1. Real Weddings

Jennie & Matt: An Outdoor Wedding in Loveland, CO

Jennie might still be a student, but she's fully educated in the art of wedding planning. I planned the whole thing myself while going to school full

Jennie might still be a student, but she's fully educated in the art of wedding planning. I planned the whole thing myself while going to school full time, she says. It was crazy because I was so picky...I looked at every venue in Northern Colorado! But once Jennie and Matt had taken a peek at the lush grounds of the Wild Lane Bed & Breakfast Inn, they knew it was the ideal spot. The outdoor setting was also reminiscent of the groom's romantic August park proposal. The Bride Jennie Hinton, 20, student The Groom Matt Tipett, 22, student The Date May 29 Matt, who first met Jennie five years ago at a high school party (It was his idea to go out on a date, but by the end of the night I knew he was special, Jennie says), couldn't nab a dinner reservation. So, like most men with a ring burning a hole in his pocket, he concocted a story instead. Matt's tale included a ditty about wanting to look at a house near the park where they had their first date. With a cranky Jennie behind the wheel, Matt instructed her to stop at the park, where he led her to the picnic table at which they had sat so many years ago. Jennie finally figured out what was going on -- and her bad mood instantaneously melted away.

As Jennie and Matt hit the dance floor the band DaddyRab played Sting's Fields of Gold, one of the first songs they danced to together.
After listening to the delicate sounds of the cocktail-hour harpist and noshing on ahi tuna and beef carpaccio, the 95-person party took refuge in a clear-ceiling tent on the grounds. We wanted people to feel that they were in the garden though the rain prevented it, Jennie says. Greenery adorned the tent poles and miniature chandeliers hung at different lengths from the center of the tent.
The Bridal Bouquet
Fashion-forward Jennie gave the raspberry-filled wedding cake a dash of style too -- edible pearls dotted the white fondant, three-layer delicacy to echo the bridal party's classic strands. The confection of carrot, chocolate, and white cake was decorated with fresh roses.
Jennie describes her strapless dress as having a very distinct skirt: People said it looked like whipped cream! Jennie had already bought a dress, but when she saw the lace A-line Jenny Lee gown she knew it was the one.
Unfortunately, rain wasn't the only snag in Jennie and Matt's wedding-day plans. After a raucous reception, the couple had envisioned leaving the party waving to all their friends and family as they drove off into the sunset. But the limo driver had written down the pickup time for two hours later! At the time, I wasn't amused, Jennie admits. But it was nice to be able to say goodbye to everyone. Luckily, the car came in time to whisk them away for their Barbados getaway.
The Ceremony Decor
Setting the wedding tone, the antique-inspired rose motif of the invitations pronounced the simple yet sophisticated afternoon garden theme. Though the day's details flirted with formality (black tuxes abounded), we tried to evoke the feeling of a traditional garden wedding, Jennie says. She chose airy spring colors -- peach and celadon -- as subtle design cues.
Jennie kept the flowers simple. Roses and calla lilies didn't distract from the lush gardens.
Five bridesmaids strutted down the aisle in celadon A-line sheaths, while Jennie opted for the vintage femininity of white lace.
The Hair
On the day of the wedding, the perfect outdoor wedding plan was in jeopardy. But while rain threatened, Jennie, who selected the space mainly for the expansive gardens, refused to move the ceremony indoors. I couldn't believe after all that planning, the weather was going to ruin it! she says. A break in the downpour was all the ammo the much-relieved bride needed to keep the service outdoors. Flower arrangements and the handmade ceremony arch were moved back outside, and everyone stood to protect the chair covers under the tent. The sky remained blue throughout the couple's personally written vows (Jennie scribed hers the day of, inspired by the place she would be married) and the following shutterbug session, but the rain returned for the rest of the night.
The Flower Girl Details
Typical garden party fare was bypassed in favor of a gourmet feast: Szechuan flank steak, pumpkin seed salad, and spanakopita, a traditional Greek spinach pie.
Jennie got what she wished for. As the maid of honor, Tanis Roeder, with an elegant white calla lily bouquet, began her walk down the grassy aisle, the sky brightened. And when Jennie took her first step, carrying pleasing peach roses, the clouds miraculously broke and the sun shone. The centerpieces were simple vases filled with an abundance of roses (her favorite) and greenery. Because the reception was in a garden, we didn't really need much, Jennie says.
Jennie and Matt printed simple boxes of traditional Jordan almonds with their names and wedding date.