Natural Willowside Wedding

Erick and I grew up in the small town of Tonganoxie, Kansas, but didn’t end up crossing paths until the Fall of 2009 at Pittsburg State University. We were just teenagers when we met as freshmen but sharing life’s experiences brought us closer together. We made many memories throughout our years at college and quickly fell in love.

In September of 2014, Erick and I moved into our first home together. We both wanted the next step to be marriage, so I had the feeling that a proposal was coming. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, and my birthday all passed to no avail. It was now spring and still no ring.

It finally happened on June 17th, 2015. A Wednesday, which I would have never expected. Erick called me on his way home from work as usual and told me he was going to stop by the grocery store to grab us dinner. That wasn’t something he would normally do, but I didn’t think it was weird because we enjoyed grilling out during the summer. We both got home from work and Erick made a delicious dinner. After dinner, we decided to relax on the couch. The next thing I knew, Erick had gone to the bedroom, grabbed the ring box and came back to the living room. He got down on one knee, said the sweetest words and gave me the most beautiful ring. It was unexpected, natural, and so very sweet.

Planning the wedding came naturally to me. I work in the fashion industry and have always had the need to be working on a creative project, so wedding planning fit right in. Like most girls, I’ve dreamt about my wedding for years.  When it became my time, I was more than prepared for my “One Day, Someday” Pinterest board. We wanted our wedding to be whimsical, romantic, and lovely; but I also wanted to infuse some of my personality by adding some embellished and glamorous elements to our Natural Willowside Wedding.

We incorporated lots of flowers and greenery including peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus. Gold chargers and mercury glass votives balanced with natural touches of wooden crates, wine barrels, and lanterns. I made craft-paper thank you notes and garnished each one at the place settings with rosemary. I planned our entire wedding and would do it again tomorrow if I could, I absolutely loved every second of it. 

Six years had passed before we became husband and wife. We are now happily living in our first home together, in the town we grew up in with our two fur babies, Brantley and Brinkley.