I think it's safe to say that Maria and Stefan's Austrian big day is the first eco-friendly and vegan wedding I've blogged on Rock My Wedding. In fact I think it's the first wedding I've ever seen where the couple have chosen to take such an approach and my gosh it's so worth it.

For a start Maria's completely vegan wedding dress made by Lena Hoschek, a vintage designer from Austria perfectly channels Downton Abbey's Lady Mary from whom Maria drew inspiration. And then there's the old, wooden pavilion in which the pair married. Honestly it is sublime with beautiful soft light streaming through the branches of the trees that caress the pavilion from every side. I can completely understand why this spot is so special to the pair.

The portrait shots of them frolicking in the fields are pretty special too as is their epic cake. I just know that you'll love this wedding as much as I do.

If you're keen to hear more about Maria's vegan lifestyle and learn her tips and tricks then you can read her blog here.

Maria The Bride:Since I am vegan and my husband vegetarian, our wedding was completely vegan and as eco-friendly as we could manage. We used a lot of second hand/vintage materials and did all the wedding planning and decoration by ourselves (with help from our family and friends of course). With our wedding in a little wood surrounded by the buzzing town of Vienna, we were able to create an amazing peaceful atmosphere, which I will never forget. To us, it was perfect.

I always liked eco-friendly features and tips, since I think it is important but also fun to look out for our environment. I think more and more people are interested in a "cool" vegan lifestyle, and also want to have stylish vegan weddings.

Nearly the whole wedding was comprised of DIY projects including the boutonnieres, the invitations and stationery, our chalkboards and favours, and the paper doily garlands.

I did the whole decoration by myself and purchased most of it at flea markets and second hand shops. Over a year I collected about 80 doilies, 80 vintage crystalvases, several lovely tablecloths, antique frames, etc.

We wanted our wedding to be a vegan, eco-friendly and vintage love fest and with the support of our friends and family we totally made it happen. I loved getting together with my bridesmaids in our living room to make all kinds of stuff for the wedding, there was so much love and detail behind every item.

The inspiration for the location came with the engagement itself. My husband asked me to marry him right at this old, wooden pavillion, where we afterwards decided to hold the ceremony as well. It is a very special place for us, very calm and peaceful. The branches of the trees hang into the pavilion from every side. It is so lovely and down to earth.

The inspiration for my outfit was Lady Mary from Downton Abbey. I just love the way they do her hair and also the way people dressed around 1910. Lena Hoschek, a vintage designer from Austria, made my fabulous, vegan wedding dress made of embroidered cotton tulle.

I can think of so many moments that I will never forget. I really loved doing the couple shoots on a hill a little outside of Vienna. It was very intimate and we could enjoy just us for a little time. I also loved the walk down the aisle. It is amazing how I just saw my husband standing there and hardly recognized anything else around me.

The most fun part was when our bridesmaids and groomsmen showed us a video they did of them singing to an "Austrian wedding march" - song. It was absolutely hilarious. They did such a good job.

We had a mixture of different music throughout the day including Largo from "Winter" of the Four Seasons by Vivaldi during the procession of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. I walked down the aisle to Something by the Beatles which was sung by a friend. We chose to listen to Make you feel my love by Bob Dylan when lighting the wedding candle and Real Love also by the Beatles after we said yes also sung by a friend. Etta James' At Last was chosen for our first dance.

For me, the planning was much easier, because we started early, like almost a year in advance. This way we didn't have to rush with any decisions and we had enough time for the details. I also recommend trusting your family and friends with some parts of the planning and DIY-stuff.

Photography by Thomas Steibl
Venue Ottakringer Brauerei, Vienna | Dress Lena Hoschek | Jewellery Kunsthandel Pichler | Groom's outfit Rotknopf Massanzüge | Hair & Make-up Miss V | Catering Hollerei | Wedding Cake & Desserts Cupcakes Vienna and Simply Raw Bakery | Videography Jochen Russmann.