Bohemian Earth Tone DIY Lakeside Wedding with Dried Palms

Bryan and I actually met through mutual friends and a mutual hobby (we both race motocross!). We went on a few dates when I was in high school (he was homeschooled but had already graduated) but we never became anything too serious. After I graduated and started college we started hanging out again and ended up dating! This was in 2015 and have never stopped loving one another.

In July of 2020 we bought our first house, and in August of 2020, we took our yearly trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We hiked 14 miles and made it all the way to the top of Mt. Leconte where there was nothing but clouds and fog. There was no view. We stayed up there for a while, a bit disappointed with how far we hiked for such a poor view. But then out of nowhere the sun came out and the clouds and fog disappeared.

There was only us and another couple on top of the mountain at the time. We asked the other couple if they minded taking a picture for us (this couple had no idea what was about to happen!) As we were getting a few pictures, Bryan said “wait a second, I need something out of my backpack” and out came a ring box!

He got down on one knee and said the most meaningful words to me “I want to spend my life with you, will you marry me?” and both in tears I said yes! The man who was taking pictures somehow managed to switch to video mode and got the entire proposal on video (so if you’re reading this, THANK YOU!). We spent some time on the mountain enjoying our moment, and then had to make the long brutal hike back down!

The day I was proposed to on the top of Mt. Leconte in Gatlinburg Tennessee, I knew I wanted to be married in Tennessee as well as outside. My husband and I have always been outdoorsy kind of people so an outdoor wedding was a must for us. I searched for venues within the Gatlinburg area but nothing was what I was looking for. When I found the Waterstone Venue we both knew it was the one.

My style has always been bohemian/hippy/eclectic. It was never a trend for me but solely my personality. I never picked exact colors, but knew I wanted an earthed tone palette. I wanted to stay away from dark colors, or colors that were considered “too fall”. We didn’t have any traditions incorporated into our wedding – it was actually the most untraditional wedding I think you could find!

We had my husband’s father marry us which was extremely meaningful to both of us. We wanted the wedding to be laid back and comfortable. I wanted anyone who was a part of the wedding to have a reason to be there and for us to know them on a personal wedding. We wanted a small elopement with only family and our closest friends. My wedding was everything and more I wanted – small, intimate and memorable.

I have always had a very bohemian/hippy vibe to my personal style. Our entire home is full of plants, rattan furniture, and textured textiles. I wanted my wedding to be decorated with items that I was currently using in my home, or would like to use as home decor after the wedding. I spent a few months hitting every thrift store that was close to me to thrift one of a kind decor. All the brass centrepieces and candlesticks were thrifted.

I got two huge peacock chairs off of Facebook marketplace, as well as a bunch of large dried palm leaves! Since the wedding and reception were outside, I wanted it to feel light and airy and not overdone. We had a huge waterfall and water feature behind us with beautiful rock walls. I wanted the scenery and nature to speak for itself and provide most of the decor.

I also DIYed all of my wedding flowers! I purchased dried flowers from multiple shops and online stores to get exactly what I wanted. I created my bouquet, as well as three bridesmaids’ mini bouquets. I created our cake topper, and all the centrepieces. The flowers I was most proud of were our altar flowers that went on the triangle backdrop we stood infant of when we were married and the flowers on our handmade welcome sign.

I spent hours on Pinterest looking for inspiration and determining exactly what I wanted. It was nice because if I didn’t like how something was turning out, I would just restart! I think this is why my wedding was so special – every element had my and my husband’s hard work put into it. With neither of us having any “wedding experience”, we planned and designed ours entirely.

Again, our wedding was not made to be traditional. I wanted to be comfortable and happy and I wanted my family to be comfortable and happy. My husband and I love pizza, and when our first choice of a brick oven pizza truck failed, we chose Mellow Mushroom! We were able to get so many different kinds of pizza that catered to everyone’s taste. It was a huge hit!

We also set up a small photo area for the guests. I have collected vintage Polaroid cameras for some time now, and I love printed out pictures so I knew this is how I wanted my guest book to be created. A few polaroid cameras were set out along with a bunch of film. The guest book was near with fun tape to stick the pictures in and a pen for guests to sign and write personal notes if they felt like it.

I absolutely loved going through the book after the wedding and seeing all the film pictures of my family and friends. Eastlyn and Joshua our photographers also had a polaroid film camera with them (another reason I adore them!) and they snapped a few film pictures of Bryan and me as well as the wedding set-up.

I have loved the brand All Who Wander for wedding dresses since I discovered them. When I went dress shopping I only went to shops that carried the brand. The first dress shop I went into (Carrie Karibo Boutique), I blindly picked dresses meaning I didn’t look at the size nor price. Every dress I picked was the All Who Wander brand!

Long story short, I tried on hundreds of dresses – but the very first dress I tried on I fell in love with, but I didn’t want to jump the gun too quickly obviously so I continued to look. But that first dress is the dress I ended up choosing and I am so happy I did. As for my husband, I knew I wanted him in a very light taupe or beige colored suit (again, no tux because he wanted to be comfortable, and it was going to be 80 degrees outside!).

It took a while to find the right one but when we did we were both excited!

I asked my husband this question and I definitely agree with his response. He said, “My most anticipated moment was for you to walk down the steps“. Our venue had a very long outdoor staircase that wrapped around our ceremony location. I was hidden behind some trees as the song began to play (I didn’t tell him the song I was walking down the aisle to because I knew it would bring him to tears.)

But I also couldn’t wait for that moment. Because in that moment I knew “this is it, this is who I get to marry and who I get to love for the rest of my life“. I was walked down the aisle by my dad and my papaw. This was extremely special to me to have both of them by my side. Even though Bryan and I had a first look together, he was still crying. I love how vulnerable we were that day, not afraid to cry with one another for the happiness we have shared and continue to every day.

My advice to future wedding planners would be to do what you want and to do what you like. Your wedding is for you and your spouse. No one else. And also don’t feel like you have to spend money that is not within your budget. Spend time on Youtube and TikTok looking up tutorials on things that you think you could make! Have fun with wedding planning and just enjoy the ride. It’s over so quickly!

As for marriage advice, love one another, don’t go to bed angry or upset. Be open with one another, and be present with one another. Have date nights, find hobbies you can do together. Don’t let marriage change your relationship. Continue to love one another how you always have and create stronger bonds.

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Bohemian Earth Tone DIY Lakeside Wedding with Dried Palms

The Proposal

The Proposal

The Proposal

The Proposal

The Vision

The Vision

The Vision

The Details & Styling

The Details & Styling

The Flowers

The Flowers

Little Touches

Little Touches

Little Touches

Your Outfits

Your Outfits

It took a while to find the right one but when we did we were both excited!

Your Outfits

Memorable Moments

Memorable Moments

Advice For Other Couples

Advice For Other Couples

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