Photo: Meg Smith

Black Swan Lake, a private estate in Northern California's wine country, was the shoo-in setting for Breana and Scott May wedding. "Although we live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, I was born in L.A. and grew up visiting the Bay Area, and my dad collects Napa Valley wines, so I always dreamed of getting married there," explains Breana, 26, a nutritionist and chef. She had been working as a sommelier when she started dating fellow oenophile Scott, an old friend she hadn't seen since high school. Six months after the rekindling, Scott, a 29-year-old grad student and former chef, proposed: "He got down on one knee at the empty farmer's market and told me I was the milk to his cookies, the macaroni to his cheese." And just like that, their wedding theme of foodie matchups was born.

"Scott and I exchanged gifts while we were getting ready; we were about a quarter of a mile apart and had a bridesmaid run back and forth with them," says Breana. The bride's Christian Louboutin shoes added four inches to her five-foot-three frame. She bought her lace gown from Kleinfeld in New York City: "My mom and grandma are New Yorkers—they insisted on it!" Breana's bridesmaids wore dresses by Thread.

"Scott's niece placed the flowers so carefully, it took her a whole five minutes to get down the aisle," says Breana. The nonpareil bouquets contained purple tulips, fuzzy lavender, baby artichoke heads, and green ball carnations. Breana and Scott exited the ceremony to Henry Purcell's Trumpet Tune in C Major. The estate's owner loaned the couple his vintage Ford Thunderbird for the day.

Wedding-dinner courses were paired with specific local wines. It took the food lovers about a year and a half—and four trips to Napa—to plan their "giant dinner party" of 110 guests. In fact, details were still evolving on the eve of the wedding: "We realized it would be too cold to have everyone sit outside," says Breana of the unseasonably frosty weather. "So we decided to have the reception inside a clear plastic tent. We had no idea what it would look like until we saw it, but luckily, it ended up being absolutely beautiful." The newlyweds' chairs were decorated with hand-tied posies of red leucadendrons, privet, and passion vines.

"One of the wines we served was blended when two winemakers got married—hence the name Unity, which is why we used it." Plates of pork belly and fava-bean puree were paired with a 2008 County Line Sonoma Coast pinot. Dessert was a convincing trompe l'oeil: Guests grabbed at the basket of berries not realizing it was cake. At the end of the night, the couple danced to "You Are Loved," by Josh Phillips Folk Festival.

Photos: Meg Smith

Photographer: Meg Smith || Planner: Napa Valley Celebrations || Bride's Dress: Monique Lhuillier || Florist: Kathy Hoffman Flowers || Cake: Fleur de Lisa || Rentals: Classic Party Rentals; La Tavola Linen; Five Star Productions || Music: Lark Angel Productions; DJ Dukes || Caterer: Paula LeDuc

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Photo: Kate Headley

Molly describes herself as a bit OCD when it comes to wedding-planning—a holdover from her former life as an event coordinator. But even the most carefully laid plans can get derailed: Just days before their August wedding in her hometown of Annapolis, Maryland, Molly, now an advertising assistant, and Matthew, a tech-sales account manager, learned that Hurricane Irene was going to hit the waterfront city. "We rearranged a year's worth of details in three hours!" recalls Molly.

They moved the party inside their venue, the Annapolis Yacht Club, whose staff, knowing rain would keep members home, let the 175 guests take over all three floors of the club instead of just the ground level. "We added a few extra bar stations; we knew our crowd would take advantage," Molly explains. "And there were gorgeous flower garlands to show off the dramatic staircases and bring the outside in."

But there was one detail the storm couldn't upend: the spirit of the day itself, celebrating the seven-year courtship of the L.A.-based couple, who met as Penn State lacrosse recruits. "Irene actually took a lot of the pressure off--by the time I found out our church had lost power, it was too late to worry. And sure, we had no-shows, and not everyone got to blow-dry their hair or wear exactly what they'd planned, but that's not what a wedding's about. We were getting married with our favorite people all in one place, so we knew it was going to be great.

