A Simple, Rustic Wedding at Day Block Event Center in Minneapolis

Simplicity was key for newlyweds Jeremy Chacich (26 and an advertising executive) and William Ross Higgins (26 and a business development executive) while planning their rustic loft wedding at Day Block Event Center in the heart of Minneapolis. "We picked the venue because it was basically a blank slate," Ross says. "With [its] exposed brick, high ceilings, large windows and hardwood floors, it was the perfect place for our wedding." Armed with eight "groomsmaids" (decked in lace ModCloth dresses complete with pockets!) and a soft color palette of light green and blush, Jeremy worked closely with local vendors to make sure their day went off without a hitch. "We planned most of it ourselves to keep costs down -- plus, Jeremy is a bit of a perfectionist, so we only hired a day-of planner," Ross explains. During the couple's nonreligious ceremony in the spot's open loft space, both Jeremy and Ross created two side aisles rather than one center walkway. "We didn't want one of us walking down first since neither of us is a bride, and we didn't want a traditional gender role placed on one of us," Ross says. "Everyone walked down their corresponding sides at the same time." After a short vow exchange that included a Christian passage, Jewish prayer, Buddhist poem and Irish blessing, the newlyweds retreated to a cocktail hour before celebrating with dinner and drinks throughout the duration of the night. "Don't get us wrong -- everyone likes an excuse to wear a tux and act fancy," Ross says. "But we've been to our fair share of black tie weddings and it wasn't right for our day."