Melanie and Marco are one of those couples I just knew were perfect for one another the second I met them.  Both of them have huge, kind hearts and that carried through to their eco-friendly wedding day.  I often ask about what their colors or theme are going to be when I first meet a couple as it really helps me get a feel for what they want their overall vibe to be like on the wedding day.  Melanie and Marco said their inspiration was community and love with a homestyle vibe.  It was all that and so much more.  They really made this day about what’s important to them – friends, family, community, and their union.

The colors of the day were wine and navy and the couple skipped the traditional girls side and guys side wedding party and had both standing up on either side.

I am not an expert on sustainability, like the bride (she has her degree in it), but some of the things I know she did to make this an uber eco-friendly wedding day was to grow her own flowers as well as have the event at Heritage Prairie Farm.  This venue is a true working farm  and their constant efforts to maximize the land’s efficiency means more sustainable local food for their weddings, events, and the community.  They re-use vintage plates, and table settings, so there is always minimal waste and no straws or paper napkins were used. The couple also hired local vendors, where necessary, to reduce the carbon footprint.  I even brought in some of my favorite dahlias from my own personal garden to give to Melanie.  She used them for the card and bar area.  I really loved the whole “It takes a village” vibe of this day and it made for a joyous, happy party.

I loved this honest and from the heart advice from the Bride and Groom about their amazing eco-friendly wedding day so much I wanted to share them with you.

1. Describe 2-3 details of this event that were extra special to you. If it was a DIY project, share details of how you did that (if you wish).

Melanie:  I’m most proud of the way the flowers actually worked out. It began with over a year in preparation. The most important objective being their precise bloom time of September 17th, 2017. Some I started indoors in January, but most were planted in the spring. My little seedlings grew into gorgeous flowers. I had over fifty different species of plants grown in my backyard and two community garden plots. There were so many serendipitous wonders surrounding these flowers. Putting together bouquets and corsages was a very talented Mom, named Lauren, of one of my oldest and best friends. As she was putting together my bridal bouquet, she needed another leaf and behind her was my Una plant. The plant is named after my Great Great Great Grandma Una who started this dieffenbachia plant and passed down cuttings of it throughout 5 generations. Its green with white speckles and one leaf from Una was just the greenery needed to pull items bridal bouquet together. As the sunflowers started popping open a week before the wedding, I was getting nervous but we had an abundance of flowers and plants on harvesting day and the surplus filled my house like a bridal suite (a really messy one).

Another endeavor I decided to take on was my wedding cake. Originally we were just going to order cupcakes thinking it’d be a few hundred bucks. A Jewel wedding cake to feed 150 people was at least $499. That’s with that pretty (but not so tasty) fondant over the cake. It was not worth it to me. But as the wedding drew nearer-I felt strongly that desserts should be made by someone who cared about this incredibly important event. Besides, this was a once in a life opportunity to bake a wedding cake as a rookie. Namely me. Only I could be upset if it was ruined-if the bride likes it- then doesn’t everyone have to?  I looked up some videos on Youtube and Pinterest- and calculated how many hundreds of dollars I’d save by baking and freezing the cakes ahead of time and frosting them the night before. Michael’s has two whole aisles dedicated to cake decorating from three-tiered cakes with pillars to the simple stacked cakes –  anything was now possible. 

I knew my friends were talented at decorating and designing so I made some chocolate roses out of molds and whipped up some white frosting. I packed it all up for the hotel where my best friends would work their magic. Anything they do is beautiful, so there was not a lot of stress. They came through and the cake was delicious and beautiful! Just in case my risk did not pay off, my mom had arranged for lots of family to bring desserts to share. The dessert table was beautiful and all made with love.

The sprinkle of rain right before the ceremony.

The beautiful sunset that made awesome pictures.

The first look – it was a really special moment I’ll never forget. It wouldn’t have been the same with all of our family and friends there.

2. What 2-3 pieces of advice you can share with couples that are still in the planning process?

Marcos:  Drink moderately the night before – this applies to the groomsmen.

Have  the best man and the maid of honor next to you with all the details so people can ask them and not you so all questions can be forwarded to them. “Melanie where does this go? where can I put this?  Hey Marco, what are the bar open and closed times?”

Also, have plan B guests in case the Plan A guests can’t make it.(people in your closer circle) and if they don’t reply with their attendance early, HOUND THEM. That way your plan B guests have a greater chance of coming and not feel like seat fillers. (which they are and  will very well let you know it).

Melanie:  For outdoor weddings: Remember that whatever happens with the weather was how God wanted this beautiful occasion or how it was meant to be. The rain is like a christening while the sun rays are a pure blessing.

Even through clouds, the love you are declaring will be enough to brighten the skies. – Melanie

Pick out your personal priorities (one or two things) and focus on those.  If everything else falls apart, at least you’ll make sure those priorities are taken care of.

Work out details before the big day so you can go on autopilot in the actual wedding day and enjoy it.

Don’t be afraid to give family jobs to pull everything together.

3. Do you have a story (favorite memory) you would like to share about your wedding day?

Melanie:  It started drizzling right before our ceremony was going to start.  Just when a few umbrellas popped up, the sun came out and set the scene and the rain blew away.

Marco:  My mother is unable to stand for long periods of time (15 seconds tops). For our mother-son dance, she exceeded my expectations and danced with me for what seemed like an eternity. My brother noticed it as he was holding the wheel chair awaiting for my signal, in tears.

4. Who made the invitations?

Melanie:  My mom made the invitations and I made the programs. My Mom’s brother, my uncle Bill, drew a picture of the church where my parents were married for my parent’s wedding program over 30 years ago. He also sketched out Marcos and I living the farm life. Later, he sent us a beautiful landscape drawing of the trellis and farm fields of Heritage Prairie Farm.

Thank you to this couple for choosing Elite Photo to photograph this amazing Heritage Prairie Farm wedding day.  Enjoy!

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