Rather than focusing on planning a big wedding, Erica and Derrick opted for a simple ceremony  at the Rochester Mills Brewery in Michigan with only one guest: the groom’s brother.

What’s Erica’s advice for brides who are stressed out over their out-of-control guest lists?

“In the end, it’s your day and it is about you. Be selfish. It’s about the marriage and love, not about the wedding,” she says.

A big thank you to Rachel Smaller Photography for sharing this simple, yet stunning l’il wedding!

Erica, 25 & Derrick, 26

Rochester, MI

Wedding Date: February 9, 2013

Number of Guests: 1 (groom’s brother)

Wedding Cost: $4,225 (Ceremony Location- Free. Officiant $275. Photographer- $2700. Gown- $1000. Grooms attire- $150. Flowers-$100)

Wedding Ceremony Location: Rochester Mills Brewery in Rochester, Michigan

Wedding Reception Location: TBD- backyard barbeque this summer

Searching for a rustic wedding venue with just a dash of European charm? We recommend Het Landhuis Estate in Pittsboro, NC.

Nestled on 62 breathtaking acres, Het Landhuis Estate features five venue options that fit every budget and guest list. The estate offers everything from rustic barns, airy poolside terraces and romantic pathways, to event-ready barbecue pits, clear water fountains and elegant covered porches.

Het Landhuis Estate also offers a unique feature called “The Stone Walkway”. Each couple who says “I do” can have their names engraved on the stone walkway to commemorate their love for years to come.

The estate even boasts an in-house wedding planner to help make your vision become a reality, while still allowing you to sit back and enjoy your big day!

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Photo Two: Krystal Kast Photographers

Rather than stocking up your reception bar with every type of alcohol imaginable (which could cost you!), why not consider a signature cocktail that shows off your creativity and style?

A signature cocktail can reflect your theme, colors, décor or it can simply be your favorite drink that you like to mix at home. Give it a creative name, create a sign or station for it, dress it up with fun accessories like garnishes and straws – and toast to your special day!

Thinking of hosting a barbecue reception for your wedding?

Planning a barbecue reception starts with the details. To take a barbecue from a traditional neighborhood affair to a casually gorgeous wedding event, set the mood with the little things, like burlap menus, wooden signs or a creative utensil display. All of those mason jar ideas you have been meticulously collecting? Here’s the place to implement them in all their full glory.

Josh Snyder Photography

Here’s a little industry secret: lighting can make or break an event space. Celebrity wedding planners Preston Bailey and Colin Cowie swear by lighting to transform their spaces into areas fit for the glitterati, but for the average bride, lighting can appear to be an unnecessary add-on. Well, let me shed some light on the situation (pun intended): this techy detail may often be overlooked, but, particularly for indoor venues, it’s an absolute necessity. It creates a mood and can give your décor, flowers, cake, and, yes, even you and your guests, picture-perfect illumination.

Unfortunately, not only do couples nix the idea of lighting because they may not fully understand its importance but also because quality lighting can get pricey. For those who want to save without skimping, check out DIY Uplighting, a company that actually rents out lights for uplighting purposes. (FYI, uplighting is exactly what it sounds like – lighting that shines from the floor up.)

Lights are $19 each for a rental period of seven days. They only rent out modern LED lights, which use minimal power and don’t get hot, so be assured no fire will break out while you’re burning up the dance floor. We recommend renting enough lights to space approximately 6-12 feet away from each other. The closer you put them, the more of an even wash of color you will get. Each light features seven colors to choose from — red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, and white – which you can mix and match, or cast a one-color glow over the entire room.

So ditch the harsh fluorescents and turn to DIY Uplighting for professional-quality lights that will allow you to bask in the glow of your wedding day.

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