Recap: A Rustic Burlap and Mason Jars Fall Wedding at Douthat State Park

Shantilly Lace Photography

A few weekends ago, I had the pleasure of helping my best friend Breeze pull off her dream wedding at Douthat State Park.  It was the rustic, country wedding she'd hoped for, with lots of burlap, mason jars, and vintage goodness.

Breeze's grandmother crafted a special gift for her using one of her wedding programs, doilies, twine, and naturally distressed wood from the family farm - it made for a great photo op alongside the engagement photos displayed on the guestbook table.

 Josh Quinn Photography

Having the ceremony and reception in the same place added to the wedding's rustic country atmosphere.  The picnic shelter at Douthat State Park was the perfect venue and I love the way Breeze's vision came to life.

Breeze collected an assortment of vintage and antique blue Mason jars and new ones that she dressed up with burlap and ribbons.  She filled each vase with mini pinecones and an arrangement of daisies.  Silk flowers won out in the end for easy transport to the state park, and the clear vase arrangements doubled as favors for guests' families to take home from the wedding.

 Shantilly Lace Photography

The dress code for the wedding was "come as you are."  The bridesmaids' dresses were inspired by the navy blue sash on Breeze's David's Bridal dress - we found them at Rue 21 of all places and spent a Saturday on a wild goose chase driving around Southwest Virginia and calling all of the stores in the state (and some in North Carolina and West Virginia).  While I wouldn't recommend sourcing bridesmaids' dresses at a Juniors store, in this case they were too perfect to pass up and the bride was in love at first sight.  Each bridesmaid wore her own cowgirl boots.  We walked down the aisle to "I Hope You're The End of My Story" by the Pistol Annies, a song that perfectly describes this couple's relationship and love for one another.

Groomsmen wore jeans, cowboy boots, and navy blue polo shirts to match the groom's blue and white plaid shirt.

The guy in the awesome cowboy hat is the groom's godfather, in case you're wondering.

The setup area for food and music - guests were served chips and salsa before the wedding, which was replaced by a cupcake buffet.  The wedding was catered by a local barbecue restaurant and the menu featured the bride and groom's favorite comfort foods - pulled pork, barbecue chicken, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and baked beans, with sweet tea and lemonade.

The DJ was none other than my husband, Mr. Q.

 Southern Touch Photography

Breeze and I have been best friends since sixth grade. I am so incredibly blessed to have her in my life. She is my rock, she's my sounding board, she can always make me laugh, and she always tells it like it is. She reminds me to be myself and not worry about what other people think. She is such a strong woman and I am so happy that I got to help her plan her special day and be one of her bridesmaids.

daisies and mason jars: inspiration for a rustic wedding

Breeze has been my best friend since sixth grade.  We have been through a lot together - the ups and downs of middle school crushes, her sometimes-crazy sisters, high school drama, being two hours apart in college, and finally settling down in the Roanoke Valley with the loves of our lives.  Breeze and her FI originally bonded over a mutual love of country music, so they love all things rustic and western.  They're getting married in September at one of Virginia's beautiful state park, and when Breeze began to describe her dream wedding day, several themes kept popping up: daisies, mason jars, and navy blue.  Here's some inspiration I've collected to help Breeze plan her big day.  

"Hand Delivered" invitations by Jennifer Wick from Minted

Mary Dougherty

This will be the second State Park wedding I've attended - the first was as a photographer's 

assistant to Mr. Q when one of my camp friends (now a state park employee) got married.  

I love outdoor weddings and the rustic setting that State Parks provide, and I'm looking 

forward to staying in a cabin and spending some time in nature while we're there.

 

Jodi Miller Photography via Southern Weddings || Janet Howard Studio via Style Me Pretty Georgia

Our Labor of Love via Once Wed... one of my all-time favorite photos in the wedding blogosphere.

I am over-the-moon excited about being a bridesmaid in Breeze's wedding.  

Partially because I get to wear cowgirl boots.

Sweet Little Photographs via Well Groomed

My favorite line on Breeze's enclosure card is "Leave your Sunday best at home 

and come in something comfortable!"

Eden Photography via The Knot

Heather Ann Design Photography via Style Me Pretty

Eden Photography via The Knot

Aaron Hoskins Photography via The Sweetest Occasion

 

Valerie Demo Photography via Weddingbee | Stone Gable

Tomorrow, I'll show off how we bridesmaids incorporated some of the same themes from Breeze's inspiration into her bridal shower.  It was my first time planning a bridal shower, and it was a little stressful, but I think things came together in a really lovely way.

style: summer outfits inspired by the Country Music Hall of Fame

One of the coolest things about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is seeing classic country artists' stage costumes.  I was particularly inspired by seeing items that belonged to the women I consider the mamas and grandmothers of country music.  I decided to play around with the idea of country music's pioneering women, re-imagined for the modern girl.

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Kitty Wells, best known for the song "It Wasn't Got Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," was a Nashville native and is known today as the Queen of Country Music.  Every female country singer whose songs push the envelope follows in her footsteps!  Kitty's style was feminine and fun, so I chose a Modcloth polka dot dress, red Mango flats, a rhinestone hair accessory from Forever21 (sold in a set of 2), and Butter London nail polish in "Come to Bed Red" from Karmaloop.

Patsy Cline is one of country's iconic figures for her unique voice and sassy attitude.  Many of her stage costumes featured Western touches, but she also kept up with the fashions of the 1960's, so I paired an embroidered blouse from Ruche with Blank NYC capris from Lord and Taylor and a pair of Zara booties.  These floral wayfarer-style sunglasses from Delia*s are adorable, and Topshop's Lip Bullet in Rockabilly is a modern take on Patsy's signature red lipstick.

Loretta Lynn went from Kentucky coalminer's daughter to sparkling superstar, made history for writing songs with a feminist viewpoint, and has collaborated with Jack White - all of those things make her one of my favorites.  The Hall of Fame featured her quote, "I enjoy seeing me change from Loretta, the gal in jeans, to Loretta, the lady in the long gown.  It's a little like seeing one of the Hollywood stars appear before my own eyes."  I decided to create an outfit that was a little of both - a Ruche chambray shirt with the sleeves cut off paired with a tulle skirt from Modcloth, and Modcloth drop earrings and Dorothy Perkins bangles paired with simple sandals from LOFT.

Dolly Parton has gone from a very humble background to being a successful musician, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist.  This outfit was inspired by some of her early album covers - a plaid tie-front blouse from Delia*s, Topshop lace skater skirt, vintage cowgirl boots from Modcloth (similar Justin boots are available from Zappos), and a crossbody bag also from Delia*s.

June Carter Cash began performing when she was ten years old and was soon as well known for her sense of humor as she was for her voice.  Inspired by June's lace dress from her wedding to Johnny Cash, I paired a Ruche dress with lace TOMS, a Betsey Johnson necklace from Macy's (what says "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine" like a key necklace?) and Deborah Lippmann nail polish in "Mermaid's Dream" from Zappos for a little sparkle.

Emmylou Harris is an Alabama-born folk country singer-songwriter with an angelic voice.  Her style tends to be a little bohemian, so I paired a Modcloth lace cardigan with a John Lewis tribal print tank and True Religion jeans from MyTheresa (similar skinny jeans can be found at Forever21).  Lucky Brand booties from Piperlime, Dior aviator sunglasses from Saks (similar from Asos) and a Lucky Brand turquoise bangle complete this look.

Disclaimer:  ModCloth links contain an affiliate code.

summer/fall color: coral and peach in home decor

My obsession with peach and coral really knows no bounds.  There are ways to add these colors to every room of your house.  If you're completely attached to color, painting walls or investing in large upholstered pieces can make a huge statement.  If you're less certain that your love of peach and coral isn't just a fling, there are plenty of inexpensive, temporary and DIY ways to add these bright, happy colors to your home.

Midwest Living via Desire to Decorate

Liven up a white kitchen with stools painted a bright coral- this would be an ideal DIY project for a coral lover.  I love the pops of teal from the blue mason jars in the cabinet.

Heath Ceramics via Camille Styles

If coral kitchen furniture is too much of a commitment for you, these bud vases from Heath Ceramics would liven up a windowsill.