WEDDING IDEAS

The four bridesmaids chose tea-length taffeta J.Crew dresses with crisscrossed spaghetti straps and buttons in the back. Marissa altered her own dress to include buttons as well.

A single, yellow button mum coordinated the otherwise green-and-white bout with Michael‘s tie.

To match the bridesmaid dresses, Marissa wore peep-toe Guess heels that added a playful detail to her no-fuss style.

The bride purchased cards at The Paper Source and printed the ceremony information at home.

Poms and mimosa buds tied with large bows decorated the sides of aisle chairs.

Marissa is Catholic and Michael is Jewish, but neither felt strongly about having a religious ceremony. Instead, Marissa wrote a personalized ceremony from start to finish and had her uncle, who became ordained online, officiate.

Guests wrote messages to the bride and groom on fabric squares which Marissa later had turned into a quilt along with the fabric from the couple‘s chuppah.

Marissa wanted the reception space to feel open, and thought a tent would obstruct the beautiful view. So instead, she just rented tent poles -- a move that saved her more than half of what a covered tent would cost -- to serve as a frame for the dining area.

Napkins printed with fun facts about the couple also included a plus-sign border.

A glass drink dispenser dressed up a table with chilled iced tea for guests to cool off with before returning to the dance floor.

Ceramic and steel vases filled with celosias, ranunculus, mums and other blooms rested on table runners made out of chair ties—another money saver!

A family friend created Marissa‘s ranunculus and ornithogalum bouquet.

The grocery store Publix made the three-tiered buttercream cake decorated with a dot design and fresh flowers.

The band played Paul McCartney‘s "Maybe I‘m Amazed," for the couple‘s first dance. Marissa and Michael were less traditional with their ceremony music, which included lots of Beatle‘s tunes along with music by Led Zeppelin, The Mamas and The Papas, and for the bride‘s processional, "Edelweiss," from The Sound of Music.

Marissa‘s mom spent hours covering Granny Smith apples with pretzels, peanut butter cups, Butterfingers and cookies.

Marissa & Michael in Manatee County, FL

Photos By: Agnes Lopez Photography, Jacksonville, FL

Location: The Powel Crosley Estate, Manatee County, FL

She should have been paying attention in Spanish class, but instead, Marissa, then a 14-year-old high school freshman, couldn't take her eyes off of the cute guy in class—junior. She finally worked up the nerve to ask him to a school dance, and they've been together ever since.

The Bride Marissa Moss, 23, commercial interior designer
The Groom Michael Hyman, 25, retail manager
The Date October 18

After more than six years of dating, Marissa was totally clueless about Michael's plan to pop the question while on a ski trip with his family. Michael's sister was even in on it; her job was to make sure the gondola loader gave the couple a private ride up the mountain. The loader obliged, and just as Marissa started commenting on his poor organizing skills (there was a long line!), Michael got down on one knee.

-- Caitlin Moscatello