With the help of their friend and wedding planner Caroline Hartman, Nicole and Scott created an afternoon wedding that was simple, tasteful and relaxed.

“Our reception was very relaxed; we had a daytime wedding with no alcohol so the energy of the whole event stayed really light,” says Nicole.

Tables were topped with hydrangea and wildflower blooms and handmade accents such as paper pom poms, a whimsical heart curtain and a “Lovebirds” banner added a touch of whimsy to event.

By having an intimate wedding, Nicole and Scott were able to spend time with each and every one of their 70 guests.

Thanks to Jessica Castro Photography for the stunning photos!

Nicole, 29 & Scott, 35

Orlando, FL

Wedding Date: August 11, 2012

Number of Guests: 70

Wedding Cost: Around $9,000 without including the cost of rings and the honeymoon.

Wedding Ceremony Location: Loch Haven Neighborhood Center

Wedding Reception: Loch Haven Neighborhood Center

Topping multiple “Best of” lists for weddings, the Olde Mill Inn is tucked away in the natural New Jersey woodlands of Basking Ridge. The venue offers an array of luxurious backdrops on its 10-acre historical estate, ranging from dreamy English gardens to sun-drenched atriums; cozy confines to an elaborate ballroom. With four uniquely different rooms to choose from – plus the abundance of romantic enclaves throughout the property, it’s easy to see why the Olde Mill Inn is considered a Northeast gem.

Hunt Room & Pub

The Hunt Room is centered with a large stonewall fireplace and rich wood pub, which give off an air of Old World charm and timeless tradition. A wall of glass, draped in gold, opens up to the tented terrace where guests can mingle in the gardens and a gazebo during cocktail hour or the reception. Seats 120.

Fox & Hounds

A favorite for its airy, sun-drenched atrium, the Fox & Hounds room features an adjacent deck that overlooks the landscaped lawn and meandering stream. Seats 80.

Grain Room

The Grain Room is quaint and cozy with a distinguished brick wall fireplace etched by a handsomely beamed ceiling and adjoining deck. Seats 40.

The Grand Washington Ballroom

Perfect for larger parties, this room is intricately adorned with crystal chandeliers, wall sconces, antiqued glass mirrors, and finished with a beautiful hardwood dance floor and French doors that open out onto an enchanting English garden setting. Seats 240.

Photo One: Brad Ross Photography; Photo Two: Anne + Rich Photography

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You can purchase plant favors or you can make your own! In fact, DIY plant favors are super simple, and they can be surprisingly budget friendly!

When Megan and Jeffrey started planning their wedding, they knew exactly what they wanted: an intimate wedding with their nearest and dearest.

Fortunately, after a bit of hunting they found just the place for their small shindig; a local Italian Restaurant that fit their 60 person guest list perfectly.

According to Megan: “Andrew Michael is a restaurant in an older Memphis home with a really warm atmosphere and cozy feel! The moment you step in, you feel like you’ve walked into the home of a friend”.

Heather Hester Photography caught all of the breathtaking details on film.

Megan, 24 & Jeffrey, 27

Memphis, Tennessee

Wedding Date: October 12, 2012

Number of Guests: 60

Wedding Cost: $12,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Wedding Reception Location: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

One of the less than stellar side effects of wedding planning is the looming worry that something will go wrong. Nightmares consisting of ripped gowns, embarrassing guests, and misplaced rings often wake brides in cold sweat at night, but one very real horror story that happens too often to ignore involves wedding venues that unexpectedly close.

Less than a month ago, a venue in Bayville, N.Y. altered the plans of 25 couples who had booked their weddings at the waterside resort before the venue was unexpectedly shut down. Lawsuits are inevitable, but the worry at the moment is finding an alternative to host their guests and doing so without the chunk of change they put down as a deposit.

That same week in Phoenix, Arizona, 60 couples had to begin scrambling to find a new locale after another venue was abruptly foreclosed, with no refund in sight.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent this plan-altering scenario. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, it’s dangerous to put down a large sum without protection. Wedding insurance gives policy holders reimbursements when things go awry as well as a peace of mind, which, let’s face it, is priceless.

WedSafe is the top wedding insurance company in the U.S., and was founded by a couple who were unsuccessful in finding insurance protection for their own wedding against unpredictable illness, weather, no show vendors, damage to gifts, and to the bride’s dress.

The company, which has been around since 1999, offers two wedding insurance products that can be purchased individually or together as a package: Wedding Event Cancellation and Postponement and Wedding Liability Insurance.

Heaven forbid something happens, but if it does, make sure you’re protected.

 Photo: Shea Christine Photography

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