) didn't shy away from color while planning their 90-person party at Planterra Conservatory. "I wanted the space to look like a modern yet colorful enchanted forest," Noel says. The pair infused the greenhouse venue with vibr...

A Bright Outdoor Wedding at The Hawthorne House in Parkville, Missouri

Romantic florals and a vibrant palette of pink and white turned Danielle Chadbourne (23 and a nursing student and a CNA) and Michael Hotujac’s (24 and a student) September wedding into a picture-perfect affair. “I wanted our design to have a ton of personality,” Danielle says. The couple added so...

A Hip, Colorful Wedding at The Ruby Street in Los Angeles, California

A decommissioned church chock-full of light and existing furniture was an obvious, albeit unconventional choice for newlyweds Alex Ebel (30 and a writer) and Spencer Houck (33 and a film and television editor). “We loved that it was a one-stop shop, where we could have the ceremony outside and th...

A Playful, Colorful Wedding at The Cheney Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan

There was no shortage of eye-catching accents at Kellene Hilliard (29 and an art teacher) and William Damian’s (26 and a marketing and sales professional) whimsical wedding—from hand-dyed napkins and vintage china to mid-century modern lounge vignettes and painted paper goods. “I’m an artist, so ...

A Colorful, Mexican-Infused Wedding at Jam Handy in Detroit, Michigan

A mariachi band, punchy paper blooms and papel picado accents made for a celebratory, DIY fiesta at Detroit’s The Jam Handy, where Alma Ibanez (35 and an accountant) and Michelle Awe (32 and an office administrator) tied the knot. “I’m Mexican-American and wanted a design that reminded me of home...

A Preppy Brunch Wedding at Firefly Gardens in Midlothian, Texas

For Tawni Reynolds (24 and an interior designer) and Matthew Brown (27 and a business executive), a “light, bright and colorful” affair was essential. “We wanted everything to encompass a feeling of joy and celebration,” Tawni says. The pair filled their brunch wedding with breathtaking florals a...

A Bright, Flower-Filled Wedding at the Naples Botanical Gardens in Florida

Elizabeth Kapnick (28 and a vice president at Goldman Sachs) and Michael Vandenburg (29 and an attorney at Fried Frank) chose a very fitting venue for a South Florida garden wedding: the Naples Botanical Gardens. The space was a particularly sentimental one for the couple because Elizabeth’s gran...

A Bright Bohemian Wedding at The Grove at Denton Valley in Clyde, Texas

Students Bailey Denison (21) and John Wesley Hagler (22) looked to bold flowers for pops of color, as well as flower crowns and feathers to create their boho celebration. “I wanted the theme to say, ‘Let’s grab some flowers and have a wedding,’” Bailey says. She accessorized her dress with barefo...

A Bright Beach Wedding at a Private Residence in Marathon, Florida

Color-loving couple Melanie Holliday (32 and a public insurance adjuster) and Andrew Greenburg (32 and a yacht captain) said their “I dos” on a private beach, surrounded by vibrant hues that expressed their gypsy vibes. “The theme of the wedding is the theme of my life,” Melanie says. “My everyda...

A Romantic Spanish-Style Wedding at Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado, California

Marina Gonzalez and Jose Juarez turned their vibrant California wedding into an international affair with the help of the right venue and décor. "Rancho Las Lomas has beautiful architecture, with hand-painted tiles and murals from Portugal and endless gardens,” Marina says. The pair added plenty ...

A Bright Southwestern Wedding at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico

Ashley and Sam Santoscoy planned a bright bohemian desert wedding with cactus motifs and lots of handmade touches. The couple chose to host the festivities on the one-year anniversary of their courthouse “I dos” at the San Francisco Court House, inviting an intimate group of their closest family ...

A Colorful Palm Springs-Inspired Wedding at the New Haven Lawn Club in New Haven, Connecticut

Shannon McGee (38 and a marketing account director) and Michael Suppe (34 and a sports editor) played up vibrant florals and a tropical palm leaf motif to give their retro, Palm Springs-inspired fete an undeniable flair. The duo said their vows in front of a fireplace mantel adorned with a colorf...

A Bright, Modern Wedding at the Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah, Georgia

Carlos Lopez (32 and an urban planner) and Daren Capirchio (43 and works in higher education) made the Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah, Georgia their own with the help of color. A lot of color. Vibrant blue details, geometric accents and jewel-tone arrangements of thistle, moss and air plants inf...

A Bright, Classic Wedding at the Taj Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts

Corina Roth (assistant VP at TJX Companies) and Guillaume Rousseau (works in fine jewelry sales for Tiffany & Co.) paired big city glamour with classic English garden elegance for an unforgettable event. Whimsical rose gold script, botanical liners and pink ombré watercolor lent a modern, rom...

A Bright Modern Wedding at the Bryant Park Grill in New York City, New York

Bright and cheery was the end goal for Annie Berger (30 and a children’s book editor) and Austin Hall (30 and an alternative investment analyst), who tied the knot in the center of New York City's Bryant Park. Instead of ditching their venue’s existing furniture for more understated accents, Anni...

A Nature-Centric Fusion Wedding at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California

Shivani and Nick Hawkins went for bold and bright for their multicultural bash—a weekend-long event that included a Christian ceremony, a traditional Hindu ceremony and a fusion reception that highlighted their unique backgrounds, as well as their shared love of nature. The couple chose different...

A Colorful Wedding at Seven4One in Laguna Beach, California

Kristen De Guzman (31 and a financial analyst) and Kevin Agorrilla (31 and a business systems analyst) wanted a fun and comfortable experience for their guests, so they aimed for playful punches. A rainbow of vibrant colors and bold black-and-white stripes colored the modern event, and Kristen’s ...

A Bright, Preppy-Chic Wedding at The Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut

Inspired by their love of books and bright, bold color, Taylor Tomlinson and Conor Sullivan planned a vibrant, preppy-chic soiree at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut. “Conor and I are both high school English teachers, and on our second date we went to a book store where he read m...

A Bright, Science-Themed Wedding at Franklin Park Conservatory Palm House in Columbus, Ohio

At first glance, Christel Hoot (30 and a student) and Brett Kinkopf’s (31 and works in health care) early-fall wedding was a vibrant, intimate affair with a palette of showstopping orange and fuchsia hues reminiscent of a tropical sunset and eye-catching florals. But beyond the attention-grabbing...

A Bright Bohemian Wedding at the Santa Barbara Zoo in Santa Barbara, California

With their relationship born out of a shared love of animals, Jessica McIntosh and Bryan Gilbreath chose the lush Santa Barbara Zoo to serve as the backdrop for their spring nuptials. While the tropical gardens filled with vibrant florals and swaying palm trees offered an alluring setting for the...

A Sunshine-Inspired, Summer Wedding at Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown, New York

“I wanted to make everyone smile,” Caly Meyers (28 and an HR and volunteer manager) says of planning a joyous, sunshine-themed summer wedding to Jay Mixa (33 and a web developer). Yellow blooms and cheery striped table linens marked the day. Ceremony programs simply stated “you are my happy,” and...