1. Real Weddings

A Vibrant DIY Wedding at Virginia Beach Resort Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Mari Pizarro (33 and in vehicle sales) and Mike Lambert (31 and in IT) had a totally DIY wedding at Virginia Beach Resort Hotel in Virginia Beach, Vir

Mari Pizarro (33 and in vehicle sales) and Mike Lambert (31 and in IT) had a totally DIY wedding at Virginia Beach Resort Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The beachfront ceremony took place under a DIY arch that the couple made, and they lined the ceremony aisle with hanging mason jars filled with white hydrangeas. Mari and Mike created their own sand-unity ceremony, so they could include their children and truly unify their family. The following reception featured tons of chalkboard signs in blue and yellow. There was a chalkboard sign inviting guests to sign the puzzle-piece guest book, which featured one of Mari and Mike's engagement photos. A similar chalkboard sign asked guests to write marriage advice for the newlyweds. One chalkboard sign showcased the neon glow sticks that lit up the dance floor later in the night, and another had bubbles for guests to blow at Mari and Mike's exit. These signs were a fun touch that brought together all the personal aspects of the wedding. Mary Alice was there to capture all the details at Mari and Mike's wedding. See all that and more, below.

Blue and Yellow Chalkboard Wedding Program
Mari's bridesmaids dressed in strapless, knee-length aqua dresses and carried yellow calla lily bouquets. They also had yellow parasols for the bright summer ceremony. Her junior bridesmaid wore the same dress in sand and carried a blue parasol that coordinated with the bridesmaid dresses.
The bridesmaids wore pretty barefoot sandals that were perfect for the beach ceremony.
The aisle at the beachfront ceremony was lined with blue mason jars wrapped in twine that were hanging from shepherd's hooks. These jars were filled with white hydrangeas.
Mari and Mike included their children in the sand-unity ceremony by having three types of sand that they mixed together in one vase. They labeled the vases with "his," "hers" and their children's initials.
The ceremony took place on the beach at Virginia Beach Resort Hotel. Mari and Mike exchanged their vows under a wooden pergola that was draped with white fabric and decorated with pink lilies.
Instead of a traditional guest book, Mari and Mike had their guests sign pieces of a puzzle that featured one of their engagement pictures.
Mari and Mike invited their guests to write pieces of marriage advice on slips of paper and place them in a large glass jar to share them with the newlyweds.
Mari and Mike provided their guests with neon glow sticks to wave around as a fun prop for the dance floor.
Guests were provided with small vials of bubles to blow at the Mari and Mike as they exited their wedding festivities.
For dessert, Mari and Mike served their guests a buttercream wedding cake that was decorated with yellow calla lilies. Inside, the cake was flavored vanilla with Nutella filling.