1. Real Weddings

Leah & Kyle: A Modern Wedding in Chicago, IL

Leah and met during their undergraduate days at Michigan State University. They got to know each other little by little during the various on-campus

Leah and met during their undergraduate days at Michigan State University. They got to know each other little by little during the various on-campus Greek mixers, but it wasn't until his fraternity hosted her sorority for a Thanksgiving feast that things really started to heat up. The Bride Leah Masternick, 27, manager for an education company The Groom Kyle Rodgers, 28, wealth manager) The Date July 14 Six and a half years after their first date at Starbucks, while vacationing together in Naples, Florida, Kyle planned a surprise proposal to Leah. At the last minute, Leah had a surprise of her own: she invited a fellow teacher staying nearby to join them for dinner. Instead, he waited until the following evening to try to find the perfect moment -- or at least one with a little privacy! After doing some shopping in downtown Naples, they headed for the beach to enjoy the sunset together. There, just before the sun vanished on the horizon, Kyle got down on one knee, pulled out a princess-cut diamong ring, and proposed. Fifteen months later, they were married.

For Leah and Kyle, a fantastic ceiling sculpture was just one of the perks of holding their reception in a world-class contemporary art museum. In the first-floor gallery, guest tables were covered in turquoise blue lamour linen with eye-popping centerpieces of green florals including cymbidium orchids, hydrangea, monster leaves, bells of Ireland, Kermit mums, and even miniature limes.
Each layer in the brightly colored cake was decorated in smooth white frosting and a two-inch turquoise ribbon. The three-tiered cake was surrounded by a ring of green hydrangea at the base and accented with green orchids and a sprinkling of hydrangea petals. Inside, the white cake had alternating layers of white chocolate frosting and fresh strawberries.
The candy bar, which doubled as a favor station, was filled with an assortment of the bride's favorite treats—all in green and blue—including miniature rock candy lollipops. Guests were given small bags to fill up and take home and enjoy.
The lush green florals of the bridesmaid bouquets made a vibrant contrast to the brilliant turquoise of the their dresses. Each bouquet was composed of green cymbidium orchids accented with green kermit mums, while the stems were wrapped in turquoise satin ribbon with pearl pin detailing.
Leah's father hand-filled, sealed, and labeled over 200 miniature glass bottles with his own homemade limoncello for each guest to keep. The bottles also served as seating assignments, with names and table numbers indicated on the tags in turquoise hand-calligraphy by the bride's mom.
Leah's bridesmaids wore strapless, floor-length Caribbean blue dresses made of silk chiffon. The groomsmen wore Calvin Klein tuxedoes with matching blue ties given to them by the bride and groom.