Fri 18th Feb, 2011

Athan and Sarah's sunshine yellow outdoor wedding

A beautiful, intimate garden wedding for Athan and Sarah for you today, with huge thanks to the lovely Sara from onelove Photography.

Athan and Sarah's inspiration for their wedding day was simply their family.

"We had a wedding (instead of eloping on a beach or mountain somewhere) because we wanted to bring our families together and celebrate. For us, family (which includes close friends that have seen us through our good times and bad) is the absolute most important thing. It's what led us to our venue (my now husband's parents' backyard) and let to lots of our details (including our favours, which were homemade Greek pastries baked with love the week leading up to the wedding). We used long tables and served family-style meals so that the whole event would feel like a big family gathering. A big, fat Greek/Midwestern wedding, if you will."

Wedding venue

Bride's yellow wedding bouquet

Brides yellow wedding shoes and yellow button holes

Bride outside barn

Bride and groom outside

Bride's yellow shoes and grooms yellow socks

Sarah has some great advice for those planning their own weddings...

"Make your decisions and don't look back. I spent far too much time thinking "what if" after I made a decision. It does no good, and it just makes you crazy. Trust your instincts and me - a classic over-thinker: Your day will be spectacular because it's the day you get to start your new life as a married couple. It's an amazing event, and you'll be surrounded by love. The "other" cake, the "other" dress... they don't matter. And on the day, don't sweat the small stuff. Just sit back and relax. Finally, try to get everything done at least 48 hours before the guests arrive. Once your friends and family are in town just have fin with them. You'll never have the same crowd of people together again. So sit back and enjoy every moment."

Outdoor wedding ceremony

Canapes at wedding

Grey and yellow wedding napkins

Wedding canapes

Yellow wedding seating plan

Blackboard and yellow wedding table setting

Yellow wedding flowers

Favourite moments...

"There are so, so many. But a few that stand out: Athan's letter to me; looking out in the ceremony audience and seeing so many people that I love; dancing around to "Single Ladies" with my friends pre-dress-putting-on (it really got rid of any and all stage fright); walking in to our reception drinking ouzo; Greek dancing with the napkin; and my brother's classic toast, which included a shout out to bed wetters. (Trust me, it was a classic.)"

Yellow wedding guest book