"For my shoes, I wanted something classy and neutral," says Molly of her pearl-embellished Kate Spade heels. Molly wore her mother's veil—months after her sister had worn it at her own wedding. The bride decided on "universally flattering" white bridesmaids' dresses: "When [Prince William and Kate's] wedding aired, my mother called and said, 'You definitely made the right decision.'"

The couple's church ceremony was candlelit due to Hurricane Irene and the outage it caused; as though on cue, the power came back just after Molly and Matt were pronounced husband and wife. The newlyweds shared a post-ceremony kiss in their limo: "I still can't believe Matt wore saddle shoes, but he totally rocked them," says Molly.

The escort-card table incorporated the couple's colors via blue votives, white hydrangeas, and red ink-stamped cards. The almond-flavored cake—loosely based on their favorite candy bar, Almond Joy—had coconut-and-chocolate ganache filling. The bride and her dad hugged after his toast: "I'm the youngest, and he had just told me for the first time that I was a happy surprise." Molly's mom hung a custom life preserver on the main bar, which was built to resemble a ship. Matt ordered so many beer-koozie favors (the flip side reads, "To have and to hold and keep your beer cold") that the bartenders started handing them out with drinks: "One guest wore them as gloves on the dance floor," recalls Molly.

Matt (holding a Yuengling beer, brewed near his hometown of Philadelphia) and Molly embraced at the end of the evening. The head table was decorated with hydrangeas, roses, and artemisia in tall vases, along with the bridesmaids' bouquets in mint-julep cups: "I found inspiration on sites like Ralph Lauren Home and the Brabourne Farm blog," Molly explains.

Photos: Kate Headley

Venue and caterer: Annapolis Yacht Club || Cake: Palate Pleasers || Day-of coordinator: Raquel Shutt, Wedding Savvy || Rentals: Capital Party Rentals || Floral designer: Romance of Flowers || Lighting & Decor: Event Dynamics || Bride's dress: Amsale || Bridesmaids' dresses: Thread, available at Bella Bridesmaid || Band: Sound Nation

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Photo: Amy and Stuart Photography

Sally Pressman and David Rogers are used to playing for an audience. They each have leading roles on hit television series—she on Lifetime's Army Wives and he on ABC Family's Jane by Design. So when it came time to plan their wedding, the couple naturally considered their crowd—190 of their closest friends and family who gathered at Santa Barbara's Bacara Resort & Spa for a mid-September celebration. "Guests were given a burlap bag of gifts when they arrived at the hotel," says Sally. "They were filled with items that are local to Santa Barbara, including locally made truffles infused with white chocolate and lavender."

Lavender was central to the wedding's rustic garden theme: dried sprigs were tied to the escort cards and also accented the couple's signature Champagne cocktail.

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

The couple's ceremony took place on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and incorporated several Jewish traditions and blessings, as well readings by several of the couple's close friends.

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

The bride carried an all-white bouquet of dahlias, English garden roses, veronicas, scabiosas, hydrangeas, and japonica stems that had a romantic "just picked" feel. David sported a boutonniere of lavender sprigs on his custom-made Armani suit. Each of Sally's 11 bridesmaids wore chiffon dresses by Joanna August in varying shades of blue and purple.

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

The celebrity pair worked with wedding planner Yifat Oren and Associates to create a romantic reception setting that resembled a European garden. The outdoor space at Bacara Resort & Spa was transformed using rustic wooden tables and lush botanicals arranged by The Velvet Garden. For the tablescape, a collection of purple sweet peas, lavender sprigs, tulips, white hydrangeas, and blue flannel flowers were set on wrought-iron pedestals. Plantings of herbs such as lavender, mint, basil, and oregano were placed in vintage glassware, mason jars, and bottles topped the dining tables. "When I walked into the reception, I almost cried," says Sally. "It looked exactly like I had imagined."

