July, 2012 - DIY Bride

Hollman + Sara

Goodness, I love a fabulous beach wedding. Sara and Hollman went the destination route for their outdoor nuptials, and I am digging the light and airy tropical vibe of the day they created. One of things I really enjoy about destination weddings are how intimate they are; it’s truly a celebration with your nearest and dearest. That comfort level elevates the party aspect a little bit because everyone already knows each other. Then again, a few maracas to shake after the ceremony don’t hurt either. Sara added personal touches by crafting decor details, menu cards, and favors as well.

DETAILS

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

Photography: Amy Bennett Photography

Venue: RIU Resort

Kailey + Travis

If you’re having trouble waking up this Monday morning, no worries! Skip the coffee, and get a load of this bright yellow spring wedding. Yellow is just one of those colors that perks you right up and gets a smile on your face. That it’s the most prevalent color in today’s super charming featured wedding is no mistake. The citrus details and collected vintage furniture does a phenomenal job of playing off the pops of blue and white, and really tie together all the DIY elements of Kailey and Travis’s wedding.

DETAILS

Location: Toquerville, UT

Photography: Flourish Photography

Venue: Lichfield Ponds

Florals: Bloomers

Cake: Denise Thompson

Event Coordination: Forevermore Events

Blueprints #1

The DIY Bride Blueprint is a weekly feature where we present a sketch of a project (along with our interpretation of it) to help jump start your creativity.

This sketch ….

Inspired this invitation …

Don’t be shy about sharing your creations! We’ll happily include photos of the projects you’ve made from our blueprints in our galleries. Have you blogged about it? Let us know. We’ll give you some linky love.

Jen + Mark

Today’s bride, Jen, redefines the term “do-it-yourself.” She dyed her own shoes, crafted every element of decor, with all the florals created by her aunt, and even spent three months drawing the damask border on the 50-foot aisle runner. The girl has got some mad crafting skills, and the couple’s wedding was absolutely stunning.

DETAILS

Location: Rochester, NY

Photography: The Amberlight Collective

Weekend Love: Steven + Allie

Happy Sunday, everyone. For the second part of our Weekend Love, we have the wedding of Steven and Allie. One of the things I love most about DIY weddings is how involved the couple’s family can get. For starters, Allie and Steven were married in the church the bride’s grandmother helped build as a child, the bride’s aunt created Allie’s favorite chocolate run cake, and cousins of the couple created stout and apple cider beer for the post-wedding shindig. Allie’s mother made boutonnieres, and the couple created centerpieces and linens. All in all, a very traditional and charming DIY wedding to finish out our weekend.

DETAILS

Location: Blowing Rock, NC

Photography: Cyn Kain Photography

Venue: Camp Sky Ranch

Weekend Love: Emile + Derek

The couple featured in our the engagement shoot today kept it sweet and simple. They used a chalkboard as their only props, and the result is so full of brightness and love that it made me say to my husband, “Oooooo, honey. We need a BARN! And a WOOD FENCE! And REALLY TALL GRASS to frolic in!”

I was rather excited, to say the least.

So please, sit back with a delicious beverage and enjoy Saturday’s edition of Weekend Love.

DETAILS

Location: Kansas

Photography: Portraits by Lucinda

Andrew + Sarah

Today’s bride, Sarah, offered up a piece of great wedding planning advice that I think all the newly engaged should take to heart, “Enjoy it! Start early, and don’t rush the decision making process. Make sure it’s exactly what you want.” So often brides can get caught up in having to do 568 different things, and you can lose the forest for the trees. The process is all about planning a great day for family and friends, and getting closer to your partner – even if you want to occasionally throw flowers at their head.

Sarah and Andrew went all out with the DIY elements of their wedding – invitations, centerpieces of dried flowers and frosted mason jars, making wine charms for favors (super cute!), and seating charts. When you make the decision to create elements of your wedding on your own, time is your best friend. It allows you to make decisions, then make them again, and be sure your end result is what you want – truly an extension of you and your partner.

DETAILS

Location: Wethersfield, CT

Photography: Nikki Nicole Photography

Reception Venue: The Webb Barn

Event Coordinator: Dot Your i’s Events

Caterer: Village Tavern Catering

Florals: Park Hill Joyce Flower Shop

Cake: Mid-Hudson Cake

Dress Store: Mariella’s Creations

Mens Attire: JT Ghamo

Jewelry: Charming Charlie

Hair Stylist: Salon Allure

DJ: Elegant Occasions DJ

Brittany + Derrick

Today’s featured wedding looks like it was one awesome party! Brittany is a nurse, Derrick is a motorcycle racer, and their personalities busted out in this wedding. All the details are modern, fresh, and funky, but with a fierce classic twist. I especially love the photos of them in the bright aqua car, which belongs to the bride’s father, and the Ring Security t-shirt the ringbearer was styling.

DETAILS

Location: Peoria, AZ

Photography: The R2 Studio

Venue and Caterer: Blackstone Country Club

Florals: Etsy

Dress: Maggie Sottero from Brilliant Bridal

Hair: Tracy Peck

Makeup: Glamor Looks

DJ: SKM Entertainment

Grace + Micah

I’ve made no secret of my adoration of couples who build their wedding sites from the ground up. It takes ingenuity, creativity, and a healthy dose of moxie. They enlisted friends to help with the music and flowers, and family helped set up shop at Hunter Park which is a preserve north of San Diego. The backdrop of well-manicured lawns and eucalyptus trees provided a stunning dose of pretty to their outdoor rustic nuptials.

DETAILS

Location: San Marcos, CA

Photography: Brooktown Photography

Venue: Hunter Park

Whitney + Justin

I’m a sucker for a broad and sweeping Southern wedding, and today’s is just the ticket. Whitney and Justin were married at the Eden Gardens State Park, a venue with gorgeous antebellum architecture and stunning scenery. They even found a way to incorporate their four legged friend into their wedding day!

DETAILS:

Location: Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Photography: Adria Peaden Photography

Venue: Eden Gardens State Park

Florals: Sam’s Club

Dress: David’s Bridal

Mens Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Equipment Rental: RSVP Weddings

Party Supply: Smarty Had a Party