1. Real Weddings

An At-Home, Rustic, DIY Wedding in Woodville, Alabama

Though they only had two months to plan their wedding, Alix Hodges (22 and a recent graduate) and George Purpura (23 and works in government acquisiti

Though they only had two months to plan their wedding, Alix Hodges (22 and a recent graduate) and George Purpura (23 and works in government acquisition) managed to pull off a fun, laid-back affair at Alix’s grandfather’s farm in Woodville, AL. The day started off with an outdoor ceremony, complete with rows of salvaged church pews, which worked seamlessly with the surrounding majestic trees to create an undeniable air of intimacy and to define the outdoor space. The reception took place in the backyard only a few steps away and shared the ceremony’s laid-back vibe. “There was no true theme,” says Alix. “I think I just threw around the words vintage, shabby chic and antique-y a lot.” Antique furnishings and baskets were incorporated throughout the reception, working as key elements in many of the displays. Mason jars, quilts, salvaged wood and burlap accents spoke to the rustic undertone of the wedding, while cheerful arrangements of seasonal blooms like green trick, roses, baby’s breath and hydrangeas (all arranged by the bride and her family and friends) introduced a refined note to the decor. Wanting the reception to have a relaxed feel that encouraged their guests to mix, mingle and thoroughly enjoy the evening, Alix and George opted for a barbecue feast, served buffet style, that included a delectable spread of smoked chicken, mac n’ cheese, baked beans and skillet corn. After dinner guests were able to try their hand at a number of different lawn games or strike a pose with the silly props at Alix and George’s photo booth. A tip for the taking from Alix: “Don’t stress too much — it’s just one day. You’ll be just as married if the boutonnieres don’t get pinned on!”

Because Alix and George started planning their wedding only after Alix had graduated from college, it left only two months for her to find a wedding dress. Luckily, she quickly found the perfect fit — a sweet tea length dress by Mori Lee with a lace bodice and sweetheart neckline. “I had just explained my ideal dress to my mom when we passed the bridal shop where she bought her own wedding dress,” says Alix. “I saw a dress in the window and said ‘Oh my stars you’ve got to turn around — that’s my dress,’ and it was. My dress was in same window my moms had been in 21 years ago.”
Playing off the wedding’s laid-back vibe, Alix and George decided to let their bridesmaids and groomsmen choose their own attire. The girls were able to wear their own dresses, sticking to soft shades of pink and cream with ruffles and lace accents adding a flirty, feminine feel to their look.
While Alix and George didn’t stick to a particular theme, the day had an undeniable shabby chic vibe. For the flowers, the couple chose a selection of seasonal blooms from Davis Wholesale Florist Inc. and Alix, her mother, a family friend and her bridesmaids got to work putting together all of the bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnieres. For Alix’s bouquet, they arranged a fresh, summery mix of hydrangeas, baby’s breath, roses, green amaranth, stock and green trick.
Casual Mismatch Groomsmen Suits
While Alix and George had intended to host only their reception at Alix’s grandfather’s farm, he finally convinced the couple to host the ceremony on the farm as well. He pulled a stash of salvaged church pews out of storage for the affair, setting them up in the backyard next to the spot where the reception would take place. The couple created a simple backdrop for the ceremony to help define the space, hanging panels of flowy fabric between the tall trees.
Burlap Here Comes the Bride Sign
To help keep guests comfortable during the outdoor ceremony, Alix and George made sure to provide guests with a few warm-weather essentials. When guests arrived to the ceremony site, they were greeted with bottled water, bug spray and fans that would help keep them cool and free of pesky mosquito bites.
To combat the Alabama heat, Alix and George made sure to provide guests with a few warm weather essentials to keep them comfortable during the ceremony. Guests could quench their thirst as the couple said their “I do’s” with icy cold bottles of water and cool themselves off with one of the handmade monogrammed fans.
After exchanging vows, the newlyweds and their guests took the few steps over to the reception site to kick off the evening’s festivities. After noshing on a delectable barbeque spread, complete with smoked chicken, mac n’ cheese, baked beans and skillet corn, guests could enjoy try their hand at one of the several different lawn games the couple had set up on the lawn.
To suit the wedding’s laid-back style, Alix and George opted for a barbecue buffet for the reception. They served up a mouth-watering selection of barbecue favorites like smoked chicken, mac n’ cheese, baked beans, skillet corn and old-fashioned corn bread. For dessert, they continued the theme, offering a spread of fruit tarts, mini bunt cakes and cookies.
Alix and George decided to skip tradition when it came to the wedding cake, passing on the classic confection and opting instead for a spread of sweet treats. Assorted cookies, mini bundt cakes, fruit and sand tarts and fresh fruit dotted the display, inviting guests to sample a selection of the tasty tidbits.
Clipboard-Style Sign-In Book
Hosting the wedding at Alix’s grandfather’s farm could not have been a more fitting choice for the couple’s laid-back, rustic theme. They hosted the affair outdoors, setting up the reception tables out on the sprawling lawn underneath tall majestic trees dotted with lush foliage. The setting felt intimate and relaxed, with the natural landscape providing a breathtaking backdrop for the evening.
DIY Baby's Breath and Rose Centerpieces
Antique Photo Booth Prop Display