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

The bride wore a strapless gown with a scallop-shaped beaded overlay designed by Kenneth Pool. "The instant I put the dress on, I knew it was special," Sally says. "I did try on a few more dresses, but couldn't get it out of my mind. I brought my brother to look at my top five gowns, and before I had even made it out of the dressing room, he said, 'That's the one!'" She accessorized with rose-cut diamond earrings, a tulip cuff, and a beaded veil, by Amsale.

The gown's delicate scallop beading played a large part in stealing the bride heart. Her look was completed by rose-cut diamond earrings, a tulip cuff and a beaded veil, also by Amsale.

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

The bride's wedding band was handcrafted by a jeweler in New York City. Her earrings and cuff bracelet are by Gilan. The heels of her Giuseppi Zanotti shoes were embellished with crystals.

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

"David proposed in the middle of a class at the Tracy Anderson Studio in L.A.," says Sally. "He wanted it to be a surprise and knew that I'd never expect him to propose while I was in the middle of workout. He had called ahead and let the trainers know what he was planning to do, and he showed up, interrupted our 10-person class, and got down on one knee! Everyone, including me, was crying—it was truly amazing."

Photo: Amy and Stuart Photography

Photographer: Amy and Stuart Photography || Venue: Santa Barbara's Bacara Resort & Spa || Planner: Yifat Oren and Associates || Florist: The Velvet Garden || Bride's Dress: Kenneth Pool for Amsale || Bride's Earrings and Bracelet: Gilan || Bride's Veil: Amsale || Bride's Shoes: Giuseppi Zanotti || Bridesmaid Dresses: Joanna August || Groom's Tux: Armani

Visit our Real Weddings Gallery to find more gorgeous seaside wedding inspiration.

—Anne-Marie Scali

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Photo: Corbin Gurkin

Ruth Wang, 25, and Edward Bush, 27, may seem like buttoned-up types (she works for an NYC-based hedge fund; he's an MBA student at Yale), but for their July wedding in North Yarmouth, Maine, the couple embraced the opposite vibe. "Our jobs are our jobs. We wanted to show off who we are and what we're really about," says Ruth.

After briefly flirting with the idea of eloping, they decided on a laid-back celebration in Ed's home state. They exchanged quirky vows (promising to "always put toothpaste on each other's toothbrushes") and hosted a dinner party for 72 guests in a barn decorated with flea market-inspired finds.

Personalized Toms—a gift to Ruth and Ed from his sister—featured illustrations of the couple.

Ruth's bridal processional music was "Lucky," by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat.

"A tea-drinking ceremony is traditional in Chinese weddings; we used vintage teacups," says Ruth.

Their attendants—siblings and Ed's best friend—were told to wear light colors: "I wasn't going to subject the girls to the same dress; one was dusty purple, the other was silver--close enough," says Ruth.

"We trolled the Web and made a ten-page PowerPoint of what we liked: blue chairs, colorful ribbons," says Ed. And long tables are just more interesting. Every function you go to has round tables. We had a sweetheart table—no one got to sit next to us, so no feelings were hurt." For a homey feel, they served comfort food on vintage china. "We built a palette around several colors. It's a good idea not to confine yourself to just two or three," says Ruth. The couple had a dessert bar that included pies and chocolate-and-buttercream cake.

Photos: Corbin Gurkin

Photographer: Corbin Gurkin || Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill || Planner: Maine Season Events || Caterer: 111 Maine Catering || Custom Cake Topper: The Small Object || Florist: Flora Fauna Weddings || Bride's Dress || Claire La Faye || Groom's Suit: TJ Lindeberger USA || Groom's Shirt: J.Crew || Groom's Bow Tie: Brooks Brothers || Groom's Shoes: Florsheim by Duckie Brown || Photo Booth: Mag Booth || DJ: The Mixologists

See the slideshow for more from Ruth and Ed's wedding, and visit our Real Weddings page to find more rustic style inspiration.

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Photo: Altmix Photography

Nitya and Neal met in college through mutual friends, but didn't start dating until 10 years later. "We were first acquaintances and then friends for a very long time prior to dating," Nitya says. They became engaged about a year into their relationship.

