When it comes to themed weddings, Mandy and Ryan’s rustic literary-themed wedding has quickly charmed its way into my heart as a favorite. From the polished navy blue and gray color scheme to Mandy’s incredible do-it-yourself talents, there wasn’t a single detail that wasn’t perfectly planned!
Mandy and Ryan recognized their shared passion for reading early on in their relationship. Ryan is an engineer and novice leather-craftsman, while Mandy is one of those uber creative types – an actress, singer, painter and all around craftress. And it was their joint love for reading and the outdoors that lent a helping hand when it was time to plan their wedding. Starting with a very contemporary, polished color palette of navy blue and gray, they gave their bridal party the freedom to choose their own looks within the scheme. We love how it came together with the brides in different lengths and textures, and the men all looking super dapper in tailored gray suits with brown accents!
Then, they found an amazing rustic venue in Mississippi – a converted duck hunting lodge, complete with wide open green spaces, cabins, ponds, and a wonderful barn that glowed with hundreds of strung lights.
Then Mandy got to work, crafting hundreds of origami flowers out of book pages, including her bouquet, the guys’ boutonnieres, and slipping a few into old vases and jars for centerpieces. The bridesmaids carried lanterns instead of bouquets, adding an extra twinkle of light from candles to their sunset ceremony. They designed an arch for the ceremony out of bookshelves, used excepts from their favorite books as vows, and even had a leather book-binding ceremony. Ryan even got into the DIY spirit by giving the groomsmen leather coasters and wallets he made himself.
At the reception, in lieu of a guestbook, guests circled special words in the dictionary and wrote messages to the couple based on the word they chose. They had a live band, old-fashioned pie instead of cake, and vintage teacups for gifts to the guests! We could go on and on about all the gorgeous design details, but why not just have a look for yourself at the album by Good Golly Photography!
They designed an arch for the ceremony out of bookshelves, used excepts from their favorite books as vows, and even had a leather book-binding ceremony.
They gave their bridal party the freedom to choose their own looks within the scheme. The bridesmaids carried lanterns instead of bouquets, adding an extra twinkle of light from candles to their sunset ceremony.
Photographer: Good Golly Photography
Wedding Gown from Barefoot Bride
Hair: Teresa Biggs
Makeup: Sephora
Band: Jeremy Shrader Band
Pies: Muddy’s Bake Shop
Venue: Mallard’s Croft
