![](https://www.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/letsfrolictogether_20230422_0106.jpg)
High school sweethearts, Cheri + Chad are simply adorable. Now that we know they secretly dream of owning a large ranch in the middle of Wyoming with their two pups, their classic American countryside venue and wedding pretty much affirms that idea. Their celebration didn’t have the formality of a traditional wedding. It wasn’t just about them, but about the friends & family they’d be sharing it with. Guests played horseshoes, relaxed by the lake, danced under the stars, roasted s’mores… theirs was the type of wedding guests could let their hair down, kick off their shoes, and truly enjoy themselves.
![missouri lakeside wedding missouri lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-7-1.jpg)
This photo feels like something out of a childhood dream, doesn’t it?
![jcrew arabelle gown jcrew arabelle gown](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-22-1.jpg)
![silver wedding rings silver wedding rings](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-8-1.jpg)
![jcrew dress and john varvatos suit jcrew dress and john varvatos suit](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-18-1.jpg)
![missouri lakeside wedding missouri lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-20-1.jpg)
![rustic wedding accents rustic wedding accents](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-15-1.jpg)
All the DIY elements you see were a labor of love made from crafting parties with friends & family. They covered wooden clothespins with glitter, cute fabric triangles for escort cards, canned roasted pumpkin seeds for favors, and whole lot of paper decorations you’ll see later on.
![DIY rustic wedding decor DIY rustic wedding decor](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-12-1.jpg)
![DIY rustic wedding decor DIY rustic wedding decor](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-13-1.jpg)
![missouri lakeside wedding missouri lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-17-1.jpg)
![lakeside wedding lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-16-1.jpg)
![missouri lakeside wedding missouri lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-2-1.jpg)
Mega paper poms decorated the gazebo they married under.
![gazebo wedding ceremony gazebo wedding ceremony](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-7a-1.jpg)
![lakeside wedding lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-8a-1.jpg)
![missouri lakeside wedding missouri lakeside wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-19-1.jpg)
![garden roses and lambs ear bouquet garden roses and lambs ear bouquet](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-3-1.jpg)
I wanted a soft and feminine look for my flowers so I chose to use garden roses and lambs ear. I wanted the men to have a more masculine option so we chose to make boutonnieres out of feathers that we found at Chad’s family farm. It added another personal touch, plus they held up really well. I actually framed Chad’s boutonniere and set it on display in our living room.
![bridal party photos in the forest bridal party photos in the forest](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-5a-1.jpg)
![pastel bridal party pastel bridal party](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-6a-1.jpg)
![bridal party photos in the forest bridal party photos in the forest](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-6-1.jpg)
![wheat stalk and mason jar centerpieces wheat stalk and mason jar centerpieces](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-4-1.jpg)
![delicate table settings delicate table settings](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-9-1.jpg)
![simple white wedding cake and cupcakes simple white wedding cake and cupcakes](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-11-1.jpg)
The sweets table can easily be one of our favorite elements in a wedding. Who can deny a pretty sugar spread? Especially when the bride has told us that her and her mother have baked every single yummy treat.
![delicate dessert table delicate dessert table](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-3a-1.jpg)
![fun paper elements fun paper elements](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-4a-1.jpg)
![streamer adorned bridal table streamer adorned bridal table](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missour-wedding-26-1.jpg)
Bride and bridesmaids bouquets used as centerpiece decor is a great way to save money on flowers and make those bouquets last longer!
![DIY photo booth DIY photo booth](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-10-1.jpg)
My favorite project was the photo booth. It consisted of a piece of wood fence that I aged with vinegar and steel wool, pennant flags that I sewed from a variety of fabrics, homemade props (mustaches and bow ties), a Polaroid camera, and picture frames. It was actually quite simple and so much fun! Also, the pictures we have from it made for a great keepsake. I ended up framing about 50 of the Polaroid pictures in a poster sized frame and I absolutely adore it.
![DIY photo booth DIY photo booth](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-24-1.jpg)
![lovebirds chair decoration lovebirds chair decoration](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-1a-1.jpg)
![lovebirds lovebirds](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/missouri-lake-wedding-2a-1.jpg)
Congratulations you two lovebirds!
Photography: Turner Creative Photography / Event planner: Heart & Arrow Events / Venue: Little Piney Lodge / Invites & save the dates: Love vs Design / Catering: Swiss Meats / Bartender: Flair on the Fly / DJ: Rambo’s Disco / Cake + sweets: bride and mother / Bride’s dress: J.Crew Arabelle gown / Shoes: Juicy Couture Danika Slingbacks / Jewelry: local antique stores / Groom’s suit: John Varvatos / Bridesmaid dresses: Dillards, Nordstorm, H & M / Groomsmen suits: JCPenny