Wedding Belle: Damaris' Southern Wedding

Food Network Star winner Damaris Phillips shares the details of her big day — a DIY celebration in the heart of Kentucky.

From: Food Network Magazine

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Photo By: Mark Peterson ©Mark Peterson

Photo By: Mark Peterson

Photo By: Mark Peterson ©Mark Peterson

Photo By: Mark Peterson

Photo By: Mark Peterson ©Mark Peterson

Photo By: Mark Peterson

Photo By: Mark Peterson ©Mark Peterson

Damaris' Homespun Wedding

"I was so excited to marry Darrick, I would have gone to the courthouse," Damaris says. "But this was more fun — and a lot prettier."

Brooch Bouquet

Damaris found the idea for a bouquet made of vintage floral brooches on Pinterest. As soon as she finished making hers, she swore off the site. "I wanted to stop focusing on aesthetic projects and think about the things that would make people have a good time."

Paper Cranes

When Darrick proposed to Damaris, he presented her with 1,000 origami cranes made from receipts, ticket stubs and notes he'd saved during their three-year courtship. For the ceremony, they strung them together to create a backdrop that hung from the gazebo where they exchanged vows.

Vintage Handkerchiefs

Damaris and Darrick filled a fabric-lined case with handkerchiefs "for happy tears" that the guests could take home after the celebration.

Table for 235

A U-shaped table accommodated all the guests, and the couple sat at the base, "where we could look out on everyone," Damaris says. They searched tag sales, thrift stores and flea markets for the place settings.

Fan with a Plan

The wedding program served double duty as a fan — the day turned out to be a hot one.

Personal Plates

Each place card included a handwritten note from the bride and groom.

Meatless Dining

Damaris has never met a piece of pork she didn't love — but Darrick is a strict vegetarian, so they went meatless for the meal, serving veggie-and-hummus sandwiches on Parmesan focaccia, plus a selection of colorful salads.

Outdoor Lounge

Damaris set up living room furniture, quilts and picnic blankets around the park for cocktail hour.

Picnic Baskets

During the cocktail hour, guests helped themselves to bags of candied pecans and crackers with pimento cheese and Benedictine spread. At the bar: margaritas and bourbon slushies on tap.

Homemade Cakes

At the wedding shower in April, Damaris and Darrick's families helped decide the flavors for the wedding cakes. Then the couple baked them in the weeks leading up to the big day. "It was just us at home at night, thinking up and tweaking different recipes," she says.

On Tonight

Wedding Belle: Damaris' Southern Wedding

Related To:

Damaris' Homespun Wedding

Brooch Bouquet

Paper Cranes

Vintage Handkerchiefs

Table for 235

Fan with a Plan

Personal Plates

Meatless Dining

Outdoor Lounge

Picnic Baskets

Homemade Cakes

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry

Caramel Corn

Cherry-Almond

Blackberry Cobbler

Chocolate-Peanut Butter

Lemon-Lavender

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