Indiana Garden Wedding: Cottage Charm, Lake Views & DIY Delights

Elegant couple celebrate wedding on a boat, lake backdrop

Sail away with this lush garden themed wedding located at a quaint little cottage with a lake view in Indiana. Anne and Adam's beautiful day is filled to the brim with flowers, handmade details and adorable DIY signage. Visit the full gallery here to see even more of this green garden party wedding captured by Molly Connor Photography.

Wedding ceremony on a boat dock with bridal party and dog

Wedding bouquet of pink roses and greenery on a boat

About the Flowers

My flowers were beyond amazing. My friend David Strohmeyer, a brilliant designer and owner of The Empty Vase in Indianapolis, and his team was fantastic. He helped us select several focal points throughout the venue, while keeping us on budget and giving us a huge look. He took our “overgrown dinner party” concept and ran with it.

They filled my mercury glass and gold vases and wooden boxes with hydrangeas and roses and greenery to evoke a garden party complete with the intimate, romantic feel I wanted. My bouquet was a mix of cabbage roses, dahlias, greenery, and a spring of blue/purple berries. It was exquisite.

Elegant flower arrangement with orange and pink blossoms by water

Wedding fans with names in basket and held by a child

Newlyweds walk down the aisle after a lakefront wedding ceremony

About the Favors

One Saturday in June, my mom, aunt, grandmother and I got together to make our family’s homemade strawberry jam. We used three flats of strawberries, 15 pounds of sugar and a lot of pectin, but soon we had 188 mini jars of strawberry jam, plus extra to be served during the reception. To make them even more personal, I designed individual tags for each jar with our initials and on that proclaimed “Spread The Love.”

Homemade strawberry jam jars with Spread the Love tags

Elegant outdoor wedding table setting with floral decor

Signature cocktail sign with flowers and candles on a table

Fresh lemonade and a red cocktail, perfect drinks for any occasion

Wedding Advice

My advice to brides is to make sure you have fun in the planning process and surround yourself with great vendors. My photographer and florist, both of whom live three hours away, made a special trip up to the venue before the wedding to scout it out and make sure they wouldn’t have any surprises. Finding vendors who are as committed to your day as you are will make the entire process less stressful and will allow you to relax and enjoy your wedding.

Wedding cake with flowers and best day ever topper