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  5. The Unexpected Inspiration Behind 4 Real Couples' Weddings
Martha Stewart Weddings

The Unexpected Inspiration Behind 4 Real Couples' Weddings

leigh-crandall-contributor-photo-0616.jpg
By Leigh Crandall
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bride groom beach
Credit: Lindsay Vann Photography

You never know where inspiration will strike.

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bride groom beach
Credit: Lindsay Vann Photography

A destination, a décor detail, even the weather you're hoping for can serve as the starting point for your wedding plans. Here, four couples reveal the one not-so-random element that led to the celebration of their dreams.

 

The Inspiration: An island

 

"I was born and raised on St. Thomas and never really considered getting married anywhere else," says Rachel Walker Whitlow. She and her groom Matthew Whitlow wanted water views, "but we'd invited more than 300 people, so most island venues were too small," she says. Eventually they toured Coral World Ocean Park, the island's marine park. "We loved its indoor/outdoor spaces, and there was a beach for photos!"

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Isle Style

island wedding
Credit: Lindsay Vann Photography

The waterside venue was stunning on its own, so they stuck with simple, elegant island décor like shells, candles, and lights strung throughout the property's palm trees. They also hired a moko jumbie, a stilt walker who performs at the island's carnival, to get dancing started.

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Island Time

island wedding
Credit: Lindsay Vann Photography

Many of the guests were visiting St. Thomas for the first time, so the couple planned a host of activities in addition to the wedding, including a catamaran sail, a welcome dinner at Rachel's uncle's home overlooking the harbor, and a barbecue at Magens Bay beach the day after the wedding.

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Take-Away Tip

island wedding
Credit: Lindsay Vann Photography

Social media works well when people are traveling. "We created a private Facebook group to keep everyone updated about activities. It was easy and effective!" says Rachel.

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The inspiration: Snow

bride groom kiss
Credit: When He Found Her

"I've always wanted a winter wedding," says Kaela Shaw. "I love the monochrome of snow, the way it all blends together—it's so peaceful."

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Setting the Scene

snow wedding
Credit: When He Found Her

Kaela and fiancé Chris Pinard chose January 2 for their wedding at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, in Cambridge, Ontario. "We wanted a beautiful property so that if the snow fell we could take outdoor shots against the white landscape," says the bride. The winter weather inspired the décor, too. "We wanted inside to feel cozy, since outside would be cold and snowy. We used antique gold accents on tables and lots of candlelight."

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Photo Finish

Snow wedding
Credit: When He Found Her

"We took our photos before the ceremony because we wanted daylight," says Kaela. "The girls wore snow boots beneath their dresses, and the venue brought us blankets that we used as wraps."

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Take-Away Tip

Garland tables
Credit: When He Found Her

Swap pricier fresh flowers for less costly greenery, which feels festive in winter. "It's a time of year when that type of arrangement is expected, and it looks great with a snowy landscape," says Kaela.

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The Inspiration: The Bride's Family Home

wedding recession
Credit: Photogen Inc.

Lexie Fisher's parents purchased the property nestled on 100 acres when she was just four years old. "It's where I grew up playing games in the pastures with my cousins—it's where all our memories are," says Lexie. When she and Nick Larson became engaged, Lexie father suggested they makeover the property to host the wedding at home. "We worked on the house for a year and a half."

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The Makeover

reception guests tent
Credit: Photogen Inc.

To prepare for the wedding, Lexie and her family transformed the barn on the property, laying concrete floors, pressure washing it free of oil paint, and rewiring the electrical. They also leveled part of the property's land to make way for the wedding tent where the reception for 422 guests was held, and cleared out the property's old milk barn, turning it into a kitchen for the caterers.

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Found Materials

wedding dancing
Credit: Photogen Inc.

They used reclaimed materials wherever possible, turning wood from a barn and from the old house into a bar, on which photos from the old house were displayed.  Whiskey barrels from the ranch next door served as high top tables, while Lexie's uncle used reclaimed boards to create a marquee that read "Real Love," a nod to the couple's first dance song by Clean Bandit. "The lights on the sign lit up when we did our dance," she says.

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Group Effort

wedding bar
Credit: Photogen Inc.

It was important to the couple that they put money back into the community, so they made donations to the local high school and Lion's Club, whose students and members volunteered at the party. 

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Take-Away Tip

Barn wedding
Credit: Photogen Inc.

When you're planning a wedding on your property, be sure to check in with your insurance company. "We had to extend our homeowners policy because of liability, and provide transportation," says Lexie.

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The Inspiration: Flowers

holly-john-wedding-texas-bouquet-014-s112833-0516.jpg
Credit: Jillian Zamora Photography

"I'm such a flower snob," jokes Holly Knudsen. "I had to have all the best springs has to offer." Holly and her fiancé John Knudsen IV, secured the Fort Worth Zoo, in Texas, for April 25. "So many of my favorite blooms are at their peek in April," she explains.

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Designer Details

holly-john-wedding-texas-reception-072-s112833-0516.jpg
Credit: Jillian Zamora Photography

"I booked my florist, Maxine Owens of the Southern Table, 15 months out. I loved her bold, wild style and her ability to incorporate tons of textures and colors into her work," says Holly.

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Creating a Backdrop

holly-john-wedding-texas-bridesmaids-048-s112833-0516.jpg
Credit: Jillian Zamora Photography

"I knew the flowers would be bright, so we went with a neutral palette for other elements, like gray and blush-colored linens. I also had the bridesmaids wear black so their bouquets would really stand out," says Holly.

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Best Floral Moment

bouquet
Credit: Jillian Zamora Photography

"My bouquet had all of my very favorite blooms: peonies, sweet peas, poppies, ranunculus, fritillaria, and garden roses," says Holly.

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Take-Away Tip

holly-john-wedding-texas-kiss-105-s112833-0516.jpg
Credit: Jillian Zamora Photography

Trust your florist to make the call about where to spend. "I had a budget to stay within, but I let Maxine move money around without having to make multiple line-item updates to the invoice," Holly explains.

See more photos from Holly and John's wedding

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 18
    2 of 18 Isle Style
    3 of 18 Island Time
    4 of 18 Take-Away Tip
    5 of 18 The inspiration: Snow
    6 of 18 Setting the Scene
    7 of 18 Photo Finish
    8 of 18 Take-Away Tip
    9 of 18 The Inspiration: The Bride's Family Home
    10 of 18 The Makeover
    11 of 18 Found Materials
    12 of 18 Group Effort
    13 of 18 Take-Away Tip
    14 of 18 The Inspiration: Flowers
    15 of 18 Designer Details
    16 of 18 Creating a Backdrop
    17 of 18 Best Floral Moment
    18 of 18 Take-Away Tip

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