Rachael & Sarah in Colrain, MA

The night before Sarah’s 30th birthday, Rachael gave Sarah silver bracelets engraved with lines from her favorite poem and a ring similar to the one Sarah had given her the year before. That night, the two talked about their future together, and decided to get married. The Bride Rachael Running, 28, researcher The Bride Sarah Deveau, 31, graduate student The Date June 17 Because the couple was planning their wedding from afar (they live in Colorado), they decided to help ease the stress by hiring a wedding planner. The color scheme -- dark brown, pink, and pale green -- set an elegant, relaxed tone for their Western Massachusetts wedding, while a cherry blossom motif, appearing on the cake, invitations, programs, and wedding favors, tied the whole event together. -- Anja Winikka