A DIY Wedding at the Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, Illinois

Meredith (27 and a loan officer) and Nathan (29 and a resident physician) were both inspired by their mutual love of nature while planning their special day. As self-proclaimed classic romantics, the two chose the Starved Rock Lodge in Utica as their wedding backdrop -- a venue known for it's idyllic, pastoral feel. With a soft, muted color palette of mint, pink and white, the couple put in some serious handmade efforts to ensure their day included as many DIY and upcycled touches as possible -- including hand-sewn boutonnieres and rustic centerpieces made from salvaged wood. (Meredith even went so far as to DIY her own wedding sash!) "We had a lot of fun putting together a wedding that was meaningful to us and it was such a joy to see it all come together," the bride says. But despite all of the handmade touches, there was one detail that Meredith and Nathan made sure not to overlook. "The most important detail of the day was our ultimate commitment to each other," Meredith explains. "After the ceremony, it was important to walk each guest out and thank them for supporting, loving and standing by us on one of the most important days of our lives. We wanted our guests to know the impact they've had on our lives and how much we appreciate and love them."