An Urban Loft Wedding at Aria in Minneapolis, Minnesota

After meeting at a bar through a mutual friend, newlyweds Jodi Underwood (32 and an advertising project manager) and Steve Searl (34 and a Dean of Students at an elementary school) didn't realize how quickly they had fallen for one another. "We met in August, and by January we were discussing engagement rings," Jodi says. Steve worked with a local jeweler to create Jodi's dream ring, only to propose in April by stashing the canary-colored diamond in the top drawer of her dresser. "I went to put my jewelry on and there was the ring, sitting in the drawer waiting for me," Jodi says. "When I turned around, Steve was down on one knee." With an urban, city wedding in mind, the two set out to plan a loft ceremony and reception complete with plenty of pops of gold. "I'm obsessed with the color, so I paired it with gray," the bride says. Gold accessories like framed signs and letterpress invitations added an element of elegance to the day -- including a gold-dipped bouquet created by the bride's stepsister and owner of Asrai Garden in Chicago.  "She generously offered to do the flowers -- creating them in Chicago and driving them to Minneapolis," Jodi says. "She created this stunning bouquet filled with gold-dipped flowers and feathers." After Jodi and Steve tied the knot against a backdrop of exposed brick, the newlyweds celebrated with 250 guests in the venue's vast, open space. "The part of the day that reflected us best was definitely the ceremony," Jodi says. "We found our officiant, Leslie Ann Johnson of Positively Charmed, and she really listened to our story in order to customize our ceremony. It was absolutely beautiful and I think our guests could really feel all of the love that was present."