Lord - The Rustic Wedding Handbook

The Rustic Wedding Handbook

MAGGIE LORD

PRINCIPLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAGGIE CARSON ROMANO EXCEPT AS NOTED OTHERWISE.

The Rustic Wedding Handbook

Digital Edition 1.0

Text 2014 Maggie Lord

Photographs 2014 Maggie Carson Romano except as noted otherwise.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except brief portions quoted for purpose of review.

Gibbs Smith

P.O. Box 667

Layton, Utah 84041

Orders: 1.800.835.4993

www.gibbs-smith.com

ISBN: 978-1-4236-3462-1

For Our Mothers

I never believed that I would be the author of one book, let alone three. Along this journey I have been so blessed to work with a list of very special, talented, influential and creative people who have added to this project and to the Rustic Wedding Chic company as a whole. A big thank-you to Hollie Keith and the team at Gibbs Smith, Publisher for making yet another beautiful book and for helping to expand the world of Rustic Wedding Chic. To Maggie Carson Romano for jumping into this project with both feet and opening up my world to so many beautiful ideas and for being just the most wonderful friend. A big thanks also to Charlie Panian for assisting on this project in a variety of forms. I could not and would not have wanted to do our craft projects with anyone other than the women of Rambling House Events. Endless thanks are in order to Kate McKenna who is one of the most talented women I know. To my family for their unending support. To my son, Jack, and husband, Jon, who are my everyday inspiration.

MAGGIE LORD

First I must thank my loving family for always challenging me and for showing endless support of my many pursuits. Thank you to Jurow, my best friend and handsome other half, for sharing me with this project throughout this last year while providing constant support and encouragement. And a huge thank-you to Charlie for lending us your many strengths, and for acquiring my iron goose at the Raleigh Flea Market, whom I love dearly. Lastly, my deepest gratitude goes to Maggie for approaching me with this project and for being the motivating and organizational force that made this book what it is. I am so thankful for the constant enthusiasm and focus you showed throughout our collaboration. I love you all so much.

MAGGIE CARSON ROMANO

Photography by Siegel Thurston Photography

Photography by Tahni Candelaria of Joyeuse Photography

Photography by Jennifer Bakos.

Photography by EE Photography.

Photography by Tahni Candelaria of Joyeuse Photography

The moment you say yes, the wedding-day dream begins to take shape. Look closelywhat do you see in this vision? Is it fully formed or filled with possibility? Will you hear the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot as you walk down the aisle? Will you stand together, hand in hand, in the fresh country air to promise till death do us part? Will cherished guests sip champagne from crystal coupes and dance with you under the glow of lantern light? A rustic wedding is all of this and more. Its the peace of putting your personal touch on this momentous event. Its the thrill of beautiful details that youll never forget. Its the joy of marrying your best friend, surrounded by love, in a place that captivates your spirit. Welcome to your rustic wedding day.

Photography by EE Photography.

After completing my first two books, Rustic Wedding Chic and Barn Weddings, it seemed only natural that my next book project should bring all the elements of planning a rustic wedding together in one place. After all, I do spend my entire workday researching ideas, writing tips, and showcasing beautiful real weddings on the Rustic Wedding Chic blog. Here I have set out to compile all the information and knowledge I have gathered since starting the blog back in 2009. From the very beginning, I focused on sharing ideas and resources that I felt were missing for rustic brides to bring their rustic wedding goals to fruition.

I initially created the Rustic Wedding Chic blog when I was planning my own lakeside wedding in the small midwestern town where my family summers. After searching in countless wedding magazines, wedding sites and books, I felt there was a huge lack of inspiration and ideas for brides like me who are planning a rustic yet chic wedding day. Hoping to make the process easier for other brides, I created the blog to act as a daily muse and a place to find not only inspiration and ideas but also real resources and vendors who could help the bride-to-be in creating her dream rustic affair.

After blogging about hundreds of real weddings and studying thousands of beautiful wedding images, I know one thing for a fact: every wedding starts with the seed of an idea, an inspiration. Maybe its blissful childhood memories of summers at the lake or the pure romance of tying the knot in a wide-open country field. Perhaps its as simple as celebrating with all your loved ones together in your very own home. Its just this type of memory or mood that can serve as the perfect jumping-off point for couples as they begin to build their ideal day. Like an artist painting a picture or a chef creating a meal, the wedding planning process is a creative one. Your weddings inspiration will be both a springboard for the project and a touchstone to return to as this vision adapts to the many diverse elements that will comprise your rustic wedding day.

The beauty of a rustic wedding is its versatility and all of the creativity that it brings about. Drawing on the wonderful ambiance of a natural, rustic setting and expressing your own personal style in a less traditional fashion is an exciting opportunity for couples to say I do in a way that is perfectly unique to them.