1. Real Weddings

Sarah & Ian: A Summer Wedding in Carversville, PA

What would you expect from an event consultant's wedding? Organization: check. Creativity: check. Over-the-top splendor: double check. That's just wha

What would you expect from an event consultant's wedding? Organization: check. Creativity: check. Over-the-top splendor: double check. That's just what Sarah MacDonald delivered during her and Ian Kelly's glorious garden wedding. The Bride Sarah MacDonald, 26, event planner The Groom Ian Kelly, 30, stage manager The Date July 26

The Hair
The orange chiffon cake topped with an antique cake topper had to compete with a rich chocolate groom's cake shaped like a drum.
The bridesmaids completed the summery look in casual white linen dresses with turquoise jewelry. I wanted them to be comfortable and able to use the dresses again, says Sarah. While most brides try to avoid a white-on-white combination, the silkier, more formal fabrics of the bride and groom contrasted nicely with the wedding party's casual linen.
A white silk-crepe dress with a reverse halter top, tie-back, and sweep train. Sarah worked personally with a NY-based designer to design the dress of her dreams.
After the special and amazing service performed by another close friend of the bride's family (a newly ordained vicar), the bridesmaids and Sarah changed into raspberry-color high-heeled flip-flops and the party began. The cocktail hour, held on a large patio off an old red barn, kicked off the celebration with three bars and a frozen margarita machine. When dinnertime approached, guests wandered over to burlap-covered tables with battenburg lace overlays set under a gigantic 60-foot tent and outside under the trees. Old porch lights containing bright flowers, such as hydrangeas, made up the centerpieces, while the trees were decorated with gorgeous hanging tins full of seasonal flowers. Sara describes the style as simple but sophisticated country -- a true village wedding! With 275 guests, the wedding was the size of a small village.
The ceremony took place down in the valley of the farm under the oldest tree on the property. As guests arrived, they each received a painted paper parasol to block out the July sun. With Cole Porter's Every Time We Say Goodbye playing, Sarah strolled down the hill toward the petal-covered altar.