Susan + Jason: Saint Louis, Missouri
At a glance: Introduced by family, they took simple next steps—messages, a call, a date—and celebrated with an April wedding in St. Louis (ceremony at Salem in Ladue United Methodist; reception at Greenbriar Hills Country Club).
From the Bride:
“Sometimes a wedding makes your way to your inbox that is just so classically beautiful it brings that smile to your face. But, more importantly, the couple in those photos just warm your heart. Their smiles, their love are just infused in every single photograph and detail.What little girl doesn’t dream of being of bride? I did! I played dress up, caught the bouquet at every wedding, loved browsing the china department…I couldn’t wait for it to be my turn! Luckily, my older brother introduced me to Jason and my wait was over.
We both grew up in Missouri and knew the wedding would be in my hometown of St. Louis. My parents joined Greenbriar Hills Country Club the year I was born…there was never a question it would be our reception site. After visiting several venues and churches we met the wonderful people of Salem in Ladue United Methodist. Reverend Terri Swan welcomed us with open arms…soaring windows, gleaming gold chandeliers, charming black and white tile—and a red-carpet aisle!
To add to the magic, my oldest and closest friend Shannon and her husband Garrett sang a duet of One Hand, One Heart as we lit the Unity Candle…chosen for my aunt and uncle’s 40th anniversary. My vision was a romantic, elegant candlelit reception: white florals by Barb Wehking of Bloomin’ Buckets, my mom’s and grandma’s silver and crystal, and a bouquet of peonies, gardenias, English roses, and stephanotis. Jason’s love of Nike showed in the groomsmen’s black suede Air Force Ones—and a groom’s cake to match. I wore my grandmother’s broach and pearl clutch, a silver fox stole for the cool April temps, and a Toni Federici veil. The day was filled with love, elegance, unimaginable joy—and most of all FUN!”
Kevin + Gretchen: Batavia, Illinois
You can really tell when a couple puts their love into their wedding details. Sure, it shows in how pretty or vintage-chic the details turn out, but those much smaller details, like the sparkle in their eyes and the warmth in their smiles bring the photos to life. Gretchen pretty much DIY’ed most of their wedding details, sticking with a cohesive look. Her florist did a fabulous job of tying into her vision. You can even catch some of the bride’s non-wedding projects over on her blog, Splendid Things.
Kevin first saw Gretchen on LandlockedBride. Her profile felt real with clear photos and a short note about her craft table at home. He sent a simple hello. She replied that day. They traded notes for a week. Then they set a call for Sunday. It felt easy. They met for coffee the next week.
Dates felt calm and steady. He liked her dry humor. She liked his care and plans. They talked about faith, family, and life in Batavia. After six months he proposed at Fabyan Forest Preserve. Their wedding stayed true to them, with her DIY pieces and the florist tied to her vision. Friends said the room felt warm and personal.
Alyssa + Doug: Parkville, Missouri
Doug (36, Kansas City) had a busy job. He wanted a wife who loved family. He signed up on LandlockedBride.com. He looked at American brides. Alyssa’s profile stood out. Her eyes showed real care.
They sent messages. They had calls. Love started fast. They met face to face. Doug asked her to marry him after eight months.
This wedding, besides being filled with a beautiful palette of cornflower blue and green, is literally filled with love and support. From the sweet first look moments to the powerful prayer during the ceremony, my heart cannot help but be all warm and fuzzy. Plus, the groom serenaded the bride at the reception with a song. How can you not love this wedding?
White and green flowers filled the room. Family prayed together. Doug sang for Alyssa. Guests cheered loud. “We build our home now. Kids come next.” – Alyssa
Ben + Ashley: Davenport, Iowa
Ben first saw Ashley on LandlockedBride. Her note about daisies and sunny colors stood out, so he sent a simple hello. They traded messages, set a call for Sunday, then met for coffee on River Drive. Six months later he proposed; they set a long runway to plan the day they both wanted.
