I’m going to predict right here and now that you’re going to fall head-over-heels for this rustic handmade wedding from Katelyn James Photography!! From the cute-as-a-button bride to her groom in vest and tie. From the wildflower bouquets to the oh-so-pretty purple bridesmaids dresses paired with, you guessed right, cowboy boots!! Then there’s the windowpanes and chandeliers, blue mason jars and stripy straws, burlap place settings and chalkboard table numbers. And let’s not forget the reception awash in such pretty shades of pink, blue, green and yellow; each chair tied with a different color patterned bow!! And the cake – oh, the cake – with its rustic cake stand and pretty as can be bride and groom WillowTree (I love these) cake topper. Every inch of this wedding makes my heart go pitter-patter because it was handmade with love.

Hunter and Rebecca lived 20 minutes apart growing up, but never met until they were at Virginia Tech. All their friends kept saying how perfect they were for each other and urging them to out on a date. So finally, one day, Hunter took matters into his own hands, and asked around for her number.

Over their first phone call, Hunter asked Rebecca if she’d like to go hunting with him over Thanksgiving break. This was in part thanks to her roommate saying she’d like to go. But being alone in the woods with a gun on the first date wasn’t exactly Rebecca’s idea of fun, and so she turned him down.

Hunter wasn’t in the least bit deterred, and Rebecca was secretly glad for this, as he continued his pursuit of her. In January, they finally went for coffee. They both ordered white mochas and talked for hours. While they both thought the other was cute, they both agree that it was sharing the same value system, faith, and ideals that made them most attractive to each other.

Becca said I love you first. But she was so nervous that she jumped out of Hunter’s trunk and dashed into the post office… where she proceeded to buy $5 worth of 1-cent stamps!!! Hunter could only smile and laugh :) He later whispered that he loved her too while dancing at his sister’s wedding. It wasn’t long after that that Becca started writing letters to Hunter as her future husband in a journal that she later gifted to him on their wedding day :)

Hunter proposed in Highland County where his family owns land. He packed a picnic, planned for them to go four-wheeling, and told Becca to pack nice clothes in case they decided to go for dinner at the Highland Inn restaurant. It was a gorgeous day and Hunter was calm, cool, and collected on the drive over so Becca didn’t suspect a thing.

Hunter unloaded the four-wheeler when they arrived at the camp, and Becca snooped through the cooler (but found no ring). Nor did she feel it on the ride as the box was hidden beneath a box of bullets (Becca had insisted that Hunter bring his gun lest they run into the bear rumored to be out and about). And after a wonderful lunch, Hunter turned the conversation to the topic of their relationship. He told her how much he loved her and that he wanted to spend his life with her. He suggested they take a couple pictures to remember this special day and when she turned back to him, camera in hand, she found him on bended knee with a ring in his hand!

{From the Bride} The day was full of distinct memories in between blurs of how fast the wedding went by. We agree the day was absolutely perfect and everything we wanted, but went by way too fast!

The most memorable moment was our first look. We are traditional and had always thought we wouldn’t see each other before. But the more we looked at Katelyn’s other couples, we decided we really wanted that special time together. We had as long as we wanted to cry, laugh, and smile together the first time we saw each other. It was the most special time of our life.

Our first dance was “Everything” by Michael Buble. It was peppy, fun, and different than most. Perfect for us.

We planned out so much of the day and spent many hours before the wedding preparing, and seeing all of the windows, jars, flowers, and fabric set up was just awing. It was everything we wanted and just gorgeous! Our dream wedding was so us.

{Advice for Couples} Enjoy dating!!!!!!!! Marriage brings about all kinds of changes and figuring out household rules. We both recommend taking full advantage of dating and doing fun things when you’re engaged!! We loved getting to just hang out and so much of our engagement time was spent planning the wedding, worth it, but definitely have FUN together!!! We also were obsessed with our Honeymoon. Skimp on some wedding things if need be, because the honeymoon is a chance to take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation with the excitement of being newlyweds!

Congratulations, Hunter and Rebecca, and thank you so much for sharing your wedding and love story with us!! We wish you both so much love and laughter in the many years you’ll share together! Many, many, many thanks to Katelyn James for sharing their very special day with us today!! We’re so thankful to have you be a part of our rustic month :) xoxo