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A Real Bride’s Rustic Mountain Wedding

We love it when our real brides have had a hand at incorporating DIY projects as part of their wedding day. With a deep appreciation for nature and the great outdoors, the incredible wedding day moments of this special couple is shared and expertly captured by Liz Herget of Hergert Photography.

Like our {Real Bride} A Handmade Vintage Romance Wedding Theme feature, feast your eyes on this eco-friendly wedding inspired by the natural surroundings.

The Venue

Set amongst the vast lakes, forests and mountains of the Lower Lakes Ranch in Colorado, the heavens smiled down in sunrays blessing the start of this beautiful Summer’s day, June 30th, 2012.

Meet Andrew & Lauren

Say hello to Andrew and Lauren. A unique outdoorsy couple who share a unique love. Having met through MySpace, the online social network, they clicked, sparks flew and their relationship blossomed over several happy years. Then, one day while hiking up to Hanging Lake and upon reaching a beautiful waterfall set on a snow bank, Andrew popped the big question to Lauren!

The Rustic DIY Wedding Ceremony

With its beautiful outdoor areas perfect for wedding ceremonies, this Colorado Rocky Mountain Ranch was the couple’s ideal choice.

It can be said that Lauren wore a wedding ring that is quite unlike many other brides. Foregoing diamonds, stones or metals, the outside of her ring was created from wood estimated to be around 50,000 years old and the inside was made using pieces of a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur’s skull.

Andrew and Lauren exchanged their vows outdoors under a white canopy that was decorated with bare tree branches and white voile. For different wedding canopy and arches to consider for your wedding ceremony, take a look at our feature on 15 Wonderful Wedding Canopy & Arch Ideas.

The Rustic Colorado Wedding Reception & DIY Decor

In addition to the sweet love shared between Andrew and Lauren, the best part of this wedding was the one-of-a-kind decorations, many of which were created by the couple and their loved ones. Hanging decorations such as these mason jars filled with flowers and water were displayed both at the wedding ceremony and on the tables at their reception. Refer to our 17 DIY Baby’s Breathe, Burlap & Lace Wedding Ideas for DIY tips for these hanging flower jars.

Using wood from old trees, Andrew created these unique rustic tea candle holders for their table decor. Handmade soap made from natural ingredients and adorned with material ribbon and a note, were presented to their guests as a wedding favor.

The couple had a wooden puzzle piece ‘guest book’ that resembled a beautiful tree. Guests could each select a puzzle piece and write their messages on it. This is a great guest book idea as once their wedding is over, Andrew and Lauren can build their puzzle – piecing their well-wishes together and framing it as a keepsake of their wedding day. Their decor also consisted of tall vases that were filled with blue sand and that had their wedding date marked on it.

Andrew and Lauren enjoyed an intimate and fun first dance at their wedding reception hosted inside a barn venue.

The Rustic Wedding Look

Andrew and Lauren’s wedding day look was understated, rustic and as beautiful as their surroundings. Lauren was dressed in an off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline wedding gown that was designed by Something New Boutique. Her bridal bouquet was a floral amazement of bright colors and textures, which were created by Secret Window Floral Studio. Lauren’s hair was styled into an updo and adorned with a birdcage veil that was made by a friend.

Lauren wore a necklace that was sentimental to the adventures that Andrew and her had enjoyed throughout their relationship.

A perfect fit for their wedding theme and venue location, Lauren wore a pair of brown cowboy boots.

Her bridal party were dressed in matching teal blue dresses with contrasting orange and yellow bouquets.

On the lapels of their waistcoats, Andrew and his groomsmen wore boutonnieres inspired by the their natural surroundings.

The couple’s two much-loved dogs, Luna and Juneau, fitted perfectly as part of their wedding day, from ceremony to reception.We wish Andrew and Lauren many sweet, happy and unique adventures together for their journey ahead. Much love to them and to Liz Herget of Hergert Photography for sharing the details and photos of their extraordinary DIY rustic wedding day. Check out their lovely list of vendors below.

For more real DIY wedding inspiration, take a look at our 30 Beach Themed Wedding Projects & DIY Inspiration.

And if you’re keen to show how you’ve pulled off the wedding of your dreams and be featured as our next Real Bride, submit your photographs and pretty projects here – we’d LOVE to consider your love story and DIY ideas!

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