My 'Farmgirl' Wedding- August 31, 2013

They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck. If that is true then Tom and I are in for some major luck! I spent a year planning my simple, rustic, bee themed, outdoor wedding. Tom's only requirements were it be held on the dock at our house on Black Duck Lake in Orr, MN and that he got to go barefoot (the man hates shoes!). My only requirements were that the shindig was environmentally friendly and handmade as much as possible. I think we accomplished our goal in spite of the rain! I wanted to make my own dress or upcycle one, but didn't have the skill at this point in time. So I scoured eBay and bought 5 count them 5 different dresses. Don't worry, all five only cost $50.....that still qualifies for frugal and environmentally friendly doesn't it? The people at work had a good laugh when every few weeks or so I had a new dress.

Mr. Man....sans shoes! 

The precious girls. I made their dresses out of vintage pillowcases and the babies dress is a vintage infant dress re-worked. Their garlands were made of silk flowers as were the bouquets and instead of flower petals they threw birch bark, a MN staple!

Wyatt gave me away and Gavyn was our sign bearer. I made their vests and hats using patterns....couldn't figure those out on my own. I'm definitely a novice seamstress! 

I did make and design my own jewelry though using things I had lying around. Bee themed of course!

Recycled beer bottles, sunflowers and twine.....does it get any better?

The birch bark girls pails and Gavyn's sign...all handmade true to the Farmgirl creed. 

My pride and joy. The pottery was made by Tom's Aunt Dar who is amazing with a potters wheel (I very much want to take some lessons from her!) and my "cheese" cake. I wanted to make the cheese at home, but it was too difficult and time consuming for a wedding. It's on the bucket list though!

Tom and I both love the Native American culture so we incorporated the wedding vase. You have to each drink from a side without spilling any for long and lucky marriage. We didn't spill a drop! Tom's mother was sweet enough to present the vase for us and we forgot it in the middle of the ceremony. Tom's sister and niece read for us from the Velveteen Rabbit! Two very special components of our day!

I couldn't leave my mom out. She passed away in 2005 from cancer. My wedding was a VERY hard day to have without her! I love you mom!

Dar's pottery which I still have and it's a precious heirloom!

This is my dear friend Allie and fellow Farmgirl. We actually met thanks to Mary Jane's Farm! She was the very first member of my chapter! I love this lady and her two beautiful daughters, Lorelai and Emma.

Tom brewed the beer and I  made the labels. Pigs flying is a reference to his declaration that he would never get married. I guess pigs DO fly! 

The happy couple!

Even our precious babies dressed up for the occasion. I made Korkee's tie out of a vintage men's tie and he had a bee button tie pin. Sasha has a bee on her flower but you can see it very well. 

Look at those trees! Who wouldn't want a wedding outside at a lake rain or shine???

The end....or should I say....beginning?