A Casual Outdoor Yellow-and-White Wedding in Maryland

October 25, 2011

1 of 26

Katie and Jon

Andrea&Renata

Katie and Jon started a friendship back in 2006 when they both joined the National Guard. After they returned from their deployment to Iraq, Jon finally found the courage to ask Katie out. Two years later, on June 25, 2011, they became husband and wife in the presence of 80 loved ones.

The relaxed summer fete -- in Katie's mom's backyard near Solomons Island, Maryland -- was DIY-created by the couple and their family and friends. Flea market finds and handmade details made for a slightly vintage, somewhat bohemian, and entirely personalized celebration. The couple also decided to incorporate their pet names for each other and their love of a certain cartoon strip, "Peanuts." Katie (a.k.a. Buttercup) and Jon (a.k.a. Peanut) sprinkled touches of such famous characters as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Peppermint Patty throughout the day.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

The Invitation

Andrea&Renata

Katie and Jon worked with their friends to design the wedding invitation. Katie printed them onto linen-textured paper, tore the edges for a deckled look, and adhered them to yellow card stock. Fabric pouches, complete with brads and string to secure the flaps, went inside a recycled paper-bag envelope. A custom postage stamp featuring an image from the couple's engagement photo shoot was adhered to each envelope's corner.

3 of 26

A Schedule of Events

Andrea&Renata

An old window was transformed to showcase the wedding day's itinerary.

Advertisement

4 of 26

Portraits

Andrea&Renata

The duo had their "first look" on Driftwood Beach prior to the ceremony.

5 of 26

The Fashions

Andrea&Renata

Jon wore J.Crew linen pants and a vest with a custom tie (designed by the bride) made by Divine Domestication.

Katie donned a J.Crew dress to which she added straps, and wore a headpiece by Tiffani Saxton Designs.

6 of 26

Sisterly Love

Andrea&Renata

Katie's sisters, Dianne, Terra, Caroline, and Maggie wore yellow dresses paired with brown leather accessories.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

The Bouquet

Andrea&Renata

Wild flowers, herbs, ranunculus, and craspedia were used for the bridal bouquet created by Nancy Garner of Chesapeake Floral Arts.

8 of 26

The Ring Bearer

Andrea&Renata

Raja, the couple's Labrador retriever, was dressed for the occasion. Just like the groom's and groomsmen's, his tie was made by Divine Domestication. It was affixed to a collar from Rover.

9 of 26

The Toss Table

Andrea&Renata

Before the ceremony, guests picked up bowls filled with flower petals and birdseed to toss as the couple recessed.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

The Ceremony

Andrea&Renata

The ceremony site featured a collection of chairs amassed by the couple over their year of searching flea markets, yard sales, and online. Katie and Jon turned chandeliers into candelabras and sun sails were strung on galvanized cables overhead, along with ivy garlands and twinkly lights. To create an "inside-out" feeling, windows were hung along the perimeter.

Katie's mother and uncle walked her down the aisle as George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" was played on a guitar by Phil Mathieu. Katie joined Jon in front of two old doors, stacked crates, and flower arrangements. Excerpts from Louis de Bernieres's "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" and Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go" were read, and the couple exchanged personalized vows.

11 of 26

The Ring Exchange

Andrea&Renata

A tennis ball with a slit it in held the rings. When it came time for the couple to exchange their wedding bands, the bride's uncle tossed the ball down the aisle, and Raja promptly fetched it, bringing it to Katie and Jon.

12 of 26

Front and Center

Andrea&Renata

Raja, the ring bearer, stuck by Katie and Jon's side.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

The Recessional

Andrea&Renata

The "Peanuts" theme song played as the newlyweds walked up the aisle.

14 of 26

Cocktail Hour

Andrea&Renata

Miss Lucy Van Pelt's Cynical Lemonade and Peppermint Patty's Mojito were the drinks du jour. Dispensers filled with the libations sat atop a repurposed old dresser, along with drink tags guests could use to label their Mason jars.

15 of 26

Cocktail Hour

Andrea&Renata

A buffet table belonging to the bride's grandparents held hors d'oeuvres; in its open drawers were extra plates.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Fun and Games

Andrea&Renata

A vinyl decal of Snoopy jazzed up the homemade cornhole game.

17 of 26

The Seating Chart

Andrea&Renata

Another window was used for the seating chart. "Peanuts" characters and guests' names were drawn in the panes by Briar Carwell of Beyond White.

18 of 26

Love Letters

Andrea&Renata

Guests wrote well-wishes for the couple on vintage postcards sourced on eBay.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

The Reception

Andrea&Renata

Salvaged barn wood was repurposed into reception tables with help from the bridal party.

20 of 26

The Table Settings

Andrea&Renata

With a color scheme of yellow, green, and white, vintage Mikasa plates and a mix of glassware from flea markets and thrift shops anchored each place setting.

21 of 26

The Napkins

Andrea&Renata

On each plate rested a napkin tied with twine and a button featuring a "Peanuts" cartoon made by Etsy vendor Unzipped.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Chair Signs

Andrea&Renata

Signs written with their nicknames hung on the backs of the couple's chairs.

23 of 26

A Special Touch

Andrea&Renata

Charlie Brown and Snoopy salt and pepper shakers decorated a table.

24 of 26

Sweet Treats

Andrea&Renata

Old-time candies and some of the pair's favorite sweets were set out for everyone to enjoy. Guests could even take them home by scooping the confections into muslin bags.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

The Getaway

Andrea&Renata

The couple borrowed a bike from Katie's sister, Caroline, and decorated it to make it the perfect getaway ride.

26 of 26

Sources

Andrea&Renata

Photography: Andrea & Renata

Planning and Event Design: Vicki Grafton of My Simple Details

Flowers: Nancy Garner of Chesapeake Floral Arts

Catering: RSVP Catering

Ceremony Music: Phil Mathieu

DJ: Crow Entertainment

Hair and Makeup: Katie Keefe of Bella Salon

Engagement Ring and Wedding Bands: Tacori

Transportation: Beltway Transportation

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next