Casual Inspirational Real Wedding stories

Carrie & Josh: A Purple Wedding in Toledo, OH

Soon after Josh Schulze proposed to Carrie Carlisle, he was accepted to a business school in another state. This gave the Ohio natives two things to celebrate but only six months to pull off a modern art gallery gala. The Bride Carrie Carlisle, 30, graphic designer The Groom Josh Schulze, 27, st...

A Beach Wedding in Grand Haven, MI

The couple spent summer weekends in the same Long Island beach town and were just friends for five years before they started dating. The Bride Stephanie Secchia, 43 The Groom Ken Oehler, 41 and a consultant The Date July 18 Stephanie and Ken liked the idea of using red to decorate their seaside...

A Flower Shop Wedding in Chicago, IL

Jaimie was out with friends at one of her favorite neighborhood spots, Morseland in Rogers Park, when Jason approached and asked her to dance. Jaimie said she didn’t dance and Jason responded that he didn’t either. Then he grabbed her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. It wasn’t long befo...

Mary & Patrick: An Outdoor Wedding in Woodinville, WA

With a theme of simple elegance in mind, Mary and Pat planned their celebration at a very unballroom-like space: a restored 1910s schoolhouse surrounded by wildflowers. THE BRIDE Mary Conway, 24, a grad student THE GROOM Patrick (Pat) Mendenall, 28, a financial analyst THE DATE August 6 Mary an...

Melanie & Hendry: An Elegant Wedding in San Franisco, CA

Melanie and Hendry share a passion for travel, so they chose a journey of life theme for their September wedding. And since the reception took place at Waterfront Restaurant, a sophisticated seaside celebration was born. THE BRIDE Melanie Halim, 27, a graphic designer THE GROOM Hendry Joesuf, 28...

Regan & Geoff: A Beach Wedding in Beaufort, NC

With a green and brown color palette as guidance, Regan and Geoff planned a fun and relaxing day that began with an outdoor ceremony on the beach at Fort Macon State Park. THE BRIDE Regan Morris, a 27-year-old mechanical supervisor at an advertising agency THE GROOM Geoff Wood, a 29-year-old fre...

Erica & Chris: A Casual Wedding in Jekyll Island, GA

Erica and Chris wasted no time becoming husband and wife –- they planned their romantic Jekyll Island wedding, filled with bright color and personal touches, in just four months! THE BRIDE Erica Lutes, 24, a second-grade teacher THE GROOM Chris Luzar, 25, a tight end for the National Football Le...

Amy & Luke: An Outdoor Wedding in South Yarmouth, MA

Amy and Luke kept their wedding simple, reflecting the season and the setting. The bride chose elements she loved, like the color green and peonies, and subtly worked them into the wedding. THE BRIDE Amy Wasgatt THE GROOM Luke Howarth THE DATE June 26 Amy, 28, a strategic accounts relationship ...

Rachelle & Stan: A Theme Wedding in Rocky Point, NY

From handmade invitations to a custom-designed wedding gown, artistic pair Rachelle and Stan put all the finishing touches on their unique, outdoor celebration. The Bride Rachelle Etienne, 25, fashion account representative The Groom Stan Robinson, 25, graphic designer/production services The Da...

A Casual Winter Wedding in Chicago, IL

The Bride Kimberly (Kim) Garcia, 26 The Groom Chad Canterna, 26, works with the US Navy The Date January 21 Two things came together to create Kim and Chad's wedding style. First, the couple wanted to showcase the city, with a skyline motif on the details, a hot dog bar at the reception, and fav...

A Casual Tented Wedding in Swannanoa, NC

The Bride Sarah Turner, 28, a physical therapist The Groom Andrew (Drew) Pietruszka, 32, an underwater archaeologist The Date August 27 Sarah and Drew threw a casual outdoor bash, filled with down-home comforts and fun activities. Guests drank lemonade and beer served up in Mason jars and heated...

