1. Real Weddings

Andrea & John: A Formal Wedding in Omaha, NE

Andrea and John's Omaha wedding reflected an amazing group effort, from the floral arrangements hand-crafted by family members to the many contributio

Andrea and John's Omaha wedding reflected an amazing group effort, from the floral arrangements hand-crafted by family members to the many contributions made by the couple's friends. THE BRIDE Andrea Foley, 26, a graduate student and preservation coordinator for a housing non-profit THE GROOM John Murphy, 25, an advocate counselor at a public high school THE DATE August 2 Andrea's best friend Susan (later to be her maid of honor) introduced her to John the first week of their freshman year at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University in Minnesota. Though the couple remained tight over the years, romantic feelings did not begin cropping up till their senior year-neither even admitted to them till the night of graduation! The two endeavored to give long distance dating a try. Tragedy soon brought them closer. Later that year, John was diagnosed and treated for Hodgkin's disease (a type of lymphoma). It was a terrible and difficult thing, but it was the catalyst for us spending a lot of time together and with John's family, Andrea says. Struggling and growing together through this solidified our relationship. Two years after they began dating, John engineered a sunrise proposal following an entire night of dancing. He pulled out the ring that had been burning a hole in his pocket all night, and Andrea gave him a ring of hers to wear as his engagement ring.

The Ceremony
The Bride
The First Dance
The bridesmaids carried blue and green hydrangea, bells of Ireland, cream mini calla lilies, green orchids, and seeded eucalyptus.
Andrea and John accomplished the planning with plenty of help from their families and friends. We put their talents to good use wherever we could, Andrea says. One of the first inspirations for the day came from an artist friend, Kayoko Miwa, who designed a logo for the couple that popped up on everything from the save-the-date cards to the favors (temporary tattoos!). The design of two hearts with a ribbon looping around them represented the theme, hearts tied together. Andrea's mother and sisters even created a fabric banner that hung at the front of the church displaying the logo and theme, as well at the couple's names and the wedding date.
Andrea wore an ivory, strapless, empire waist with lace appliqué and pearl embellishments by St. Patrick.
The Couple
The late morning ceremony took place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the bride-to-be's grandparents' church and the same spot where her parents wed 26 years earlier. I have moved around a lot in my life, and it made it really important to me to have the ceremony in a meaningful space, Andrea says.