{Real Weddings} Molly & Kyle's Rustic Shabby Chic Military Wedding

Happy Wedding Wednesday, everybody! We hope you enjoyed the long Memorial Day weekend, if you're in the US, and took some time to be thankful for our military service men and women for all that they have done and continue to do for us. I have a few people in my life that were once military, and still are, and I constantly let them know how much I appreciate what they have done for our country.

For this week's featured wedding, I felt it fitting to highlight this beautiful couple, as the dashing groom is in the US Air Force.  They also wed in Arizona, which is where I live, and so it's great to feature another local wedding, captured by Studio 616, at a very cute venue called Whispering Tree Ranch.

This wedding is full of rustic shabby chic charm, which many readers know I adore! Molly, the lovely bride,
took the time to share with us about what all went into the wedding.  And, guess what?! She planned her wedding in 4 months, from very much afar, and was not in the US until 5 days before the wedding! Can you imagine? Read on to see how she was able to pull it all together, and the other details of her beautiful day.

One thing to point out, that you shall soon see, she found a dress that let her beautiful tattoos be front and center! I love that, and I love all that went into their "best day ever".

I'm turning it over now to Molly, to share with us the details to her and Kyle's beautiful day:

The Meeting & The Proposal

My best friend was marrying his best friend, we were both in the bridal party of their wedding. At the time he was stationed in Italy (US Air Force) so it was a long distance relationship from the start as I was living in New Hampshire at the time.

He proposed the night he came back to the states from Italy. We hadn't seen each other for 3 months and the night he landed he proposed.

The Planning Process

I was living in England the entirety of planning the wedding up until I flew to Arizona, 5 days before the wedding was to take place! I found the venue online, booked the caterer, bartender, photographer and makeup/hairstylist all through email and phone calls. Everyone was astonished at how I planned a wedding in 4 months without ever physically seeing the venue or meeting any of the people of the hired services! 

At the day of the wedding, when the vows were done and the dancing was commencing I sat and looked around and was just in awe at how well the wedding came together, and I wouldn't have been able to pull it off if I didn't have such a terrific mother, maid of honor, and bridesmaids! They truly were the backbone to the whole day! I picked the venue, hired the bartender and caterer to make sure that the day of the wedding was available, and then started I dive into decorating. Luckily enough I was a bride in the age of Pinterest!

Our Vision & The Venue

Our venue, Whispering Tree Ranch, was very vintage chic with a bit of country in it, which fit exactly with our vision. We were basing our color off of my husbands Air Force dress blues, which lead us to the blush dresses. We had gold accents through to add a bit of sparkle into the warm color scheme.

Whispering Tree Ranch was intimate, yet held the 100 guests that we had attend. The venue owner was very active and helpful with recommendations on the tend and catering, and was understanding in me not being in the country for most of the planning! It was the perfect vintage chic that I was looking for, at a very friendly price!

The Dress

The search to find my dress was intimate. I only had my mom come with me, and we went to David's Bridal. It was a very simple dress. I went in thinking I wanted a mermaid and walked out with a ballgown! It was an ivory, that sat nicely just above my waist. It had a muted sweetheart neckline, and ruched at the top. I purchased a petticoat to add the extra flair it needed! It took only 4 dresses to find "the dress". I was shocked at first but it was the dress that was the most appealing to my shape and I couldn't be happier! I think the most difficult accessory to find was the sash, which turned out to be a rhinestone/pearl belt purchased off etsy. It was the perfect amount of sparkle needed for the dress as it was very modest with no embellishments!

The Bridesmaids

My maid of honor was Felicia, and my bridesmaids included Cheri my sister, Christine my sister in law, and Hillary who was the friend that was getting married where I originally met my now husband! As I was living in England, and they all lived in different states ( NH, AZ, NV, and MA!) It was too difficult to find a store and have them all try on the same dress so I found 15 styles that I liked on a website and sent the links to the girls and each bridesmaid chose the dress they wanted! Each dress was in the same color, just a different style! I was glad to do it that way so then all my girls were comfortable in what they were going to wear all day!

The Savvy Details

A big theme of the wedding was DIY. As I was living in England (where my husband is currently stationed) during the planning process I had to lean heavily on my awesome bridesmaids !! Our centerpieces consisted of a wood slab, large glittered table number made by my bridesmaid, and 2 mason jars. One mason jar had blush and white roses with babies breath and the other mason jar had 3 stems of hydrangeas, and a pillar candle. A simple centerpiece but made a statement. 

My husband made a " best day ever " banner that was hung in the tree that we stood under saying our vows. For our favors we put a handful of Hershey's hugs and kisses in a tulle bag and wrote "hugs and kisses from the mr and mrs" . The bridesmaids bouquets were a mix of daisies and babies breath put together by the terrific wedding venue owner! As a place card we put a single rose with the persons names tied to the rose on the dinner plate. 

All flower arrangements were DIY excluding the bridal bouquet and toss bouquet. We had a small cake made by a baker that was vanilla with buttercream that my husband and I could cut. Then we had a "dessert bar" including a red velvet cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, cherry pie, apple pie, assorted cookies, assorted fruits, and cake pops! All dessert except for the pie and cookies were prepared by the bridesmaids and a family friend.

Vendors & Advice

I can't say enough about my venue, Whispering Tree Ranch located in Laveen AZ just outside of Phoenix! A breathtaking venue, with the most helpful venue owner and staff. Also my photographers, Studio 616, based in Arizona, but they do destination, as well! They captured our day marvellously, and were highly recommended to us through a friend. We couldn't be happier with the pictures, and our family shared our feelings. They made us very comfortable, let us take what photos we wanted, and had some great ideas that turned out fabulously. It is a day we want to remember forever, and we will be able to look back on it now with a smile thanks to our photographers!

What a sweet wedding for a sweet couple! I'm so happy for them that everything came together so beautifully, given they were not even in the country to plan everything. Technology was definitely on their side, including Pinterest! 

I said this at the top of the post, but I love that Molly let her tattoos show, rather than cover them up. Her dress was beautiful, and worked perfectly for her, and fit in well with the ambiance of the venue. I also love the "best day banner" above the ceremony spot...with that chandelier! Love when outdoor chandeliers are used, and with a burlap banner it is quintessential "shabby chic". 

Our thanks to Studio 616 for sending your work our way, and a special thanks to Molly for sharing your story, planning and details with our readers! Congrats to you both, and best wishes on where your journey may to you next! 

Vendors:

Photographer: Studio 616//Venue: Whispering Tree Ranch//Flowers & Cake: DIY