1. Real Weddings

Jen & Jeff: A Formal Wedding in Galloway, OH

Rich and vibrant hues set the tone at Jen and Jeff's fairy tale wedding on an Ohio farm. The Bride Jennifer Morris, 24, works for a homebuilding com

Rich and vibrant hues set the tone at Jen and Jeff's fairy tale wedding on an Ohio farm. The Bride Jennifer Morris, 24, works for a homebuilding company The Groom Jeffrey Beisel, 24, works for a lumber and fuel company The Date July 25 Jen first laid eyes on Jeff Beisel during the romantic finale of the Little Mermaid: She was starring in the title role, he played the prince. Jen was smitten immediately, but Jeff disappeared from the stage seconds after their fake kiss. It took three months for Jen to track Jeff down, and then the fairy tale really began. Two and a half years later, Jen and Jeff were in the midst of a move halfway across the country (leaving the Hollywood life behind for Jeff's home state of Wisconsin) when Jeff suggested they take some time for themselves and have a date day. He told Jen to pack a bag -- including an evening dress. The couple then headed to the Mansion Hill Inn, a beautiful old bed-and-breakfast in downtown Madison where Jeff had reserved a pink-theme room -- Jen's favorite color. He also presented her with a maroon felt bag tied with a gold bow. It contained a number of smooth stones, each with a single letter on them, which Jen unscrambled into the phrase I LOVE YOU. Later that night at dinner, Jeff handed her a second bag of letters, which spelled out U R BEAUTIFUL. Back in their candlelit room, the couple toasted each other with champagne, and Jen used a third bag to spell out U HOLD MY HEART. Jen thought this was the perfect finish to their romantic day until Jeff handed her a fourth bag -- one where the stones spelled out WILL YOU MARRY ME.

Another reception surprise? Tasting the centerpieces. Each table featured a miniature version of the wedding cake (itself a three-tier hexagonal cake with chocolate and raspberry filling) in a different flavor. Guests mingled and met as they went from table to table to try each flavor. Now that's one sweet finale!
Jen and Jeff exchanged vows in an intimate evening ceremony. The bride's brother, who had just completed seminary, officiated: His sister's ceremony was his first wedding! The couple chose to combine traditional marriage vows with their own words. Jeff thought of his on the wedding day, and I actually just said mine right on the spot, the bride says. We wanted to express exactly what we were feeling right at the moment -- not plan it all out.
Jen and Jeff didn't go with a traditional white wedding or a particular color scheme. Instead, really rich and vibrant hues figured prominently, appropriate for the midsummer eve celebration. Jen's six attendants wore plum-color dresses by David's Bridal that made a beautiful, sharp contrast to the bright bridesmaid bouquets in hot pink, orange, yellow, and lime green. I wanted a variety of flowers and buds to give depth and contouring, Jen explains. The bride herself carried a bouquet with over seven dozen hot-pink roses accented with hypericum berries -- an adornment fit for a princess.
The Couple
Jen and Jeff soon began getting ready for a wedding fit for their royal beginnings. The Darby House, near the bride's hometown of Pickerington, OH, provided a perfect pastoral setting. Invitations set the tone with a saying later repeated on the wedding programs: Just like a page out of a fairy tale, this storybook romance comes true. Though a wedding coordinator helped with many of the details (We definitely knew what we wanted, we just didn't have any clue how to put it all together! Jen laughs), the bride did finalize one of the key details on her own: the gown -- a regal, romantic number, with a skirt that was as poufy as it gets. Designed by Mori Lee, it featured a beaded bodice with Swarovski crystals, and 25 buttons running down the back. Jen chose a tiara and a cathedral-length veil to finish her ensemble, guaranteeing a grand entrance.