1. Real Weddings

A Rustic DIY Wedding at Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, New Jersey

Late August in New Jersey can be bogged down by heat and humidity, but Mary Veltri (29 and a school counselor) and Joseph Pepe (29 and a retail store

Late August in New Jersey can be bogged down by heat and humidity, but Mary Veltri (29 and a school counselor) and Joseph Pepe (29 and a retail store owner) didn't let that get in the way of their light and airy indoor-outdoor wedding. By using light colors like beige, gold, blush and orange to accent the modern ballroom and outdoor patio of Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, New Jersey, the couple were able to bring in more rustic elements like lanterns, wooden signs and crates. Mary created many of the day's attention-grabbing decor: She hand-painted wooden signs that welcomed the guests, displayed the names of signature cocktails and marked the place settings. Other personal touches included place cards, the guestbook time capsule, the large wreath behind the sweetheart table and donation cards, all made by the bride. "It was such an incredible feeling to see all my hard work on display at the wedding," Mary says. "It felt like us—there was no mistaking that it was our wedding." —Allie Volpe

Mary wore blush Badgley Mischka wedges with jewel and braid detailing. "Wedding wedges? Who even knew that was a thing. I saw them online, and they were the exact color of the bridesmaid dresses. I was able to dance the whole night without going barefoot."
Mary's bridesmaids wore pink knee-length dresses by BHLDN with crystal embellished illusion necklines.
The stems of Mary's bouquet were wrapped with lace and pearls that had belonged to her grandmother. "It was a special way to honor her and have her close to my heart on my wedding day," she says.
Arrangements of wooden lanterns with candles and wooden crates overflowing with greens, white, pink and blush roses marked the entryway to the ceremony at Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, New Jersey.
Using old wine crates, Mary was able to create a display shelf of family members' wedding photos.
The couple was married outside at Stone House at Stirling Ridge in front of a warm orange backdrop accented with twinkling votives.
The same arrangements of lanterns and crates that flanked both sides of the aisle were brought inside to frame the sweetheart table during the reception. Mary arranged the wreath behind the table.
Twisted Willow Florist created centerpieces that featured flower boxes filled with blush, pink and purple blooms and votive candles.
Among the many DIY touches to Mary and Joseph's wedding were flags on the cocktail straws. Small flags with romantic taglines were fastened to green- and white-striped straws.
Guests were encouraged to leave well-wishes in old-fashioned note drawers as a time capsule for Mary and Joseph to revisit on their anniversary.