Neal surprised Nitya by proposing the night before they departed for vacation to Jamaica. "I actually thought he might propose in Jamaica, so I was confused as to why he wanted to have a nice dinner the night before," the bride says. After a romantic dinner, Neal popped the question at his apartment, where friends and family later gathered to celebrate their engagement.

The couple wanted their wedding to reflect their Southern roots—Nitya grew up in Augusta, GA, and Neal is from Chattanooga, TN—as well as their Indian heritage.

Nitya's lehenga (traditional bridal dress) was a custom design by Surinder Bedi of Image Boutique Shop in Atlanta. According to Hindu tradition, henna is a symbol of love and is believed to bring good luck. Two nights before the wedding, the couple hired a henna artist to create a traditional tattoo on Nitya's hands and a more whimsical design on Neal's palm.

The couple's wedding ceremony and reception were held at Summerour Studio, a refurbished warehouse space in Atlanta. "We knew we didn't want to have our wedding at a hotel," says Nitya. "We were looking for a unique venue with a rustic feel, and once we saw photos of Summerour, we fell in love with the place."

The bride explains, "At Indian weddings, there's usually a long break between the ceremony and reception. This way, we could have a traditional Indian ceremony, and then take advantage of the break to transform the space into a reception with a more vintage and Southern feel."

Many of the couple's 315 guests donned vibrantly colored Indian attire for the 2 p.m. ceremony. Before Nitya entered the ceremony, her parents performed the Ganesh Puja, a ritual to show reverence to the Hindu god Ganesh. The mandap (wedding canopy) was draped with sheer ivory panels and garlands of fresh orchids. Crystal chandeliers were hanging above the aisle. All flowers and decor were by Bold American Events.

During the break between the ceremony and reception, the newlyweds and their wedding party posed for portraits at a nearby park. Nitya changed into a blush-pink Vera Wang gown. "I loved the pale-pink color and that it wasn't white or ivory," she says. Her lush bouquet featured roses, tulips, and fresh greenery.

Neal wore a Hugo Boss suit and Burberry tie, while his seven groomsmen sported seersucker suits and ties from Jos. A. Bank. Nitya's bridesmaids wore blue Priscilla of Boston dresses in various styles the bride chose for them.

The couple and their wedding party returned to Summerour Studio for cocktail hour in the Tuscan-style courtyard, which was illuminated by strands of café lights. The cocktail-hour menu featured lamb kebabs (Nitya's favorite), Arnold Palmers, and popsicles from King of Pops, a mobile frozen treat company. "The popsicles were a huge hit!" Nitya says.

The event space was transformed into an elegant reception decorated with suspended lanterns, sparkling chandeliers, and a navy-and-fuchsia color palette. Tables featured navy blue linens topped with fuchsia floral-patterned overlays and runners, as well as fuchsia tulips, roses, and orchids arranged in glass vessels.

The buffet-style dinner included popular Indian dishes such as chicken tikka masala, paneer, and malai kofta; all food was provided by Bold American Catering and Cafe Bombay. The dessert menu included a trio of wedding cakes (banana with white chocolate frosting, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, and lemon cake with raspberry filling), miniature cupcakes, and a cookie buffet. All desserts were by Caryn's Cakes.

Photos: Altmix Photography

Nitya and Neal performed their first dance to "This Year's Love" by David Gray. To encourage guests to dance, the couple provided a basket of flip-flops (labeled "dancing shoes") for any potential aching feet. "I was so funny to see everyone ditch their high heels and dance around in hot pink flip-flops!"

