An Interior Designer's Outdoor Wedding

I know that the average person would have very high expectations for a designer's wedding. They would expect that every detail would be meticulously planned and all of the decor, food and favors would be exquisite and unique. However, this designer has been so busy with her clients and business ventures, that her wedding reception is now only three months away and nothing other than the location and photographer, have been attended to!
When Eric and I became engaged last spring and began discussing our wedding, I told him that I had always wanted a fall, outdoor wedding. I grew up on a farm and my family ran a horseback riding stable for the Bedford Springs Resort in PA. I love country living and knew that my dream wedding would be in a sweet little country setting. Well it just so happens that Eric's parents own a beautiful, 300 acre mountain lodge that could host the most beautiful of weddings and we were both certain that we wanted to exchange vows there. However, there was one problem. The lodge was used for about 2 months each fall for the hunters in the family. We knew we wanted to get my boys settled into their new school that fall and couldn't put the wedding off until the following spring and be "living in sin" for all those months in between! So we decided to exchange vows in October, in our own home and have a small ceremony and reception including our brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and our best of friends- at the lodge in the spring. A bit unconventional, but it worked for our purposes. We were able to get the boys established in their new schools and be legitimately married in the fall. Now that spring is nearing, I find myself overwhelmed with family and work and with a big lack of time for the planning! I spent a bit of time yesterday trying to gather ideas and came up with a few, however I would absolutely love your input on these ideas and any suggestions otherwise!

 

This is Breeze Mountain Lodge- owned by Eric's parents

There is a pond just below the house, but after the water disaster I showed you in my last post, I think I'll be steering clear of the pond! This is actually much prettier in the spring and summer with the trees in full bloom!

 

Isn't this little sign cute? Coutesy of Country Living

Courtesy of Style Me Pretty  

I know I want a sweet little arch...must be made of wood and be very organic. Nothing overdone!

Needs a little greenery on the arch, but the shape and material is a good start! Hoping my wedding morning isn't foggy like this...and definitely not raining. We would have to cram 50 people inside the lodge in that case!

Isn't this sweet for the seating? Although our vows will be very short so we might have folks stand around us for the five minutes that might involve.

Simple elegance

Isn't this sweet? I'd be afraid my guest might not like the straw bale seating, but I love the table settings. What are your thoughts on the straw bales? 

I kind of like the idea of a picnic theme, but maybe with pretty green linens that dress it up a bit.

It will be difficult to get a caterer to come out to the location, so we might be making the food ourselves. Picnic style might be perfect. What do you think?

Oh! I love this table setting...and look at those pretty pies! Style Me Pretty 

I would love to serve pretty little cupcakes like these! 

Lemonade and tea served in old fashioned style! Country Living  

 

A simple bouquet- Country Living 

Green Wedding has these sweet favors! I love the idea of a green wedding!

 

Potted herbs would be a nice favor. Or even this sweet little decoupaged box with some soaps or mints inside. Courtesy of Country Living

Please, please, please! Share your thoughts on these ideas- be honest! And send some additional ideas my way. I have three months to go, two businesses to run, four kids and we're still building our house. I can use all of the help that I can get! I'm a pretty laid back, country girl at heart and can roll with the punches and laugh at myself...so I'm open to all ideas. I just want this reception to be a relaxed, pretty and romantic way for our families and friends to celebrate our love and get to know one another better. The simpler, the better!

What have you got?