January, 2014 - DIY Bride

Super Love- A Creative Styled Shoot

We featured a fun Real Weddings a couple of days ago where the clever bride crafted a superhero themed get-ready room for the groom and groomsmen. Today, I’m featuring a styled shoot chuck full of great ideas for any Superman lovers out there OR for anyone with red and blue as their main colors. This Superman-inspired styled shoot that the photographer Christine Picheca and wedding planner/stylist Dawn Fillion are sharing with us today called it their “Super Love” shoot. They, along with their talented team of vendors in Ontario, Canada, want to showcase that a couple can be creative, fun, and whimsical, and keep it classy and elegant all the way. They have SO much details going on, I LOVE it!

Where do I begin? SO MUCH DETAIL! The invitation suite is fun and looks like it came straight out of the comics. I absolutely adore the centerpieces of blue hydrangea and red roses. The florist did an incredible job of somehow creating these centerpieces without looking like they’re celebrating Independence Day. Hydrangea and roses are ubiquitous in weddings and these particular types wouldn’t make any budget conscious brides cringe.

The Event planner Dawn Fillion from I Do’s by Dawn was on top of all the Superman details ensuring it created the perfect blend of geek chic. The Superman/Clark Kent painted shoes, the “Super Love” sign, the “Cootie Catcher” Menus and the super-duper adorable sign on the dog were all her inspiration and were created and designed by Carla Tilt of Tilted Shoes and Olga Loeffen of Defining Moments Stationary.
This is definitely one of the best themed style-shoot I’ve seen! From the gorgeous center pieces and bouquet designed by Christine Owen of Settings Design Stylist, to the invitation suite, Dawn Fillion didn’t leave anything to chance. It’s so beautifully styled and incorporated details with so much talent that anyone can be inspired from something in here. I can’t wait to see if one of you will use it in your own engagement shoot/wedding!
Photographer: Christine Picheca Photography//Styled Date: October 12, 2013//Event Planner/Styler/DIY:Dawn Fillion of I Do’s by Dawn: Think Geek, Be Chic//Model(Groom): Damian//Model & Make-up: Ashley//Bride’s Hair: Chelsea’s Hair & Aesthetics//Bride’s Shoes: Carla Tilt of Tilted Shoes//Bride’s Dress & Necklace: She’s So Beautiful//Cake Designer: Mandy Arsenault of Baby Cakes Inc.//Stationary and All Things Paper: Olga Loeffen of Defining Moments Stationary//Museum:Dundurn Castle//Floral Designer/Candy Buffet: Christine Owen of Settings Design Stylist//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Courtney & Shane’s Rustic Engagement Shoot

There is just something so romantic about having a photo shoot in the barn setting. The way the light filters in and the naturalness of it all… makes the photographs come out looking all sweet and beautiful. It is no wonder the rustic theme is such a popular trend. Dei Gratia Photography is sharing a selection of such romance in Courtney and Shane’s rustic-barn-old southern home engagement shoot with us today. Enjoy!!

Date: January 13, 2013//Photographer: Dei Gratia Photography//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jessica + Dale’s Superhero Wedding

For the first Real Weddings of this week, I’m featuring a bride who’s super thoughtful and crafty, a combination that’s pretty lethal in my opinion. As a paper crafter myself, I caught myself intensely examining all aspects of her DIY projects as I’m pouring over photos by Ashley Gerrity Photography. But what stood out the most for me was the amazing Superhero spread she created for Dale and the groomsmen, hence the title of this feature. Here’s a quick peek:

Now, onto the wedding itself…

Jessica drew Dale and his groomsmen each a different comic character. She even set up their getting-ready room by creating a Gotham backdrop for the table that was filled with mini candy bars and soda bottles… with labels hand-drawn by herself!! How cool was that??!

For the ceremony, Jessica made “All you need is love!” fans that kept their guests cool in the warm New Jersey summer weather as well as the wedding mad libs that had the ceremony details:

The super adorable cake toppers were hand-painted by Jessica, as well as the painted wine bottles and the Cards box. Jessica and Dale each DIY the favors, which was blends of spices that they use on their “specialties” during date nights!

The gorgeous blend of shades of purple kept this summer wedding looking elegant. However, I can’t deny that my favorite part of this fun and super personalized wedding is the Superhero spread Jessica did for the groom and groomsmen. What a way to make the guys feel oh so special!!
Photographer: Ashley Gerrity Photography//Date: June 15, 2013//Event Venue: Moorestown Community House//Caterer: Summit Catering//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

A Royal Garden Affair Styled Shoot

We’re bringing you another magical styled shoot from Samantha Bonpensiero Photography today. She stunned us again with her vision of a glamorous wedding without all the bling. In this styled shoot, it is ALL about the delicate details… the petite desserts, the white-lace fingerless gloves, the chandeliers, textured flowers, and the unexpected pampas grass (dyed lavender)… will make any girl feel like a princess getting married in her private English garden.

The breathtaking centerpiece and matching bouquet are filled with all sorts of soft pastel colors and textures. Notice the centerpiece is hung by small chandeliers? I can totally just picture how it lights up the table as the day gets darker. Multi-colored hydrangea at the base of the vase adds more color and texture to this English garden on the table.

From the photographer:

“At one point or another every girl wants to be a princess. For some, that point is their wedding day and this styled shoot is a little glimpse into a tasteful (rhinestone-less) way to feel like royalty on your big day. Delicate details like dripping chandeliers, cut crystal, simple china, colored depression glass, and satin & sheer ribbons brought out the sophistication for this scene. Playful desserts, highly textural pastel flowers, and an incredibly lovely rose garden lighten the seriousness of being a princess. Our favorite flowers of the day were a toss up between the giant pampas grass (dyed lavender), graceful ballerina-like tulips, and luscious multicolored hydrangeas. Our royal garden affair menu was a mix of petite treats and elegantly decorated (albeit faux) cakes. Above All Catering also helped set us up with Signature Party Rentals who provided us with the beautiful table linens as well as a giant round table that fit perfectly into the center of the rose garden. Our model Taylor was a perfectly regal bride, with her sassy attitude, hair piled high with jewels and curls. She was dripping with jewels and two decadent dresses – one in pale pink complete with tulle and floral details and one in a rich and heavy silky satin with a gorgeous lace up back and tiny jewels.”

Photographer: Samantha Bonpensiero Photography//Date: September 19, 2013//Caterer: Above All Catering//Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Friar Tux Shop//Dress Designer: Hope Stanley Bridal Stylist//Dress Store:Marry Me Bridal//DIY or Handmade Goods Designer: Marry Me Rosie//Linens and Coverings: Signature Party Rentals//Makeup Artist:Vibrant One Make-up by Alexis Steeley//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights