Hi friends! It’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter). I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at our wedding planning and the mood board that’s shaping our day.
If you’re new here, my fiancé and I got engaged in late October — you can read our engagement story for the full details. The proposal was a surprise on the beach with family and friends there to celebrate, and we’re getting married this July.
UPDATE! I published a new post with many photos, details, and planning tips. Click HERE to read.
After the engagement we dove into planning. We secured the big items first — the date, venue, photographer, catering, my dress, and his suit — since vendors are booking far in advance. With those decisions made, we’re now focusing on the smaller, more personal details.
I’ve pinned wedding ideas on Pinterest for years, but once engaged I created private boards to collect everything. To clarify the look I wanted, I made a wedding mood board in Photoshop to capture the overall vibe.
I enjoy many styles, so the mood board helped narrow down which elements fit our wedding. It’s similar to choosing finishes for a home remodel: you love many options, but you eventually pick what feels right together. The images on the board aren’t set in stone, but they helped me envision the feeling of the day and build a cohesive direction.
Here’s our wedding mood board:
Wedding details and frequently asked questions:
- Venue – We chose a charming location in Washington. Part of the celebration will be in a lush garden with historic buildings and abundant flowers. The ceremony space is a barn-like structure with a patio and outdoor areas. The venue is naturally beautiful, which reduces the amount of decor we’ll need and gives us flexibility.
- Theme – No strict theme, but we’re aiming for a garden-party atmosphere.
- Formality – We want something in the middle: not ultra-formal with tuxedos and a string quartet, but not a backyard BBQ casual either. Comfortable, warm, and celebratory — a magical, cozy, and fun gathering.
- Food – A local taco food truck will cater our reception. It’s casual, memorable, and delicious — exactly the vibe we want.
- Guest count – About 120 people, which feels like the right size for us.
Other details we’re excited about:
- Candlelight and string lights for a warm, magical atmosphere.
- Botanicals and pressed flowers — they suit our garden setting and will appear in several details.
- Personal touches and sentimental elements. For example, guests may write messages in bottles at the reception, which ties back to my proposal that included a message in a bottle. (Read the proposal story here.)
- Color scheme — No strict palette. Bridesmaids will wear muted pink, and the venue’s natural floral colors will inform much of the decor, balanced with neutral tones.
That’s all for now! I’ll share more posts with details, inspiration, and planning tips as the big day approaches. I’ve been posting planning moments and sneak peeks on my Instagram stories and saving them to highlights. Feel free to follow and message me there if you have questions or suggestions.
We’re excited to begin married life together and to celebrate this summer with our loved ones. Thank you for following along!
Follow Courtney on Instagram
Read Courtney’s engagement proposal story
UPDATE! I published a new post with photos, details, and practical planning advice. Click HERE to read.