“I knew that Susan + Fred’s wedding was going to be so much fun when I found out that they love dogs, craft beer and DIY projects! Any couple who has their dog in their wedding (like I did) gets two thumbs up from me. Their wedding was all about family + fun… they had the cutest gang of flower girls and ring bearers, handmade yard games, beer that they brewed themselves along with so many cute details and DIY projects that they incorporated into their decor. They danced in the rain under the bistro lights while their friends and family surrounded them, not even the weather could put a damper on their celebration!” – Whitebox Photo

What is your favorite wedding day memory?

Just one?? That’s tough. The entire day was so amazing. If forced to pick, I would say our “first look” as it was so emotional and touching to see my husband cry as he saw me in my dress for the first time. We had debated about doing a first look but I am so happy we did as I found it so calming to have some time alone with just him before the ceremony. I also cherish our warm and funny toasts that made us laugh, tear up (again) and raise a glass in celebration. I do wish we had thought to record them, they were that good!

What did you DIY for your wedding?

We did so much DIY and had such a fun time doing it beforehand. My extremely talented godmother created our save the dates, invitations and programs. She incorporated our beloved lab mutt into them and even used some old Derby Day tickets my uncle had kept from when my grandfather went in the 1950s-60s as a rough inspiration for the invite design (Our wedding day was Derby Day). My husband and I are both into craft beer and often plan trips around breweries so we featured a beer on each table and included a chalkboard story about that beer. Fred also home brews so he built a Keg-erator, I decorated it and he filled it up with beer he had brewed so we had that on tap. Fred sells exotic hardwood so he had access to some beautiful wood that he used to make all our table numbers. My crafty mom sewed us table runners. She and I also spent that year collecting mason jars, scales, and so many other fun vintage decorations at thrift stores and auctions. Both of our attics are still full! Fred built and I decorated corn-hole boards featuring our two home states of North Carolina and Vermont. Fred also made and I painted some signs as decoration. My dad and Fred installed outdoor lights at our venue to be the perfect backdrop for our “dance floor” and first dance. I put together a candy bar and stamped brown paper bags with our information. I love fireworks and Fred’s brother even lit off fireworks after our sparkler send off for a truly great ending to the night!

Something old, new, borrowed and blue?

We had old teacups on our head table that were my late grandmother’s that the florist beautifully filled with succulents. My shoes were blue, which was also a nod to my beloved alma mater UNC- Chapel Hill. My maternal grandmother gave me a hankerchief that was incorporated into my bouquet so that was both old and borrowed… and my dress was new!

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

Remember who you are as a couple and what you like and let your wedding reflect that. Don’t get too overwhelmed by Pinterest or other sites and compare your event to others. This is YOUR wedding. Fred and I had fun doing our DIY projects together but if you’re not enjoying it than perhaps you don’t really need it. Do get things done as much as you can beforehand though so you’re not stressing out on your actual wedding day. Find vendors (photographer, florist and caterer) you trust so they can make your day run smoothly. The day really does go by so fast after months of planning so try to stay in the moment and enjoy celebrating the beginning of your marriage with all the friends and family who are there to support you! – Susan, the bride

Event Credits

Photographer: Whitebox Photo // Venue: The Groome Inn // Florist: The Farmer's Wife // Desserts: Delicious // Officiant: Rhonda Davis // Wedding Ring Schiffman's // Dress: Nitsa's Apparel // Jewelry: Rent the Runway // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew // Bridesmaids jewelry: made by the brides sister-in-law Rachel Kuhn Stinehelfer // Stationary: made by the brides godmother Kathy DeAngelo // Beer: home-brewed by the Groom // Table numbers, decor, signs, cornhole boards, outdoor lights, and the candy bar: DIY by the couple and their family