Elizabeth + Charlie | Wedding at Mahomet's Lake of the Woods

Elizabeth + Charlie were prepared for the worst — hottest day of the year, water bottles galore, umbrellas, ice on reserve… but they didn’t need it! Instead they got about the most perfect August day you could ask for. In front of the waterfall and Japanese bridge at Lake of the Woods’ Botanical Garden, they pledged their lives to each other.

I have to mention that Elizabeth MADE her own dress! How awesome is that? She said it took her months to knit it, but she is happy with how it turned out. She looks forward to dying it blue after the wedding so she can wear it again.

During the ceremony, they performed a sand ceremony in orange and blue hues to pay homage to the place where they met on the UI campus. They also exchanged jewelry — a ring inlaid with oak wood for Charlie, and a repurposed watch-turned-bracelet with a sapphire for the face for Elizabeth. Since she works in a lab, she is hesitant to wear rings, so she opted for the bracelet — such a neat choice, and a family heirloom carries on.

Another cool thing that Elizabeth + Charlie did was to provide their guests with fish food to visit the koi pond. The fish LOVED the Cheerios. And I loved it so much that I bought some Cheerios and took my kids back a few days later to also feed the fish!

Following the ceremony, we headed across the nature preserve to the Elks Lodge Pavilion for their reception luncheon. There the couple had outdoor games waiting for their guests after they had enjoyed lunch and cupcakes — badminton, cornhole, volleyball, & croquet.

It was a perfect day in a beautiful setting. Congrats to Elizabeth + Charlie!

Cake | Small Cakes

Florist | Abbott's Florist

Caterer | Nelson's Catering

Bride's dress | Handknit by bride

Suits | JoS. A. Banks

Linens | Belmont Party Rentals

Bride's bracelet and groom's ring | Hufford's in St Louis