A Simple, Elegant Wedding at a Private Residence in Owings Mills, Maryland

Even though they live in Chicago, Mandy Medura (34 and an autotransfusionist) and Jesse Medura (32 and a software developer) knew they wanted to have their wedding in Maryland, close to all their family and friends. When their friends offered their house in Owings Mills, Maryland, Mandy and Jesse knew it was the perfect place for their simple, elegant wedding. Lisa Robin Photography captured the intimate day filled with muted colors and DIY projects. "I wanted to say a lot by remaining understated," Mandy says. "The focus was meant to be on the bride and groom and the love and support of the guests." Keeping with the elegant style, Mandy designed her one-of-a-kind, Kenneth Winston wedding dress with a lace fitted bodice and a ball-gown style. The wedding's color palette -- white, gray, gold, silver and peach blush -- followed the simple wedding decor and were displayed throughout the day. Mandy spent a lot of time creating elements of the decor and shipped them from Chicago to Maryland throughout the year leading up to the wedding. She made the escort cards and hung them from a wooden framed twine display, and also created a black-and-white photo display with distressed frames. The wedding-day florist, Flowers, Petals and Gifts, incorporated white hydrangeas for all the wedding's arrangements, except for Mandy's bouquet and Jesse's boutonniere, which featured peach roses. "Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers because they are simple yet classy," Mandy says. Mandy and Jesse's entire wedding day, from the intimate setting and guest list to the DIY decor elements, was a direct reflection of them as a couple. "It was simple yet elegant, and highlighted our love for each other, our family and friends and our dogs," Mandy says. "I think every guest felt special because if they were there, they were key players in our lives."