by Jen Hart | Beach Weddings, Real Weddings
Heidi’s older brother, Luke, actually went to college with Kyle…whose name was always casually thrown around by the family whenever Heidi’s dating prospects were being discussed. She always thought the whole idea to be pretty far-fetched, considering the fact that they had never met, were never in the same state and had not even been single at the same time. In fact, they only met for the first time almost a full decade after Kyle and Luke’s graduation, when Heidi moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Annapolis, Maryland, with Kyle living just miles away, in Baltimore.
Shortly after Heidi moved, Luke convinced her to join him for Baltimore’s famous ‘Baltimore Bike Party’, where thousands of cyclists dress up in costume and cruise the streets and neighborhoods of downtown Baltimore: Kyle would be there. He noticed her borrowed bike and was quick to offer his assistance in finding her a new ride. It didn’t take long for Heidi to discover that Kyle wasn’t just quick to help her but that helping others was essential to his way of life. Kyle dedicates his life to improving the lives of homeless high school students in Baltimore County. In her heart Heidi knew that her family’s suggestions had been well founded…this was the type of person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with! Well, it was only a matter of time before Heidi got exactly what she was hoping for.
When the young couple was visiting the ‘Wonder Exhibit’ at the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC, Heidi happened to mention how cool it would be to get married in the fist installation they viewed…I guess you could only call it fate because just a few moments later she found Kyle down on one knee, proposing, with both their sets of parents (who he had secretly invited) snapping pics and taking videos in the background. It was an incredible moment for the whole family.
She happened to come across the ‘Holly’ lace dress from Dreamers and Lovers and fell instantly in love. Nothing, however, could have made her decision more clear than when, a day later, her mom (who is also her best friend) sent her a picture of the exact same dress
Speaking of fate…I found this dress-shopping story to be more than a little star-touched… Heidi had wanted her dress shopping experience to be as casual and as laid back as possible so she avoided the big-box stores and chose instead to find her inspiration online. She happened to come across the ‘Holly’ lace dress from Dreamers and Lovers and fell instantly in love. Nothing, however, could have made her decision more clear than when, a day later, her mom (who is also her best friend) sent her a picture of the exact same dress. Holly was the first, last and only dress she ever tried on and for Heidi there was never a doubt that it was absolutely made for her!
Looking at photo’s of the pair on their wedding day, I can only agree with Heidi: she looked magnificent with her gorgeous golden skin and her exquisitely detailed flower crown perfectly matching the embroidered cotton of the Holly Dress, she honestly looked like she’d stepped out of a dream!
When it came to wedding planning, Kyle would have been quite happy just to have the birds, the bees and their families as witnesses, whereas Heidi would have liked to invite the entire world. Luckily they found a healthy compromise, with Kyle inviting one or two guests…and Heidi inviting all the rest! They ended up inviting 85 guests.
The wedding venue, being in Annapolis, Maryland, was crucial to the pair. That was where they had really fallen in love. Both of them being water lovers, the Bay was where they’d spent time together and gotten to know one another. So they decided to get married at Heidi’s parent’s community beach in Annapolis (Cape St. Clair Community Beach), overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. They got married looking out over the water, with a harpist playing a combination of old and new wedding songs. The reception followed immediately after, right across the street at the beach clubhouse.
To Heidi and Kyle, adding small, personal touches wherever they could was a part of their focus. They included pictures of deceased loved ones along side their wedding decorations. They also kept their eyes open for inexpensive ways to express themselves creatively. They tried to use only vendors that they knew personally. Heidi’s uncle Hoyte (Wilhelm) married them, her friend Sarah Saxon did the photography, and Kyle’s friend DJ Gurf provided a personalized musical experience. The wedding party consisted only of the twin girls (Harper and Teagan) for whom Heidi is a nanny. They made the most precious flower girls and being very dear to Heidi, it was a real blessing to have them feature on the day.
The only reading done was of Corinthians 13.4. It was also very important to the couple that they write their own vows:
His favorite line was: “I know that together, our hearts and minds can move mountains, and I cannot wait to make the world a better place with you.”
Heidi’s favorite line from Kyle’s vow was: “I vow to create a life with you filled with love, passion, acceptance, creativity, and peace.”
One of the most sentimental details of the day, for Heidi and Kyle, were the dream catchers, which they hand, made and hung from the ceiling of the reception. The couple spent many a night and afternoon putting their love, creativity and energy into crafting them and at the end of the reception they encouraged guests to take one down so that they could hang up a small piece of the happy newlyweds in their homes.