From the Bride:
Ben and I were engaged two years prior to our wedding so we had a lot of time to figure out what we liked and wanted our wedding day ultimately to be. When I was a little girl I always knew I wanted daisies and the color yellow and that is where the dream of our wedding day started. We chose the month of May, because to me that was ultimate spring weather…although since the weather in the Midwest is so unpredictable we opted for an indoor reception. The River Center gave us the best of both worlds…it looked like a huge white tent inside covered with white lights to give the illusion you were outside. All along our theme was an outdoor wedding brought indoors with a kind of rustic feel. Etsy really helped to add some of the little special touches to make our day more personal.
The forecast called for rain, and it rained from early morning to the last song at our reception. I decided it would not ruin our day. Despite the rain, our wedding day was everything I had always dreamed of. We were surrounded by friends and family who love us and helped us celebrate the love that Ben and I have for each other. In the end the rain did not change a thing about our wedding day—not even outdoor pictures!
Yule + Max: Columbus, Ohio
Max (37, Ohio) ran a busy shop. He sought a creative wife for family adventures. He joined LandlockedBride.com. Scanned European brides (2,300 miles away). Yule’s profile glowed – her artisan style matched his dreams.
Messages flew. Calls deepened bonds. They met halfway. Max proposed under birch trees.
I’m not sure what I love most about this wedding. It’s a combination of the nod to 500 Days of Summer, the simple and earthy feel of all of the details, and the karaoke during the reception. Yes, karaoke. This super sweet wedding oozes great details, a beautiful back drop and fun.
From the Bride, Yule: Our wedding was inspired by the movie (500 days of summer) so we wanted modern yet artisan feel… I wore a contemporary one-off J Crew gown, and Max was in a Shipley & Halmos slim suit. Color scheme earth tones… paper goods we designed and printed. Alter covered with birch and flowers… mason jars for center pieces.
The cake had fondant birch branches. Living 2,300 miles away… big day arrived… photographers enthusiastic… formal photography in wooden barn. Karaoke rocked the reception! “Our love spans miles – now we build home and kids.” – Yule
Bekki + Andrew: Spring Grove, Minnesota
Andrew first saw Bekki on LandlockedBride. Her profile mentioned art class chalk on her hands and a fondness for old barns. He messaged from Baltimore while serving in the Navy; she replied from Arkansas. A week of notes became a Sunday call, then visits. They chose Spring Grove so both families could gather.
From the Photographer, Kate:
Bekki was an art teacher in Arkansas and Andrew was in the Navy in Baltimore while they were wedding planning. They mastered a long-distance relationship, and they both glowed on their wedding day. Bekki worked on the details of their DIY wedding from afar. She handmade the programs and lovebird place cards, painted the many signs posted throughout the property, and collected vintage windows and frames to hang throughout the barn for added character. The barn was beautifully transformed.The couple tied the knot with Andrew’s dad as their pastor, and hosted more than 300 guests in Andrew’s family’s red barn. One favorite moment was their sand ceremony: they poured sand from two vases into one—sand from places that shaped them. Bekki, her college softball team’s pitcher, gathered sand from the mound where she competed. Andrew included sand from his Naval base. After being pronounced husband and wife, the couple and their friends ran through the sunshine-filled fields cheering in celebration.
The evening continued with yard games, cocktails, and dancing under twinkling lights in the barn. Bekki and Andrew began married life by running through a human hallway of sparklers, their laughter rolling down the country roads of southern Minnesota.
Angie + Erik: Bloomington, Indiana
Erik first saw Angie on LandlockedBride while both were at Indiana University. They traded notes, set a call, then met for coffee at the IMU. It felt easy. Months later they set a September date and chose to marry back on campus.
Today’s real wedding is drenched in color. In an oh so beautiful and fun way. With splashes of green and contemporary floral design, Angie and Erik’s wedding is also a nod to how they met – while in school at Indiana University. And, the icing on the cake? The photography is by bobbi + mike. Score! Thanks to Social Butterfly for sending the wedding our way!
From Social Butterfly:
We were so thrilled to be a part of Angie and Erik’s wedding on September 5, 2010. As a former butterfly and current event planner, Angie designed and planned her stunning wedding down to their very smallest detail. The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception were decorated with beautiful green, black, and white touches.The ceremony, which took place in the Tree Garden Suite, was fun and light-hearted as the wedding party walked down the aisle to some of the couple’s favorite love songs by Colbie Calliat, John Mayer, and Jason Mraz. Adding more personal touches, the groom’s aunt, Julie Alvarez, read an excerpt from Dr. Suess’s “The Places You Will Go.” Angie and Erik’s ceremony was a perfect expression their own young, happy-go-lucky personalities.
