A Romantic Garden Wedding with Whimsical Foraged Blooms & Berries

An intimate garden party amongst nature's charming splendor

Natalie and Kyrell’s wedding unfolded like a modern garden fairytale – intimate, artful, and brimming with intention. The day felt alive with texture and color, where blooms seemed to emerge naturally from every corner and sunlight poured gently through the greenhouse panes. The atmosphere carried that effortless magic you only get when thoughtful design meets genuine joy. An organic world of soft blush, buttercream, and green, with sculptural arrangements felt airy and refined. Every detail had a purpose: handmade paper menus topped with single blooms, a glowing candle, vintage glassware, and a tablescape that felt like an extension of the surrounding garden. Natalie’s bridal look echoed the aesthetic – timeless with a playful edge while Kyrell’s James Bond–inspired tux elevated the celebration with sharp, confident charm. Together, their day blended thoughtful design with heartfelt moments, creating a celebration rooted in beauty, connection, and intentional storytelling.

A Romantic Garden Wedding with Whimsical Foraged Blooms & Berries

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Our story began freshman year of college, in a class I’ll never forget — “Dr. Happy Thank You.” Somehow, Kyrell and I ended up in every single class together. One day after class, he asked for my number while wearing his signature purple Adidas jumpsuit — a moment that still makes me smile. We’d hang out on the weekends, always as friends — listening to 6lack on repeat and eating Domino’s. Looking back, we always say how wild it is that we ended up dating — but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. What started as a friendship slowly blossomed into something more after graduation. We both moved back to our hometown in Illinois, and not long after I got a job in Michigan, Kyrell followed me — and the rest is history.

^{The Proposal}

Kyrell proposed in our hometown of Chicago on New Year’s Eve — and it was completely unexpected. He told me that his friend wanted to practice videography skills and asked us to model, so I thought it would just be a fun little photo opportunity. But when I turned around, there he was, down on one knee. It was the sweetest surprise, and I couldn’t stop smiling. We ended the night celebrating with Michelin Star burgers and a margarita — two of our favorite things — the perfect way to start the new year together.

^{The Engagement Ring}

I actually spotted my engagement ring years before Kyrell proposed, and I knew right away it was the one I wanted. When we got serious, I casually sent him a picture of it — mostly as a joke, but also dropping a little hint. I had always wanted something unique and fun that could be stacked, and the Catbird Vena Amoris fit perfectly. Designed by Blanca Monrós Gómez, it’s a beautiful marquise-cut double-band ring with the Catbird wedding band in the middle, engraved with our wedding date. Every time I look at it, it feels personal, playful, and completely “us.”

Our Wedding

^{Our Vision}

Our vision for the wedding was an elegant garden dinner party — an intimate celebration in the state where we met, surrounded by just 14 of our dearest immediate family members. We wanted it to feel like a garden party where flowers seemed to grow straight from the ground and the atmosphere felt warm, joyful, and full of love. We blended that natural charm with an understated elegance, creating a day wrapped in blooms, sunlight, and thoughtful details that felt uniquely ours. Filled with family traditions, incredible food, and the people we cherish most, it was the perfect reflection of us. We wanted to be present and enjoy every moment together, and it naturally unfolded into a lake cabin weekend filled with bonfires, board games, and late-night laughter. To make it even more special, we gave our family a dress code: floor-length gowns in soft yellows, pinks, and greens for the women, and sharp, James Bond–inspired tuxedos for the men — and everyone delivered beautifully.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

From the moment we started planning our out-of-state wedding, we knew we needed a team we could trust — and we hit the jackpot. Emily and the team at Stella Luna Events kept us completely at ease, making the day run flawlessly while setting up in just an hour. Our vendors — from Hyssop Florals and Violet Flour to Green Fork and Relations Coffee — brought our vision to life with whimsical florals, a pistachio-fig cake, a four-course meal, and amazing coffee. Mckenna Long captured every moment in her documentary style, telling the story of our day as it unfolded and allowing us to fully enjoy every magical detail.

^{The Location}

We chose Michigan, where we first met, and discovered the Glasshouse Community in Zeeland — the perfect backdrop for our whimsical garden wedding. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like we had wandered straight into a Studio Ghibli film. We stayed at a lakehouse in Saugatuck, Michigan, for the weekend — a cozy cottage overlooking the water, surrounded by artful sculptures and the quiet beauty of nature. It’s where we shared our first look, an intimate moment that felt peaceful and grounding before the celebration began. The house became our home base for the weekend, where our family stayed together, sharing meals, laughter, and slow mornings by the lake — the perfect setting for such a meaningful weekend.

^{The Ceremony}

Our ceremony took place on the grounds, surrounded by trees and a pond with ducks, amid a mist of fresh blooms that looked like they were growing straight from the earth. Kyrell’s dad officiated, and his grandmothers were our flower girls, surrounding us with love alongside our parents, siblings, and grandparents. We walked down the aisle to “Godspeed” by Frank Ocean, performed live by a trio of piano, violin, and saxophone — creating a truly magical soundtrack. We also honored family traditions: our mothers placed the lasso, we lit a white Oaxacan unity candle used in traditional Mexican weddings, and we jumped the broom to symbolize the start of our life together.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

We wanted to savor every moment of cocktail hour, so right after we said “I do,” we walked down to Jubilee, where the smooth notes of the saxophone welcomed us. Our guests followed, enjoying Lychee Margaritas and Pistachio Lattes, and indulging in delicious appetizers — Parmesan Crisp Bites with Boursin Cheese, Salmon Lox topped with dill and capers, and cucumber purée — while taking photos in front of our custom backdrop. It was a quiet, joyful moment, soaking in the family we had become.

