1. Real Weddings

A Historic Rustic Wedding at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Kristin Small (31 and a public interest lawyer) and Jon Holz (32 and a professor) met through a mutual friend in 2008. Five years later, Jon proposed

Kristin Small (31 and a public interest lawyer) and Jon Holz (32 and a professor) met through a mutual friend in 2008. Five years later, Jon proposed to Kristin while they were on vacation with her family in Nova Scotia. Knowing they wanted a venue with character, the Old Sturbridge Village was the perfect choice. It had all of the elegance and charm without the stuffiness that can come with a historic venue. When shopping for wedding dresses, Kristin found her gown at Clever Bride Consignments. With a sweetheart neckline and floral accents, the Maggie Sottero gown had the wow factor Kristin was looking for. The a color palette of royal blue and yellow, which were seen in the bridesmaids dresses and floral arrangements, created a rustic theme for the wedding. Kristin knew that the sunflowers in the bouquets and centerpieces would pop against the royal blue bridesmaid dresses while keeping the wedding simple and clean. The food catered at the Old Sturbridge Village was delicious, but only outshone by the assorted pies provided for the guests in the place of the wedding cake. Names of different pies were the titles of the table numbers at the reception, giving the guests a clue of what they would find on the Pie Table. Guests of the wedding even admitted that they talked to other guests they wouldn't have met otherwise while "shopping" for pie. Earlier in the day, friends of Kristin and Jon gave a country line dancing lesson to some guests of the wedding. "To top off the evening, the DJ played the songs and everyone who had learned the dances joined in," says Kristin.

Kristin found her bridal gown at Clever Bride Consignments. She fell in love because it had the wow factor she had always wanted.
"I knew immediately that I wanted sunflowers, because they make people happy," says Kristin.
After watching hours of YouTube videos, Jon successfully tied his own bowtie on the wedding day.
Black and White Wedding Invitation with Floral Accents
Amethyst Wedding Ring Sitting on Baby's Breath
Groomsmen in Classic Black and White Tuxedos
"Royal blue would not only look good on all my bridesmaids but it would really make the sunflowers pop," says Kristin.
Bride and Groom Share Tears and Laughter During Their Vows
Newlyweds Recess from the Church as Husband and Wife
Joyous Newlywed Photo Shoot
Kristin let her bridesmaids choose their own dress, as long as they were royal blue. They turned out beautifully!
The horse-carry-all transported guests from the entrance of the ceremony to the cocktail hour and reception.
"We didn't want to spend too much time worrying about all the decor, so went for a balance of simplicity and charm," says Kristin.
Kristin and Jon titled the table numbers corresponding with the assortment of pies on the dessert table.
After a country line dancing lesson to the guests, the DJ played the songs at the reception and everyone who had learned the dances joined in!