“Alaina and Dustin’s wedding day was a true community effort. You would never guess by looking at their wedding photo’s that their whole celebration was in Alaina’s parents back yard! Both sides of the family spent months preparing by building the giant arbor, creating decor and even the photography was suppose to be done by Alaina’s sister, another talented photographer. Through a twist of fate, I was lucky enough to be called in to help and I’m so glad I was there to witness what it means to love the true sense of the word. Both of these families were all in to create the most romantic rustic wedding I’ve ever seen! It was truly an unexpected joy to be present and document Alaina and Dustin’s incredible love story!” – Mabyn Ludke Photography

What is your favorite wedding day memory?

My wedding day was filled with some of my favorite memories! One of the funniest, is that on the way from my sisters house {where we got ready} to the ceremony site I somehow managed to get black ink from a pen on my dress. We’re talking a quarter size black ink spot right on the front! All of my bridesmaids gathered around and tried to scrub it out which made it bigger! Everyone just stood around, horrified. Just as I felt my lip start to quiver my mother ran down with white paint! We literally painted my wedding dress white and all was well! One of the more meaningful memories was walking down through the woods with my father. I was too nervous to let go of his hand in order to link arms with him so he just held my hand all the way down.

What did you DIY for your wedding?

Oh goodness! Probably too much! Our goal was to do as much as we could to cut down on cost. I didn’t want my parents dropping ten grand on one day and knew it could be perfect and beautiful without being too expensive. We DIY’d almost everything. The wood chandelier was my idea and my husband helped make it. The centerpieces on the tables. My Father-in-Law made the tables for our wedding out of old barnwood. My father built the arbor where our reception was held. We put the bouquets together out of flowers from the local farmers market. There were many days spent in the woods pulling vines to cover the arbor with. I DIY’d the groom cake. We also DIY’d all of the invitations, programs, place cards and activity cards. I bought a large pack of thick stock paper that I liked and we had everything printed on it at a nearby Office Depot. Lastly, my brother and I made the window table for cocktail hour.

Something old, new, borrowed and blue?

I didn’t actually do that tradition. I’m really not a traditional kind of girl!

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

Don’t stress yourself! Figure out what things matter the most to you, take care of those things and then delegate the rest! The most stress came from all of the decisions and questions. It’s okay to not care about every detail! -Alaina, the bride

Event Credits

Photographer: Mabyn Ludke Photography // Venue: Bride's Parent's Home // Catering: Mighty Oaks catering // Officiant: David Crabtree // Engagment Ring: Wentworth and Sloan // Bride's Attire: Free People // Bridesmaid's Attire: Free People // Groom's Attire: H&M // Groom's Shoes: G.H. Bass & Co. // Groom's Accessories: J. Crew // Groomsmen's Attire: H&M