Angela Lievense never would have guessed that she would date her eighth grade crush, Cameron Avery, for eight years once high school began. The two dated long distance in college, but Cameron popped the question during a surprise visit. “My sister Tiffany, who is a photographer, asked me to model for a photo shoot at sunset. When I arrived at the dock, I was surprised to see lights strung all around the setting. There was beautiful music playing, and my man standing at the end of the dock,” Angela reminisces.

With help from her mother, sisters, and Pinterest, the bride elected a relaxed, bohemian theme for her celebration. She and Cameron hosted a lovely alfresco ceremony followed by an intimate reception inside a vintage barn. Floral arrangements, customized by Angela’s aunt, featured eucalyptus, peonies, and greenery for an organic ambience. The bridesmaids’ gowns also reflected the relaxed feel that she envisioned. “I wanted my bridesmaid dresses to be carefree, flowing, and unique with straps – instead of traditional strapless – and a rusty rose color, instead of traditional wedding colors,” she recalls. “My bridesmaids and myself wore sandals for a bohemian touch.”

The reception featured many personal details. In fact, the bride and groom wrote notes to every wedding guest and placed them on each place setting to show their love and appreciation. With a passion for food and a culinary degree, Angela decided to bake the wedding cake herself. She designed a simple three-tiered vanilla confection with buttercream frosting, a "Mr. and Mrs. Avery" cake topper, and cascading peonies and greenery. Friends and family also had a blast with the photo booth and were encouraged to use the couple’s hashtage (#HappilyAveryAfter) for their social media posts. In honor of tying the knot on Cameron’s parents’ wedding anniversary, the band played a special song for them to share a dance.

Reflecting on the wedding of her dreams, Angela encourages all engaged couples to stick to their vision and personal taste. “I was told by my husband’s grandmother to make our wedding how we want and not to worry about what others say – and not let others change what we wanted for our special day,” confides the bride. “Knowing that you have supportive people around you is such a blessing!”