Lisa Mende Design: Christopher & Mikel Ann's Wedding...

Recently I had the opportunity to attend one of the most unique and creative weddings! I thought you might enjoy seeing how a young woman's vision and hard work can evolve into a very special wedding day! The groom, his dad and brother also played a big part in this production as well. They were the muscle behind getting the spot ready for this quaint, yet lovely affair!

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we all enjoyed being guests.....

When Mikel Ann and Christopher first spoke of getting married in the woods by her family home, I don't think any of us could really grasp the vision she had for the event. After all, it was going to be in October and might be cold. Also, it was going to be in the woods at 5:30, wouldn't it be dark? There were many hours of thought and hard work that went into this wedding but as you can see the outcome was well worth the effort. It is one of the few weddings I have ever attended when I felt the bride and groom truly created their day. Every little detail was well thought out and executed.

The beautiful clearing made for the wedding ceremony

was straight out of one of Shakespeare's plays...

The simple drapery panels that blew in the breeze

created a sweet unpretentious backdrop for the vows.

The walkway was lined with photos of the bride and groom

from childhood til present, clipped on twine with clothespins.

One side had pictures of Mikel Ann as a child and the other had

pictures of Christopher and as you walked down the path,

it became pictures of them together..

At the end of the path of clothes pinned pictures were engagement pictures of the

couple framed and hung directly on the trees.

I took this of the photo on the tree, but it looks like i was taking a pic of the band...so much for my photography skills....oh well, hello guys!!! Can you still see the photo on the tree?

There was a gift table, complete with this awesome

vintage birdcage for cards...

We all loved the photo booth..there were funky glasses, hats, a chalkboard to write messages and all kinds of fun things to create a fun photo for the bride and groom...

The groom's brother, Kirk and sister, Holly

with their message to the couple...

photo courtesy of Kirk Mason

More well wishers....

photo courtesy of Kirk Mason

Probably my fav of the day, as far as the decorating,

was this sideboard with the wedding cake sitting out in the woods,

how sweet is this?

Here's a closeup... see the sweet little birds on top of the cake?

Tables were placed all through the clearing and

white lights formed a canopy overhead.

As the evening got darker, the canopy of lights got brighter......

Over our heads, hung these beautiful chandeliers,

handmade by the bride!

i will try to get a tutorial from her and post at a later date....

On the tables were various bottles and jars with flowers. Below is a jar with some of the ribbon wands we waved after the bride and groom were married...the bride made those as well....

Also on the table under the jars and vases was simple burlap squares and a little card that read

" take a jar with you when you leave and then you will have a "Mason" jar.

Their last name is Mason....