The personal touches didn’t stop there…even the flowers and wild berries for the guests were all hand picked! A day before the wedding, the couple and an intimate group headed to a local pick-your-own farm in Woodbine, MD: Larriland Farms. They picked ample raspberries and blackberries to place on the tables at the reception, and then they strolled the wildflower fields searching for the perfect blooms for bouquets and centerpieces. Next to the wedding day itself, Heidi says this day was the most magical. I think this this is such a wonderful idea and an ideal way to add a personal touch whilst spending that little bit of extra time with loved ones!
The couple opted for a very traditional cake with butter cream frosting from Main Ingredient in Annapolis, MD. They decorated it with beautiful handpicked wildflowers.
focus on why you’re getting married and know that, provided you’re marrying your best friend, the day is already a resounding success. Cost and complexity doesn’t make the day more special, the rest is all just details
Heidi’s advice to other chilled out brides is this: focus on why you’re getting married and know that, provided you’re marrying your best friend, the day is already a resounding success. Cost and complexity doesn’t make the day more special, the rest is all just details. In fact, the simpler the wedding, the more you can focus on your friends, family and the lover standing across from you. Heidi felt that because they did simple things, which meant a lot to them as a couple, their guests got the opportunity to really witness their love.
The couple has just purchased an adorable little beach cottage in Chesapeake Bay, their very first home together. As their list of home renovations grows, so does their appreciation for one another. Heidi still works as a nanny and Kyle as a homeless youth advocate. They both delight in spoiling their rescue dogs, Leon and Biggie. They make a point of constantly surrounding themselves with friends, family, music art and love. We definitely wish them all of the best and undoubtedly more of the same. It was a pleasure being a part of their magical lives, even if only for a day!
See other brides wearing the lovely Holly Bohemian Off-Shoulder Lace Wedding Dress :
A California Wedding at the Casino – San Clemente
Amy + Nick’s Wedding
by Jen Hart | Real Weddings
Ellie & Liam’s wedding set in beautiful New Zealand is beyond gorgeous. We love the bohemian meets Spanish vibes thanks to the use of luxe deep reds. The reds seen throughout heightens the feel of romance and love.
The boho bride – Ellie – has shared some really great details about her days, and the important details surrounding her magical day. “It truly was the best day I have ever had and now I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend”.
More from the bride:
HOW THEY MET
Liam and I met when I was about 13 and was friends with his younger sister. I remember going over to their place & he just wanted nothing to do with us – I assume we were just annoying little girls to him! A few years later my friends and I started hanging out with Liam’s group of friends, I started to develop a massive crush on him – then a few years after that when I was 17 & he was 19 I finally built up the courage to start expressing my feelings and luckily he felt the same! 6 years later here we are!
THE PROPOSAL
We had talked about marriage in the past and we both knew we wanted to get married. I remember coming home one night & Liam said he would cook dinner – to anyone who knows him that’s already strange behaviour because I always cook. I knew something was up. There were candles and the lights were off and after we had finished eating he started to talk about us & how far we had come, how much he loved me. By this time I was already holding in tears then he got up walked over to me & got down on one knee and proposed! It was nothing too dramatic or theatrical – but it was perfect, it was just what we are like as a couple. Intimate, chill & down to earth.
THE VENUE
We aren’t religious, so I initially didn’t want to have the ceremony in a church, but we went out into Wellington one day to look at some venues and on the way home drove past Old St Paul’s in Wellington. We decided to go have a look and I just fell in love. It’s is just such a gorgeous building – I couldn’t not have it there! Luckily as it’s just classed as an historic building now, we were able to. It was breath taking. We decided to have the Reception at the Boatshed, we just loved the views on the waterfront and the big windows!
THE DRESS
I knew I didn’t want you typical princess wedding dress. I wanted long sleeves (it was a winter wedding in Wellington after all!) I looked for a long time, then I was on etsy.com and I found a little boutique shop in LA called Dreamers and Lovers, all their dresses were just gorgeous, then I found mine! I send them my measurements and about 6 weeks later received it! Looked even better in person than the photos!
THE DECOR
As it was a winter wedding I was really against any pastel colours, we decided to go for deep colours that would still stand out, so red roses felt perfect to me. I met with our florist Jane, at Bud Florists in Silverstream, Upper Hutt and pretty much just told her what flowers I wanted, what look I was going for and she came up with the most amazing bouquets and head pieces. They were beyond my expectations, just beautiful.
THE BRIDESMAIDS
My bridesmaids and myself stayed at the Museum hotel the night before the wedding so we woke up early, went and got breakfast & then it was time to start getting ready! I was surprisingly calm the whole time, then as soon as we arrived at Old St Pauls & I was waiting in the lobby I started to get really nervous. As soon as I walked out and saw Liam the nerves went away, it was perfect. I loved the ceremony so much I want to do it again!