Photographer: Altmix Photography || Bride's Gowns: Surinder Bedi of Image Boutique Shop, Atlanta; Vera Wang || Flowers and Catering: Bold American Events || Ceremony and Reception Site: Summerour Studio || Wedding Planner: Jennifer Lackey, Storybook Wedding Consulting || Cake: Caryn's Cakes || Ice Cream Truck: Westside Creamery || Popsicles: King of Pops || Music: DJ Jaz || Transportation: Atlantic Limousine Service || Videographer: Pixotheory

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Photo: Courtesy of Susan Dean

Everyone stands up and excitedly turns their head as the bride begins to process down the aisle. It's the moment everyone's been waiting for. Often rivaling this momentous scene are the beautiful ceremony settings. We bring you three that have especially wowed us recently. Courtesy of, what else, Pinterest:

1. Brittany and Craig in Beacon, NY: These two foodie sweethearts chose an 18th-century Dutch Colonial homestead to host their rustic wedding day. In this shot, nearly 100 of the couples family and friends sat in the circa-1740 Dutch-style barn with wildflowers and candles gracing the aisle. We can practically hear the creaky wooden floor and rushing Hudson River nearby. (Photo: Courtesy of Jose Reyes Photography)

2. Kate & Michael in Santa Barbara, CA: Now San Diego-based, this couple decided to return to the scene of where they first met for their wedding day. At the 5 p.m. ceremony, held on a bluff, the couple exchanged vows beneath a chiffon-draped canopy. We love the baskets adorning the aisles that hold umbrellas to shield the sun. What a cute idea! (Photo: Courtesy of Susan Dean)

3. Alyssa and Kevin in Bay Harbor, MI: After meeting as lab partners in college, these two settled on Alyssa's childhood vacation spot as the backdrop for their classic lake-side affair. The ceremony, however, took place at the breath-taking St. Francis Xavier Parish. The sky-high arches and stained-glass are seriously magnificent in this shot. And according to the bride, with a church like that "[you don't] need much additional decor." (Photo: Courtesy of Weber Photography)

Head over to Pinterest to see more! Like Michelle & Chris' Grand Rapids Art Museum vow exchange, Jeanette & Mike's Georgia backyard or Rob and Joey's Nantucket ceremony.

—Gray MacDonald


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Photo: Ryan Jensen Photography

Sarah and Juan first met in the New York City subway after both discovered they were standing on the wrong platform. "After we realized our mutual mistake, we started talking," says Sarah. At their wedding, she wore a Melissa Sweet gown and carried a bouquet of nigella, roses, ranunculuses, and lisianthuses. All floral design was by Nancy Saam Flowers. Juan wore a Banana Republic suit and accessorized with a gift from the bride—cuff links by Sherry Truitt that featured a map of the subway station where they met.

At the ceremony, the ring bearers handed out programs designed by the couple and carried the wedding bands on pillows the bride and her mother sewed and then attached to conch shells. The couple wed under a lush floral canopy. As the couple recessed , the song "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers played and their 150 guests showered them with rose petals.

Both ceremony and reception were held at a private yacht club on Barnegat Bay. Arrangements of hydrangeas and delphiniums decorated the club's exterior. Sarah and Juan designed the escort cards, which were tied to ceramic starfish and sand dollars.

As guests entered the club's reception space, they were greeted by more than 100 round, colorful paper lanterns suspended from the ceiling. "We loved the room's rustic charm, and thought the lanterns made it feel more intimate," says Sarah. "The room really sparkled." Reception tables were adorned with centerpieces of roses, chinaberries, and tulips.

Dinner included a duet entree of filet mignon and crab cakes. The wedding cake, designed by What's for Dessert, featured a vintage topper the bride found on eBay. The couple performed their first dance to "Stay With You" by John Legend. Music was provided by Bud Maltin Metropolitan Music. Later in the evening, the bride shared a dance with several of her father's classmates from West Point—a tradition she loves. "I'll never forget that dance—it was so touching," she says.

Photos: Ryan Jensen Photography

Photographer: Ryan Jensen Photography || Ceremony and Reception Site: Private club, Bay Head || Bride's Gown: Melissa Sweet || Groom's Suit: Banana Republic || Groom's Cuff Links: Sherry Truitt || Flowers: Nancy Saam Flowers || Wedding Cake: What's for Dessert, 732-556-0002 || Reception Music: Budd Maltin Metropolitan Music, 212-447-6534

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Photo: Marc Climie

For Marla and Brian, the decision on where to wed was an easy one. The couple chose a favorite spot, Serenbe, a farm community just outside Atlanta. "Brian and I have lots of memories of hiking and mountain biking at Serenbe," says Marla. "We love that it's close to the city but feels really far away."

