I am happy to share the super sweet wedding of Anna Allen. You may know Anna from her blog, awe-inspiring sewing projects and lovely clothing line. About a month ago, Anna was married to Jed at her local church in South Amana, Iowa. The wedding included 70 people, mostly family.
Anna says, "I know it sounds cliché, but it really did turn out to be the perfect day and I think Jed and I could both honestly say it was also the best time we’ve had together! We were a little pessimistic during the whole wedding planning and were talking about how we would have liked to elope. But when the big day came, we both agreed how happy we were to have a wedding shared with our friends and family and wouldn’t change anything for the world!"
The morning of the wedding and about an hour before the ceremony, Anna made all the bouquets herself. She said it was actually quite relaxing. The hydrangeas came from her backyard and the other flowers were ordered online.
Anna's dress (originally from J.Crew) arrived ten days before the wedding from Ebay!
John Allen, Anna's younger brother, took all the wedding photos and the whole family helped clean the church a few days prior. Anna made the layer cake herself (with this recipe)and decorated it with flags inspired by Herriott Grace. The cupcakes were made by a friend who works at a local bakery.
From Anna: "My dear friend, Elizabeth, whom I hadn’t seen in nine years, came all the way from Ontario to sing for my wedding! She and her sister helped tremendously the week of the wedding, creating all of the decorations and generally making the atmosphere happy and fun, which helped me not stress out! I don’t think anything went wrong and if it did, I didn’t realize it! I made a decision in the beginning that I was not going to stress about my wedding. Of course it did prove to be more stressful than I had originally thought. But you just have to realize that’s almost inevitable. Everything was lovely and I think people enjoyed themselves, even though we didn’t have much of a program or entertainment!"
Anna and Jed honeymooned on Prince Edward Island. So sweet! Congratulations!
Photographs: John Allen. Dresses: J.Crew.
So beautiful! Everything Anna touches is magical and this especially so. I adore her hair as well!
Posted by: Jane Flanagan | July 21, 2011 at 05:59 AM
completely charming. understated elegance in a era of sensory overload when it comes to weddings (and frankly, everything).
Posted by: jane | July 21, 2011 at 07:10 AM
What a beautiful celebration. It makes me want to get married all over again just so I can put together such simply perfect details of my own. :)
Posted by: Jenni Bailey | July 21, 2011 at 08:29 AM
I recognize that dress! I bought the same one for an opera event at a castle in the Czech Republic - and then wore it a year later for my own wedding. I love the small, personal weddings that are happening these days; I think they're so sweet and such a refreshing antidote to a wedding industry that has become so overblown in our culture.
Posted by: sarah | July 21, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Simply gorgeous. I love the flowers and relaxed feel of it all.
Posted by: Melanie | July 21, 2011 at 11:41 AM
i love this! really gorgeous details, colors, flowers... everything.
Posted by: angela hardison | July 21, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Beautiful wedding and beautiful photos!
Posted by: Ta | July 21, 2011 at 12:28 PM
I love the way Anna did her wedding- so simple, beautiful and memorable. We will celebrate our 36th anniversary in November and we made choices very much like Annas'- I made my dress (plaid, from a Vogue pattern), we made all our own food and the cake, had the ceremony and reception in a local park. My husbands' hair was even tied back like Jeds'. It was a typical hippie wedding, like so many of our friends'!
Posted by: Justme | July 21, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Oh love her hair, so sweet and romantic
Posted by: Gaby | July 21, 2011 at 06:05 PM
simple and beautiful, i love it.
Posted by: Amanda Thorson | July 21, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Pretty flower bouquets! Full of color and the ranunculus are gorgeous.
Posted by: Wedding Flowers Co | July 22, 2011 at 04:34 AM
Beautiful, lovely, sweet. what a lush background!
Posted by: nadia | July 22, 2011 at 07:47 AM
honeymoon to PEI? living my dream!
Posted by: Brittany | July 22, 2011 at 10:19 AM
I really like the wedding. So simple and yet darling. Love how Anna made all the bouquets and the layer cake herself.
Posted by: _ffyona | July 22, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Very sweet wedding. I love the flowers in her hair. And Prince Edward Island - swoon.
Posted by: bronwyn | July 25, 2011 at 09:47 AM
this is so so sweet, love her dress and hair!
Posted by: Brigette | July 25, 2011 at 12:00 PM
I really like the multi-flag cake.
Posted by: Rhinspiration | August 19, 2011 at 10:03 AM