For this Real Wedding we travel across “the pond” to the beautiful East Coast of America. Rachel and Lee’s early autumn lake house wedding is a feast for tired January eyes. They held their wedding at Rachel’s family’s Lake House in Maryland under the hazy September sun.

Before we catch up with bride Rachel to learn more about this rowing boat-filled, sunflower-adorned day, a few words from to TNWC’s Charlie…

This wedding feels close to my heart, which might sound strange when I’ve never met Rachel or Lee, but I have got to know Rachel a little over the past year. Firstly she shared with me her nautical wedding invitations inspired by my own save the dates. I especially loved that the “tying the knot” element (inspired by this version of mine) had such relevance to their love of sailing.

Since their wedding, Rachel and Lee have been on the most incredible 12 month adventure sailing around America in their yacht. I have followed their adventures on Instagram and have kept in touch following their return to dry land, where Rachel has set up her own business Rachel Kendall Events. I am so thrilled that we get to share their wedding with you.

Let’s start at the beginning

A lot of Rachel and Lee’s wedding is connected to their beginning, so that is where we will start.

“We actually met at a New Year’s Eve party back in college but both do not remember the meeting…he was the roommate of one of my best friends from a summer camp that has a very special place in my heart. Fast forward a few years and Lee started up a cover band with that same old roommate of his and another good friend of mine from camp. They came to my parents’ house in Maryland, where we later got married. Lee and I hit it off right away and have been dating, I guess, ever since.”

It blossomed and then she said ‘yes’

“That was about 5 years ago now. It has been very organic since the beginning because once we started dating, because of his connection with my camps friends, we already had a pretty good circle of close friends that we didn’t have to go through that awkward introducing each other to our friends phase.

“I also have a tradition with my camp friends that every year after Thanksgiving (which is on a Thursday) we all gather at my parents’ house on the Eastern Shore for the weekend. We have been doing it for 12 years. Two years ago, during that weekend, we went to our camp to walk around and Lee proposed to me on the dock with all my friends around.”

An autumn lake house wedding

“Right after Lee proposed there wasn’t really a conversation about when and where the wedding would be. We knew we wanted to throw an awesome party and it only made sense to have it at my parents’ house where we always throw awesome parties with our friends. We also for some reason both said September and then the planning began.

“I had never really thought about my wedding day before this moment, weird I know. But as soon as I started thinking about the party all I knew is that I wanted it to feel like the same old “Lake House Weekends” we have with our friends, just a little more fancy. I also wanted a ton of burlap and sunflowers.”

A perfectly sunny day

“First off the weather was perfect, thank god. It was at my parents’ house that I grew up going to every summer so there was a special feeling the whole day. My girls and I got ready in my parents’ room and the guys got ready downstairs.”

Slow down and remember

“My main advice would be to slow down and remember that this day is for you and your fiancé. It’s very hard to get into the rhythm of pleasing everyone in each family but the most important people to please are yourself and your soon-to-be husband.”

These beautiful photographs, by Davey & Krista Photography, capture what is one of the most important times for any couple at their wedding: moments alone to take in the momentousness and joy of the day. And what a charming setting for their “first look”.

Sunflowers and succulents

The bright bouquets by florists Bloomin’ Wild, are cheerfully vibrant and the subsequent pop of yellow in the couple’s wedding photos is very pretty indeed. I also love the succulents in the groom’s and groomsmen’s buttonholes – they remind me of this botanical welsh wedding we recently featured.

Surrounded by friends

While Rachel had a small group of bridesmaids, her larger group of girl friends all wore a similar shade of purple. The outcome is lovely, notably because it is this group of friends that brought the couple together. What a great idea if you’re struggling to choose.

A lake-side ceremony written by the couple

“The outdoor ceremony was in the backyard overlooking the water and the tent for the reception was set up in the front yard. We wrote the ceremony ourselves which incorporated a ton of our personality.”

Singing groomsmen

“Two of Lee’s groomsmen, including the best man, decided that their wedding present for us was playing the ceremony music. We had them come down the aisle starting the ceremony music and then standing up there as the bridal party, before coming down last playing music as they went to close out the ceremony.”

It was perfect on the day

“The wedding was absolutely perfect. I would not change a thing about it, even now that I am starting my own wedding and event planning business and seeing all the amazing other décor ideas I could have done.”

Lots of DIY details

“I love doing DIY projects but it started getting to the point where I was telling myself to stop before I gave myself too long of a list.”

DIY adds personality

“I made my own save the dates and invites (inspired by Charlie’s) . I then made all my own signs, a bunch of random décor elements, escort cards that consisted of succulents and cactus with little flags where I printed the name of each guest and their table number in our wedding fonts.

“There was a lot but I absolutely loved putting so much of my personality into the event. This is basically where I realised how much I enjoyed creating the details for the day and came up with the idea to start Rachel Kendall Events.”

An alternative guestbook

Possibly my favourite part of this wedding, bar the setting, is this alternative wooden oar guestbook. What a fabulous idea. Not only does it fit perfectly with this autumn lake house wedding but suits the couple too, and their love of sailing and boats.

The groom played in the band

“During the reception Lee and the band played a few songs including a surprise song he learned for me, Hozier’s Jackie And Wilson, which is one of my favourites. The rest of the night was just spent having the best time with all our friends and family at the Lake House.”

Enjoy it, but remember it is just one day

And although they appear to have had a thoroughly good time, Rachel’s last piece of advice is simple: “although I do think it is extremely important to make the wedding day as perfect as you can, it is only one day. You have to remember what you are celebrating, which is your life together as one family.”

A huge thank you to the wonderful Davey & Krista Photography for capturing this amazing wedding, and to Rachel and Lee for sharing it with us. We look forward to seeing more of Rachel’s creativity in the weddings she plans for others, and following their adventures.

{ Details }

Photographer: Davey & Krista Photography
Venue: Family home
Bride’s Dress: BHLDN
Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden
Buttonholes: Eucca
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: LuLu’s
Groomsmen Outfits: The Black Tux
Flowers: Bloomin’ Wild
Wedding Stationery: Handmade by the bride
Wedding Food: Occasions Catering
Entertainment: Sly 45 (Groom & friends’ band) and The LPs
Decorations: All décor mainly handmade by the bride (Rachel Kendall Events)