Marla wore a satin and lace Jenny Lee gown from Kelly's Closet in Atlanta. Amber Avanossian of Paisley Salon in Palmetto, did her hair and makeup. The bride chose a lavender bouquet that was "classic, simple, and organic."

Marla's eight bridesmaids wore J.Crew dresses and carried colorful bouquets of wildflowers, brown-eyed Susans, daisies, Queen Anne's lace, and thistles. All of the bouquets and boutonnieres were created by the bride's mother.

The 5 p.m. ceremony before 150 guests was held in a wooded field overlooking a pasture and lake. The bride made the ceremony programs herself.

The reception was held in a pavilion at Serenbe. "We loved that guests only had to walk across a bridge to get to the site," says Marla. Reception tables were covered with beige linen, and featured arrangements of hydrangeas and dogwood branches in tall vases. Instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, the couple served a variety of hors d'oeuvres and tapas, including blue cheese crostini with red onion marmalade, ceviche, miniature crab claws, shrimp and grits, and Angus beef sliders.

The three-tier chocolate wedding cake was topped with a ceramic "H" (the couple's last initial) created by the bride's mother. Assorted cupcakes were also on offer. The centerpieces, catering, and cake were by Gloriosa. In lieu of favors, the bride and groom made a donation to the Autism Society.

The newlyweds danced their first dance to "That's How Strong My Love Is" by Otis Redding, performed by the Atlanta-based blues band Mudcat. Later in the evening, several of Marla and Brian's Israeli friends got the crowd dancing to "Hava Nagila."

Photos: Marc Climie

Wedding Dress: Jenny Lee, Kelly's Closet || Groom's Suit: Sid Mashburn || Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew || Ceremony and Reception Site: Serenbe || Centerpieces, Cake, & Catering: Gloriosa || Music: Mudcat || Photographer: Marc Climie

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Photo: Jose Reyes Photography

"We wanted our wedding to be rustic and elegant, playing off the colors of the fall foliage in the Hudson Valley," says Brittany, who met Craig while both were attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. The couple decided to host their wedding at the Mount Gulian Historic Site, an 18th-century Dutch Colonial homestead and national historic landmark.

Brittany wore a Priscilla of Boston gown, "I loved its timeless look," she says. The bride accessorized with a birdcage veil from Emma's Bridal Boutique and a pearl necklace Craig bought her for their one-year anniversary.

Ninety of the couple's closest friends and family members gathered in the circa-1740 Dutch-style barn for the ceremony. Every other aisle-facing chair was adorned with a bouquet of dahlias and sunflowers. Later, the wedding party posed for photos in front of the restored manor. The bridesmaids wore Priscilla of Boston dresses, and the groomsmen wore H&M suits.

The bride handled the decorating herself, which included creating the mason jars filled with candles and coffee beans that hung from shepherds hooks. Barrels filled with dahlias and sunflowers were placed near the barn doors.

The cocktail-style reception also took place in the barn. "The space felt cozy and rustic," says Brittany. Guests were served a signature cocktail that combined apple cider, vanilla vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cinnamon, and nutmeg, as well as 36 types of passed hors d'oeuvres , including tomato-soup shooters topped with mini grilled cheese sandwiches. The food was provided by the couple's own catering company, Top Knotch Catering. For dessert, they served pumpkin spice cake filled with cinnamon buttercream, which was baked by a friend who works at the Culinary Institute. Snapshots of Brittany and Craig were on display above the cake table.

After the newlyweds' first dance, to "Everything" by Michael Buble, the best man, Justin, toasted the couple. "As Justin was making everyone laugh, I realized that not only is this the happiest day of my life, but that the best is yet to come," says Brittany.