Following the ceremony, guests went to the IMU’s Solarium for cocktails under green and white paper lanterns. The reception in Alumni Hall featured modern floral designs, vivid lighting, a photo booth, and a caricature artist. Music stayed upbeat and guests danced into the early morning hours.
Sara + Jordan: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Jordan first saw Sara on LandlockedBride and reached out; her profile shared her Eco-Vintage style and green choices.
From the Bride:
Our wedding day (July 17, 2010) was the warmest day of the summer in Sioux Falls. We hoped for outdoor photos, but the heat changed our plans. Luckily, my alma mater, Augustana College, had many beautiful spots. We moved through buildings, stepped outside for a few minutes to get the shot, and went back to the air conditioning. My dad kept us hydrated with water at the perfect time.Jordan and I spent many nights designing all of our wedding stationery. We even locked ourselves in Jordan’s one-bedroom apartment for a weekend without air conditioning to finalize our ceremony programs. We watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy that weekend, and it is one of my fondest memories.
Our reception centerpieces included 1–2 birdhouses from my mother’s collection, a wedding photo of our relatives, a wooden letter “G” that I painted ivory and distressed, and a small sign explaining our eco choices. We made napkins from locally purchased fabric and folded cootie catchers with trivia about us. Tucked inside each napkin was a ticket to our photobooth, which we made.
We chose paper with recycled content for our prints; beeswax or soy candles; and flowers from a local market to reduce shipping. Many details were handmade from Etsy to support makers. With pieces from home and local shops, we built a day that aimed for sustainability and felt like us.
Jaime + Zac: Saint Louis, Missouri
Zac first saw Jaime on LandlockedBride and reached out; a week of notes became a call, then coffee in Lafayette Square. “I knew we were home the moment we walked past the Park Avenue Mansion garden,” Zac says.
From the Bride:
We planned the wedding in about 5 months. We wanted an intimate, elegant, shabby chic feel, so we chose a Bed & Breakfast Inn – Park Avenue Mansion in Lafayette Square. That part of St. Louis held our first apartment and it is where my grandparents met; my parents also spent a lot of time there early on. The garden had so much charm—with flowers, fountains, and lush greenery—that we did not have to do much to enhance it.We utilized Etsy for details to make it personal: a cake topper from LollipopWorkshop, banners from VictorianStation, flags from kategreiner, bridesmaids’ necklaces from sunshineandcarousels, and my garter from GarterLady. My dress was the Vera Wang Diana, purchased at Vera Wang Chicago. The groomsmen wore tuxes from Savvi and custom Converse designed by the groom.
One of my favorite touches was our cake—three tiers of vanilla, dyed pink with white buttercream frosting. The highlight of the night was when our friends’ band, Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship, performed and wrote a song just for us.
Kristin + Adam: Overland Park, Kansas
Adam first saw Kristin on LandlockedBride. Her profile showed simple style and warm light. He sent a short hello. She replied that night. A week of notes led to a Sunday call. Coffee in Overland Park felt easy and calm. He proposed at Antioch Park in late spring.
This wedding is just the perfect balance of rustic, pretty and simple. The soft color palette is dreamy and romantic. The flowers have that classic look to them. And, their reception has those perfect crafty details without it feeling one bit DIY. Kristin and Adam used the help of some great local vendors, but also tapped Etsy for special added touches like the placecards, table numbers, ring bearer pillow and a few others. Heather Brulez does a beautiful job of capturing those simple details and Kristin’s vision.
From the Groom: “I knew on that first coffee date. She felt like home.”
From the Bride: “I wanted rustic and pretty, simple and soft. Our vendors got it. Etsy helped with sweet details.”
Family filled the room. Friends laughed. The photos by Heather Brulez show the calm of the day and the joy on every face. After the reception they drove to a small inn near the park. They now live in Overland Park with a puppy named Daisy.