{Real Weddings} Keith & Lauren

Thank you guys so much for all of your awesome book recommendations yesterday, I can’t wait to dive in!  Actually I’m kind of dying, I wish I had the time to start now.

I get all sorts of wedding submissions… big parties, small parties, venues where everything is pre-planned, elopements that were planned in 3 days… there’s no one formula for a beautiful wedding.

But in the end, what really gets me are the emotions.  The bride dancing with her father… the first time the groom sees his bride… the pure joy on each and every person’s face.  That’s the best part…

Here’s the story straight from the bride…

Keith and I met through a sorority sister at UCF, who somehow knew “we were meant to be” and that we were perfect for each other. And sure enough we are. Keith and I love being outside, boating, beaching it up, and other fun things. We dated long distance for a while which was hard, but we some how managed to make it this far.

He proposed simply on April 9th in my bedroom. I think he tried to get my little beagle Lucy involved somehow but she wasn’t cooperating with him. Aka, I found him under the bed trying to get her to come out moments before the proposal.

I will move to wellington fl once I graduate. We are pretty simple people and love to have fun.

Photographer: Root Photography / Venue: Longboat Key Club

{Real Weddings} Lauren & Chance

A small, beautiful church, a happy couple, and their closest family and friends… as far as I’m concerned, the gorgeous simplicity of this Nashville wedding is as good as it gets.

Photographer: Alicia Looney Photography / Venue: West End Church of Christ

{Real Weddings} Stefanie & Paulo

Stefanie and Paulo’s intimate backyard barbeque was as simple and as beautiful as they come. The bride, a wedding photographer herself, and the groom, a musician, took on much of the work themselves, and supplied a ton of fun props for friends to play with throughout the night… which made for some pretty great shots.

Of course, those awesome shots are made all the more awesome by the fact that the wedding was shot in film.

You know what a sucker I am for film.

The wedding was shot by Kristina Belkina, and shared with A Thousand Threads by second shooter Kirill Bordon, whose work is featured here.

Thank you, Kirill, for sharing these beautiful shots!

Photographer: Kirill Bordon Photography / Event Venue: Bowen Island / Flowers: Flowers from a Country Garden

{Real Weddings} Kelsey & Josh

And speaking of bucking tradition… today I have, hands down, one of the prettiest elopements I’ve ever seen.

No.  Contest.

Here’s the whole story, courtesy of Kelsey and Josh’s fantastic photographer, Alea…

What a great story. I posted on my Facebook page that if anyone wanted to elope, I had a great idea for shooting it. Little did I know that my dear friends Josh and Kelsey were on the cusp of eloping themselves, and they allowed me to be a part of the process.

Their wedding was so fun and unlike any wedding I had ever been to because it was so “fly by the seat of your pants.” There were no concrete plans (in a great way!), and it was just so intimate. Their vows just blew me away with how special and personal they were to each of them. There were so many inside jokes and things that were meaningful to them — I loved how they didn’t stick with tradition.

They like to make furniture, so Josh made the altar they stood at and the table they ate at. They also handmade plates for their guests for the dinner they would have by the fire. It was southwest-themed, so the couple, who live in Texas, traveled to Phoenix for the affair, near where Josh’s dad, the officiant, lived.

It was really a treat to be able to be there with them. I wish every wedding could be so intimate and focused on love and the couple.

What do you think?  Would you consider an elopement?  Especially if it was as pretty as this?!

Mark and I actually considered it very seriously, but ultimately decided that we wanted to celebrate with more of our family and friends.

Photographer: Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer / Location: Lake Pleasant Campground / Hair Stylist: Carla Calderon / Floral Designer: Victorian Gardens / Dress Designer: Ann Taylor / Makeup Artist: Makeup By Jen B.

{Real Weddings} Martin & Nina

This super fun German couple worked hard to make sure their day was a perfect representation of themselves, and nobody else… even shunning the idea of a traditional wedding cake in favor of mincemeat pie!

I couldn’t possibly say it better than the bride, so I’ll let her tell you all about their beautiful DIY day…

Get married? No way! Should it still happen some day, then by no means in a white wedding dress. That was my staunch and constant conviction. But then finally came my dream prince, and the dream wedding followed.

In our relationship things are a bit different. The proposal was not made in the traditional way by my boyfriend, but by myself. For the two of us it was clear from the outset that we were going to have a big wedding party – with all our good friends and the entire family. We started planning our wedding two years in advance by opening a “wedding account.” Initially that was all.

We did not want to have our party in a city venue but somewhere in the countryside and so we quickly opted for the cozy Café del Sol, which is situated near the Rhine in an idyllic nature reserve. The owner’s last name was “Sunshine,” and so of course we decided in favor of his place.

… We started collecting old vases: big, small, medium-sized, simple, trashy, broken or still intact. It did not matter. We only wanted them to have charm and fit the occasion. At best they were meant to give our guests a feeling of having a history of their own. We also collected all sorts of empty bottles: wine bottles, champagne bottles, ketchup bottles. We decorated them with bright ribbons, roses and laces. Additionally we filled marmalade jars with brightly colored lemonade tablets.

… Despite rainy weather it became the most beautiful day in our lives.

