Yesterday I showed you the awesome fabric flowers Wendy of Milkpod Studio creates. Milkpod Studio came about as a direct result of Wendy not being able to find the flowers she wanted for her own wedding and having to create her own. Today I will show you her stunning, and largely DIY, wedding that took place in Gilbertville, Iowa, USA.
But first a proposal story! It’s rather long but I love them so you’re getting it!
An Engagement story by Steve (Wendy is the voice in brackets)
The first road trip Wendy and I took was the weekend after Valentine’s Day to New Hope, PA (it was actually an anti-couples road trip to discover bizzaro New Jersey). While we were checking out the town and surrounding area, Wendy discovered a castle she really wanted to visit that was built by some eccentric recluse about 100 years ago. So after a night of hanging out with the locals and drinking a bit too much (the locals were buying us shots), we headed over to see what this modern-day (amazing!) castle was all about.
Surprisingly, I found it really interesting. Wendy on the other hand had a pretty bad hangover (felt like I was going to throw-up or pass out any second) and ended up trying to sleep on chairs throughout the tour. Given her fondness for castles and beauty, I started calling her Pretty Pretty Princess on our way home. (In addition to him telling me of his dream to be a cattle farmer the night before, it struck me as profound that he would nickname me PPP while all hungover & crabby & not exactly in my best form!)
Fit for a princess
When I started thinking about proposing to Wendy, I knew I had to incorporate a castle and make the “event” suitable for a pretty pretty princess. Lucky for me, I found one in Central Park – who would’ve figured – named Belvedere Castle which overlooked the Great Lawn and a theatre playing Shakespeare. I figured this would be great. Two things that Wendy really loves – castles and the theatre. The question was, how in the world was I going to get her to a show in Central Park and not realize what was about to happen.
So I sat down one night and devised a plan with the help of my buddy Mike. I’d tell Wendy that we had tickets to see a Shakespeare play in Central Park (which unknown to Steve I’d been dying to see for years) and as we were going to the show, I would walk her up to the castle and propose.
Belvedere Castle
Awesome image courtesy of Mossaiq
A Central Park proposal
The morning of the engagement, Wendy and I walked to work just like we do every day. It was really hot and muggy so the fact that I was sweating at 8:30 am didn’t seem that weird. When we met up after work to head up to the “play” and I was still sweating, that seemed weird, but she didn’t catch on.
When we got to the theatre in Central Park, Wendy took a seat on some rocks (to people watch) and I headed over to the restroom so that I could prepare (he was driving me crazy being all fidgety & I just wanted him to sit down & enjoy the peaceful nature of the park). I got inside, put the ring in my pocket, wiped myself down and reviewed my “talking points” – I can’t help it … I’m in PR.
After coming out, I told Wendy that I discovered a castle behind the theatre. Wow! What a coincidence. I then suggested that we go check it out since we had time before the show started. At first, Wendy wasn’t that interested (again, I just wanted him to take a seat amongst the peace & calm of the park & enjoy the moment). After asking her to “entertain me,” we started walking up to the castle (I realized I was being really difficult for no reason & he was so cute & sincere about it).
The question
When we reached the castle, I brought her over to an open space that looked out onto the Great Lawn. I then started telling her how much I loved her and a bunch of other sappy things (such a sweetheart) that I can’t share with the larger group. Finally, I got down on one knee and asked Wendy to marry me. The 10 or so people standing around us started clapping (It was so sweet & thoughtful the way he related it to that first trip we took together since that is really when I fell in love with him!!)
And that day led to this one:
Awesome images courtesy of Wendy from Milkpod Studio and captured by Vision PhotoArt
The Americanness of the first two photos, the stunning church, the gorgeous couple, the shot of the wedding party looking like they’re an advert for the latest hit American drama, the awesome details… all make for an amazing set of wedding photos! And those flowers just look fantastic! The lone one in a glass cube for a centrepiece: so sweet. This wedding is such a brilliant example of how to have a big input into your wedding day and really make it your own.
Debs
Vendor Details:
Ceremony: Immaculate Conception Church
Reception: Waterloo Elks Lodge
Photography: Vision PhotoArt
Stationery: design by the bride, printing by Soho Letterpress
Dress: Kleinfeld’s Sample Sale – Romona Keveza
Menswear: Milroy’s Tuxes, BCBG Ties
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jim Hjelm, Jasmine, BariJay, JCrew, Watters
Wedding Hair & Makeup: Jiva Salonspa
Hairpiece: Leah C. Couture Millinery
Cake: Delicious Designs by Kathy Griese
Flowers: The bride’s very own Milkpod Studio
Cake topper, Tablescapes, CD Favors: the bride, her sisters & her mother
Music: playlists from the couple’s iPod
