1. Real Weddings

A Vintage-Inspired Wedding at Morning Glory Farm in Monroe, North Carolina

Lauren White (26 and a pharmacy technician) knew she was going to marry Joshua Van Loftis (27 and an IT professional) after their first date. Three ye

Lauren White (26 and a pharmacy technician) knew she was going to marry Joshua Van Loftis (27 and an IT professional) after their first date. Three years later, they wed in a romantic, vintage-inspired affair at a working flower farm in Monroe, North Carolina. 

The October day kept a strong focus on family and personal details, all carefully planned and executed by Lauren and her family members. Throughout the couple's engagement, Lauren, her mother and her aunt scoured flea markets and thrift shops for vintage china pieces and antiques like books, globes and clocks to use for unique centerpieces and decorative vignettes. "I wanted it to be kind of eclectic," says Lauren, "so I looked for little things that struck a chord or reminded me of my grandparents or Van's family." 

Other relatives contributed their own china and heirloom quilts to display at the wedding. Van's grandfather, a pastor, officiated the ceremony. The day featured lots of DIY elements, from the paper goods (designed by Lauren's matron of honor) to the favors (granola and mixed CDs handmade by the couple). A true labor of love. —Michelle Thomas

Van proposed to Lauren with his grandmother's ring: a round-cut solitaire set on a gold band.
Lauren found her strapless A-line gown with tulle rosettes at a consignment shop.
For her "something blue," Lauren wore turquoise suede d'Orsay pumps by Betsey Johnson.
"I wanted the blusher because I had always pictured my dad pulling it over my head and kissing me to give me away, just like in 'Father of the Bride,' which we used to watch together when I was little," says Lauren.
Lauren topped her strapless gown with a lace coverlet from BHLDN.
The couple chose a rural flower farm for its picturesque ponds, horses and trees. "Since the scenery was already decorated with Mother Nature's own beautiful colors, we didn't have to add too much," says Lauren.
The October wedding was accented with in-season flowers and pumpkins in blue and white.
The groom and bride's seats were marked with signs labeled "Mr. Right" and "Mrs. Always Right."
Each table centerpiece was decorated differently for an eclectic look.
Lauren and Van made granola and mixed CDs to give to each of their 200 guests as favors.
What's a rustic wedding without pie? The couple served miniature pies, fresh-baked cookies and cupcakes during their reception.
The mother of the bride made this tassel garland using strips of colorful fabric, which hung at the DIY-filled reception.
Lauren and Van played up the fall season with a tiered white wedding cake with pumpkin and raspberry flavors.
The bride's youngest sister wore this apricot lace gown for prom, and Lauren loved it so much that she had her other two bridesmaids buy the same one for the wedding attire.
Lauren borrowed family heirlooms to use as reception decor, including the trunk her grandmother used to emigrate from Hungary, and quilts which belonged to Van's grandmother.
These vintage-inspired escort cards were hung on an old door.
The bride collected vintage books, globes and cameras at flea markets and thrift shops to use as centerpiece vignettes.
Each place setting featured mismatched vintage china that Lauren and her mother collected.
At the reception, the couple displayed photos of their parents and grandparents on their own wedding day.
Lauren's best friend and matron of honor designed these cards, which guests filled with advice and notes for the couple to read postwedding.
The guests blew bubbles to send off the newlyweds at the end of the evening.
The newlyweds drove off in a vintage convertible decorated with a retro "Just Married" banner complete with tin cans.