Photos: Jose Reyes Photography

Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston || Veil: Emma's Bridal Boutique || Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston || Ceremony and Reception Site: Mount Gulian Historic Site || Cake: Top Knotch Catering || Photographer: Jose Reyes Photography

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Photo: Brookelyn Photography

We recently asked our Facebook fans an often controversial yet extremely important wedding day question: How do you blend two religions when it comes to your wedding ceremony? We adored the real and honest responses the often-touchy question garnered:

Evelyn Amlani: "We had a Christian- Muslim wedding, my husband is from Pakistan, i am argentinian. it was beautiful and interesting we believe its different rituals yet same God(:"

Melanie Freeman: "I am Serbian Orthodox and my husband is part Jewish. We had our ceremony in the Serbian Orthodox church and the beginning of the reception we did a Jewish marriage blessing ceremony (abbreviated ceremony)"

SoniaandJeff Mlezibhatt: "My fiance is Catholic and I'm Hindu! I spent a month shopping in India for our week long wedding festival. We are doing a full Hindu ceremony in the morning with all the traditions, henna, tons of jewelry, including him coming out on a horse, and then in the evening I get to put on my white wedding gown for our Catholic ceremony! Can't wait!!"

Melissa Dawn McCloud-McFaul: "My fiance is a Jehovah's witness and while I'm not one yet we can't have an elder do ours so we are getting married at our town's landmark by the justice of peace!"

Felicia Milward: "I was raised Christian and my fiance is catholic. We are having ours in the parish he grew up in with a priest but everything is traditional! Not a mass wedding. We even did marriage preparation classes through the parish. To me it doesn't matter how we do it, god will be there no matter what and our families are there to see us get married and start a life together. Not to see what religion will be doing what part."

Join in on the conversation by logging onto Facebook and becoming a fan of BRIDES!

—Gray MacDonald


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Photo: Justin and Mary Marantz

Kristin and Chad met as undergraduates at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. "Chad is from Kentucky, and since the South knows hospitality better than anywhere, we wanted to infuse our love of that region into the wedding," says Kristin. She wore an Ines Di Santo gown, which she was initially hesitant to try on. "I thought it might be too excessive, because we wanted the wedding to have a more relaxed feel," she says. "But it was actually perfect." Chad wore a tux and an oversize bow tie by Turnbull & Asser.

The couple wed at the Stanwich Congregational Church in front of 188 guests. During the wedding, everyone sang hymns, which Chad, along with his friends and family, rehearsed pre-ceremony. The reception was held at a private club.

Sweet tea was on offer during cocktail hour, which took place on the clubhouse's patio. "The tea was made using Chad's mother's recipe," says the bride, who created the drink stirrers displayed near the beverage. "Her tea recipe is my favorite." Lush blooms and ripe peaches decorated the escort-card table, and flowers were displayed in a variety of vessels. "I was inspired by my floral designer's extensive collection of vases and urns," says Kristin.

At the reception, the centerpieces featured garden mint, dahlias, passion flower vine, viburnum berries, and peaches. "The arrangements were so luscious I could've stared at them for days!" she says. Floral arrangements were created by KD&J.

The three-course dinner included a White House Mess Salad of roasted red peppers, asparagus, and fresh mozzarella, which was a favorite of Kristin's when she worked at the White House as an assistant within the National Economic Council. The Cake Boutique in Wilton designed the vanilla buttercream-frosted confection. In addition to slices of cake, the couple served chocolate chip cookies from Levain Bakery in New York City, where they currently reside.

After Chad's brother and Kristin's sister offered congratulatory toasts, the couple performed their first dance to "Crazy" by Pat Green; music was provided by DJ Johnny Stuart. "One of my favorite memories is of everyone tearing it up on the dance floor," Kristin says. "I was impressed by their moves!"