^{The Reception}

For our reception, we wanted the tablescape to feel like an extension of the garden — soft, organic, and alive. Beneath the glasshouse canopy, the air was filled with the scent of fresh blooms and our favorite Boy Smells candle, which became our signature scent for the night. Hyssop created the most stunning florals — airy, sculptural arrangements in soft shades of blush, buttercream, and green, with orchids, sweet peas, celosia, and wild stems that looked as if they were growing straight from the table. Each place setting featured a custom four-course menu designed by Hyssop on organic paper, topped with a single bloom, while our unity Oaxacan candle glowed gently at the center of the table.

We worked closely with Chef John and Tiphani to curate a menu that felt like us — starting with sous-vide beets with chèvre buttermilk dressing, followed by crab cakes over tomato tartare, a perfectly cooked beef filet with thousand-layer potatoes, and ending with a black sesame Bavarois Dacquoise and fennel ice cream. Our parents and siblings gave heartfelt speeches that brought us to tears before we cut our pistachio-fig cake to “Me Formidable” by Charles Aznavour. We ended the night dancing under the string lights to “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R. — the perfect close to an evening that felt timeless and entirely our own.

^{The Special Touches}

Every detail of our day was personal and intentional, filled with touches that reflected who we are. Our white Oaxacan floral unity candle glowed at the center of it all, beside a silver swan tray that carried our rings and handwritten vows. My floral bouquet, designed by Hyssop, later transformed into a flower purse — a whimsical detail that felt both playful and sentimental. The lasso that united us was made of fresh greens by Hyssop, symbolizing growth and connection. We sipped from silver coupe glasses at our grazing tables, ate fresh berries, and toasted with vintage Boopie glasses that I sourced myself.

A Romantic Garden Wedding with Whimsical Foraged Blooms & Berries

Custom fans waited on each seat for the warm summer day, alongside a white backdrop adorned with fresh blooms for photos and swan matchbooks for guests to take home. Our love for coffee inspired a custom coffee bar, and my mom surprised me with a three-tier veil handmade in her native country of Guatemala — a piece I’ll treasure forever. As the night came to a close, we walked out of the glasshouse beneath a sky of sparklers and stars, ending the day exactly as it began — full of joy, intention, and love.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

Our favorite moment was all of it — every second felt intentional and full of joy — but if we had to choose just one, it would be our ceremony. Having Kyrell’s dad marry us was incredibly special, and reading our personal vows felt like opening our hearts to everyone we love. Those words captured the journey of our relationship and offered a glimpse into the bond we’ve built together. We were both so nervous that we could barely get the words out, but that only made the moment even more real and unforgettable.

A Romantic Garden Wedding with Whimsical Foraged Blooms & Berries

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For my wedding look, I wore the Agapé dress by Watters with removable sleeves. I wanted my look to feel timeless, elegant, and comfortable — something that reflected my style without feeling overdone. I really wanted to make the most of wearing my gown since, realistically, you only get to wear it once. For my “second look,” I removed the sleeves and added a handmade neck scarf, giving it a fresh, effortless twist. I paired the dress with pearl drop earrings for a classic touch, Ypres heels from Australia featuring a unique silver heel, a three-tier manta veil, and a vintage silver shell purse — the perfect blend of sophistication and sentiment.

^{The Groom Looks}

Kyrell’s tuxedo was a complete surprise to me — I let him choose whatever he wanted. He went with a classic tuxedo featuring a cummerbund, boutonniere, and bow tie, giving total James Bond energy. He paired it with his gold watch and the custom cufflinks I gave him that morning, engraved with a little drawing of us — a small detail that made his look feel even more special.

^{Our Bridesmaid’s & Groomsmen’s Looks}

We didn’t have a bridal party, but my sister was my maid of honor. She wore an Alfred Sung strapless yellow metallic jacquard column gown that perfectly complemented the garden setting. The color caught the light beautifully and tied in effortlessly with the soft, whimsical tones of the day, making her look radiant among the blooms. My husband’s brother stood beside him as his best man, also wearing a classic tuxedo. Together, they looked timeless and refined.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Our best advice for the planning process is to take your time — especially if you have a year or more to plan. Set up weekly check-ins with your partner and divide the to-dos so it feels like a team effort rather than a task list. When it comes to vendors, narrow your options down to two or three per category to avoid overwhelming yourself. Once you’ve finalized your mood board, step away from social media — it’s so easy to second-guess your vision when you keep scrolling. Most importantly, stick with what you love and what fits your budget; the day will feel so much more meaningful when every choice truly reflects you.

^{For On The Day}

For the day of your wedding, our biggest advice is to slow down and truly enjoy each moment. Don’t stress over trying to perfect things that can’t be changed — the beauty is in how the day unfolds naturally. Trust your team; you hired them for a reason, and letting go will allow you to be fully present. One of our favorite parts of the day was the quiet morning we spent together, drinking coffee and looking out over the lake before everything began. Taking that time to pause and just be with each other set the tone for the entire day — calm, grounded, and full of gratitude.

^{For Post-Wedding}

Take time to rest. The days after can feel strange — like you should still be doing something — but that’s exactly when you should slow down. Spend time with your new husband, enjoy the quiet moments together, and let it all sink in before life picks back up again.