Have I ever told you all of my obsession with Billy Buttons? (No, not Billy’s buttons, Billy Buttons.) Because I do have an obsession. They’re just so cute and little and yellow and look like pompoms on stems – adorable!! And this rustic lakeside wedding from Danielle Pasternak, Wedding Coordinator and Lalee Photography is full of them!! From the vibrant and pretty, orange, yellow and green bouquets, to the mouth-watering cupcake display. Billy Buttons galore. I love it so. But that’s not all. I love the sweet, lakeside ceremony, the royal blue bridesmaids dresses, the escort cards in grass, the sparklers that rounded out the night, and the cabin-like feel to the reception (complete with canoes hanging in the rafters)!! Which was perfect for the adventurous bride and groom according to their love story below!!

Brandon and Mark first met in Washington, D.C. on a double blind date. They went to a Washington Wizards basketball game and hit it off right from the start. She couldn’t stop laughing at his jokes and unusual sense of humor. They shared many of the same interests (like backpacking, rock climbing, and canoeing) and discovered that both their families had lived in Baltimore. After the game, while walking to the Metro, Mark asked Brandon for her number. They’ve been together ever since :)

They enjoyed getting to know each other, their friends, and exploring the D.C. area together during those early days of dating. They went rafting, hiking, and even toured the Capital. Every day they spent together, Mark never ceased in being able to make Brandon laugh.

When it came time to decide where to move next in their lives and careers, they decided together to move to California. But first they wanted to travel around the world for several months. As they started mapping out their plans for the future, they realized it would be a shared future rather than two separate paths.

Mark had arranged for both of their families to be in town on the day he proposed. He called Brandon’s office in advance and arranged for her to have a half-day off. Her bosses sent her off to a surprise spa appointment (of which Mark had also arranged) and later, when she arrived home, she found Mark waiting there to propose. Instead of calling their families, Mark announced that everyone was in town (surprise!) to celebrate with them. Best day ever.

{From the Bride} Our wedding day was a combination of many of our favorite activities. We were married in a special summer community where I had grown up, and the day was perfect for outdoor summer fun. We started with kickball and a cookout lunch, then we each spent time with our wedding party getting ready for the afternoon ceremony. Mark rode a motorboat over to the place where we would be getting married, and I quietly arrived with my family and bridesmaids to our ceremony location by the lake. We had a traditional Episcopalian wedding ceremony which went smoothly until Mark’s ring barely fit onto his finger! Everyone laughed and we joke that now he can’t ever take if off even if he wanted to. Our reception featured tons of dancing and amazing yet casual food. We then finished the night with a bonfire and s’mores at a nearby campsite. The weekend was just what we hoped for, and we were grateful to our families for making it such an incredible celebration.

{Advice for Couples} For me, the experience of planning a wedding was very much about bringing our community of family and friends together as we started a new chapter of our lives. Negotiating everyone’s hopes and expectations for the wedding day is challenging, but well worth it in the end.

Congratulations, Brandon and Mark, 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 Danielle Pasternak and Lalee Photography for sharing this very special day with us today!! We’re so thankful to have you both be a part of our rustic month :) xoxo

Danielle Pasternak, Wedding Coordinator is a fabulous member of our Vendor Boutique. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.