A Casual Beach Wedding in Islamorada, FL

The Bride Sarah Stone, 30, a captain in the US Army The Groom Robert Jason Mullins, 30, also a captain in the US Army The Date November 11 As a nod to their careers and their patriotism, Sarah and Jason chose crimson, ivory and navy as their wedding colors (a demure take on red, white and blue)....

A Casual Romanitc Wedding in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

The Bride Lara Kocerka, 26, owner and designer at Declaration Boutique and Events The Groom Steven Hill, 27, self-employed The Date November 12 Lara and Steven kept three key words in mind while crafting their wedding: “fresh, feminine and sweet.” Pink and gray became the main colors, along with...

A Manhattan-themed Wedding in Orlando, FL

The Bride Candace (Candy) Komand, 30, an account manager at Digitas The Groom Ivinder (Ivi) Ahuja, 37, a director of business development at American Express The Date July 3 New Yorkers at heart, Candy and Ivi wanted to throw a sophisticated Manhattan-themed wedding in the vacation-like setting ...

A Casual Romantic Wedding in Norfolk, VA

The Bride Deanna Casey, 32, a wedding and portraiture photographer Aaron Katrancha, 34, an international market manager at Norfolk Southern Intermodal The Date June 4 Wanting a French garden-party feel, the couple chose a historic house museum to pull off their shabby-chic theme. Soft colors li...

A Vintage Casual Wedding in Lee's Summit, MO

The Bride Lindsey Davis, 21, a nursing school student The Groom Alex Russell, 23, a law school candidate The Date August 20 Lindsey and Alex played with peach, cream, and dusty-rose hues. Family heirlooms and antiques helped create a vintage feel, while whimsical decor, like old books and cerami...

A Casual Lakeside Wedding in Breezy Point, MN

The Bride Brie Peterson, 28, a senior retail planning analyst at HANESbrands Inc. The Groom Leo McSherry, 28, a front desk/group sales supervisor at Hampton Inn The Date August 12 Brie and Leo brought in a neutral color palette with pops of purple and green for their lakeside wedding. Soft flora...

An Elegant Casual Wedding in Austin, TX

The Bride Shannon Crain, 26, owns a social media management company The Groom Will Darrough, 28, an attorney The Date April 2 Shannon and Will took casual, old-fashioned southern style and made it worthy of a ballroom. A preppy apple-green and navy-blue color palette mixed with glam floral arra...

A Vintage Casual Wedding in Argyle, TX

The Bride Kelley Cook, 29, an administrative assistant at Missions Resource Network The Groom Ira Spies, 31, a branch manager at a bank The Date April 30 Using vintage heirlooms they already owned and a sweet DIY sensibility, Kelley and Ira planned a homey and bright afternoon wedding.

A Modern Outdoor Wedding in Naples, FL

The Bride Kate Johnson, 28, a graduate student at Columbia University The Groom Ryan Moody, 32, a landscape architect The Date May 21 Since Ryan is a landscape architect, the couple knew they wanted to get married outside in some kind of garden setting. A modern, sophisticated color palette of g...

An Outdoor Wedding in Merritt Island, FL

The Bride April Grover, 29, a professional surfer and owner of Island Inspiration Intl. The Groom Lou Exline, a venture capitalist The Date April 2 April and Lou wanted the wedding to reflect their love of the South Pacific, as well as the couple’s creative and eco-friendly side. The result was ...

A Casual Wedding in Vero Beach, FL

The Bride Lauren Hall, 32, a political fund-raiser and direct marketer The Groom Jesse Keene, 31, an attorney The Date January 29 With family and friends across the country, a destination wedding seemed inevitable. After searching up and down the Florida coast, Lauren and Jesse arrived in peacef...

A Casual Outdoor Wedding in Jersey City, NJ

The Bride Agata Erenc, 24, an accountant The Date Garrett Duross, 24, works for the southern district of New York federal probation office The Date May 6 Agata and Garrett wanted the décor to reflect their simple style, so they took a less-is-more approach. A yellow, green and gray color palette...