1. Real Weddings

Lindsay & Bryan: An Outdoor Wedding in Fayetteville, AR

Lindsay was so excited when her friend threw her a surprise 22nd birthday party complete with a band. Lindsay spent most of the night singing songs wi

Lindsay was so excited when her friend threw her a surprise 22nd birthday party complete with a band. Lindsay spent most of the night singing songs with the drummer, Bryan. An even bigger surprise than the fun party itself: Lindsay and the drummer hit it off. The Bride Lindsay French, 25, preschool teacher for children with developmental disabilities The Groom Bryan Burkhart, 31, professional musician and music producer The Date June 1 After three years of dating, Bryan proposed to Lindsay one December evening. Lindsay accepted and the couple planned a whimsical garden wedding in their hometown of Fayetteville.

Since Lindsay and Bryan are both musicians, the reception music was very important to them. The couple’s first-dance song was their song, Thank You, by Led Zeppelin -- it was also played on the radio right after Bryan proposed. We both cried like babies throughout the whole thing, says Lindsay of the first dance.
Lindsay's bridesmaids carried bouquets of white orchids.
Lindsay and Bryan left the ceremony in a '44 Lincoln convertible and drove around town for a while before heading to their reception.
The couple's reception site was originally the first bowling alley in Fayetteville. The dance floor is made out of the original wood from the lanes. White tents and hanging candles adorned the ceiling to welcome Lindsay and Bryan's guests. The 20 round tables were decorated with clear chargers and gold linens.
The bride's bouquet was made of elegant white calla lilies and orchids.
Lindsay and Bryan went for a modern, sleek look when planning their reception decor. Sheer chocolate tablecloths offset the gold details. Each guest found the favors -- a CD that Lindsay and Bryan made and Hershey’s Kisses with tags that read, “A handful of kisses from the new Mr. and Mrs.” -- at their place setting.
The groom's cake was made to mimic Bryan's bass drum in honor of his band and the first time he met Lindsay.
The white, five-tiered wedding cake was simply elegant with chocolate filigree detail and a gold monogram cake topper.
Since Lindsay had always wanted an outdoor wedding, she and Bryan picked St. Catherine's at Bell Gable as the location of their nuptials.
Since there were quite a few kids at the reception, Lindsay and Bryan gave out coloring books to keep the little ones occupied. The kids loved them, says Lindsay.
The bride wore an off-white, Empire-waist gown by Alfred Sung complemented by a simple off-white veil. Lindsay’s bridesmaids donned different styles of cocktail-length dresses in chocolate brown.