… Though my husband and I are quite sweet, we did not want a sweet wedding cake. Knowing our meat-loving friends, we wanted to delight them with something more solid: a minced meat pie with onions. Many of our guests told us afterwards that the pie was THE highlight of the evening.

I think our wedding was a real success.

Photographer: Britta Schunck / Venue: Café del Sol / Bride’s Hair and Makeup: Engel & Helden / Groom’s Hair: Oliver Undorf / Dessert: Café del Sol / Flowers: DIY / DJ: Rainer Lucas / Veil and Headpieces: DIY / Rings: Trauringschmiede Düsseldorf / Jewelry: Heirloom / Schuhe Braut: Siemes / B.A. Star / Groom’s Suit: Peek & Cloppenburg / Groom’s Shoes: Lloyd / Stationery: DIY by the Groom (Matteng.de) / Button Machine: Ever Green

{Real Weddings} Matt & Leah

Not only are Leah and Matt beyond gorgeous, this bride and groom are also obviously a ton of fun.

Wondering what the heck I’m talking about? Just scroll a little. There’s kind of no way you’ll be disappointed.

Oh, and just in case you’re not already completely in love? Here’s a little story…

As a teenager, Leah warned her parents that when her wedding day came… she was going to need one very specific thing.

A bouncy castle.

And since her dad isn’t one to break a promise… well…

Could you possibly love them more?

Here are a few more details from Matt and Leah’s talented photographer, who captured the day so beautifully…

It was a cloudy overcast day, but you would have never known due to the pure joy that these two had for each other. These two were literally just jumping and giddy the whole day. They had been engaged for just under a year and were more than ready to finally make a commitment to each other. From the bouncy castle that her dad promised her from when she was a kid, to sneaking onto a rock quarry overseeing the Fraser Valley it was an exciting day! The day wrapped up at The Secret Garden at Woodbridge Ponds where the reception was decorated with vintage details and chandeliers!

Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing, Luke!

Photographer: Luke Liable Photography / Ceremony Location: Hougen Park / Reception Location: The Secret Garden at Woodbridge Ponds / Dress: Galina / Groomsmen: Outfitted by The Bay / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Zara

{Real Weddings} Buddy & Autumn

Oh you guys… the gorgeous simplicity of this wedding really gets me.  A gorgeous location, a stylish bride and groom, and the most joyful guests… there is truly nothing better, and nothing more you need.

Except maybe a little neighborhood bike ride.  Tell me — when have you ever seen a cuter group shot?

I can’t thank Buddy and Autumn’s photographer enough for sharing these shots.  They really made my day!

Photographer: Veronica Lola Photography / Dress: J. Crew / Groom’s Attire: J. Crew

{Real Weddings} David & Heather’s Blue Beauty

I hope everyone had an absolutely wonderful 4th of July!

This Toronto beauty was just what I needed to help me through the back to work blues.

Did you do anything special for the 4th?  Tell me all about your day!  Five whole years and yesterday was the first time Mark has ever made me his barbeque ribs.

He’s been seriously holding out on me.

Photographer: MIMMO & CO / Location: Berkeley Church / Bridal Gown: Magdalena Gymr, Vogue Sposa Boutique / Headpiece: Karolia Keeler / Bridesmaids: BCBG / Groomsmen: own suits; Hugo Boss ties / Groom’s tux: Hugo Boss suit and tie / Favors: Homemade / Music: DJ Ian Liwanag Studio 301[b] / Band: The Chops, featuring the Groom and four good friends / Salon: Tocci / Flowers: Caja Designs John Paul de Melo / Stationery: Paper & Poste, Beckee McCann, Alice Louise Press / Photo Booth: Snapz Photoboth

{Real Weddings} Chris & Autumn’s SmogShoppe Nuptials

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a lovely father’s day weekend.  Austin’s first concert-going experience was a raving success, and his proud papa enjoyed a relaxing dad’s day, barbequing with friends and family and then enjoying a quiet evening at home… watching the final round of the Open.  It’s around these times that I wish I lived closer to my own dad, but I’m thankful that at least we’re able to get together as frequently as we do.

I’m excited to share an extra special treat this Monday, straight from one of my favorite photographers and one of very favorite venues… the SmogShoppe.

If you don’t know about the Shoppe, it really did begin as a smog-check center in the 80s, and has been transformed into a 100% solar-powered haven for desert plants, vertical gardens and straight up gorgeous vintage furnishings. In fact, it’s one of the most sustainably designed urban spaces in the United States… and it throws a rockin’ good party.

If you’re planning a wedding in LA, I highly suggest you check it out.

Chris and Autumn are the perfect fit for this super cool venue.  Orchids, clay tile favors, and a ton of personal touches made their day that much more special.  And rather than light a unity candle, these two music lovers chose to sing… striking their first notes together in harmony.

Thank you so much to 39 East for sharing!

Photographer: 39 East Photography / Reception Venue: SmogShoppe

{Real Weddings} Nelson & Michelle’s New York Nuptials

Nelson and Michelle chose to split their wedding into two days.  The first, a Korean tea ceremony, and the second, a traditional New York celebration.  The wedding took place at Battery Gardens, surrounded by beautiful blooms, a gorgeous green and white palette, and one of the cutest cakes I’ve ever seen.

Photographer: 1314 STUDIO / Reception Venue: Battery Gardens