1. Real Weddings

An Industrial DIY Wedding at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth, Minnesota

Eric Johnson, 21, who works in information technology, wed his bride Alexis Germolus, a 23-year-old member of the Minnesota Air National Guard, in a v

Eric Johnson, 21, who works in information technology, wed his bride Alexis Germolus, a 23-year-old member of the Minnesota Air National Guard, in a vintage and sea-inspired wedding in their Minnesota hometown. The bride and groom grew up one block away from each other and attended the same church and high school. Following a two-year engagement, they hosted both their ceremony and reception at Clyde Iron Works, an old steel foundry that was turned into a restaurant and venue. “We instantly fell in love with the rustic and industrial feel the venue had to offer,” Alexis says. The couple took a very personal and DIY approach to their nuptials including the bride creating all of her bridal party dresses by hand. The décor matched the wedding’s “Seas the Day” theme and paid tribute the bride and groom’s love of Lake Superior. “We had a vintage map of Lake Superior blown up and used as our guest book, which now hangs in our living room above our fireplace,” Alexis says. Many family and friends had roles in the celebration, with the couple's childhood pastor serving as the officiant and their 8th grade math teacher as the DJ. “We are such a sentimental couple, we wanted everyone to enjoy the simple things in life with us, each other!” Alexis says.

Alexis added a few minor touches to a long white upcycled formal dress for her big day. "The end result was a beautiful, delicate gown that no one else had," she says.
Flat Sparkly Steve Madden Wedding Sandals
Because she didn't have a train on her dress, the bride wore a long cathedral veil.
Alexis wore her hair in an elegant updo with vintage hair pieces from beadboxsupply on Etsy. She completed her look with bracelets and simple stud earrings. "I went with simple, sparkly looks trying not to out-do each element," she says.
Groom Eric kept true to his casual self in a vest and converse. "He's a rockstar in real life, so we wanted him to be comfortable and not in a stuffy suit," Alexis says.
Alexis put her sewing skills to work when it came to making attire for members of the bridal party. "I hand made all of my bridesmaid dresses by sewing chiffon in a similar style to how my dress was draped," she says.
The bride created her little sister's flower girl dress out of a pillowcase, tulle and floral ribbons, and the ring bearer wore suspenders and a bow tie from Etsy.
The bride's bouquet was created out of hydrangeas and succulent plants. "I repotted the succulents after the wedding and they are still living in my kitchen today," she says.
Green Succulent Boutonniere
White Aisle with Green and Blue Decor
"We instantly fell in love with the rustic and industrial feel the venue had to offer," the bride says.
Romantic Up-Close Couple Shot
After holding the ceremony in an upstairs loft area, guests went downstairs for the reception. "There were 80-foot ceilings," Alexis says. "We draped bulb lights across the loft to create a cozy feel."
The couple decided on a 'Seas the Day' theme that paid tribute to their love of Lake Superior. "Our colors came from all of the 'fairy tears' or sea glass that we have picked through the years while dating," Alexis says.
Cupcakes doubled as centerpieces on the tables at the reception. Each table had a different flavor so guests would have to 'barter' to trade flavors, which consisted of red velvet, Boston cream pie, margarita, almond vanilla and chocolate raspberry.
The bride and groom decorated the venue with photos of themselves and also played a running slideshow of photos from their dating years.
The bride's mother made the couple a two-tiered red velvet wedding cake. "She used the dresses as an inspirational color for the frosting and frosted it to make the cake look like waves," Alexis says.
Romantic First Dance
Bride and Groom Shot in Natural Landscape