THE PHOTOS
We went and got our photos done at the Botanical Gardens in Wellington, it was quite funny walking up to the duck pond and everyone staring at us! When we arrived at the Boatshed everyone was waiting and cheered for us, it was just so amazing seeing everyone we love there just to support us. The food was just amazing, we went with Nosh Catering and the just went above and beyond – they were just awesome. I truly had an amazing night.
We decided to go with Lumiere Studios (a very new company) for the photography, not just because they are amazing, but I used to work with one of them, so it felt more personal to me. They did such an amazing job at capturing the right moments, making the colours pop and just bringing the photos to life. They are all gorgeous that I can’t even pick a favourite. I was truly blown away by them.
THE HONEYMOON
We went to Bali for our honeymoon, a week before the wedding they had stopped all planes flying there due to the volcanic ash, so we were starting to worry that we wouldn’t be able to get there – but we must have had luck on our side as we got there & back just fine with no disruptions. I had an amazing time. We did all the touristy things like went to the Bali Safari Park, rode Elephants and went to the Monkey Forest – but we also went and saw the locals in their villages and learnt what they did for a living, we saw wood carvers, ladies making beautiful sarongs & scarfs and people who just sit and paint all day it was just such an experience. It’s an amazing place and I would definitely go back.
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Chic, Bohemian Wedding Dresses, Destination Wedding Gowns, Real Weddings
This breathtaking wedding currently featured on Green Wedding Shoes is a dream. The California wedding took place in an almond orchard, at springtime when the almond trees were in full bloom. This is a bohemian wedding dream. When we first saw the photos it literally knocked us off of our feet. We love the intimate feel, the bohemian touches, and the all out rustic elegant feel of Whitney and Zak’s wedding.
Whitney is wearing our Arabelle bohemian wedding dress, customized / made-to-measure. It is beyond stunning on her, and she is a seriously sensational bride.
According to the bride, the wedding took 2.5 months to plan, and it was a definite hit, as everyone in the social media world has been set ablaze with all her wedding day details. We personally loved the picnic style seating, and to learn that the bride’s mother personally hand sew each of the 75 tapestry pillows, elevates to an entirely new level. This is a true inspiration wedding for any bohemian bride-to-be, there are too many details to list, but you can find the full Green Wedding Shoes feature, complete with loads of photos and behind-the-scene details at
We wish Whitney and Zak only happiness and lifelong bliss. They are such a beautiful couple!
Photographed by: Josh Gruetzmacher
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Chic, Real Weddings
This wedding took place in London this past summer, and the lovely bride Laura wore the very bohemian dream-ers maxi lace dress with bell sleeves in white. Laura is a sweetheart and gave me access to the entire collection of the wedding photos. I chose to feature the ones showing the gorgeous couple. Although I did not include photos of the wedding guests and all the dancing and fun that were so tangible in the photos, it all came across very sweet, personal, fun and an overall relaxed vibe.
I was very intrigued by Laura’s description of her wedding:
“I started the process as reluctant bride, having not decided which category I wanted to fall in; Barbie bride, medieval bride or even American sweetheart bride! Once the date drew nearer I decided upon the 1970s hippy bride look, having fallen in love with Jenny’s dress when she married Forrest Gump many years ago!”
Forrest Gump for me was also a memorable movie, because in addition to crying my heart out, I was also in love with the intimate wedding captured in Forrest’s backyard. This movie did a number on me. I am sure if I watched the movie again, it would still pull at my heartstrings. Jenny, the bride in the movie, was a hippie at heart, and the dress she wore for her wedding was versatile, and one that could be translated today as a modern day dress for a free spirited bohemian/hippie bride.
Everything about Laura’s wedding is just perfect. It is amazing to me that she created exactly the wedding day she dreamt of. I am in love, and did I already say this?….hello gorgeous couple.
Laura, we are delighted you chose a dream-ers dress to channel your inner hippie. The why of everything she does just makes perfect sense. Case in point, one of the why behind the dress:
“Another pro of the loose fitting 1970s style, was it allowed me to scoff and guzzle wedding treats all day without worrying about an expanding waistline!”
And as she mentioned on her blog,
“The service was so fast from placing the order, to its arrival from America. As is the story of my life, it was purchased last minute and the creator of these perfect dresses couldn’t have been nicer to ensure the measurements were exactly right. It was a dream dress and the thrifty price tag made it even sweeter!”
Laura I love everything…. pure perfection, from the flower crown, to your happy bouquet, sandals and of course the dress. You both look so completely in love and I wish you both a happy life together.
Visit here to see Laura’s dress and other amazing hippie wedding dresses.
Laura’s incredible photos were captured by Natasha Cadman (http://www.natashacadman.com/)
