This wedding proves that less is indeed more. We love how honest and understated this wedding is. Loren and Ashley got married at a beautiful park in Ashley’s home town Roseau, Minnesota in the United states. The ceremony was held in the park and the two said their vows along the river bank. For the reception, also held in the beautiful park, they rented a large tent. Loren and Ashley’s wedding was a true family affair. Family members helped them put everything in its place before the wedding. They put the tables and chairs into place, strung lights, lit candles, set the tables, frosted the cupcakes, made a birch branch garland, and filled giant balloons with helium….just to name a few.Thank you Gabriel and Carin for sending us this beautiful wedding.

Tell us your love story? We met our first day of college. We shared friends and spent a lot of time together, but never became anything more than friends during that first year. I left for England the following year and we never had any contact until I returned a year later. So there we were, 2 years after we met and things were finally starting to take off. A concert here, skating on Lake Superior there, and a few ‘dinner and a movie’ dates and we were inseparable. We dated the remainder of our college days and decided to move to the next step after Loren graduated in 2009. Loren came tapping on my door, one Tuesday morning, with flowers, Caribou Coffee…and a ring.

What was the most memorable part of your wedding day? I remember walking through the trees and down the hill with my father. He said, “Walk slow, Ash. Just bring it all in and enjoy it.” I looked up and saw all of our family, friends, and Loren waiting for us.

Any advice for brides-to-be? Breathe.

Where did you get most of your ideas and inspiration from? Nature and my parent’s backyard. Spending time outdoors makes me feel good; calm and relaxed.

What song did you choose for your opening dance? You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Were any of your family members or friends involved in the wedding ? My mother made all of our wedding cupcakes from my grandmother’s ‘Crazy cake’ recipe. I have had it for every special event of my life. Also, she and my father grew all of the zinnias for our wedding in their backyard garden. The day simply would not have been all that it was had it not been for their brilliant ideas and hard work. A best friend designed my invitations and programs. My cousin and Matron of Honor made all of the wedding jewelery. My Maid of Honor and her mother made hundreds of chocolate dipped shortbread cookies that we bagged and placed the guests rooms for a welcome gift. My uncle is a handy wood worker and made several birch accessories used throughout the ceremony and reception, including the cake stand and saw-horses used to hold the canoe.