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Real Wedding: Rachel & Matthew

A Charming Bohemian Wedding

Real weddings are so inspiring! To get you in the mood to plan, we asked real brides to spill the details on everything from getting engaged and finding their wedding dresses to the special touches and surprising moments that made their celebrations completely one-of-a-kind. We are head over heels for this charming bohemian backyard wedding! Rustic charm, eclectic details, and a one-of-a-kind location brought Rachel and Matthew’s wedding day to life. Read on to see more from their special day!

How did you and your fiancé meet?

My fiancé and I met online. He flew to meet me and the rest is history! It was evident that God hand-picked him just for me. His sweet heart and love for family and the Lord is how I knew he was the one. 

Tell us your proposal story!

My husband and I flew to my hometown to visit family, and he proposed to me unexpectedly at my old grade school/church. At the cross outside, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him—it was the sweetest day! My friends and family were inside the church watching out the windows and quickly ran out to congratulate us! 

How did you both decide on your wedding day look? 

Our wedding day vision was boho and David’s Bridal and Men’s Wearhouse made it a dream come true! The first dress they put me in ended up being my dream dress that I said “yes” to. For my hubby, we found a suede tan sport coat that fit the boho vision and style we were looking for.

Do you have any shopping advice for future brides?

The only shopping advice I have for future brides is to not settle for anything. Get that dress you can run around barefoot and climb mountains with. Get the dress that is truly you and nothing short of it! 

What was your favorite detail about your look?

My favorite detail about my look was the illusion on my dress. I was able to wear two different looks for the ceremony and reception! 

How did you feel when you knew that you #foundtheone?

I knew I found the one when they asked me the question, “Can you see yourself walking down the aisle to Matthew in this dress?” and instantly started crying. Right then and there, I knew it was the one I would marry my best friend in! 

Tell us about your wedding day!

We had our wedding in our backyard overlooking the Mississippi River. There were boho and vintage pieces throughout, making it a DIY wedding of our dreams. Our parents were our maid of honor and best man, my twin brother played the piano, and our best friends made up the rest of the party. Our families got to sit on couches at the ceremony, have tacos from a food truck, and play with our dogs at the reception. It was a picture-perfect day with everything that made it feel like home. 

Was there a highlight or most memorable moment of the day?

We had a food truck and ice cream truck that made it super fun and exciting! 

Is there something you wish you had known before the big day or while you were planning the wedding? 

I wish I would’ve known that not everything is going to go as planned and that it’s okay, because it’s still going to be perfect! We had to last minute change our venue to our backyard due to Covid, but now we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Did you have to make any changes to your wedding plans because of Covid?

We originally had plans for an indoor wedding in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota but had to change plans last minute due to Covid stipulations. Overall, we are so glad about the changes we had to make, because it allowed us to have our wedding in a more intimate space in the outdoors. 

What was your favorite DIY or personal touch?

The whole wedding was a big ole DIY project! We had mixed seating with couches and chairs found on Facebook marketplace, dried pampas grass picked from fields, vases found at thrift stores, wedding signs made out of picture frames, a clawfoot tub for drinks, and a vintage vanity for a bar. It was a unique and fun experience DIY-ing our dream wedding!

What did you do to stay stress-free on your wedding day?

We had wonderful friends and family that helped make the day stress-free. From setting up to tearing down, they were there with big smiles, helping in every way they could. When it started to rain, we had guys outside putting tarps over the furniture, handling everything for us! 

What’s your best wedding planning advice?

Our best wedding advice is to get a wedding planner! We did it all ourselves and with that came a bit of stress during the wedding planning months. 

More Details:

Date: May 30th, 2021

Location: A Backyard Wedding on the Mississippi River

Wedding Cake Flavor: Lemon, strawberry, and chocolate

Wedding Song: “Touching Heaven” by Johnnyswim

Dress Style: Long Sleeve Floral Illusion Gown 

Photographer: Nicole Krause Photography

Love this charming bohemian wedding? Read more real wedding stories here!

We know how important your wedding day and special events are to you and we are doing everything in our power to serve you! You can shop with us 24/7 at davidsbridal.com or come see us at your local David’s Bridal. Plus we are here for you to help guide you through your wedding planning! See tips for starting to plan your wedding at homeshopping for your wedding dress online with confidence, and more on the blog.

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