1. Real Weddings

A Rustic Literary-Themed Wedding at Rogers and Baldwin Historic Venue in Springfield, Missouri

Kira Varava (27 and a college instructor) and Kyle Harmon (29 and an attorney) met in college. When Kyle proposed they were living in Missouri togethe

Kira Varava (27 and a college instructor) and Kyle Harmon (29 and an attorney) met in college. When Kyle proposed they were living in Missouri together. Kira went to Illinois for a weekend. While she was there, she got a call from Kyle’s parents wanting her to meet them for dinner. It was the restaurant they first met at. When she got there, Kyle was there, and he proposed. The couple had a literary-themed wedding with a Penguin Press invitation suite, library card table numbers and old book page menu cards. They tied the look together with lots of chalkboards and burlap flags. They worked with He Loves Me Florals to create the simple baby’s breath centerpieces and lush ivory bouquets. The best part was combining their backgrounds for a delicious meal. From the Bride: “For food, we didn't want traditional wedding food, so we decided to serve something to represent Chicago, where I am from, and Springfield, Missouri, where Kyle is from,” she says. “The dishes we served were italian beef sandwiches, a Chicago specialty, and a dish that Springfield is known for, cashew chicken. All the beers that we served were brewed in Springfield because we liked having local elements as a part of our day.”

Kira and Kyle sent literary-themed, Penguin Press-inspired invitations to guests and carried the theme throughout the day.
Kira carried white roses, baby’s breath and hypericum berries in her white and green bouquet.
“It is an old building that has been newly renovated,” Kira says. “We just loved the vintage, unique feel of it.”
Kira and Kyle incorporated ornate chalkboards throughout the day. The rustic welcome sign was framed in wood and decorated with burlap love flags.
DIY Directional Chalkboard Sign
A Romantic Ceremony at Rogers and Baldwin
Kira wore a modified a-line lace wedding dress with a v-neck and cap sleeves.
Rustic Welcome Table
DIY Blue Escort Card Board
Rogers and Baldwin Historic Venue Reception
The table numbers looked like they were old library cards to keep with the literary theme. “All of the table numbers we chose were numbers that have special significance to our relationship, and we wrote little stories on each table number to explain them,” Kira says.
Mason jars were filled with baby’s breath and displayed on the reception tables with pillar candles.
Keeping with the literary theme, the menu cards were inspired by old book pages.
Kira and Kyle enjoyed a four-tier wedding blush buttercream wedding cake wrapped in twine and decorates with roses, baby’s breath and hypericum berries.
Kira and Kyle First Dance