WeddingMagazine

Erin and Ethan

After Ethan presented me with an antique-inspired engagement ring on the mountainside of his hometown in Flagstaff, Ariz., it became obvious that “vintage romance” would be the ideal theme for our garden wedding at the Plummer House of the Arts.

On the afternoon of our wedding, guests arrived early to have cocktails and explore the Plummer House’s gardens and Tudor-style mansion. The house was decorated with my favorite flowers—hydrangeas, peonies, and roses in various shades of pinks and beige. A picture slideshow of the two of us played in the living room. As the ceremony neared, guests were welcomed into the upper gardens, the site of our ceremony, with a string quartet.My dress was a vintage-inspired, champagne gown featuring lace and crystals, accented by family heirlooms. The bridesmaids wore rose chiffon dresses and were accompanied by the groomsmen in black suits with rose-colored ties. The groom wore a black suit and a champagne tie.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour and played lawn games. Dinner was held on the stone patio amidst flowers, white lanterns, lights, and candles. The toasts that followed were lively and creative, including one by my sister, which featured Beatles lyrics and guitar music. We kicked off the dance with traditional dances and an anniversary dance; I gave my bouquet to the couple married the longest. Soon, it was time to cut the cake. My cake was a classic, round, four-tiered carrot cake by Daube’s, my favorite treat. The cake table was augmented by rose petals, crystals, and the words “I DO” hanging on the wall. The groom’s cake was an amusing, chocolate rainbow trout from HyVee. Ethan filleted the fish to offer me a piece. Dancing continued a while longer, and before we left for the evening, I changed into a bright pink, classic sheath. We ran through a sea of bubbles blown from mini-champagne bottles as we made our way toward the limo to enjoy our honeymoon in Jamaica.

BUSINESSES: Canadian Honker Restaurant (Catering), Plummer House of Arts (Reception), Daube’s Cakes & Bakery (Brides’s Cake), Hy-Vee (Groom’s Cake), and Fagan Studios (Photography)