A Blue-and-Brown Outdoor Wedding in Connecticut

They didn't want to ruin a good thing. But Melinda and Jesse risked their friendship and ended up in love. ''When I first met him,'' Melinda says, ''Jesse seemed so conservative, not really my type.'' So she took it upon herself to match him up with other women. The two friends eventually became inseparable. They had much in common -- including, it turned out, an irrepressible mutual attraction.

The letterpress wedding stationery takes its inspiration from the garden. Save-the-date dials reveal teasers about the impending day when rotated -- their floral images, as well as those on the invitations and reply postcards, are clip art. Plain stickers, hand-stamped with monograms, serve as envelope seals. Store-bought cards (bottom) are used as thank-you notes.

Bridesmaids in floral-print dresses carry parasols in lieu of flowers.

Long taffeta and satin ribbons trail from Melinda's bouquet of white hydrangeas and pink peonies.

A boutonniere combines orchids and lamb's ear.

Hanging satin ribbons frame the ceremony site.

Program covers were decorated with rubber stamps.

Melinda and Jesse at their ceremony. Her silk mikado gown and veil are by Amy Kuschel, and his suit is by Ted Baker. At the groom's request, childhood friend David Clark became ordained so he could officiate.

In keeping with the art-gallery setting, easels exhibited seating cards pinned to linen-covered boards.

The calligraphed cards are rubber-stamped with butterflies (table numbers appear on the reverse side) -- to dress up the pins, glass beads in jewel tones were slipped on and secured with glue.

Paper parasols float overhead in the reception tent.

Store-bought paper cocktail napkins appeared custom-designed for the wedding.

Dinner napkins casually tied with aqua and brown ribbons gave place settings a relaxed feel.

On reception tables, china patterned with blossoms and leaves fits into the color palette.

The bride dances with her father, Don Meinke.

A dessert buffet was created by Jesse's aunt, who is a pastry chef. Handmade paper parasols on wooden skewers make the sweets even more festive.

Melinda and Jesse gave chocolates to their wedding party.

The favors were sketchbooks with ribbon bookmarks -- their paper bands were decorated with rubber stamps.

The newlyweds enjoy time by the riverside.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Florence Griswold Museum
Cake and Desserts: Queen of Tarts Old-Fashioned Baking
Chocolates: Woodhouse Chocolate
Flowers: Art and Garden Floral Design, 860-526-9376
Stationery: Paper Source
Calligraphy: Rona Siegel Fine Art Studio, 415-314-1019
Custom Rubber Stamps: Stampworx 2000
Paper Umbrellas and Parasols: Asian Ideas
Favors: Michael Roger Press
Wedding Gown: Veronica by Amy Kuschel Bride
Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie
Groom's Attire: suit and tie by Ted Baker
Music: Ron Murray, and Willow Entertainment
Rentals: Braun Tent and Party Productions, 203-452-8810