Photo: Storm Photo Co
There’s something magical about a wedding that truly reflects the love and effort of the couple, and Ranae’s story captures that perfectly. With the help of her family and friends, she brought her DIY floral vision to life, adding personal touches that celebrated her journey and her loved ones. Set in a picturesque apple orchard, her springtime wedding was a beautiful mix of soft pastels, meaningful moments, and joyful creativity. Curious how a college ministry connection blossomed into a lifelong partnership and how Flower Moxie played a part in her big day? Read on for her inspiring story!
Tell us about your relationship!
Joe and I first met in our college ministry, SALT Company, where we both led small groups. Our co-leaders were dating each other, which is how we got introduced. I actually knew about Joe before we met—I listened to him on Spotify because he was the drummer in a local band that my friends and I liked!
We became fast friends, but it wasn’t until a year or two later that Joe asked me out for coffee, and our first date turned into a full day of activities! We had coffee, went rollerblading, tried rock climbing, grabbed lunch, caught a movie, and ended the day with a hike. We were just having so much fun together, and it was clear that neither of us wanted the date to end.
What I admire most about Joe is his incredible patience and his ability to listen. He truly makes me feel heard and valued, which makes me love him even more. On our one-year anniversary, Joe surprised me with a picnic along our favorite trail. I later found out that the “anniversary celebration” was actually a setup for his proposal, which made the day even more special
Where did you get married and why did you choose this location? Was it a destination wedding?
My husband and I chose to marry at an apple orchard conveniently located near both of our families’ homes. It provided the ideal setting for the outdoor, elegant, and simplistic garden atmosphere we envisioned. The reception took place inside the orchard’s event venue, perfectly complementing the beautiful surroundings.
Photo: Storm Photo Co
How did you go about choosing your wedding color palette? Did it change throughout your planning process?
We wanted our wedding palette to reflect the season in which we got married which was Springtime! I chose a soft pastel theme with a focus on various floral patterns. Joe wore a brown suit, complemented by the groomsmen in beige, while my bridesmaids wore different pastel floral dresses. We accented everything with soft dusty blue and cream hues, and I even encouraged our guests to dress in garden party-inspired outfits, which added to the festive, springtime atmosphere we envisioned!
Photo: Storm Photo Co
Photo: Storm Photo Co
Why did you choose to DIY your flowers?
I decided to DIY my flowers to save money. Joe and I got married right after college, and since we’re both in graduate school now, an extravagant wedding just wasn’t feasible—we needed to budget for moving and furthering our education. Plus, I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I loved the idea of bringing my vision to life myself! It felt rewarding to create my dream wedding while also being mindful of our finances.
Photo: Storm Photo Co
Who did you have help from?
My bridesmaids and I crafted our own bouquets, and then my future sisters-in-law, along with my best friend’s oldest sister, joined in to help create the arrangements. It was a wonderful collaborative effort that made the process even more meaningful!
What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
My favorite part of my wedding day was getting to marry my best friend, and seeing all the amazing people that have supported us through out our lives affirm and support us on our big day!
What was your favorite part about DIYing?
My favorite part of DIYing was putting all the flower arrangements and bouquets together the morning before our rehearsal dinner. My mom’s friends hosted a brunch, and my wedding party, many of my female cousins, aunts and close friends came over to help us create the arrangements! It was such a special time, surrounded by the incredible women in my life who have always supported and encouraged me. It truly ended up being one of my favorite memories from my wedding weekend.
In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?
The only thing I would have done differently is made the wedding longer! It went so quickly and I wished I would have had more time to get to talk with everyone. It was really just such a perfect perfect day!
Tips for future DIYers?
The wet floral foam blocks are truly your best friend! All of our arrangements were in wicker baskets so we put the wet foam blocks in plastic containers which we put inside the baskets to protect the wicker while keeping the flower hydrated! I also recommend making the arrangements at someone else's house where you aren't staying or getting ready because it is a MESSY process!
How did you add personalized touches to your day?
We had a table of "the love stories before our own" which featured pictures of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days. I also wore a pearl necklace that my Dad gave my Mom on their first wedding anniversary which was really sweet and special to me!
Photo: Storm Photo Co
Photo: Storm Photo Co
Ranae and Joseph’s story is a beautiful example of how even the messiest DIY process can transform into the wedding of your dreams. Surrounded by the support of her loved ones, she turned her backyard floral workshop into stunning arrangements that brought her vision to life. Flower Moxie makes it possible for any bride to create a wedding filled with personal meaning and gorgeous florals, no matter the budget. With a bit of creativity, binging our tutorials and support from your loved ones, bringing your dream wedding to life is completely possible!
Photo: Storm Photo Co
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About the Author
Alexa is Flower Moxie's half-Colombian/half-Palastinian wunderkind. She equally loved Pilates and Tarantino flicks, and will road trip with you so long as Tracy Chapman and Santana are on your playlist.
