Wedding Crashing: A Sweet & Simple Celebration

We’re back to crash yet another wedding, and this time we’re taking you all the way to rural Reinbeck, Iowa. Meet Christina (aka Teeni) & Trevor, an adorable couple who wanted nothing more than a sweet and simple celebration on a shoestring budget. After spending an entire day trying on gowns at bridal shops, Teeni opted for a $30 department store dress, and Trevor splurged for a silk shirt to go with his favorite pair of jeans. Then they gave their close family and friends two weeks notice to meet them under a big tree at Teeni’s parents’ house for a charming and intimate ceremony to remember.

On the morning of her big day, Teeni woke up and fed her horses as usual (she’s a true farm girl!) and then she and Trevor picked up their marriage license and headed towards the big tree. After her sisters did her hair and makeup, she donned a charming flower wreath and her groom sported a matching blue pocket flower. When the judge arrived her handful of guests gathered on the patio outside for the no-stress nuptials with rows of corn serving as the scenic ceremony backdrop.

Teeni’s “something old” were a pair of estate earrings that her father gifted her and her “something new” was her $30 dress while her “something borrowed” was her mother’s tennis bracelet (which two of her other sisters wore on their wedding day) and her “something blue” were her pale blue shoes.

After a sweet honest exchange of vows, the small group shared a champagne toast inside…

… and then dug into the chocolate sheet cake that read “Congratulations Teeni & Trevor” (picked up a local grocery store). Teeni still has the small plastic wedding bands that decorated the cake.

After a romantic (no smooshing) cake feeding, they visited with family, took some pictures and then walked across the street to their newly inherited land (where Trevor was beginning to build their very own home).

Even though a big wedding ceremony wasn’t their piece of cake, the couple later celebrated with lots of family and friends at a tented reception complete with a live band (Trevor’s), a pig roast and tiered cake stands full of cupcakes stacked to look like a wedding cake. Trevor’s band played while Teeni shared a dance with her father and Trevor’s sister sang while Teeni & Trevor enjoyed their first dance. Trevor and his family are quite the brewmasters, so there was an abundance of fresh homemade beer to complement those tasty homemade pork sandwiches. And when guests weren’t eating or dancing, they could be found visiting the goats and horses in the family’s nearby barn (which quickly became an impromptu petting zoo). I really bonded with the miniature goats- it was very romantic.

An old relic from a high school prom that Teeni and Trevor attended together, a giant pink elephant made of paper-mache was positioned near the entryway as a cheeky and fun greeting for guests.

The party lasted into the night, and icicle lights illuminated the tent as people danced under the stars and toasted to Teeni & Trevor.

And a fun and festive firework show capped off the evening thanks to some store bought pyrotechnics.

T & T’s sweet and honest ceremony and fun filled reception are gentle reminders that a budget really has nothing to do with the success of an event. The couple spent less than $300 on both gatherings and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Here’s to love and laughter at any budget!