A natural, green as can be setting can far outweigh any amount of man-made fanfare. Just have a look at this outdoor wedding captured by Geneoh for proof. Of course, not all of us are lucky enough to have a forrest canopy at our fingertips but taking a few cues from the styling of Munster Rose and you can add the look and feel of a wedding gone au naturel to your big day. Sometimes all it takes is wood accents and greenery wherever you can tuck it. Have a look here for more.
From the Bride… While in the midst our wedding planning, a wise friend told me, “The intangibles make the occasion.” This is certainly true; it is the moments, the careful thoughtfulness of the details, and the shared memories that I remember the most about our wedding day.
If I were to use 5 words to describe our wedding it would be, “togetherness”, intimate, natural, elegant, and simple. Wessel and I are simple people who value family, friends, our faith, simple beauty, and of course, each other. Thus, we tried to find a venue that was suitable for a small intimate wedding of our closest friends and family. This was tricky, as Wessel is from South Africa and I am from Minnesota, oceans apart. Even more, we both wanted all of our relatives and friends to be able to attend, but alas, we had to choose, and we decided on the Smith Douglas Moore House. The Smith Douglas Moore House was built in 1877 (we have a “thing” for the number 7), which has so beautifully been renovated into a coffee shop that maintains the charm of the 1800’s. The house had a large tree covered backyard, which we lined with wooden chairs and tables for both the ceremony and the reception, and we kept the inside of the house as a back-up for rain, and a mingling center during our cocktail hour. Note the future brides: always have a rain plan. We lucked out with beautiful weather, but I cannot tell you how many weddings get rained out, with brides that highly regret not making a successful rain plan.
Now, Wessel and I won the wedding lottery when we found out we were able to work with a group of amazing and talented individuals through the Midwest Wedding Project. It is beyond words how talented our these people are (as you can see from the photographs that Gene Pease of Geneoh Photography captured so eloquently.) Lizie of Lizie Anne Weddings and Proposals, was an absolute angel as our wedding planner, alongside the styling and floral design of miss Jackie at Munster Rose. I never knew how much help a wedding planner and florist/stylist could be, with their knowledge of vendors, itineraries, layout design etc. It turned my hypothetical dream board into a reality of soft white peony blooms, garlands, wooden accents, candles, and botanicals. Words can’t describe the work of these two. We also had the privilege of working with Harrison Collective on the invitations and programs, which literally made me squeal and cry when I first saw the designs. Brandon managed to capture our personality and style with the simple elegance we love, and a hint of our nautical wandering selves. Not to mention, the tied rosemary on the programs that made my heart so happy. Wessel and I wanted to include objects that tell stories, like the green glass candy dish that my grandmother handed down to me, and the wood burl table that my parents made from the wood of a redwood tree, our favorite family-made desserts, half log seating chart (courtesy of my cousins, brother-in-law and sister-in-law), and the wood burned sign, remembering all those that could not be with us on that special day. The final ambience was “besonders” (Afrikaans roughly translated: unbelievably beautiful and special.)
Then there was the day. Everything was perfect, as I walked on the arm of my dad and met Wessel under the trees. We cried and we laughed, and I tell you, that moment, holding his hands, and seeing his eyes, is what marriage is about. The other details are added blessings.
From the Vendors… Kate and Wessel were part of The Midwest Wedding Project. This project was created by local MN artists who wanted to give-back to the community and bless one lucky couple with their dream wedding. After hearing the modern-day love story of this Minnesota native and her South African fiance, we KNEW Kate and Wessel were the perfect couple for this Project. (Geneoh, Lizie Anne, Munster Rose and Harrison Collective are the founding members of the Midwest Wedding Project.)
Photographer: Geneoh | Stationery: Harrison Collective | Brides' Shoes: Vince Camuto | Catering: Chowgirls Killer Catering | Hair: Marc Daniel Salon | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Bride's Dress: Allure Bridal | Ceremony and Reception: Smith Douglas More House | Coordination and Design: Lizie Anne | Desserts: Homemade by Bride and Groom's family | Floral, Styling, and Design: Munster Rose | Pastor: Jonathan from Discovery Church | Rentals (Chairs): Ultimate Events | Rentals (Tables): Rudy's Rustic Rentals