Wedding Inspiration: A Country Barbecue With Stylish, Vintage Trappings

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When it's right, it's right.

Caroline Prentice and Ben Ballacera's friendship blossomed into a romance after several years, despite Ballacera's having a crush on her from the beginning. She never knew it, but upon finding out, things quickly became serious. Once they started dating, they knew within weeks they wanted to get married. Ballacera took Prentice on a Disney cruise with his family, and popped the question on pirate night after fireworks and dancing.


"By far, it was the best vacation of my life," says Prentice. "We got married 10 months later and are still on cloud nine. I am sure people thought we were crazy, but we are only crazy about each other!"

After almost a year of planning, their big day arrived in vintage fashion. The bride arrived in an antique car, and expressed her offbeat style with a bouquet of dried flowers (which she admits ended up being a money saver). Her classic cream dress stood out amongst the navy gowns of her bridesmaids, while the rest of the decor had warm tones and rustic touches—barn doors led guests to the event where there were handwritten wooden signs, pails overflowing with flower petals, and country tones of pinks and yellows.

"We also spent many hours folding 1,000 paper cranes since I am half Japanese," she says. "It is said that folding 1,000 cranes brings good health, peace and prosperity. This was the backdrop for our dance floor."

Venue: Private residence in El Dorado, California

Hair: Sherry Detinne

Makeup: All Dolled Up Hair and Makeup

Jewelry:Shane Co.

Shoes:Joyfolie

Invitations:Penelope's Paper Pantry

Floral arrangements:The Flower PatchCaterer: Back 40 BBQ

Bridesmaids dresses:Bill Levkoff

Groomsmen's attire: Men's Warehouse and Asos

Photography:Capture Create Studios

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