Photos: Justin and Mary Marantz

Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo || Groom's Suit: Turnbull & Asser || Ceremony and Reception Site: Stanwich Congretional Church || Flowers: KD&J Botanica || Cake: The Cake Boutique, Levain Bakery || Photographer: Justin and Mary Marantz || Music: DJ Johnny Stuart

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A Garden Party Picnic in Washington, DC

Photo: Kathi Littwin Photography

Marcy and Aaron first met on a blind date, and went out for nine months before getting engaged. "We decided together to get married—there wasn't an actual proposal," Marcy says. The couple chose the Bowery Hotel for the ceremony and reception after a close friend recommended the venue. "It was the first and only space we looked at," says the bride. She wore a knee-length dress by Oscar de la Renta, purchased from Bergdorf Goodman. "A classic cocktail dress was perfect—I didn't want to wear something that would overpower me or the space," says Marcy. Her sister served as maid of honor and carried a bouquet of dahlias and fresh herbs.

The evening ceremony was officiated by a childhood friend of the groom, and included readings of The Velveteen Rabbit and Bob Dylan's song "Forever Young." The chuppah and all the wedding's floral design was by Petal Design Studio.

Escort cards were presented in a vintage library card catalogue. Dinner tables displayed centerpieces of weathered ceramic vases and terra-cotta pots filled with jewel-toned flowers, autumnal fruit, and fresh herbs. The couple's 185 guests sat at long tables; the meal was served family style, and featured Italian comfort foods.

During dinner, the couple listened as both of their fathers offered touching toasts. Guests were given miniature pies (from meredithsbread.com) and bags of coffee (from portorico.com) as favors. For dessert, guests enjoyed slices of tiramisu, a specialty of Gemma, the hotel's restaurant, which provided all the catering.

Marcy and Aaron chose "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" by the Ink Spots for their first dance. At one point, guests lifted them up on chairs for the traditional hora, after which they embraced. Live music was provided by Raggs and the All-Stars. Later, DJ Jay McElfresh spun modern tracks. "We loved celebrating with our guests," says Marcy, "from the moment they arrived until the very end of the night."

Photos: Kathi Littwin Photography

Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta from Bergdorf Goodman || Ceremony and Reception Site: Bowery Hotel || Flowers: Petal Design Studio || Dessert: Gemma || Music: Raggs and the All-Stars, DJ Jay McElfresh || Photographer: Kathi Littwin Photography

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A Sophisticated Country Wedding on a Virginia Family Farm

Photo: Harrison Studio

"Robert and I love the country, and wanted to have a party where everyone would feel comfortable yet honored," says Marie of their wedding on her grandparents' ranch. Her groom sported a Calvin Klein tuxedo from Al's Formal Wear. Marie wore a Forever Yours gown from Alexia Gavela Bridal in Austin, which she accessorized with Lucchese cowboy boots.

Bridesmaids wore dresses from Anthropologie and carried bouquets of peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs, and sweet peas. All floral design was by Bergner and Johnson Design.

Photo: Di Bezi Photography

Lisa and Chris met through work, but Lisa admits that for the first year of their relationship, she considered them just friends. "I actually tried to suggest girls Chris should date, but he was persistent," she says. "Eventually I fell head over heels for him!"

The couple decided to host their wedding at Skylight One Hanson, a historic building that was formerly the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. "We live in Brooklyn, so we wanted a unique setting that honored the borough," says the bride, who wore an Amsale gown from the Wedding Salon of Manhasset. She carried a bouquet of peonies, Juliet garden roses, and feathers. Her attendants included three bridesmaids, who wore Jim Hjelm gowns, and her brother, who served as man of honor.

Photo: Gina Leigh Photography

Betsy and John's tented reception was held on the Carlouel Yacht Club's private beach. "I used to come here as a child, so it's very meaningful to me and my family," says Betsy. The couple worked with Shannon Wilson from Table 6 Productions on the event details.

The bride wore a Chantilly lace gown by Selia Yang purchased from the designer's boutique in New York City, where the couple currently resides. Betsy's bouquet featured a cascade of lilies of the valley, stephanotis, and orchids, including varieties of the bloom grown by her father. Floral design by Botanica International Design Studio. The bridesmaids wore champagne-colored dresses in styles they chose themselves. "I mailed swatches of ribbon and asked them to purchase dresses that matched," she says.